Transporting livestock by train and vehicle

Transport facilities for livestock are grossly inadequate in Pakistan. The stock owner has to use one of five ways to transport: by ship, train, plane, vehicle, or hoof. Transport by plane or ship, of course, isi usually reserved for costly race horses, zoo animals, and imported pure bred exotic cattle, etc. For long distances, rail transport, affords a savings on maintenance and handling charges, tolls, and other incidental expenses. Also, weight loss and death, potential consequences of transport by foot, can be avoided.
If rail transport is chosen, the wagons which are to carry livestock should always have a roof, provide for free passage of air, and have battened or non-slippery floors. In Pakistan wagons used for goods transport are generally used for transport of animals too. In such a wagon a 10 - 15 cm thick layer of sand should be spread on the floor. This prevents the animals from slipping, soaks up urine and makes lying down comfortable. The side doors should be left open for ventilation. Partitions of suitable size should be made using wooden poles to keep the animals on their feet while the train is moving.
Sheep should be packed in a wagon closely enough to prevent them from being thrown about during transit. Animals should be so grouped that those of approximately the same size and condition are loaded together. Horned cattle should be secured by the horns to the side of the wagon. They should stand head to tail so that alternate animals face the opposite directions.
It is necessary to carry the local feed and utensils for feeding, watering, and milking of animals during the journey. Two experienced attendants who can perform these tasks should accompany the wagon or truck load. Simple medicines for diarrhoea, bloat, fever, and injury should also be carried.
In the winter, the stock should be watered every 12 hours, once in the morning and once in the evening. In the summer, watering frequency should be at least three times a day. When a journey is of more than three days, off-loading for feed and rest is essential to maintain the health and well-being of animals.
Transport of livestock by vehicle has many advantages. It is very convenient to load the animals at the farm and directly transport them to their destination. Thus, the problems of repeated handling and associated disturbances, such as weight loss, can be avoided. On the other hand, if the journey is long and the roads unsurfaced, the cost of transport per Km is somewhat greater than it is by rail, and an extra strain is placed on the animals. Nevertheless, the advantages of vehicle transport outweigh the truck can then be taken to an earthen mound or any other raised geoplogical feature of convenient height and the animals loaded from the mound.
The precautions to be followed while transporting livestock by road are the same as for rail transport. An ordinary goods truck can take four to five cattle and buffaloes, or 20-25 small animals depending on their age and condition.
If goats are being transported in a vehicle, they should not be allowed too much space, otherwise they will be knocked against the sides as the vehicle moves. If only a few are to be transported, spare space can be filled with bales of straw. These must be firmly tied in place and should not provide the goats with any climbable surfaces or ledges. The ideal floor is a rubber mat covered with a thin layer of straw. Horned and dehorned goats should not be carried together in the same compartment. Goats should never be transported in a vehicle without a division between them and the driver.

Moving animals: Horses

Even though horses are social animals, strange horses should not be allowed to get too close to the others. When leading or riding in a line, keep at least one horse's length between animals to avoid kicking. Horses being introduced nose-to-nose for the first time will often squeal and strike out with a front foot or even try to turn quickly and kick. When crossing a road, it is extremely important that all the horses cross together. One person should take charge and check that all are ready to cross simultaneously or in larger groups. It is better to hold the traffic and let the whole line cross. If one horse is left behind, it could get out of control and cause an accident.
Similar precautions should be taken when turning a group of horses out into a field. All the horses should be taken into the field and held well apart and clear of the gateway. The gate should then be closed. They should all be turned to face the gate and, when all are ready, released together. Turning the horses to face the gate means that the horses have to turn before they charge off and the handlers have time to step clear.
In a situation where the person riding or leading the horse loses control of the animal, the others should try to remain calm and stand still. Trying heroically to rescue a bolting horse at a gallop will only make matters worse.

Transporting animals: Sheep and Cattle

It is much easier to move a group of sheep than to try to separate one or a few from a flock. It is sometimes more efficient to sort (draft or cut a small group from a large flock using a gate. A well trained dog or another person is essential. It is often easier to take the whole group to the yards even when just a few are needed.
There is a high risk of smothering when a large group of sheep is run through a narrow gap, such as a gate in a rotational grazing system. The risk is reduced by adopting the following measures.

1. Move the group uphill where possible
2. Place a person immediately before the gap to cut off the flow
3. Be particularly careful when a downhill movement leads to a stream crossing, culvert, gate, or other narrow area
4. Stresses such as the presence of dogs and noise should be eliminated if possible to let the sheep look ahead to see where they are going. When there is too much stress, sheep mill around climb on each other's backs.

Sheep can be driven easily by dogs or people. Sheep that are kept in restricted spaces like fields learn to respond to dogs by forming a group. Feral sheep, on the other hand scatter when attempts are made to muster them with dogs. Once domestic sheep are in a group, they try to maintain a certain distance (flight distance) between themselves and the dog and so move away on the dog's approach. Single sheep also maintain a flight distance. Whey they cannot escape, they are likely to turn and face the dog or run past it to escape from confinement.
When driving sheep along public roads, have one person at the front to warn oncoming traffic and control the rate of movement and a more experienced person behind to move them forward. Sheep are "followers" animals, and will therefore naturally follow other sheep. They will also follow people who feed them regularly.
For cattle and buffaloes, as well as sheep, driving is the most economical way to move the animals, at least for short distances. It is essential that an adequate supply of food and water be available at suitable points along the route. All farm stock should be kept to a a well defined track because,

1. Facilities for feeding and watering will often be available, 
2. Wandering animals may spread diseases in the region through which they pass and can be properly checked by authorities on well defined roads.

Animals lose body weight while moving, THis loss can be minimized by proper scheduling of feeding and watering. Indigenous cattle are well served if ad libitum water supply points are locaated about 20 Km apart. Mutton sheep going to market should get water at intervals of about 10 Km, otherwise they will lose a large amount of body weight.
Cattle, including buffaloes, can be driven easily for about 30 - 35 Km a day, and sheep for half that distance. In summer, driving during the hottest part of day should be avoided. Whenever possible, animals should be driven on soft ground and not on hard roads.