Assessment of horse breeding and husbandry practices in southwest Ethiopia: Its implication to design breeding program.
Abstract: Ethiopian horses are multipurpose horses that have socioeconomic significance for smallholder farmers. However, studies regarding their husbandry practices have received little attention. Thus, the current study was conducted to assess the horse husbandry practices in the southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires from a total of 196 randomly selected respondents. The general linear model and frequency procedures of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS 9.0) were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, while indices were calculated using Microsoft Excel 2016. Most of the respondents from the Telo district were illiterate, while the percentage of literate farmers was greater in the Gesha and Masha districts. The within-household flock structure and level of importance were dominated by cattle and sheep, followed by horses. The horses were used for transport, draft power, and breeding purposes. In terms of shelters, the horses in the Telo district stayed in shelters, while the horses in the Masha district stayed in forests during both the dry and wet seasons. However, the majority of the horses in the Gesha district were sheltered during the wet season, while they were left to stay in the forest during the dry season. The respondents provided supplementary feed and water to their horses while the water point was located within a kilometer distance. Government and private veterinary shops were the primary sources of veterinary services. Farmers sold their horses at the local market. Castration was performed to minimize aggressiveness. Body size, conformation, and temperament were used as sire selection criteria. An increasing trend in horse population size due to increased farmer interest was observed. In the studied areas, horses were found to be highly important to the livelihood of the farmers. However, horse husbandry practices were led by a considerably greater number of illiterate farmers. Moreover, horse management activities, including the housing of horses, need more attention. Therefore, successive awareness-raising campaigns, including the introduction of formal schooling, are recommended to improve the horse breeding and husbandry practices. Moreover, breeding programs with the aim of genetic improvement and conservation need to be designed to optimize the sustainable utilization of the horses.
© 2024 The Authors.
Publication Date: 2024-10-18 PubMed ID: 39497993PubMed Central: PMC11533570DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39280Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The researchers conducted a study to understand horse husbandry practices in southwest Ethiopia. The team gathered information about the ways horses are used, sheltered, fed, and bred, to consider future improvements for horse breeding and maintenance.
Methodology
- The researchers used semi-structured questionnaires to collect data from 196 randomly selected respondents in the southwest Ethiopia.
- They analyzed both qualitative and quantitative data using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS 9.0) and calculated specific indices using Microsoft Excel 2016.
Findings
- Most respondents from the Telo district were illiterate, with a higher percentage of literate farmers in the Gesha and Masha districts.
- Horses served multiple purposes including transport, draft power, and breeding. However, they placed lower in the within-household flock structure, dominated by cattle and sheeps.
- In the Telo district, horses are kept in shelters, while those in the Masha district stay in forests, regardless of the season. Whereas, horses in the Gesha district were sheltered during the wet season and left in forests during the dry season.
- Horses received supplementary feed and water from their owners, with the water source usually within a kilometer.
- Primary sources of veterinary services were government and private veterinary shops.
- Farmers sold their horses in the local market and would castrate them to reduce aggressiveness.
- Selection of breeding males (sires) was based on their body size, conformation, and temperament.
- Findings showed an increase in the horse population owing to a rise in farmer interest.
Implications and Recommendations
- Horse husbandry practices were largely led by illiterate farmers, suggesting a need for increased educational initiatives and awareness-raising campaigns in these regions.
- Improved attention and solutions are needed for managing horse housing.
- Developing breeding programs that aim for genetic improvements and conservation could support sustainable use of horses in the region.
Cite This Article
APA
Mustefa A, Engdawork A, Sinke S.
(2024).
Assessment of horse breeding and husbandry practices in southwest Ethiopia: Its implication to design breeding program.
Heliyon, 10(20), e39280.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39280 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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