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Veterinary sciences2026; 13(3); 274; doi: 10.3390/vetsci13030274

Assessment of the Welfare of Working Horses: Combining Clinical Evaluations with Indirect Indicators.

Abstract: Assessing the welfare of the working horses is crucial for identifying health and management issues and implementing effective solutions. This study evaluated the welfare of working horses in South Darfur, Sudan, by integrating clinical examination with indirect indicators through owner interviews. A total of 400 horse-owner pairs were included. Most horses (61.7%) worked every day, and 77% of owners reported using whips to encourage movement. Clinical assessment revealed that 29.0% of horses were thin, over half had dirty coats, 50.5% harbored external parasites, 43% had abnormal discharges, 25.0% showed poor hoof health, and many exhibited gait abnormalities. Behavioral assessments indicated that fewer than 40% of horses displayed alert attitudes, while over half responded indifferently to stimuli. Horses working daily tended to be thin, have skin lesions, and show gait problems, reflecting poor welfare. Horses with better attitude responses were more frequently fed and worked fewer days per week. Overall, the findings highlight poor physical, behavioral, and management conditions among working horses, emphasizing the urgent need for owner education, training programs, and further research to improve their welfare in the study area.
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Publication Date: 2026-03-16 PubMed ID: 41893691PubMed Central: PMC13030267DOI: 10.3390/vetsci13030274Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Objective Overview

  • This study evaluated the welfare of working horses in South Darfur, Sudan by combining clinical health assessments with indirect welfare indicators gathered through interviews with horse owners.

Background and Importance

  • Working horses play a crucial role in many communities, supporting livelihoods through transportation and labor.
  • Assessing their welfare helps identify health, behavioral, and management issues, which is essential for devising interventions that improve their quality of life and productivity.

Study Design

  • Location: South Darfur, Sudan, a region where working horses are widely used.
  • Sample: 400 pairs of horses and their owners participated.
  • Methods:
    • Clinical assessments of the horses were conducted to examine physical health, including body condition, coat cleanliness, presence of parasites, discharges, hoof health, and gait.
    • Owner interviews provided indirect welfare indicators like working patterns, use of motivational tools (e.g., whips), feeding routines, and behavioral observations of the horses.

Key Findings

  • Working Patterns and Management:
    • 61.7% of horses worked every day, indicating high work demands without sufficient rest.
    • 77% of owners reported using whips to encourage horse movement, a potential stress and welfare concern.
  • Clinical Health Indicators:
    • 29% of the horses were found to be thin, suggesting inadequate nutrition or health issues.
    • More than half had dirty coats, indicating poor grooming or environmental conditions.
    • 50.5% harbored external parasites, a sign of insufficient parasite control.
    • 43% showed abnormal discharges, pointing to possible infections or illnesses.
    • 25% demonstrated poor hoof health, which can cause pain and mobility problems.
    • Many horses exhibited abnormal gait, reflecting musculoskeletal issues or pain.
  • Behavioral Assessments:
    • Less than 40% showed alert and responsive attitudes, indicators of good mental welfare.
    • Over half responded indifferently to stimuli, suggesting possible stress, depression, or learned helplessness.

Associations Between Workload, Health, and Behavior

  • Horses working daily were more likely to be thin, have skin lesions, and suffer gait problems, showing the negative impact of constant workload on welfare.
  • Horses that demonstrated better behavioral responses (more alert attitudes) tended to:
    • Be fed more frequently or adequately.
    • Work fewer days per week, implying rest improves welfare.

Implications and Recommendations

  • The overall poor physical condition, behavioral signs of distress, and management practices revealed poor welfare status among working horses in the study area.
  • Urgent interventions are needed, including:
    • Education and training programs for horse owners on better care and management practices.
    • Implementation of regular health and welfare monitoring systems.
    • Addressing workload to reduce daily working hours and allow recovery.
    • Further scientific research to develop culturally-appropriate welfare improvement strategies.

Conclusion

  • This integrated approach combining clinical and indirect indicators effectively highlighted welfare challenges faced by working horses in South Darfur.
  • The findings provide a baseline to inform policy makers, animal welfare organizations, and local communities aimed at enhancing the health and wellbeing of these essential animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Basher AA, Ahmed AA, Pfukenyi DM, Liu HY, Essa MOA, Husien HM, Saleh AA, Adam SY, Cai D. (2026). Assessment of the Welfare of Working Horses: Combining Clinical Evaluations with Indirect Indicators. Vet Sci, 13(3), 274. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13030274

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
PII: 274

Researcher Affiliations

Basher, Abdallah A
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
  • Biomedical Research Institute, Darfur University College, Nyala 155, Sudan.
Ahmed, Abdelkareem A
  • Biomedical Research Institute, Darfur University College, Nyala 155, Sudan.
  • Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Science, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gaborone Private Bag 0027, Botswana.
Pfukenyi, Davies M
  • Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Science, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gaborone Private Bag 0027, Botswana.
Liu, Hao-Yu
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
Essa, Mohamed Osman Abdalrahem
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Albutana University, Rufaa 22217, Sudan.
Husien, Hosameldeen Mohamed
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Albutana University, Rufaa 22217, Sudan.
Saleh, Ahmed A
  • Animal and Fish Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Al-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria 11865, Egypt.
Adam, Saber Y
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
  • Biomedical Research Institute, Darfur University College, Nyala 155, Sudan.
Cai, Demin
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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