Assessment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters.
Abstract: Working animals provide an essential transport resource in developing countries worldwide. Many of these animals are owned by poor people and work in harsh environments, so their welfare is a cause for concern. A protocol was developed to assess the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys in urban and peri-urban areas, using direct observation of health and behaviour parameters. In this study, 4903 animals used for draught, pack and ridden work in Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Jordan and Pakistan were assessed between December 2002 and April 2003. The data showed that donkeys were more likely than mules or horses to demonstrate avoidance or aggressive behaviour towards an observer, while horses were most likely to make a friendly approach. Fewer than 8% of working equines had abnormal mucous membranes, ectoparasites or poor coat condition. Body lesions occurred predominantly in the areas of the breast/shoulder, withers and girth in all three species, with mules having the highest prevalence of lesions in these areas (22.5, 21.3 and 28.4%, respectively). Among horses and donkeys, the prevalence of these lesions was influenced by the type of work carried out. Lesions on the head, neck, ribs, flank and tail base were seen in less than 10% of animals. Across all three species approximately 70% of animals were thin, having a body condition score (BCS) of 2 or less on a scale of 1-5 (1, very thin; 5, very fat) and more horses were in very thin condition (BCS 1) than mules or donkeys. Over 75% of animals demonstrated limb deformities and abnormalities of gait. The results of this study are being used as the initial stage of a long-term strategy to inform priorities for welfare interventions in working equines and to establish a welfare benchmark. Subsequent stages will rank the welfare concerns identified, assess the contributing risk factors and implement specific interventions to address these risks. Following intervention, success in improving welfare will be measured by repetition of this protocol and comparison with the benchmark.
Publication Date: 2005-03-16 PubMed ID: 15907574DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2005.02.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study provides an in-depth evaluation of the welfare of working horses, mules, and donkeys in developing countries, particularly focusing on their health and behavior to initiate effective welfare interventions.
Introduction and Methodology
- The researchers developed a protocol, following which they closely observed the health and behavior of 4903 working equines, throughout five countries: Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Jordan, and Pakistan.
- This assessment was carried out from December 2002 to April 2003 and developed comprehensive data that showed varying behaviors and health conditions among mules, horses, and donkeys used for draught, pack, and ridden work.
Analysis and Findings
- The team noticed that donkeys were more prone to show avoidance or aggressive behavior, while horses were more likely to approach visitors friendly.
- Fewer than 8% of the working animals had abnormal mucous membranes, ectoparasites or poor coat condition, indicating relatively lower presence of health issues that could be directly observed.
- Body lesions were significantly present in areas of the breast/shoulder, withers, and girth across all three species, with mules holding the highest prevalence of lesions in these regions.
- In horses and donkeys, the type of work influenced the occurrence of these lesions.
- Furthermore, slightly less than 10% of animals showed visible lesions on their head, neck, ribs, flank, and tail base.
- Body condition scores indicated approximately 70% of the observed animals were thin, and horses were in the worst condition among the three species.
- Disturbingly, over 75% of the animals displayed limb deformities and abnormal gait.
Outcomes and Implications
- The results of this study form the initial stage of a long-term welfare intervention strategy for these working animals.
- The following stages of the protocol intend to rank the identified welfare issues, determine the contributing risk factors, and implement actions to mitigate these risks.
- The success of these interventions will be measured through repeating this protocol and comparing the results with this benchmark study.
Cite This Article
APA
Pritchard JC, Lindberg AC, Main DC, Whay HR.
(2005).
Assessment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters.
Prev Vet Med, 69(3-4), 265-283.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2005.02.002 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK. joy.pritchard@bristol.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animal Welfare
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal
- Developing Countries
- Equidae
- Female
- Health
- Male
Citations
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