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Tropical animal health and production1998; 30(1); 67-78; doi: 10.1023/a:1005021729061

Effect of density and weight of load on the energy cost of carrying loads by donkeys and ponies.

Abstract: Two experiments were designed to compare the energy used in carrying loads by donkeys and ponies. In the first experiment 3 donkeys and 3 ponies were compared on treadmills in the UK. Density of load (lead shot or straw) had no significant effect on the energy cost of carrying loads; however, the energy cost of carrying a load decreased significantly (p < 0.001) as the weight of the load increased (in donkeys 6.44, 4.35 and 3.03 J/kg load/m, in ponies 5.82, 3.75 and 3.68 J/kg load/m, for loads of 13, 20 and 27 kg/100 kg liveweight (M) respectively). Differences between species were not significant. In the second experiment energy expenditures were determined in 3 donkeys carrying loads equivalent to 40 kg/100 kg M over gently undulating gravel tracks in Tunisia. Energy costs of carrying the load were 2.34 (SE 0.07) J/kg load/m. The results of both experiments showed that provided the load is balanced, density does not significantly affect the energy cost of carrying; however, as the load increased then the unit energy cost of carrying it decreased. This suggest that it is more efficient in terms of energy used to carry loads equivalent to 27 to 40 kg/100 kg M than it is to carry lighter loads to less than 20 kg/100 kg M.
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Publication Date: 1998-08-28 PubMed ID: 9719832DOI: 10.1023/a:1005021729061Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research article explores how different weights and densities of loads affect the energy expenditure of donkeys and ponies during load carrying tasks. The study concluded that as the weight of the load increased, the energy cost of carrying it decreased, indicating it’s more energy-efficient for these animals to carry heavier loads.

Experiment Design

  • The research involved two separate experiments.
  • The first experiment was conducted in the UK with 3 donkeys and 3 ponies carrying loads on treadmills. The objective was to see how the density of the load (measured in the form of lead shot or straw) impacted the energy cost of carrying designs.
  • The second experiment involved 3 donkeys in Tunisia transporting loads equivalent to 40 kg per 100 kg of the animal’s live weight. This experiment took place on gently undulating gravel tracks.

Experimental Results

  • Both experiments demonstrated that the density of the load does not significantly impact the energy cost of carrying, implying the material of the load is less important than its weight.
  • As the weight of the load increased, the energy expenditure of the animals decreased significantly, regardless of whether they are donkeys or ponies. This is indicated by decreasing amounts of energy measured in Joules (J) per kg of load per meter of travel as the load weight increased.
  • The animals expended less energy when carrying heavier loads, suggesting it is more energy efficient for them to carry loads equivalent to 27 to 40 kg per 100 kg of their own live weight.
  • No significant differences were noted in energy expenditure between the donkeys and the ponies.

Conclusion & Implications

  • The research concluded that for both donkeys and ponies, it’s more energy-efficient to carry heavier loads, with energy expenditure decreasing as load weight increased.
  • This could have practical implications for how these animals are utilized in manual labor or the transportation of goods, suggesting that properly balanced heavier loads could capitalize on their energy efficiencies.
  • Further research may need to be undertaken to explore other factors like distance traveled and load balancing techniques.

Cite This Article

APA
Pearson RA, Dijkman JT, Krecek RC, Wright P. (1998). Effect of density and weight of load on the energy cost of carrying loads by donkeys and ponies. Trop Anim Health Prod, 30(1), 67-78. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1005021729061

Publication

Tropical animal health and production
ISSN: 0049-4747
NlmUniqueID: 1277355
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 1
Pages: 67-78

Researcher Affiliations

Pearson, R A
  • Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, UK.
Dijkman, J T
    Krecek, R C
      Wright, P

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Digestion
        • Drinking
        • Eating
        • Energy Metabolism
        • Equidae / metabolism
        • Exercise Test / veterinary
        • Horses / metabolism
        • Male
        • Oxygen Consumption
        • Walking / physiology
        • Weight-Bearing / physiology

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        This article includes 11 references
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        Citations

        This article has been cited 4 times.
        1. Mota-Rojas D, Braghieri A, Álvarez-Macías A, Serrapica F, Ramírez-Bribiesca E, Cruz-Monterrosa R, Masucci F, Mora-Medina P, Napolitano F. The Use of Draught Animals in Rural Labour. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 13;11(9).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11092683pubmed: 34573649google scholar: lookup
        2. Bukhari SSUH, McElligott AG, Parkes RSV. Quantifying the Impact of Mounted Load Carrying on Equids: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 7;11(5).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11051333pubmed: 34067208google scholar: lookup
        3. Mengistu A, Smith DG, Yoseph S, Nega T, Zewdie W, Kassahun WG, Taye B, Firew T. The effect of providing feed supplementation and anthelmintic to donkeys during late pregnancy and lactation on live weight and survival of dams and their foals in central Ethiopia. Trop Anim Health Prod 2005 Nov;37 Suppl 1:21-33.
          doi: 10.1007/s11250-005-9003-4pubmed: 16335069google scholar: lookup
        4. Smith DG, Pearson RA. A review of the factors affecting the survival of donkeys in semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Trop Anim Health Prod 2005 Nov;37 Suppl 1:1-19.
          doi: 10.1007/s11250-005-9002-5pubmed: 16335068google scholar: lookup
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