FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Owner reported diseases of working equids in central Ethiopi...
Equine veterinary journal2016; 49(4); 501-506; doi: 10.1111/evj.12633

Owner reported diseases of working equids in central Ethiopia.

Abstract: Working horses, donkeys and mules suffer from numerous diseases and clinical problems. However, there is little information on what owners perceive as important health concerns in their working animals. Objective: To identify and prioritise with owners the diseases and other health concerns in working equids in central Ethiopia using participatory methodologies. Methods: Participatory situation analysis (PSA). Methods: The study was conducted with carthorse- and donkey-owners in 16 sites in central Ethiopia. Multiple participatory methodologies were utilised, including ranking, matrices and focus group discussions. Owners' perceptions on frequency, importance, morbidity and mortality of volunteered diseases and the clinical signs that owners attributed to each disease were obtained; information regarding the impact of these diseases and health concerns was also sought. Results: A total of 40 separate disease and health problems were volunteered by carthorse- and donkey-owners. Horse-owners volunteered a musculoskeletal syndrome (with the local name 'bird', clinical signs suggest possible disease pathologies including equine exertional rhabdomyolysis), colic and epizootic lymphangitis most frequently, whereas donkey-owners volunteered sarcoids, nasal discharge and wounds to occur most frequently. One problem (coughing) was volunteered frequently by both horse- and donkey-owners. Owners demonstrated knowledge of differing manifestations and severity of these problems, which resulted in differing impacts on the working ability of the animal. Conclusions: Although many of the diseases and clinical signs had been previously reported, this study also identified some previously unreported priorities such as rabies in donkeys, an unidentified musculoskeletal syndrome in horses and respiratory signs in both horses and donkeys. The information gathered during this participatory study with owners may be used to inform future veterinary and educational programme interventions, as well as identify future research priorities.
© The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2016-10-13 PubMed ID: 27565130PubMed Central: PMC5484383DOI: 10.1111/evj.12633Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

The research article discusses a study aimed at identifying and prioritizing the diseases and health concerns of working horses, donkeys, and mules from the perspective of their owners in central Ethiopia, using participatory methodologies and situation analysis.

Methodology

  • The research was conducted in 16 sites across central Ethiopia, involving carthorse and donkey owners.
  • Multiple participatory methodologies were used in the study, including ranking, matrices, and focus group discussions.
  • It focused on understanding the owners’ insights on the frequency, importance, morbidity, mortality of various diseases, and the clinical signs attributed to these diseases.
  • Information regarding the impact of these diseases and health concerns on the working animals was also assessed.

Results

  • A total of 40 separate health problems and diseases were identified by the owners of carthorses and donkeys.
  • Horse owners most frequently raised concerns about a musculoskeletal syndrome locally known as ‘bird’, colic, and epizootic lymphangitis.
  • On the other hand, Donkey owners most commonly reported problems such as sarcoids, nasal discharges, and wounds.
  • Coughing was a vital issue for both horse and donkey owners.
  • Owners showed knowledge of the diverse manifestations and severity of these diseases and how they affect the working ability of their animals.

Conclusions

  • The study highlighted several diseases and clinical signs in the animals, some of which had previously bee reported, while others like rabies in donkeys, an unidentified musculoskeletal syndrome in horses, and respiratory issues in both horses and donkeys were new findings.
  • The information gathered from the study is expected to guide future veterinary and educational programmes, as well as help in determining future research priorities.

Cite This Article

APA
Stringer AP, Christley RM, Bell CE, Gebreab F, Tefera G, Reed K, Trawford A, Pinchbeck GL. (2016). Owner reported diseases of working equids in central Ethiopia. Equine Vet J, 49(4), 501-506. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12633

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 4
Pages: 501-506

Researcher Affiliations

Stringer, A P
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Christley, R M
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Bell, C E
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, UK.
Gebreab, F
  • College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
Tefera, G
  • College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
Reed, K
  • SPANA, London, UK.
Trawford, A
  • The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon, UK.
Pinchbeck, G L
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Colic
  • Equidae
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

References

This article includes 45 references
  1. nAnonn(2013) FAO Statistical Database. Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations. Available at: http://faostat.fao.org/site/573/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=573#ancor (Accessed 31.10.2013).
  2. nAnonn(2014) Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Central Statistical Agency: Agricultural Survey 2013/14. Statistical Bulletin 573. Available at: http://www.csa.gov.et (Accessed 05.09.2015).
  3. Garuma S, Lemecha F, Sisay A, Jemal E. Study on gender distribution of ownership of animal‐drawn carts and its effect on women's life in Adami Tulu and Dugda Bora districts. Draught Animal News 2007: pp 29–34.
  4. Gebreab F. Diseases and health problems of donkeys abroad. The Professional Handbook of the Donkey 1997: pp 207–226.
  5. Asmamaw K, Alemayehu T, Alemayehu R, Bojia E. A preliminary study of the socioeconomic contribution of working equids in Dalocha District, Southern Ethiopia. Seventh International Colloquium on Working Equids 2014: p 27.
  6. Biffa D, Woldemeskel M. Causes and factors associated with occurrence of external injuries in working equines in Ethiopia. Int. J. Appl. Res. Vet. Med. 2006;4:1–7.
  7. Shelima B, Dinka H, Abelti A, Mume T, Geleta T, Chala R. Major constraints and health management of carthorses in the mid rift valley of Ethiopia. Fifth International Colloquium on Working Equines 2006: pp 231–241.
  8. Curran MM, Feseha G, Smith DG. The impact of access to animal health services on donkey health and livelihoods in Ethiopia. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 2005;37:47–65.
    pubmed: 16335071
  9. Kebede G, Yohanes A, Degefa T, Pearson R. Assessment of health conditions of donkeys kept in urban and rural areas of central Ethiopia. Alleviating Poverty in Peri‐urban Ethiopia by Improving the Health, Welfare and Productivity of Donkeys 2000: pp 29–35.
  10. Yilma J, Gebreab F, Svendsen E, Mohammed A. Health problems of working donkeys in Debre Zeit and Menagesha regions of Ethiopia. Donkeys, Mules and Horses in Tropical Agricultural Development 1990: pp 151–155.
  11. Laing G, Christley R, Stringer A, Radford A, Aklilu N, Newton R, Pinchbeck G. Unravelling the causes of respiratory disease in the working equids of Ethiopia. Seventh International Colloquium on Working Equids 2014: pp 183–186.
  12. Ameni G. Epidemiology of equine histoplasmosis (epizootic lymphangitis) in carthorses in Ethiopia. Vet. J. 2006;172:160–165.
    pubmed: 16772141
  13. Ameni G, Terefe W, Hailu A. Histofarcin test for the diagnosis of epizootic lymphangitis in Ethiopia: development, optimisation, and validation in the field. Vet. J. 2006;171:358–362.
    pubmed: 16490721
  14. Ameni G, Terefe W. A cross‐sectional study of epizootic lymphangitis in cart‐mules in western Ethiopia. Prev. Vet. Med. 2004;66:93–99.
    pubmed: 15579337
  15. Ameni G, Siyoum F. Study on histoplasmosis (Epizootic lymphangitis) in cart‐horses in Ethiopia. J. Vet. Sci. 2002;3:135–139.
    pubmed: 12441683
  16. Bekele M, Leggese G, Teshome W, Nahom W, Anteneh K, Tewodros T. Socioeconomic impact of epizootic lymphangitis in cart mules in Bahir Dar City, North West Ethiopia. Seventh International Colloquium on Working Equids 2014: pp 10–15.
  17. Ayelet G, Derso S, Jenberie S, Tigre W, Aklilu N, Gelaye E, Asmare K. Outbreak investigation and molecular characterization of African horse sickness virus circulating in selected areas of Ethiopia. Acta Trop. 2013;127:91–96.
    pubmed: 23567554
  18. Aklilu N, Batten C, Gelaye E, Jenberie S, Ayelet G, Wilson A, Belay A, Asfaw Y, Oura C, Maan S, Bachanek‐Bankowska K, Mertens PPC. African horse sickness outbreaks caused by multiple virus types in Ethiopia. Transbound. Emerg. Dis. 2014;61:185–192.
    pubmed: 23083078
  19. Zeleke A, Sori T, Powell K, Gebreab F, Endebu B. Isolation and identification of circulating serotypes of African Horse Sickness Virus in Ethiopia. J. Appl. Res. Vet. Med. 2005;3:40–43.
  20. Getachew M, Gebreab F, Trawford A, Reid SW. A survey of seasonal patterns in strongyle faecal worm egg counts of working equids of the central midlands and lowlands, Ethiopia. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 2008;40:637–642.
    pubmed: 18975128
  21. Fikru R, Reta D, Teshale S, Bizunesh M. Prevalence of equine gastrointestinal parasites in western highlands of Oromia, Ethiopia. Bull. Anim. Health Prod. Afr. 2005;53:161–166.
  22. Yoseph S, Smith DG, Mengistu A, Teklu F, Firew T, Betere Y. Seasonal variation in the parasite burden and body condition of working donkeys in East Shewa and West Shewa regions of Ethiopia. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 2005;37:35–45.
    pubmed: 16335070
  23. Scantlebury C, Aklilu N, Reed K, Knottenbelt D, Gebreab F, Pinchbeck G. Ocular disease in working horses in Ethiopia: a cross sectional study. Vet. Rec. 2012;172:99.
    pubmed: 23155077
  24. Morgan R. The epidemiology of lameness in working donkeys in Addis Ababa and the central Oromia region of Ethiopia: a comparative study of urban and rural populations. Fifth International Colloquium on Working Equines 2006: pp 99–106.
  25. Getachew M. Epidemiological Studies on the Health and Welfare of the Ethiopia Donkey, with Particular Reference to Parasitic Disease. 1999, MVM Thesis, University of Glasgow, Glasgow.
  26. Upjohn MM, Shipton K, Peiffer DU, Lerotholi T, Attwood G, Verheyen KLP. Cross sectional survey of owner knowledge and husbandry practices, tack and health issues affecting working horses in Lesotho. Equine Vet. J. 2012;44:310–318.
    pubmed: 21848533
  27. Burden FA, Du Toit N, Hernandez‐Gil M, Prado Ortiz M, Trawford AF. Selected health and management issues facing working donkeys presented for veterinary treatment in rural Mexico: some possible risk factors and potential intervention strategies. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 2010;42:597–605.
    pubmed: 19784862
  28. Broster CE, Burn CC, Barr ARS, Whay HR. The range and prevalence of pathological abnormalities associated with lameness in working horses from developing countries. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:474–481.
    pubmed: 19642408
  29. Sells P, Pinchbeck G, Mezzane G, Ibourki J, Crane M. Pack wounds of donkeys and mules in Northern High Atlas and low‐lands of Morocco. Equine Vet. J. 2009;42:219–226.
    pubmed: 20486978
  30. Burn CC, Pritchard JC, Farajat M, Twaissi AAM, Whay HR. Risk factors for strap‐related lesions in working donkeys at the World Heritage Site of Petra in Jordan. Vet. J. 2007;178:263–271.
    pubmed: 17869139
  31. Aravindan M, Zaman S, Roy C, Shaw A. Development of wither wounds in working equines of brick kilns in India. Fifth International Colloquium on Working Equines 2006: pp 37–40.
  32. Pritchard JC, Lindberg AC, Main DCJ, Whay HR. Assessment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters. Prev. Vet. Med. 2005;69:265–283.
    pubmed: 15907574
  33. Admassu B, Shiferaw Y. Donkeys, horses and mules: their contribution to people's livelihoods in Ethiopia. The Brooke 2011, London.
  34. Scantlebury C, Pinchbeck G, Reed K, Gebreab F, Zerfu A, Aklilu N, Mideksa K, Christley R. Participatory assessment of the impact of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Ethiopia. Prev. Vet. Med. 2015;120:265–276.
    pubmed: 25980831
  35. Catley A, Alders RG, Wood JLN. Participatory epidemiology: approaches, methods, experiences. Vet. J. 2012;191:151–160.
    pubmed: 21856195
  36. Pearson R, Alemayehu M, Tesfaye A, Allan E, Smith D, Asfaw M. Use and management of donkeys in peri‐urban areas of Ethiopia. Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine (CVTM), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh .
  37. Okell CN, Pinchbeck GP, Stringer AP, Tefera G, Christley RM. A community‐based participatory study investigating the epidemiology and effects of rabies to livestock owners in rural Ethiopia. Prev. Vet. Med. 2012;108:1–9.
    pubmed: 22884728
  38. Boija E, Gebreab F, Alemayehu F, Ayele G, Tesfaye M, Trawford A, Anzuino G. A comprehensive approach to minimise the fatal effects of tetanus and colic in donkeys in Ethiopia. Fifth International Colloquium on Working Equines 2006: pp 169.
  39. Zerfu A. Assessment of Socioeconomic Impact of Epizootic Lymphangitis (EZL) on Horse Drawn Cart Taxi Business in Selected Towns of Central Ethiopia (Debre Zeyit and Debre Brehan). 2007, BA Thesis, Faculty of Business and Economics, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa.
  40. Sharma A, Murthy KS. Effect of work on sub clinical exertional myopathy in working equines. Fifth International Colloquium on Working Equines 2006: pp 90–98.
  41. Scantlebury C, Reed K. Epizootic lymphangitis. Infectious Diseases of the Horse 2009: pp 397–406.
  42. Tinker MK, White NA, Lessard P, Thatcher CD, Pelzer KD, Davis B, Carmel DK. Prospective study of equine colic incidence and mortality. Equine Vet. J. 1997;29:448–453.
    pubmed: 9413717
  43. Upjohn MM, Attwood GA, Lerotholi T, Pfeiffer DU, Verheyen KLP. Quantitative versus qualitative approaches: a comparison of two research methods applied to identification of key health issues for working horses in Lesotho. Prev. Vet. Med. 2013;108:313–320.
    pubmed: 23419786
  44. Pradhan SK, Ali M, Ranjan R, Van Dijk L. Participatory welfare needs assessment: a community‐driven approach towards improving the welfare of working equines. The 6th International Colloquium on Working Equids: Learning from Others 2010.
  45. Stringer AP, Bell CE, Christley RM, Gebreab F, Tefera G, Reed K, Trawford A, Pinchbeck G. A cluster‐randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of different knowledge‐transfer interventions for rural working equid users in Ethiopia. Prev. Vet. Med. 2011;100:90–99.
    pmc: PMC3149660pubmed: 21420748

Citations

This article has been cited 19 times.
  1. Cameron A, Freeman SL, Wild I, Burridge J, Burrell K. Scoping Review of the Socioeconomic Value of Working Equids, and the Impact of Educational Interventions Aimed at Improving Their Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 7;16(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani16020165pubmed: 41594356google scholar: lookup
  2. Tariku GD, Biza TD, Tesfaye SK, Kebede SA. Working animal welfare and their multidimensional roles on livelihood improvement in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Anim Welf 2025;34:e2.
    doi: 10.1017/awf.2024.68pubmed: 39935774google scholar: lookup
  3. Derbib T, Daru G, Kehali S, Alemu S. The Role of Working Animals and Their Welfare Issues in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Vet Med Int 2024;2024:7031990.
    doi: 10.1155/vmi/7031990pubmed: 39741791google scholar: lookup
  4. Seck M, Carder G, Wathan J, Randau M, Fletcher K, Proops L. Working horse welfare in Senegal is linked to owner's socioeconomic status, their attitudes and belief in horse sentience. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0309149.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309149pubmed: 39423199google scholar: lookup
  5. Ali YH, Mohieddeen TAG, Abdellatif MM, Ahmed BM, Saeed IK, Attaalfadeel HM, Ali AA. Rabies in equids in Sudan. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2024 Sep 26;91(1):e1-e10.
    doi: 10.4102/ojvr.v91i1.2181pubmed: 39354785google scholar: lookup
  6. Merridale-Punter MS, Wiethoelter AK, El-Hage CM, Patrick C, Hitchens PL. Common clinical findings identified in working equids in low- and middle-income countries from 2005 to 2021. PLoS One 2024;19(6):e0304755.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304755pubmed: 38837970google scholar: lookup
  7. Yalew A, Darge D, Melake BM. Assessment of community-based intervention approaches to improve the health and welfare of working donkeys in selected areas of Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1253448.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1253448pubmed: 38317786google scholar: lookup
  8. Bonsi M, Anderson NE, Carder G. The Socioeconomic Impact of Diseases of Working Equids in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Critical Review. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 15;13(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13243865pubmed: 38136902google scholar: lookup
  9. Amenu K, McIntyre KM, Moje N, Knight-Jones T, Rushton J, Grace D. Approaches for disease prioritization and decision-making in animal health, 2000-2021: a structured scoping review. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1231711.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1231711pubmed: 37876628google scholar: lookup
  10. Molla AM, Jemberu WT, Fentahun T. Prevalence and risk factors of epizootic lymphangitis in cart pulling horses and mules in Central and South Gondar zones, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Heliyon 2022 Aug;8(8):e09939.
    doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09939pubmed: 35928106google scholar: lookup
  11. Wild I, Freeman S, Robles D, Matamoros D, Ortiz M, Rodriguez J, Burford J. Owners' Knowledge and Approaches to Colic in Working Equids in Honduras. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 13;11(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11072087pubmed: 34359215google scholar: lookup
  12. Molla AM, Fentahun T, Jemberu WT. Estimating the Economic Impact and Assessing Owners' Knowledge and Practices of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Equine Cart Animals in Central and South Gondar Zones, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:673442.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.673442pubmed: 34222399google scholar: lookup
  13. Vasanthakumar MA, Upjohn MM, Watson TL, Dwyer CM. 'All My Animals Are Equal, but None Can Survive without the Horse'. The Contribution of Working Equids to the Livelihoods of Women across Six Communities in the Chimaltenango Region of Guatemala. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 22;11(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11061509pubmed: 34067461google scholar: lookup
  14. Norris SL, Little HA, Ryding J, Raw Z. Global donkey and mule populations: Figures and trends. PLoS One 2021;16(2):e0247830.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247830pubmed: 33630957google scholar: lookup
  15. Schott HC 2nd, Estrada-Coates A, Alva-Trujillo M, Petersen AD, Kinsley MA, Esser MM, Casillas J, Garcia-Seco E, Madariaga-Najera M, Fernando Martínez JA, Herrera-León A, Hernández-Gil M. Equine Welfare in Practice: A Collaborative Outreach and Education Program with Michigan State University, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and Universidad Veracruzana. Animals (Basel) 2019 Apr 13;9(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani9040164pubmed: 31013919google scholar: lookup
  16. Stringer AP, Christley RM, Bell CE, Gebreab F, Tefera G, Reed K, Trawford A, Pinchbeck GL. Evaluating the Efficacy of Knowledge-Transfer Interventions on Animal Health Knowledge of Rural Working Equid Owners in Central Ethiopia: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:282.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00282pubmed: 30515382google scholar: lookup
  17. Laing G, Christley R, Stringer A, Aklilu N, Ashine T, Newton R, Radford A, Pinchbeck G. Respiratory disease and sero-epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in the working horses of Ethiopia. Equine Vet J 2018 Nov;50(6):793-799.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12834pubmed: 29574904google scholar: lookup
  18. Sommerville R, Brown AF, Upjohn M. A standardised equine-based welfare assessment tool used for six years in low and middle income countries. PLoS One 2018;13(2):e0192354.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192354pubmed: 29466391google scholar: lookup
  19. Scantlebury CE, Pinchbeck GL, Loughnane P, Aklilu N, Ashine T, Stringer AP, Gordon L, Marshall M, Christley RM, McCarthy AJ. Development and Evaluation of a Molecular Diagnostic Method for Rapid Detection of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum, the Causative Agent of Epizootic Lymphangitis, in Equine Clinical Samples. J Clin Microbiol 2016 Dec;54(12):2990-2999.
    doi: 10.1128/JCM.00896-16pubmed: 27707938google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.