Pack wounds of donkeys and mules in the Northern High Atlas and lowlands of Morocco.
Abstract: Wounds are one of the primary welfare concerns of working equids and are often related to harness or load-bearing packs. Objective: To identify and quantify factors associated with the presence of pack wounds in donkeys and mules working in the wood trade in the Midelt (Northern High Atlas) region of Morocco, and to compare wounds of these donkeys and mules to those working in other trades. Methods: The study population comprised equids working in the Midelt region involved in the wood trade. Comparison populations were comprised of equids working in other trades, in the same region and in Khemmiset region (lowlands of Central Morocco). Wounds were numbered and scored according to their severity. Questionnaires were used to gather data from owners, and objective data regarding the animal, berdaa (back-pack) and load were collected. Data were analysed using multilevel uniand multivariable regression models to allow for clustering of wound sites within an equid. Results: Analysis showed an overall pack wound prevalence of 54% (n=80/147). The most common site was the withers. Equids working in the wood trade were at increased risk of suffering pack wounds. Equids in the lowland study population were at increased risk of developing pack wounds, and donkeys were at increased risk of suffering pack wounds compared to mules both overall and within the wood trade. Other factors affecting the prevalence of wounds included the cleanliness of the berdaa and the frequency and distances of work imposed on the equid. Conclusions: Pack wounds in donkeys and mules are common in the 2 study regions of Morocco and appear to be associated with work factors including the trade the equids work in, the frequency and distances of work imposed and cleanliness of the pack. Donkeys are more susceptible than mules to developing pack wounds. Conclusions: These results allow recommendations to be made to owners of equids that may decrease the prevalence of wounds and, therefore, improve welfare and working capability of these equids. Research is required to identify reasons for regional difference in prevalence of pack wounds in equids not working in the wood trade.
Publication Date: 2010-05-22 PubMed ID: 20486978DOI: 10.2746/042516409X478532Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research focuses on analyzing factors and conditions linked to the appearance and severity of pack wounds in working donkeys and mules involved in the wood trade within the Midelt region of Morocco’s Northern High Atlas. It found a pack wound prevalence of 54% and identified work-related factors including the animal’s trade work, frequency and intense workloads, and maintenance of the pack as responsible for the occurrence and severity of pack wounds. The study also concluded that donkeys are more prone to developing pack wounds than mules.
Objective and Methodology
- The study aimed to identify and quantify the elements contributing to the incidence of pack wounds in working donkeys and mules engaged in the timber industry in the Midelt region of Morocco
- The research involved gathering data from owners through questionnaires and discovering objective statistics about the animal, their load, and their “berdaa” or back-pack
- The wounds were individually counted and scored based on their severity, and an analysis was conducted using multilevel univariable and multivariable regression models
Result and Findings
- An overall pack wound prevalence of 54% was observed from the 147 equids examined in the study
- Equids involved in the wood trade were more likely to be afflicted by pack wounds, and those located in the Khemmiset region’s lowland areas were also at a higher risk
- The frequency and distance of the work, along with the cleanliness of the berdaa, were other factors implicated
- Among the equids, donkeys were at a higher overall risk than mules, both within the wood trade and generally
Conclusion and Recommendations
- From the study, it was concluded that pack wounds are common in both the studied regions of Morocco and are largely associated with the work environments and conditions such as the nature of trade work, frequency and intensity of labor, and cleanliness of the pack
- The study’s findings offer valuable insights and recommendations to owners of equids for potentially reducing the prevalence of wounds, thus enhancing welfare and work productivity of these animals
- Additional research is suggested to understand the regional differences in the prevalence of pack wounds among equids not involved in the wood trade
Cite This Article
APA
Sells PD, Pinchbeck G, Mezzane H, Ibourki J, Crane M.
(2010).
Pack wounds of donkeys and mules in the Northern High Atlas and lowlands of Morocco.
Equine Vet J, 42(3), 219-226.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409X478532 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Rossdales Equine Hospital, Cotton End Road, Exning, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7NN, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Welfare
- Animals
- Equidae
- Morocco
- Work
- Wounds and Injuries / pathology
- Wounds and Injuries / veterinary
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