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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2026; 16(2); 165; doi: 10.3390/ani16020165

Scoping Review of the Socioeconomic Value of Working Equids, and the Impact of Educational Interventions Aimed at Improving Their Welfare.

Abstract: Working equids support millions of people globally, especially in low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries. However, they commonly suffer from poor welfare and are typically overlooked in policy and funding decisions. This scoping review aimed to collate evidence on two topics related to working equid use in low- and middle-income countries: their socioeconomic value to their owners and the impact of educational interventions for owners/handlers aiming to improve equid welfare. Original research published from 2014 onwards was eligible for inclusion. This scoping review followed the JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR framework. One search strategy encompassing both topics was applied to five databases (CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and IBSS) on 24.04.24. Key characteristics and findings of eligible studies were charted. In total, 3514 sources were independently screened by two reviewers. In total, 61 socioeconomic value studies (47 journal articles, 2 reports, and 12 conference contributions) and 23 educational intervention studies (11 journal articles and 12 conference contributions) were included. Working equids supported their owners' livelihoods in wide-ranging ways and contributed to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Educational interventions employed varied approaches, and most reported success. Multilevel initiatives and those developed through participatory engagement may be more likely to directly improve equid welfare in the long term. These aspects should be prioritised during intervention development. The included studies used inconsistent terminology and were of variable quality. This review highlights the importance of including working equids within policy and funding strategies and provides recommendations to increase the discoverability, quality, and impact of working equid research.
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Publication Date: 2026-01-07 PubMed ID: 41594356PubMed Central: PMC12837931DOI: 10.3390/ani16020165Google 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.

Overview

  • This research article presents a scoping review that examines the socioeconomic value of working equids (such as donkeys, horses, and mules) to their owners in low- and middle-income countries and assesses the impact of educational interventions aimed at improving the welfare of these animals.
  • The review synthesizes evidence from recent studies to highlight the importance of working equids in supporting livelihoods and evaluates how educational programs contribute to better animal welfare outcomes.

Background and Purpose

  • Working equids play a critical role in the lives of millions worldwide, especially in economically disadvantaged countries, by supporting transportation, agriculture, and other livelihood activities.
  • Despite their importance, these animals frequently face poor welfare conditions and are often neglected in policy-making and financial support mechanisms.
  • The review aimed to systematically gather and analyze studies focusing on two main themes:
    • The socioeconomic benefits that working equids provide to their owners.
    • The outcomes of educational interventions designed to improve equid welfare.

Methodology

  • The authors conducted a scoping review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and adhered to the PRISMA-ScR reporting framework, ensuring a systematic approach.
  • Studies eligible for inclusion were original research published from 2014 onward.
  • A comprehensive search was performed on five databases:
    • CAB Abstracts
    • MEDLINE
    • Embase
    • Web of Science
    • IBSS (International Bibliography of the Social Sciences)
  • The search date was April 24, 2024, applying a combined strategy covering both socioeconomic value and educational interventions related to working equids.
  • A total of 3,514 sources were initially screened independently by two reviewers to ensure reliability and reduce bias.

Findings: Socioeconomic Value of Working Equids

  • 61 studies focusing on the socioeconomic aspects were included, comprising:
    • 47 journal articles
    • 2 reports
    • 12 conference contributions
  • Key insights include:
    • Working equids significantly contribute to the livelihoods of their owners by facilitating transport, agricultural activities, and income generation.
    • Their roles align with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as poverty reduction, food security, and gender equality.
    • The value provided varies across different economic and cultural contexts but is universally important in low-resource settings.

Findings: Impact of Educational Interventions on Equid Welfare

  • 23 studies addressed educational programs for owners or handlers, including:
    • 11 journal articles
    • 12 conference contributions
  • Interventions varied in methodology, including workshops, community engagement, and participatory strategies.
  • Most studies reported positive outcomes such as:
    • Improved knowledge and attitudes about equid care.
    • Enhanced welfare indicators, including better feeding, health, and workload management of the animals.
  • Interventions that were multilevel (e.g., addressing both owners and broader community or policy levels) and developed with participatory engagement were more likely to result in sustained welfare improvements.

Challenges and Limitations Highlighted

  • Terminology related to working equid welfare and socioeconomic roles was inconsistent across studies, complicating comparisons and synthesis.
  • There was variability in the quality of included studies, indicating a need for more rigorous research designs and reporting standards.
  • Some areas of working equid importance and welfare improvement remain under-researched, emphasizing gaps for future study.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The review underscores the critical role of working equids in supporting vulnerable populations and advancing development goals.
  • It calls for greater inclusion of working equids in policy-making and funding decisions to ensure their welfare is prioritized.
  • Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to:
    • Use consistent, standardized terminology to improve research discoverability and comparability.
    • Adopt participatory and multilevel approaches when designing educational interventions.
    • Enhance study rigor and reporting clarity to strengthen the evidence base.
    • Integrate findings into broader development frameworks to maximize impact on both human livelihoods and animal welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Cameron A, Freeman SL, Wild I, Burridge J, Burrell K. (2026). Scoping Review of the Socioeconomic Value of Working Equids, and the Impact of Educational Interventions Aimed at Improving Their Welfare. Animals (Basel), 16(2), 165. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16020165

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
PII: 165

Researcher Affiliations

Cameron, Amelia
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
Freeman, Sarah L
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
Wild, Isabella
  • World Horse Welfare, Anne Colvin House, Snetterton, Norwich NR16 2LR, UK.
Burridge, Jessica
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
Burrell, Katie
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.

Grant Funding

  • N/A / World Horse Welfare

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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