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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(11); doi: 10.3390/ani15111525

Stoicism or Defeat? The Psychological Impact of the Kiln Environment on Working Donkeys and Mules.

Abstract: One of the most problematic situations for the estimated 60 million working donkeys and mules across the world is within the brick kiln environment. In countries such as Egypt, Nepal, India and Pakistan, donkeys and mules carry dried bricks into small kilns either by pulling carts or carrying loaded packs. The health and welfare problems of this environment are well documented: they may carry excessive loads; work long hours, have difficulties accessing food, water and rest options; and can frequently suffer untreated illnesses including dental problems, lameness and open wounds from poorly fitting harnesses and aggressive handlers. The impact of this environment on their mental health has been largely overlooked. We use a behavioral comparative analogy approach, comparing the clinical signs and risk factors associated with learned helplessness, depression and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) in humans and laboratory studies in other animals with evidence from the veterinary literature. Based on an analysis of seven quantitative veterinary studies that have evaluated the health and behavior of kiln donkeys and mules, we argue that their behavior may be consistent with learned helplessness, depression and/or cPTSD. Furthermore, the kiln environment contains many of the key environmental risk factors associated with the development of these disorders. And, because of certain behavioral differences from horses, donkeys and mules are at greater risk of their physical and mental health being overlooked. This finding, adding to the wealth of evidence for their poor health, should further strengthen efforts to replace their use in the kiln environment.
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Publication Date: 2025-05-23 PubMed ID: 40508991PubMed Central: PMC12153751DOI: 10.3390/ani15111525Google 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.

The research discusses the harsh conditions faced by working donkeys and mules in the brick kiln environment globally, specifically in countries like Egypt, Nepal, India, and Pakistan. The paper details the severe physical and psychological challenges these animals face and how they might exhibit signs of learned helplessness, depression, and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD).

Working Conditions and Health Concerns

  • The research identifies that donkeys and mules in brick kilns often face extreme hardships. From carrying excessive loads and working long hours, to experiencing limited access to food, water, and rest, the working conditions are particularly harsh.
  • Moreover, the animals often suffer from untreated illnesses such as dental problems, lameness, and open wounds. These are typically a result of ill-fitting harnesses and aggression from handlers.

Psychological Impact

  • The paper reveals that in addition to the physical health challenges, the mental wellbeing of these animals has been largely overlooked. The study applies a behavioral comparative analogy approach, comparing the signs associated with learned helplessness, depression, and cPTSD in humans and other animals to the behavior witnessed in donkeys and mules working in brick kilns.
  • The findings indicate that the behaviors of these animals could be consistent with these mental health conditions. The brick kiln working environment also includes many of the key risk factors associated with the development of these disorders.

Consequences and Implications

  • Interestingly, it’s noted that due to certain behavioral differences, the physical and mental health issues of donkeys and mules are more likely to be overlooked when compared to horses. This introduces an additional layer of risk for these animals.
  • The results of the study underscore the need to end the use of donkeys and mules in this industry. Thorough understanding of these conditions and the stark realities faced by the animals should bolster efforts to replace their use in these harsh working environments.

Cite This Article

APA
Taylor K, Harrison A, Capaldo T. (2025). Stoicism or Defeat? The Psychological Impact of the Kiln Environment on Working Donkeys and Mules. Animals (Basel), 15(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15111525

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 11

Researcher Affiliations

Taylor, Katy
  • Independent Researcher, Sheffield, UK.
Harrison, Anna
  • Independent Researcher, Exeter, UK.
Capaldo, Theodora
  • American Fund for Alternatives to Animal Research, Georgetown, MA 01833, USA.

Grant Funding

  • n/a / American Fund for Alternatives to Animal Research

Conflict of Interest Statement

T.C. is a trustee of the funding body, AFAAR. K.T. was funded by AFAAR to draft the paper. A.H. declares no conflicts of interest. The funder was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article or the decision to submit it for publication.

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