The husbandry and veterinary care of wild horses in captivity.

The research article provides insight into the husbandry and veterinary care of captive wild horses, drawing parallels to the methods used for domestic horses. It also explores the most effective anesthesia methods and includes valuable data on equine haematology, biochemistry, and post-mortem examinations.

Natural History of Wild Equidae

• The study starts with a brief introduction to the natural history of the wild Equidae family, which includes horses, donkeys, and zebras. This introduction provides a grounding in their natural behaviours, lifestyles, and health requirements, which aids in understanding their needs while in captivity.

Husbandry and Veterinary Care Approach

• The research shows that the approach to the management and healthcare of wild horses in captivity closely aligns to that used for domestic horses. This suggests that the techniques and best practices implemented in domestic horse care can also be applied to captive wild horses.

Anesthesia Methodology

• Specifically, the researchers found a mixture of etorphine and acepromazine to be the most effective for handling wild horses. These are drugs usually used for pain relief and sedation.
• Their research implies that conventional methods of anesthesia can be safely used in conjunction with these drugs when necessary.

Data Collection and Analysis

• A significant component of this article involves the summary and analysis of data collected at Whipsnade Park, a large wildlife park in the UK.
• The information, presented in tabular form, includes data on the haematology (the study of blood) and biochemistry of various equine species.
• Additionally, the researchers included an analysis of post-mortem examinations of 105 equine carcasses from the Society’s collection, which will be valuable for studying disease prevalence, causes of death, and general health conditions of captive wild horses.