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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2019; 9(5); 252; doi: 10.3390/ani9050252

Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Farrier-Related Barriers to Successful Farriery Interventions for Equine Welfare in India.

Abstract: Farriery is a critical component of healthcare services for working equids. However, in India, an informal workforce, lack of structured training facilities and non-implementation of farriery regulations pose challenges for quality farriery. Brooke India, an equine welfare organisation, has undertaken many initiatives aiming to improve farriery services, including technical training and engagement with equid-owning communities. However, this has met with varying success. The study aimed to identify factors that prevent farriers providing quality farriery services. Focus-group discussions were conducted with farriers from two districts of Uttar Pradesh with varying programme outcomes. Within each area, farriers were grouped according to previous level of engagement with Brooke programmes. Demand for services, farrier status, the external environment and technical training and knowledge were identified as key elements that affected farriery work. These factors were very context specific: in areas where brick kilns provided the majority of customers, recent closures had resulted in an increase in those farriers' feeling of insecurity. A systems approach to improving farriery services, taking these factors into account, is advised. Mentoring-based capacity building, which is closely aligned to farrier needs and expectations, is expected to have positive results in terms of technical skill and farrier engagement.
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Publication Date: 2019-05-18 PubMed ID: 31109080PubMed Central: PMC6562430DOI: 10.3390/ani9050252Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research article investigates the impediments to quality farriery services in India and suggests strategies for improvement, considering both technical skills and socio-economic factors within the industry.

Research Objective

  • The objective of the article is to identify crucial factors hindering farriers from providing quality farriery services (the practice of shoeing horses or caring for equine hooves) in India, especially in Uttar Pradesh.

Methodology

  • To achieve this, the researchers used qualitative methods, specifically focus group discussions with farriers from two districts of Uttar Pradesh, known to have varying levels of outcomes from farriery improvement initiatives by the equine welfare organisation, Brooke India.
  • Each focus group consisted of farriers grouped according to their previous level of involvement with Brooke’s programmes.

Key Findings

  • The study found that the demand for services, the status of farriers, the external environment, and the farriers’ technical training and knowledge were key factors affecting the quality of farriery work.
  • These factors were largely context-specific. Particularly, in areas where brick kilns were the major customers for farriers, recent closures had led to increased feelings of job insecurity among the farriers.

Recommendations

  • The article suggests that a systems approach—considering these factors—is necessary to improve the quality of farriery services in India.
  • Capacity building through a mentorship approach is recommended. This would help align the farriers’ technical skills with their needs and expectations, and is expected to yield positive outcomes in their engagement and the overall quality of their services.

Cite This Article

APA
Mohite DS, Sheikh CS, Singh S, Kalita J, Williams S, Compston PC. (2019). Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Farrier-Related Barriers to Successful Farriery Interventions for Equine Welfare in India. Animals (Basel), 9(5), 252. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9050252

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
PII: 252

Researcher Affiliations

Mohite, Dinesh S
  • Functional and Comparative Genomics Department, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK. dinesh.mohite@liverpool.ac.uk.
Sheikh, Chand S
  • Haffkin Biopharmaceutical Corporation, Pune 411018, M.S., India. chand25b@gmail.com.
Singh, Saurabh
  • Brooke India, A 223-226, Pacific Business Park, Sahibabad Industrial area, Ghaziabad 201010, U.P., India. saurabh@thebrookeindia.org.
Kalita, Jogen
  • KABIL Office, Flat No.3 C, BD Enclave, Khanamukh, Guwahati-781014, A.S., India. jogenkalita@yahoo.co.uk.
Williams, Shereene
  • Brooke, 5th floor, Friars Bridge Court, 41-45 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NZ, UK. shereene.williams@thebrooke.org.
Compston, Polly C
  • Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK. pcompston@rvc.ac.uk.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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