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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Working equines: Assessment of welfare and management practi...
Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.14497

Working equines: Assessment of welfare and management practices in and around Debre Markos District, Northwest Ethiopia.

Abstract: Working equines play a crucial role in human livelihoods globally, yet their management is often inadequate. Objective: To assess the welfare and management practices of working equines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to April 2023 in and around Debre Markos, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Physical examination and structured interviews were used as data collection tools. A total of 384 equines (186 donkeys, 144 horses, and 54 mules) and their owners were selected through a purposive sampling method. Results: The results showed that 60.4% of the equines were used for transporting goods. While the majority of the respondents used both traditional and modern treatments for disease control, regular check-ups were infrequently practised. Notably, 54.2% of owners refrained from using saddles for their equines, 72.4% of individuals did not engage in hoof care for their equines, and 13% neglected enclosure cleaning. The prevalence of different lesions was 52.1%, with donkeys being more likely to develop skin, mouth, and foot lesions than horses (Adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.008, 95% CI 1.572-5.752, p = 0.001). Farmers were more likely to practise regular check-ups for their equines compared to merchants, while controlling for other factors (OR 0.441, 0.286-0.679, p < 0.001), and literate individuals were more likely to conduct regular check-ups than unschooled individuals (OR: 3.867, 2.436-6.139, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Seasonal variations-welfare and management practices may change depending on the season, affecting factors such as workload, feed availability, and disease prevalence. Subjectivity in welfare assessment-some welfare indicators, such as body condition scoring and behavioural observations, may involve subjective judgement, leading to potential observer bias. Reliance on owner reports - information obtained through interviews and questionnaires may be influenced by recall bias or social desirability bias, as owners may not always report poor management practices accurately. Conclusions: Significant issues were identified in regular check-ups, harness usage, enclosure cleaning, and hoof management. Therefore, improving owners' awareness and implementation of these practices is strongly recommended to enhance equine welfare in the study area.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-25 PubMed ID: 40134185DOI: 10.1111/evj.14497Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study examines the welfare and management practices of working equines (donkeys, horses, and mules) in Debre Markos, Northwest Ethiopia. It reveals that many of these animals are inadequately cared for and suggests that better education for owners could improve the situation.

Research Methodology

  • The authors conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2022 to April 2023.
  • Data collection involved physical examination of the equines and structured interviews with the owners.
  • In total, 384 equines comprising of 186 donkeys, 144 horses, and 54 mules, alongside their owners, were selected for the study using a purposive sampling method.

Findings

  • The survey found that 60.4% of the equines were utilised for transporting goods.
  • Although both traditional and modern treatments were used by respondents to control diseases, regular check-ups were not regularly practised.
  • More than half (54.2%) of owners did not use saddles for their equines; 72.4% did not provide hoof care, and 13% neglected cleaning enclosures.
  • It was found that 52.1% of the animals had different types of lesions, with donkeys more likely to develop skin, mouth, and foot lesions than horses.
  • Farmers were found more likely to do regular check-ups than merchants, and literate individuals were more likely to do so than those with no schooling.

Limited Factors

  • The analysis acknowledged that welfare and management practices could change depending on the season, which may alter workload, feed availability, and disease prevalence.
  • The authors also pointed out the subjectivity involved in the welfare assessment, like body condition scoring and behavioural observations, leading to potential observer bias.
  • Reliance on owners’ reports could also be influenced by recall or social desirability bias as they may not always report poor management practices accurately.

Conclusions

  • The study found significant issues related to regular check-ups, harness use, enclosure cleanliness, and hoof management of working equines.
  • The authors recommend improving owners’ awareness to implement better practices, which could greatly enhance equine welfare in the region.

Cite This Article

APA
Bihon A, Amognehegn D, Derbew G, Yirsa T. (2025). Working equines: Assessment of welfare and management practices in and around Debre Markos District, Northwest Ethiopia. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14497

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Bihon, Amare
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.
Amognehegn, Daniel
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.
Derbew, Getachew
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.
Yirsa, Tsedalu
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.

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