Environmental and demographic risk factors for poor welfare in working horses, donkeys and mules in developing countries

The Veterinary Journal
C C BurnH R Whay

Abstract

Over 85% of equids live in developing countries, where they are usually used for work. We aimed to identify environmental factors associated with potential welfare problems in working equids, helping target welfare interventions towards the most vulnerable animals. Over 5 years, non-invasive behavioural and physical data were collected from 5481 donkeys, 4504 horses, and 858 mules across nine developing countries. Hoof and limb problems were over 90% prevalent, and 85% of equids were thin. Older, thinner animals had the most problems, and species differences in susceptibility were found. Equids used to transport people by cart, to carry goods by pack, or to work in bricks kilns had more problems than other equids. Rural equids had more problems than urban ones, but urban equids had more lesions, and were more aggressive towards observers. Equids were significantly thinner when climates were warmer. These results should aid the development and targeting of specific welfare interventions.

References

Jan 1, 1986·Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology·J J RaskerK L Boon
Mar 7, 2002·Veterinary Parasitology·Marcelo B LabrunaSolange M Gennari
Dec 13, 2005·Tropical Animal Health and Production·M Martin CurranD G Smith
Dec 13, 2005·Tropical Animal Health and Production·A Tesfaye, M Martin Curran

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 4, 2014·Tropical Animal Health and Production·Rubí Elena Sánchez-CasanovaJosé Antonio Fernando-Martínez
Jan 14, 2016·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Francesca DaiMichela Minero
Dec 24, 2013·The Veterinary Journal·Maarten OosterlinckFrederik Pille
Sep 3, 2016·Tropical Animal Health and Production·Alina AliJennifer A Zambriski
Oct 30, 2018·The Journal of Laryngology and Otology·V SekharN Singh
Sep 27, 2019·The Veterinary Record·Emma RaynerLuke Gamble
Jun 27, 2019·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Ramzi Al-AgeleCyril Rauch
Aug 10, 2017·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Daniela LunaTamara A Tadich
Feb 2, 2019·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Daniela Luna, Tamara A Tadich
Jul 31, 2019·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Amy McLeanFrancisco Javier Navas González
Jul 22, 2019·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Tova C PinskyTeresa Collins
Jun 26, 2020·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Stuart L NorrisFaith A Burden
Mar 8, 2019·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Silvana PopescuMarina Spinu
Mar 23, 2020·Parasites & Vectors·Alexandra G RafteryDavid G M Sutton
Sep 14, 2020·Equine Veterinary Journal·Emily HaddyLeanne Proops
Nov 29, 2020·The Veterinary Record·Tamara A Tadich
Nov 2, 2019·The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Equine Practice·Eric Davis
Sep 24, 2015·Veterinary Record Open·Martha Geiger, Alice J Hovorka
Oct 30, 2020·The Veterinary Record·Joao Brandao RodriguesFaith A Burden
Feb 26, 2021·PloS One·Stuart L NorrisZoe Raw
Aug 6, 2021·The Veterinary Record·João B RodriguesAndrew Judge

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Ataxias

Ataxia is a neurological condition characterized by lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements including loss of coordination, balance, and speech. Discover the latest research on different types of ataxias here.