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Animals
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The Welfare of Working Equids
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The Welfare of Working Equids

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Equids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (21 October 2022) | Viewed by 10765

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Camie Heleski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Equine Programs, Animal Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
Interests: equine behavior; equine welfare; horse-human interactions; working equids
Dr. Amy McLean

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Science, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Interests: donkey behavior/welfare; mule behavior/welfare; working equids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ahmed Badr Ali

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Animal & Veterinary Sciences Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
Interests: working equids; poultry behavior/welfare; dairy cattle behavior/welfare

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

You have been invited to submit an article for this Special Issue on “The Welfare of Working Equids” both due to your expertise in the topic area and because of your passion for these often-overlooked beasts of burden. I fell in love with these heroes of developing regions of the world twenty years ago. They have taken me from rural villages in Mexico and Honduras to urban regions in Brazil and Mali—not to mention the brick kilns of Egypt. These stoic equids never cease to amaze me, as do their owners/handlers. Equids’ lives are often challenging, yet the efforts that all of you have engaged in, both in terms of research projects and outreach projects, can dramatically enhance the welfare (and sometimes also the productivity) of these horses, donkeys, mules, and hinnies.

Contributions may focus on animal and veterinary-science-oriented topic areas and might center on equine welfare, health, husbandry, and behavior, but submissions might also incorporate agricultural economics, sustainability issues, social science aspects or sociology concepts. We invite original research and review papers that will help us continue to advance this field. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has created many challenges for the working equid community and those who rely upon them. Many of the usual service trips to provide health services and educational outreach have been put on hold. I encourage you, while you are waiting for “things to get back to normal”, to take this opportunity to write about your work and contribute to this Special Issue.

Dr. Camie Heleski
Dr. Amy McLean
Dr. Ahmed Badr Ali
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • working equids
  • donkey behavior/welfare
  • mule behavior/welfare

Published Papers (5 papers)

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27 pages, 6121 KiB  
Article
Trialling Locally Made, Low-Cost Bits to Improve Bit-Related Welfare Problems in Cart Horses: Findings from a Study in Senegal
by Mactar Seck, Ruth Jobling and Ashleigh F. Brown
Animals 2023, 13(1), 2; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13010002 - 20 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1906
Abstract
Bits used for cart horses in Senegal are typically made of recovered construction iron and often have defects related to design, shape, fit and metal quality. Consequently, there is widespread presence of bit-related oral injury amongst these equids. It was hypothesised that improving [...] Read more.
Bits used for cart horses in Senegal are typically made of recovered construction iron and often have defects related to design, shape, fit and metal quality. Consequently, there is widespread presence of bit-related oral injury amongst these equids. It was hypothesised that improving bit design would ameliorate bit-related welfare issues for working cart horses. This study aimed to develop locally made alternative bit prototypes and test their efficacy as less harmful to working horses, and their acceptability to their drivers. Eight animal-based welfare indicators (four physical and four behavioural) were designed to measure positive or negative effects of the new bits. Following a testing phase to appraise and mitigate potential animal welfare risk associated with the alternative bit designs, a total of 540 driver/horse combinations were opportunistically selected across five municipalities in Senegal. Welfare indicators were observed when new bits were introduced and again after 21 weeks of daily use. The results indicated statistically significant improvements in all welfare indicators measured (i.e., lesions on lip commissures, tongue, buccal mucosa and bars; and open mouth, tongue loll, head toss/shake, and head tilt/turn behaviours). None of the drivers reported any difficulty with horse control, nor chose to revert back to their original bits. Whilst acknowledging the limitation of inability to control all potential confounding variables, these preliminary findings suggest the bit itself as an important contributor to oral injury, and the possibility to improve this through alternative bit design that is low-cost, locally produced and acceptable to drivers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Welfare of Working Equids)
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17 pages, 742 KiB  
Article
“Not All Who Wander Are Lost”: The Life Transitions and Associated Welfare of Pack Mules Walking the Trails in the Mountainous Gorkha Region, Nepal
by Tamlin Watson, Laura M. Kubasiewicz, Caroline Nye, Sajana Thapa, Stuart L. Norris, Natasha Chamberlain and Faith A. Burden
Animals 2022, 12(22), 3152; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12223152 - 15 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1716
Abstract
Equids in general experience transient lives where ownership may change multiple times, for working equids this can be more extreme where ownership changes are not only numerous but abrupt, and situations encountered prove difficult, diverse and tough for equids to adapt. In this [...] Read more.
Equids in general experience transient lives where ownership may change multiple times, for working equids this can be more extreme where ownership changes are not only numerous but abrupt, and situations encountered prove difficult, diverse and tough for equids to adapt. In this study, we investigate the life cycle of pack mules in Nepal, investigating the challenges they face during their lives through to end of life. To gain insight into the lives of mules, we conducted semi-structured interviews and livelihood surveys with 27 key informants, gathering the perspectives of the people working with mules. Welfare assessments of the mules were undertaken via the Equid Assessment Research and Scoping tool (EARS) by a trained assessor. Mules had to adapt swiftly to changes in industry type, enduring long distance transportation in overloaded vehicles and across country borders with no checks for biosecurity or welfare. Mules had to show swift adaptation to their new environment, to respond to and learn new tasks via inhumanely administered training, using inappropriate techniques, delivered by owners lacking in understanding of mule behaviour and learning. Environmental conditions were often hard; the negotiation of difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions during monsoon and subsequent high-altitude working without acclimatisation likely pushed mules to their biological limits. This study investigates the lives of a population of mules in the mountains of Nepal, developing a better understanding of their needs and their ‘truth’ or ‘telos’ informing what measures will help them to thrive. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Welfare of Working Equids)
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9 pages, 692 KiB  
Article
Measuring Biochemical Variables and Serum Amyloid A (SAA) in Working Mules in Central Italy
by Marilena Bazzano, Francesca Arfuso, Laura Bonfili, Anna Maria Eleuteri, Amy McLean, Evelina Serri, Andrea Spaterna and Fulvio Laus
Animals 2022, 12(20), 2793; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12202793 - 16 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1376
Abstract
According to FAO reports, the global mule population counts about 9 million mules. This hybrid cross of a male donkey and a female horse is mainly used for draft purposes because they are thought to be strong and hardy animals. Most consider mules [...] Read more.
According to FAO reports, the global mule population counts about 9 million mules. This hybrid cross of a male donkey and a female horse is mainly used for draft purposes because they are thought to be strong and hardy animals. Most consider mules to be less susceptible to disease and fatigue compared to horses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fieldwork on biochemical variables and serum amyloid A in working mules. Blood samples were collected from 10 healthy, female, working mules before and after 8 h of fieldwork. According to statistical analysis, a significant influence (p < 0.05) of fieldwork was found on mules’ electrolyte profile with increased levels of sodium, chloride, and calcium, as well as on blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. After a day of fieldwork, serum sodium, chloride, calcium, urea, and creatinine concentrations were increased, supporting decreases in body water and renal blood flow. However, without comparison to a group of mules that were not exercised yet maintained under similar ambient conditions, it is uncertain whether these changes can be attributed to exercise. Further, no change in SAA concentration was found after exercise, indicating that the work performed did not result in systemic inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Welfare of Working Equids)
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12 pages, 1872 KiB  
Article
Cross-Sectional Questionnaire of Donkey Owners and Farriers Regarding Farriery Practices in the Faisalabad Region of Pakistan
by Raja Zabeeh Ullah Khan, Sarah Margaret Rosanowski, Waqar Saleem and Rebecca Sarah Victoria Parkes
Animals 2022, 12(6), 709; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12060709 - 11 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2786
Abstract
Quality farriery is essential to ensure donkey welfare, and many intervention programs in low-middle income countries (LMICs) train farriers, and educate owners, regarding the farriery needs of donkeys. It is essential for interventional programs to understand the perspectives of all stakeholders in donkey-owning [...] Read more.
Quality farriery is essential to ensure donkey welfare, and many intervention programs in low-middle income countries (LMICs) train farriers, and educate owners, regarding the farriery needs of donkeys. It is essential for interventional programs to understand the perspectives of all stakeholders in donkey-owning communities. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in the Faisalabad region of Pakistan. Ten farriers and 55 donkey owners participated in the study. Farriers reported receiving no formal training for farriery, insufficient wages (PKR 65 or USD 0.36 per hoof) and the requirement to use traditional tools. Farriers reported an average shoeing time of 5 min per hoof and shoeing between three and 30 donkeys a day. Donkeys were mostly shod while they were harnessed to a cart. Six donkey-owning farriers reported shoeing their donkeys every 20 to 25 days. Owners reported varying shoeing intervals of 20 days to 90 days. Shoeing interval was also affected by seasonal and weather changes. Owners considered their relationship with farriers as the most important factor in choosing a farrier rather than cost. A majority (87%) of the owners reported lameness in their donkeys. The study provides important insights into the many challenges and opportunities in developing quality donkey farriery in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Welfare of Working Equids)
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18 pages, 3315 KiB  
Systematic Review
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Working Equid Lameness in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Mathilde S. Merridale-Punter, Anke K. Wiethoelter, Charles M. El-Hage and Peta L. Hitchens
Animals 2022, 12(22), 3100; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12223100 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1581
Abstract
Lameness is an important concern in working equids of low- and middle-income communities (LMICs) with significant One Welfare implications. This study aims to determine the prevalence and influencing factors of lameness in working equids of LMICs. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed [...] Read more.
Lameness is an important concern in working equids of low- and middle-income communities (LMICs) with significant One Welfare implications. This study aims to determine the prevalence and influencing factors of lameness in working equids of LMICs. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to investigate pooled outcome prevalence using a random intercept regression model. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were performed through meta-regression. A meta-analysis of study factors for lameness prevalence was performed. Sixty-four studies were included in the review. The pooled prevalence of lameness was 29.9% (n = 42, 95% CI 17–47%), while the pooled prevalence of gait abnormality was 62.9% (n = 12; 95% CI 31–87%). When considering both outcomes together, the pooled prevalence was 38.4% (n = 46; 95% CI 23–57%) with a significant (p = 0.02) difference between lameness (29.5%; 95% CI 16–48%) and gait abnormality (78.8%; 95% CI 40–95%). Species, country income level, gait assessed, and risk of bias did not significantly affect the pooled prevalence. Lower body condition scores, unresponsive attitudes, and old age were the most frequently reported factors positively associated with lameness-related outcomes. Working 7 days per week was positively associated with lameness. The standardization of outcome terminology, grading systems, and study factor categorization is recommended to enable more accurate interpretation and comparison between studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Welfare of Working Equids)
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