Prevalence of Wounds and Associated Risk Factors in Working Equines in Jimma Town of Oromia Region, South-Western Ethiopia

Abstract

ining the prevalence of wounds and associated risk factors in working equines in Jimma town, Southwestern Ethiopia. Both direct (animal based) and indirect (owner interview) assessment methods were used. Out of the total 470 examined equines (299 horses and 171 donkeys) the overall wound prevalence was 61.9%. Significant difference was observed in the occurrence of wound between species (P<0.05) and it is higher in horses (68.2%) than in donkeys (50.9%). There was no statistical significant variation (P>0.05) in the occurrence of wound among age groups. Severity of wound was not associated with species (P>0.05) but it is relatively severe (32.8%) in horses than donkeys (27.6%). Wound caused by improper harness and saddle were higher (P<0.05) in both horses (62.7%) and donkeys (50.6%). Significant proportion of horses (61.3% and donkeys (82.8%) didn’t receive any treatment from their owner (P<0.05). There was no significant variation (P>0.05) in type of wound among both species, whereas abrasion type of wound in horse (77%) and in donkeys (72.4%) was the highest type of wound in both species. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in location of wound in different body parts among species, whereas prescapular area the body was highly affected in both species (57.4% in horses and 36.8% in donkey). There was significant variation (P<0.05) in fate of injured animals where 76% of horses and 89.7% of donkeys used for work continuously regardless of the presence of wound. A collaborative effort to improve health and welfare of equine is recommended to overcome the problem