The Welfare of Working Equines and Their Socio-economic Dimensions in Hosanna, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Working equines have immense socio-economic importance but their health and welfare are highly compromized. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2011 to assess the major welfare problems of working equines and their socio-economic dimensions in and around Hosanna, southern Ethiopia. From the equine populations of the study area, 10–15% were sampled. Accordingly, 610 equines comprising 365 donkeys, 153 horses and 92 mules were selected using systematic random sampling technique and assessed by direct observation of health and behaviour parameters. In addition, the socio-economic importance was assessed by questionnaire survey conducted on randomly selected 72 households. The results of body condition score, across all three species of equines, showed that 32.6%, 62.6% and 4.3% had thin, fair and good body condition, respectively. The result of behavioral assessment revealed a statistically significant variation (P < 0.05) in general attitude, response to observer’s approach and chin contact test among the work types. Draught animals showed the highest proportion of apathetic/depressed condition and lowest proportion of friendly approach compared to pack and ridden work types. Mules were most likely to show avoidance or aggressive behavior as compared to donkeys or horses towards an observer, while horses showed the highest proportion of friendly approach (P < 0.05). Based on the results of general health indicators, across all equines, 5.2%, 14.9% and 19.8% animals had abnormal mucous membranes, diarrhea under tail and ecto-parasites, respectively whereas 79.6% had eye lesions and 6.1% had missing teeth or poor coat with no statistically significant variation (P > 0.05) in each case. The overall prevalence of skin lesions was 63% (66.3% in donkeys, 56.9% in horses and 59.8% in mules) with no statistically significant variation (P > 0.05) among the species. However, there was a statistically significant variation (P < 0.05) among the work types, age and body condition score categories. The socio-economic dimensions of equines were enormous that they are used for draught, pack, riding, during wedding, funerals and other social work. Moreover, they are sources of income generation. Among the constraints of equine keeping in the area, feed and grazing area shortage, health problems and high cost of feed were the most important. Generally, our study showed that working equines had poor welfare status despite their huge contribution to the poor households with income-generating opportunities and their great social importance. Hence, a wide-range of equine welfare and health awareness to sensitize the equine owners and other concerned government and non-government bodies is essential to improve the welfare status of working equines.