Causes and Factors Associated With Occurrence of External Injuries in Working Equines in Ethiopia

Equines are the most important animals in the farming and transport systems of Ethiopia. Though disease and related problems (eg, injuries, acute illness) are major constraints to their performance, information emanating from systematic investigation is almost non-existent. A study to determine causes and associated factors of external injuries was carried out in Awassa in southern Ethiopia on a total of 670 working equines that included 320 (47.8%) donkeys and 350 (52.2%) horses. The study revealed a 72.1% overall prevalence of external injuries. Age (χ = 16.4, P < 0.0001) and species (χ = 16.1, P < 0.0001) significantly influenced the occurrence of external injuries; higher prevalence was recorded in young animals (76.0%, odds ratio [OR] = 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.2 6.8) than in old animals (59.6%) and in donkeys (79.4%, OR = 2.0, CI = 1.4 2.9) than in horses (65.4%). Intensity of injuries was highly associated with species (χ = 6.9, P < 0.005); injuries were more severe in horses (57.2%) than in donkeys (47.2%). Injuries caused by improper harIntern J Appl Res Vet Med • Vol. 4, No. 1. 2006 Intern J Appl Res Vet Med • Vol. 4, No. 1. 2006 2 tence. In Ethiopia, the use of equines for transportation will continue for years to come because of the rugged terrain characteristics inaccessible for modern road transportation facilities as well as the absence of well-developed modern transport networks and the prevailing low economic status of the community. Therefore, the health and welfare of equines should be of crucial importance to Ethiopia. Despite their invaluable contributions, equines in Ethiopia are the most neglected animals, accorded low social status, particularly the male working equines. Horses involved in pulling carts often work continuously for 6 to 7 hours/day, carrying 3 to 4 persons (195–260 kg) in a single trip. They are provided with grasses during the night and allowed to graze on pasture in the town fringe during the day. Donkeys often are involved in more multipurpose activities than horses. They transport goods to and from markets, farms, and shops, traveling long distances. They also pull carts carrying heavy loads 3 to 4 times their body weight. They work from 4 to 12 hours/day, depending on the season and type of work. Unlike horses, donkeys are not provided with feed supplements. Feed shortage and disease are the major constraints to productivity and work performance of equines in the region. They are brutally treated, made to work overtime without adequate feed or health care. The increasing human population, demands for transport of goods to and from far, remote areas, and construction activities around the town are making equines highly demanded animals. Though equines provide several advantages, health and welfare is a visible problem. Studies to elucidate the magnitude of this problem are lacking. Such information would be useful for designing strategies that would help improve equine health and welfare. This paper describes causes and influencing factors of external injuries in a working population of horses and donkeys in southern Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS