Causes of welfare issues in working horses and donkeys
An animal's welfare will be poor if comfort, health and life-sustaining needs are not met.
Equines walking along a polluted river in India
Lack of food and water
- Malnutrition: being underweight or lacking something they need in their diet
- Dehydration: not having enough to drink while working or resting
Disease and injury
- Lameness: being unable to walk normally and having pain in their limbs
- Parasites: being infected with parasites inside or on their body
- Body wounds: having an open lesion on their body
Harsh environmental conditions
- Working underage: carrying heavy loads before their body can cope with the weight
- Heat stress: becoming overheated which can lead to death if left untreated
- Overworking and exhaustion: experiencing extreme fatigue and susceptibility to other conditions
Behaviour problems and restriction
- Fear or distress: having bad experiences with humans or something in their surroundings
- Apathy and depressive behaviour: not showing interest in their surroundings
- Restricted movement: feeling uncomfortable or not being able to move freely
- Limited natural behaviour: not being able to run, groom, roll, graze, or socialise
Poor management practices
- Bad housing conditions: having no shelter or shade, or being tied badly by their legs
- Bad hoof condition: having overgrown, broken or unbalanced feet
- Harmful practices: being subjected to traditional treatments, mutilations, or being abandoned after work
Facts and figures
Among the horses, donkeys and mules we work with across the world typically:
- More than 60 percent are underweight
- More than 50 percent are unable to walk normally
- More than 50 percent have abnormal hooves
- 15 percent show signs of fear towards people when they are approached by a person
(Aggregated data from Brooke's Standardised Equine Based Welfare Assessment Tool, 2011-2014)
Resolution
We work with animal owners and users, service providers and policymakers to find sustainable solutions towards their long term welfare.