Welfare assessment of working horses in central Darfur, Sudan

In Sudan, numerous families depend on working equids for their daily activities. These animals contribute significantly to lives through goods transport, riding, cart pulling, and agricultural tasks. However, there is a lack of information regarding horse welfare in the Wadi Salih district of Central Darfur and even in Sudan as a whole. This study seeks to address this gap by evaluating working horses' welfare issues in Wadi Salih. Data collection involves direct interviews with owners, assessment of horses' general characteristics, observation of behavior, and determination of clinical parameters. A total of one hundred questionnaire sheets were distributed to horse owners for the investigation. The results revealed that 43% of working horses were accustomed to transporting goods via carts, and 49% of the owners provided food to their horses after work. While 36% of them provide food to their horses before and after work and 50% of owners provide water after work, 48% of owners allow their horses to rest during work. The study revealed that 20% of working horses had poor body condition scores (thin), whereas 80% had good body condition scores sores on their ribs and withers. We conclude that working horses in Wadi Salih suffer from various welfare issues, including wounds, heavy loading, lack of shelter, and other problems. Therefore, veterinary education, extension programs, owner awareness campaigns, and further research are needed to improve horses’ welfare in the study area.