Occurrence of External Injuries in Working Equines and associated risk factors, Around Alagie Districts, Southern Ethiopia

Equine welfare issues are significant challenges in Ethiopia, threatening the health of the animals and the livelihoods of their owners. A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 and May 2022 in districts around Alagae. The study aimed to assess the welfare status of working equines and the practices surrounding wound management in the region. Both direct (animal-based) and indirect (owner interviews via questionnaire) methods were employed. A total of 400 equines were examined, comprising 312 donkeys, 78 horses, and 10 mules, revealing an overall wound prevalence of 69.3%. The species-specific prevalence of wounds was 54.3% for donkeys, 13.5% for horses, and 1.5% for mules. The intensity of wounds was categorized as mild (46.8%), moderate (9.5%), and severe (3.0%) among donkeys, horses, and mules, respectively. Packed equines experienced a higher occurrence of wounds (56.5%) compared to cart animals (12.8%). Additionally, common equine problems included hoof overgrowth (16.5%), hoof deformity (0.8%), and gait and posture abnormalities (6.3%). The study indicated that among 277 equine wound cases, 14.1% were left untreated by either veterinary professionals or traditional healers. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in wound care conditions among donkey species based on management practices, showing a strong association between wound care management and conditions (χ2 = 19.148, df = 3, p = 0.014). Overall, external injuries represent major health and welfare concerns for working equines in the study area. Therefore, the development of a comprehensive equine health management and welfare improvement program is essential to address these issues effectively.