# Assessment of the Welfare of Working Horses: Combining Clinical Evaluations with Indirect Indicators

## TL;DR

This study assesses the poor welfare of working horses in South Darfur, Sudan, through clinical exams and owner interviews, highlighting the need for education and improved care.

## Contribution

The study combines clinical evaluations with indirect indicators to comprehensively assess working horse welfare in a specific region.

## Key findings

- Most horses worked daily, and many showed poor physical and behavioral health.
- Over half of horses had dirty coats and external parasites, and 29% were thin.
- Daily working horses were more likely to have gait issues and skin lesions.

## Abstract

This study used clinical tests and owner interviews to evaluate the welfare of working horses in South Darfur, Sudan. According to the findings, most of the horses worked every day. We found that 77% of owners used beating to encourage horses’ activity, while 45% of owners never consulted veterinarians. According to clinical data, 43% of horses had abnormal discharges, 29% were thin, and more than half had dirty coats and external parasites. In addition, many had gait problems, and 25% had poor hoof health. In terms of behavior, more than half reacted indifferently to stimuli, and fewer than 40% displayed alertness. Horses that worked every day were more likely to be thin, with skin lesions and gait issues, indicating poor welfare. Horses with better attitude responses ate more frequently and worked fewer days per week. Overall, the horses demonstrated poor physical and management characteristics, underlining the need for improved owner awareness, practical education, training programs, and additional research to improve their welfare in the region.

Assessing the welfare of the working horses is crucial for identifying health and management issues and implementing effective solutions. This study evaluated the welfare of working horses in South Darfur, Sudan, by integrating clinical examination with indirect indicators through owner interviews. A total of 400 horse–owner pairs were included. Most horses (61.7%) worked every day, and 77% of owners reported using whips to encourage movement. Clinical assessment revealed that 29.0% of horses were thin, over half had dirty coats, 50.5% harbored external parasites, 43% had abnormal discharges, 25.0% showed poor hoof health, and many exhibited gait abnormalities. Behavioral assessments indicated that fewer than 40% of horses displayed alert attitudes, while over half responded indifferently to stimuli. Horses working daily tended to be thin, have skin lesions, and show gait problems, reflecting poor welfare. Horses with better attitude responses were more frequently fed and worked fewer days per week. Overall, the findings highlight poor physical, behavioral, and management conditions among working horses, emphasizing the urgent need for owner education, training programs, and further research to improve their welfare in the study area.