Evaluation of long-term welfare initiatives on working equid welfare and social transmission of knowledge in Mexico

This study compares equid welfare and the social transmission of welfare information across Mexican communities that had previously received dif fering intervention histories (veterinary treatment plus educational initiatives, veterinary treatment only and control communities) in order to assess their efficacy. Indicators of equid welfare were assessed using the Equid Assessment Research and Scoping tool and included body condition score, sk in alterations, lameness, general health status and reaction to observer approach. Owners were interviewed about their involvement in previous welfare initiatives, beliefs regarding equid emotions and pain, and the social transmission of welfare knowledge, including whether they ask advice about the ir equid or discuss its health with others and whether there is a specific individual that they consider to be ‘good with equids’ in their community. In total 266 owners were interviewed from 25 communities across three states. Better welfare (specifically body condition and skin alteration scor es) was seen in communities where a history of combined free veterinary treatment and educational initiatives had taken place compared to those that had only received veterinary treatment or control communities. The social transfer of welfare knowledge was also higher in these communities, suggestin g that the discussion and transfer of equid welfare advice within communities can act as a mechanism to disseminate good welfare practices more widely....
Source: PLoS One - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research