scholarly journals Welfare Assessment and Husbandry Practices of Working Horses in Fiji

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navina Fröhlich ◽  
Patrick D. Sells ◽  
Rebecca Sommerville ◽  
Charlotte F. Bolwell ◽  
Charlotte Cantley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Veterinary Services ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Working Equids ◽  
Horse Owners

Research shows that working equids in low and middle-income countries play an essential role in supporting the livelihoods of their owners. The objective of the study was to provide the first description of the welfare status of working horses in Fiji by analysing animal-based parameters alongside owner knowledge and perceptions of horse management. Trained assessors used a structured interview to question 279 horse owners on their knowledge and management practices, while their horses (n = 672) were assessed on health and welfare parameters. Horse owners supporting five or more dependent family members had horses with an increased prevalence of wounds than those with less dependents. The presence of wounds was associated with draught work and “carrying people or goods on back” while hoof neglect was associated with draught and breeding/other work. A lower body condition score was found in horses with neglected hooves and the presence of hoof neglect and wounds was associated with a negative general attitude in these horses. However, this study also found indicators of good welfare in these horses. These findings suggest that intervention, in the form of targeted veterinary services alongside training programs for owners, is required in order to improve the welfare of working horses in Fiji.

scholarly journals A Longitudinal Study of Lameness Incidence and Association with Animal-Based Welfare Measures in Dairy Cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Babatunde Sadiq ◽  
Siti Zubaidah Ramanoon ◽  
Wan Mastura Shaik Mossadeq ◽  
Rozaihan Mansor ◽  
Sharifah Salmah Syed-Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Claw Lesions ◽  
Welfare Measures

The objective of this study was to investigate time to lameness event, prevalence of claw lesions, and their associations with animal-based welfare measures (ABWMs) in dairy cows. A total of 120 non-lame lactating cows (n = 30 each from four intensive dairy farms) having no claw lesion were enrolled in the study. The cow-level enrollment criteria included good body condition score (BCS), normal hock condition score, absence of body injuries, and normal claw length. Information on cows’ parity, milk yield, and previous lameness event (PLE) were recorded. The cows were observed twice monthly (every 2 weeks) for locomotion scores (LS), and ABWMs, whereas claw lesions were recorded upon onset of lameness and at the end of the observation period. Cows were considered lame when 2 consecutive LS = 3, or any assessment with score 4. Cox regression models were used to investigate lameness incidence and the association with ABWMs, while association between the latter and claw horn lesions (CHL) prevalence were analyzed using logistic regression models. Twenty-four percent (29/120) of the cows were lame during the study period. Lameness risk was associated with PLE (Hazard ratio; HR = 7.4; 95% CI 2.4-23.0), presence of overgrown claw (HR = 3.7; 95% CI 1.1-12.6) and low BCS pre-lame (HR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.3-16.6). Amongst the cows affected with claw lesions, 68.4% (37/44) were lame and CHL were predominant (75.4%) compared to infectious claw lesions (24.7%). Cows with lower BCS (< 3.0) (OR = 5.7; 95% CI 1.6- 20.4) and those with PLE (OR = 7.2; 95% CI = 2.1-24.7) were more likely to have CHL. Management practices such as maintaining cows’ body condition, improved care for those with history of lameness, and proper claw trimming could assist farmers to reduce lameness incidence in the studied herds.

scholarly journals Managing the nutrition of twin-bearing ewes during pregnancy using Lifetimewool recommendations increases production of twin lambs

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 813 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Hocking Edwards ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
A. N. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
South Australia ◽  
The Body ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Staple Strength

The effect on ewe and lamb production by differential management of single- and twin-bearing Merino ewes during pregnancy and lactation was examined. The hypothesis that the survival and productivity of single- and twin-born progeny is not affected by differential management of single- and twin-bearing ewes was tested. To test this hypothesis, two ewe flocks were monitored on a commercial property in the south-east of South Australia. The body condition score of one flock of ewes was managed according to Lifetimewool recommendations for southern Australian (Lifetimewool flock; n = 464). Lifetimewool recommendations are that body condition score should be 3.0 at mating and then allowed to decline to an average of 2.7, which is maintained until lambing. Twin- and single-bearing ewes were managed as separate mobs after pregnancy scanning to meet their energy requirements. The second flock was managed similarly to the commercial ewe flock and was representative of ewe management practices in the region (normal-practice flock; n = 464). At lambing, the condition score of the Lifetimewool flock was 0.7 condition scores units greater than the normal-practice flock. Ewe clean fleece weight and fibre diameter were greater in the Lifetimewool flock and their lambs had higher survival rates to weaning. Over three shearings, progeny from Lifetimewool ewe flocks produced more clean wool (P < 0.0001) but there was no consistent effect on fibre diameter, staple length or staple strength. Twin-born lambs from ewes managed to Lifetimewool guidelines had a similar liveweight and produced similar quantity and quality of wool to single-born lambs managed to Lifetimewool guidelines, but still suffered higher rates of mortality to weaning. This suggests that it is possible to manage ewes pregnant with twins to ensure that their surviving progeny perform at a level similar to single-born progeny managed under similar targets.

scholarly journals Learning Needs Assessment for Multi-stakeholder Implementation Science Training in LMIC Settings: Findings and Recommendations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mallory Wolfe Turner ◽  
Stephanie Bogdewic ◽  
Erum Agha ◽  
Carrie Blanchard ◽  
Rachel Sturke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Implementation Science ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Context Specific

Abstract Background: Despite significant progress in the field of implementation science (IS), current training programs are inadequate to meet the global need, especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Even when training opportunities exist, there is a “knowledge-practice gap,” where implementation research findings are not useful to practitioners in a field designed to bridge that gap. This is a critical challenge in LMICs where complex public health issues must be addressed. This paper describes results from a formal assessment of learning needs, priority topics, and delivery methods for LMIC stakeholders.Methods: We first reviewed a sample of articles published recently in Implementation Science to identify IS stakeholders and assigned labels and definitions for groups with similar roles. We then employed a multi-step sampling approach and a random sampling strategy to recruit participants (n=39) for a semi-structured interview that lasted 30-60 minutes. Stakeholders with inputs critical to developing training curricula were prioritized and selected for interviews. We created memos from audio recorded interviews and used a deductively created codebook to conduct thematic analysis. We calculated kappa coefficients for each memo and used validation techniques to establish rigor including incorporating feedback from reviewers and member checking.Results: Participants included program managers, researchers, and physicians working in over 20 countries, primarily LMICs. The majority had over ten years of implementation experience but fewer than five years of IS experience. Three main themes emerged from the data, pertaining to past experience with IS, future IS training needs, and contextual issues. Most respondents (even with formal training) described their IS knowledge as basic or minimal. Preferences for future training were heterogeneous, but findings suggest that curricula must encompass a broader set of competencies than just IS, include mentorship/apprenticeship, and center the LMIC context.Conclusion: This work is the first to explicitly explore and highlight the need for fundamental, widespread, and context specific training in IS and capacity building in basic operational research for key stakeholders in LMICs. Therefore, we propose the novel approach of intelligent swarming as a solution to help build IS capacity in LMICs through the lens of sustainability and equity.

scholarly journals Performance of lactating suckler cows of diverse genetic merit and genotype under a seasonal pasture-based system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. McCabe ◽  
N. McHugh ◽  
N.E. O’Connell ◽  
R. Prendiville
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Subsequent Performance ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Selection For

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of genetic merit of the national Irish maternal index and genotype (i.e. beef vs. beef × dairy [BDX]) of beef cows and subsequent performance of their progeny. With the exception that high genetic merit cows produced 0.57 kg more milk and tended to have 0.04 of a lower body condition score (BCS), no significant differences were observed between cows of diverse genetic merit. Differences between contrasting cow genotype were apparent. Beef cows were 50 kg heavier and had a BCS 0.27 greater than BDX cows. The BDX cows produced 1.67 kg more milk and had a greater 24-d submission rate than beef cows. Calves generated from BDX cows were 19 kg heavier at weaning and were worth €51 more than progeny generated from beef cows. Beef cow progeny, however, had 0.77 of a greater conformation score at slaughter than BDX. While differences were observed across cows of different replacement strategies, results from the current study showed that genetic selection for national maternal index had no effect on the overall performance of suckler cows in a pasture-based spring-calving system.

scholarly journals Documenting the Welfare and Role of Working Equids in Rural Communities of Portugal and Spain

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Haddy ◽  
Joao B. Rodrigues ◽  
Zoe Raw ◽  
Faith Burden ◽  
Leanne Proops
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Transfer Of Information ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Working Equids

Recently, the need for a more holistic approach to welfare assessment has been highlighted. This is particularly pertinent in the case of working equids who provide vital support for human livelihoods, often in low- to middle-income countries, yet suffer from globally low standards of welfare. This study aimed to provide insight into the welfare status and traditional use of working equids in rural Western European communities using the new EARS welfare tool, designed to provide a broad view of the welfare of working equids and the context in which they are found. Other questions on the topics of equid management practices, social transmission of expertise, environmental stressors, and traditions, alongside physical and behavioural welfare assessments were also included to explore the impact of these wide-ranging factors on an understudied population of working equids. The protocol was trialled on 60 working equid owners from communities in Portugal and Spain where, despite the decline in traditional agricultural practices and livestock keeping, donkeys and mules remain working animals. Many owners stated that the help donkeys provided was invaluable, and donkeys were considered to be important for both farming and daily life. However, participants also recognised that the traditional agricultural way of life was dying out, providing insights into the traditional practices, community structure, and beliefs of equid owners. Questions investigating the social networks and social transfer of information within the villages were effective in finding local sources of equid knowledge. Overall, welfare was deemed fair, and the protocol enabled the identification of the most prevalent welfare problems within the communities studied, in this case obesity and the use of harmful practices. The findings suggest that the new protocol was feasible and detail how contextual factors may influence equid welfare. Increasing understanding of the cultural context, social structure, and attitudes within a community, alongside more traditional investigations of working practices and animal management, may, in the future, help to make equid welfare initiatives more effective.

Prediction of conception at 1st artificial insemination using a combination of energy balance indicators

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 10-10
Author(s):  
G E Valergakis ◽  
G Oikonomou ◽  
G Arsenos ◽  
M P Georgiadis ◽  
G Banos
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Voluntary Waiting Period

Declining reproductive performance is a major problem for the global dairy industry (Lucy 2001) whereas magnitude and duration of postpartum negative energy balance of dairy cows are considered as the main reasons (de Vries and Veerkamp 2000). Moreover, various energy balance indicators, such as body condition score (BCS) and plasma βhydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration, have been correlated with reduced reproductive performance (Pryce et al 2001, Taylor et al 2003, Patton et al 2007, Walsh et al 2007). Such information has been already used to adjust herd management practices in order to prevent negative effects on reproduction. Furthermore, the ability to predict reproductive performance of cows with reasonable accuracy would also be very useful to dairy farmers. In such case, important management decisions (e.g. length of voluntary waiting period, starting dates of synchronisation programs and price of semen used), could be made for each individual cow. The aim of this study was to investigate whether combining certain energy balance indicators would yield useful predictions of cow reproductive performance at 1st artificial insemination (AI).

scholarly journals Liver Flukes Egg Infection and Associated Risk Factors in White Fulani Cattle Slaughtered in Wukari, Southern Taraba State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Shinggu ◽  
O. T. Olufemi ◽  
J. A. Nwuku ◽  
E. B. T. Baba-Onoja ◽  
P. D. Iyawa
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Liver Fluke ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Single Infection ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
White Fulani ◽  
Liver Flukes

Fasciola, Fascioloides, and Dicrocoelium cause liver fluke diseases in ruminants and are of zoonotic and economic importance. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of liver fluke egg infection in White Fulani Cattle slaughtered in Wukari Cattle market abattoir in Wukari, Taraba State. A total of 262 gallbladders were collected and their contents were analyzed for the presence of eggs of liver flukes using sedimentation technique. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS version 20 for window and Pearson’s Chi-Square (χ2) was used to evaluate the association between variables. Fasciola and Dicrocoelium eggs were encountered. Only 74 (28.2%) samples were positive for Fasciola egg and 211 (80.5%) for Dicrocoelium. The prevalence of liver fluke infection revealed 25% and 28.6% Fasciola eggs for male and female animals, respectively, while lancet fluke had 83.3% for male and 80.3% for female. Fasciola eggs were recovered in 20.8% of animals aged less 3 years (<3yrs) and 29.9% was recorded in animals 3 years and above (≥ 3yrs) while 81.3% for animals ≥ 3yrs and 77.1% for animals <3yrs were recorded for Dicrocoelium eggs. The body condition score-based prevalence for Fasciola yielded 38.1%, 26.8%, and 14% for poor, average, and good, respectively, while Dicrocoelium yielded 85.7%, 79.3%, and 85.7%. There was a significant difference between the body condition scores for fasciolosis. Only 59% harboured single infection with eggs of Dicrocoelium (P< 0.05) while 6.9% harboured Fasciola eggs. Mixed infection associating Fasciola and Dicrocoelium was observed in 21.4% of the sample cattle. Liver fluke infections: fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis occur among White Fulani cattle in Wukari and these infections are associated with the body condition score of the animals. This greatly affects the cattle production. There is a need to institute adequate control programmes complemented with good well-planned management practices in any production system involving cattle in Wukari.

Do owners administer inappropriate doses of anthelmintic based on an inaccurate perception of their horse's bodyweight?

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 552-558
Author(s):  
Lucy Middlecote ◽  
Heike Brown
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Repeated Administration ◽  
T Test ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Visual Estimation ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Horse Owners

Background: Inaccurate dosing and repeated administration of anthelmintic from the same drug class are indicated as factors associated with equine helminth resistance; and resistance is specifically related to the under-dosing of anthelmintic products. Research indicates that many owners may still rely on visual estimation to determine a horse's bodyweight. Aim: The pilot study aimed to investigate whether owners administer inappropriate doses of anthelmintic based on an inaccurate perception of their horse's bodyweight. Method: Data were collected from 16 horse owners with varying experience and from a variety of equine disciplines. A series of questions were presented in order to capture specific information. Owners were asked to provide the dose of anthelmintic (kg) that they had most recently administered to their horse, to estimate the bodyweight of their horse, and to provide a body condition score (BCS) for their horse using the guide provided. Each horse was then weighed on an equine weighbridge to obtain an accurate bodyweight. The estimated bodyweight was compared with that of the accurate bodyweight, and the most recently administered dose of anthelmintic was compared with both the estimated bodyweight and the accurate bodyweight. The BCS provided by each owner was compared with that of the BCS provided by the researcher. Data were tested for normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilks test, and analysed using an independent-samples t-test or a paired-samples t-test. Results: All of the owners inaccurately estimated the bodyweight of their horse, however there was no statistically significant difference between the estimated bodyweight and the accurate bodyweight (p=0.738). Owners with less experience more accurately estimated the bodyweight of their horse when compared with owners with more experience, but there was no statistically significant difference in accuracy between the two groups (p=0.085). There was no statistically significant difference between the accurate bodyweight and the dose of anthelmintic that owners had administered to their horse (p=0.074), but there was a statistically significant difference between the estimated bodyweight and the dose of anthelmintic that owners had administered to their horse (p=0.034). Conclusion: Horse owners administer inappropriate doses of equine anthelmintic based on an inaccurate perception of their horse's bodyweight, however the horse's estimated bodyweight does not appear to be the only influencing factor when deciding on the dose of anthelmintic to be administered.

Fit and fat; a horse carer’s perspective

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 6-6
Author(s):  
D Abraham ◽  
L C Dumbell
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Exercise Regime ◽  
Weight Condition ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Welfare Problem ◽  
Equine Obesity ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Horse Owners ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Fitness Levels

Obesity in horses and ponies, is according to many equine related charities (Blue Cross, BHS) becoming an increasing welfare problem. Recent studies have linked equine obesity and insulin resistance with development of debilitating laminitis (Vick et al., 2007). Poor nutritional management and sedentary lifestyles are to blame for the growing proportion of obese horses (Buff et al., 2005). The horse carer is responsible for the health and welfare of the horse and as such should monitor the weight, condition and exercise regime to ensure appropriate fitness levels to maintain health and performance. Indeed, Johnson (2002) reports that certain management practices tend to promote the development of obesity in mature horses as they enter their teenage years. Horse owners must therefore consider management practices throughout the horse’s life, as the provision of starch-rich and fat-supplemented rations to healthy horses that are relatively inactive may promote the development of obesity increasing the risk of laminitis (Johnson, 2002). The aims of this research were to ascertain the condition score and fitness levels of horses and ponies when diagnosed with laminitis, as reported by the horse carer and to gain insight into how these factors may influence the health and welfare of the domestic horse.

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