Patrolling Police Horses (Sawari) Welfare, Khartoum State, Sudan: Management, Housing and Health

Abstract

Patrolling police horses (Sawari) represent one of the most important security lines in Khartoum State .There for , a surveillance was carried out during 2013 (February -April ) to highlight their general welfare conditions. Six stables were surveyed with randomly selected 104 horses (97 male and 7 females) in different cities of Khartoum State (Khartoum, Khartoum North and Ommdurman). Observations on management, feeding, housing and health conditions were recorded and some photos that reflect these observations were taken .Blood, fecal and skin scraping samples were randomly obtained for brucellosis, internal and external parasites, respectively. The hygiene measures were below the standard in the surrounding environment and some horses were kept either in broken shades or under direct sun rays. Positive cases for internal and external parasites infestation and brucellosis were detected. Feeding and veterinary care were limited and the medical supervisors were veterinary technicians not veterinary doctors in some stables. Patrolling Horses (Sawari) should have a standardized uniformed program of management, disease control, medical care and balanced feeding applied in all stables for their ultimate performance