Investigation of the Welfare of competition Horses in Khartoum State - Sudan

Abstract

This is a prospective analytical descriptive study conducted during the period October to December 2016, to assess the welfare status of competition horses in Khartoum State. 60 horses of both sexes were selected randomly for the study (20 equestrian horses, 20 polo horses and 20 racing horses). Verbal consent had been taken from the clubs' managers before start of the study. Direct data that is animal based data were obtained by examination of the horses and a questionnaire was constructed to obtain the indirect data from the clubs’ managers. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Chi-square tests. The distribution of all the horses according to their sex was 28 (46.7%) males and 32 (53.3%) females; polo horses were fifty males and fifty females, equestrian 7 (35%) males and 13 (65%) females and race horses 11 (55%) males and 9 (45%) females. The mean age of the studied horses was (6.55±2.1 years), (8.45±3.1 years) and (6.95±1.8 years) for polo, equestrian and race horses respectively. All of the polo horses were of the local breed, equestrian was 16 (80%) local, 3 (15%) cross and one (5%) foreign breed, while race horses were 3 (15%) local and 17 (85%) cross breed. Abnormal coat was observed only in one equestrian horse. The highest infestation with ecto-parasite was 14 (70%) in polo, followed by equestrian 11 (55%) and the lowest was 4 (20%) in the race horses. Competitive horses with abnormal mucous membrane and abnormal eyes are one (5%) in polo and 2 (10%) in equestrian horses. Among all the horses only one race horse had abnormal teeth. Presence of scars was found to be 7 (35%), 11 (55%) and 4 (20%) in polo, equestrian and race horses respectively. The competitive horses that showed observed response was 4 (20%) in polo, 5 (25%) equestrian and 5 (25%) in race horses. Horses that avoid chin contact were 4 (20%) polo, 2 (10%) equestrian and 11 (55%) race horses. All the horses that were beaten by the whip had a positive response. There are significant differences between the type of competition horse and their breed, presence of ecto-parasite, avoid chin contact. All the horses were in a good health condition and the animal husbandry practices satisfy the five freedoms. It is concluded that the animal welfare status of the competition horses is good. Establishment of legislation and scientifically based strategies for monitoring the welfare of competitions horses in Sudan is recommended.