Abstract
Equids in general experience transient lives where ownership may change multiple times, for working equids this can be more extreme where ownership changes are not only numerous but abrupt, and situations encountered prove difficult, diverse and tough for equids to adapt. In this study, we investigate the life cycle of pack mules in Nepal, investigating the challenges they face during their lives through to end of life. To gain insight into the lives of mules, we conducted semi-structured interviews and livelihood surveys with 27 key informants, gathering the perspectives of the people working with mules. Welfare assessments of the mules were undertaken via the Equid Assessment Research and Scoping tool (EARS) by a trained assessor. Mules had to adapt swiftly to changes in industry type, enduring long distance transportation in overloaded vehicles and across country borders with no checks for biosecurity or welfare. Mules had to show swift adaptation to their new environment, to respond to and learn new tasks via inhumanely administered training, using inappropriate techniques, delivered by owners lacking in understanding of mule behaviour and learning. Environmental conditions were often hard; the negotiation of difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions during monsoon and subsequent high-altitude working without acclimatisation likely pushed mules to their biological limits. This study investigates the lives of a population of mules in the mountains of Nepal, developing a better understanding of their needs and their ‘truth’ or ‘telos’ informing what measures will help them to thrive.
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology
Reference89 articles.
1. The roles of equine ethology and applied learning theory in horse-related human injuries;J. Vet. Behav.,2010
2. Holmes, T.Q., and Brown, A.F. (2022). Champing at the Bit for Improvements: A Review of Equine Welfare in Equestrian Sports in the United Kingdom. Animals, 12.
3. The horse-human dyad: Can we align horse training and handling activities with the equid social ethogram?;Vet. J.,2009
4. McGreevy, P., Christensen, J.W., Von Borstel, U.K., and McLean, A. (2018). Equitation Science, Joh Wiley and Sons. [2nd ed.].
5. Qualitative study of the influence of horse-owner relationship during some key events within a horse’s lifetime;Vet. Rec.,2021
Cited by
5 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献