Pack animal behavior comprises the behavioural repertoire and load-related responses of domesticated equids—donkeys, mules and horses—used to carry goods on their backs [1]. Because packing demands repeated catching, saddling and loading, the quality of owner-animal interaction, and the handling practices that express it, is recognised as a determinant of their welfare [2]. Loaded animals signal overload through reluctance or refusal to move forward, ears held back, tail swishing, repeated head movement and reduced responsiveness [3]. Standardised field protocols score approach, avoidance and aggression towards an observer alongside health parameters, and the prevalence of these reactions differs between horses, mules and donkeys [1]. In pack donkeys, behaviour is assessed as one of several welfare domains, alongside health, feeding and housing [4].
- pack animal behavior
- load carrying
- equids
- human-animal interaction
- welfare assessment
Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies • Small Animals • Veterinary • Health Sciences
References
- J.C. Pritchard; A.C. Lindberg; D.C.J. Main; H.R. Whay; Assessment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters. Prev. Vet. Med. 2005, 69, 265-283. [CrossRef]
- Daniela Luna; Tamara A. Tadich; Why Should Human-Animal Interactions Be Included in Research of Working Equids’ Welfare?. Animals 2019, 9, 42. [CrossRef]
- Syed S. U. H. Bukhari; Sarah M. Rosanowski; Alan G. McElligott; Rebecca S. V. Parkes; Welfare Concerns for Mounted Load Carrying by Working Donkeys in Pakistan. Front. Vet. Sci. 2022, 9, 886020. [CrossRef]
- Philip W. Mshelia; Henrietta M. Aji; Olumide O. Akinniyi; Richard E. Edeh; Welfare Assessment of Pack Donkeys in Amaru, Zaria Ancient City, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Folia Vet. 2023, 67, 42-50. [CrossRef]