Owners' Knowledge and Approaches to Colic in Working Equids in Honduras

Wild, Isabella; Freeman, Sarah; Robles, Daniela; Matamoros, Dennis; Ortiz, Maverick; Rodriguez, Jonathan; Burford, John

Abstract

In Honduras, many families are reliant on working equids in their daily life. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge about, and approaches to colic used by owners of working equids in Choluteca, Honduras using a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured, verbal questionnaires were conducted with ninety-three owners from eleven different communities in the Choluteca region on equid horse owners’ knowledge of colic and treatments. Additional context was gained through observations and verbal questionnaires with three veterinary practitioners and eight agricultural pharmacy (agrovet) store owners. Working equids were commonly used for firewood collection 31% (40/126), transportation 24% (30/126), and carrying crops 13% (17/126). Thirty-eight percent of owners (35/92) said they did not know what colic was, 27% (24/89) could not name any clinical signs, and 46% (42/92) could not name any causes. Most owners with previous experience of colic had treated it themselves 79% (53/67), typically using herbal remedies. Colic was a major concern for owners of working equids who had prior experience or knowledge of the condition. Knowledge and understanding of colic varied, and access to evidence-based treatments was very limited. The findings will be used to inform the development of educational resources on colic in working equids.

Citation

Wild, I., Freeman, S., Robles, D., Matamoros, D., Ortiz, M., Rodriguez, J., & Burford, J. (2021). Owners' Knowledge and Approaches to Colic in Working Equids in Honduras. Animals, 11(7), Article 2087. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072087

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 9, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jul 13, 2021
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 16, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 16, 2021
• Journal: Animals
• Electronic ISSN: 2076-2615
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 7
• Article Number: 2087
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072087
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5788052
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/7/2087