Clinical Research Abstracts of the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015.
Authors: Kalamanova A, Stringer A P, Freeman S L, Burford J H
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
Working equids in Morocco experience colic at high rates, yet little was known about the management practices, owner knowledge, or barriers to veterinary care in this population. Kalamanova and colleagues conducted a questionnaire-based survey with 102 male owners of working animals (predominantly cart-pullers) attending SPANA centres, using a structured interview approach with Arabic interpretation to explore workload, feeding practices, owner recognition of colic signs, and treatment-seeking behaviour. The findings revealed significant welfare and management concerns: 12% of animals worked seven days weekly, 14% received water only once daily, 25% foraged unsupervised, and critically, 29% of owners could not identify any cause of colic whilst 25% failed to recognise clinical signs—with just 12% understanding colic as gastrointestinal pain. Perhaps most tellingly, 83% of owners would not access veterinary treatment without free provision, indicating that financial barriers substantially impede care-seeking despite owners' willingness when services are available. These findings underscore that colic prevention in resource-limited settings requires targeted owner education programmes addressing both practical management (water access, feeding protocols, rest days) and clinical recognition of abdominal pain, complemented by accessible, affordable veterinary services; equine professionals working with international development organisations or in similar contexts should recognise that knowledge gaps and financial constraints—rather than lack of concern—are the primary obstacles to improving outcomes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Owner education programmes targeting recognition of colic signs and management factors (water access, workload, feeding practices) are critical for reducing colic incidence in working equid populations
- •Financial barriers to veterinary care are substantial in resource-limited settings; subsidised or community-based veterinary services may improve treatment-seeking behaviour
- •Working equid owners require targeted education on basic gastrointestinal health, as most cannot identify causes of colic or recognise abdominal pain
Key Findings
- •98% of working equids in Morocco were used for cart pulling, with 12% working 7 days per week
- •14% of animals received water only once daily and 2% every other day
- •29% of owners could not name any cause of colic and 25% could not recognise clinical signs
- •83% of owners would not seek veterinary treatment for colic without free services due to financial constraints