Owners' Knowledge and Approaches to Colic in Working Equids in Honduras.
Authors: Wild Isabella, Freeman Sarah, Robles Daniela, Matamoros Dennis, Ortiz Maverick, Rodriguez Jonathan, Burford John
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary In rural Honduras, where equids remain economically vital for transport, agriculture and resource collection, a significant knowledge gap exists regarding colic recognition and management amongst working horse owners. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 93 equid owners across eleven Choluteca communities, supplemented by interviews with veterinary practitioners and agrovet retailers, to establish baseline understanding of colic aetiology, clinical presentation and treatment approaches. The findings revealed substantial deficits in foundational knowledge: 38% of owners could not define colic, 27% could not identify clinical signs, and 46% were unable to describe potential causes, yet those with prior colic experience predominantly (79%) self-treated using herbal remedies rather than seeking professional guidance. Despite colic representing a genuine welfare concern for working equid owners, access to evidence-based veterinary treatment remains severely limited in this region, with implications for both equine welfare and livelihoods dependent on these animals. These findings underscore the need for tailored educational interventions targeting working equid owners in resource-limited settings, particularly regarding early recognition of colic signs and appropriate management pathways that account for local constraints and existing treatment practices.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Educational interventions on colic recognition and treatment in resource-limited settings should prioritize basic clinical signs and when to seek veterinary help, as a significant proportion of owners lack fundamental knowledge
- •Develop partnerships with local agrovet stores and community leaders to distribute evidence-based colic information, since these are primary sources owners currently consult
- •Design culturally appropriate educational materials that acknowledge and build upon existing herbal remedy use while introducing safer, more effective treatment options for working equid owners
Key Findings
- •38% of owners did not know what colic was, and 46% could not identify any causes of the condition
- •79% of owners with prior colic experience (53/67) treated it themselves using herbal remedies rather than seeking veterinary care
- •Working equids in Honduras were primarily used for firewood collection (31%), transportation (24%), and carrying crops (13%)
- •Access to evidence-based colic treatments was severely limited in the study region, with owners relying on local agrovet stores and traditional remedies