Putting the cart before the horse: mixed-methods participatory investigation of working equid harnessing practices in three selected towns of the Oromia national regional state in Ethiopia.
Authors: Merridale-Punter Mathilde S, Elias Belay, Wodajo Abel L, El-Hage Charles M, Zewdu Hanna, Tesfaye Reta, Hailegebreal Gizachew, Sori Teshale, Wiethoelter Anke K, Hitchens Peta L
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Working equids shoulder enormous economic responsibility across low-income communities globally, yet harness-related injuries affect more than 60% of these animals—a sobering statistic that prompted Merridale-Punter and colleagues to investigate harnessing practices in three Ethiopian towns (Fiche, Bishoftu and Shashamene). Their mixed-methods approach combined cross-sectional surveys of working horses, donkeys and mules with questionnaires from cart drivers and participatory focus group activities (including equipment ranking and design drawings) involving owners, users and harness makers, allowing both quantitative analysis of equipment characteristics and qualitative exploration of stakeholder attitudes. The research identified critical associations between specific equipment design features, work-type, species and cart-driver knowledge levels—relationships that logistic regression modelling helped clarify—whilst thematic analysis of focus group discussions revealed the cultural and economic constraints shaping equipment choices on the ground. By centring the voices of those who actually use and manufacture harnesses, this investigation moves beyond simple equipment cataloguing to expose why harmful practices persist despite their visibility. For equine professionals supporting working equid welfare programmes, particularly in resource-limited settings, these findings underscore that effective intervention requires understanding not just *what* equipment is problematic, but *why* communities continue using it—knowledge essential for designing practical, culturally appropriate solutions to harness-related injury.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Harness-related wounds are a major welfare issue affecting the majority of working equids in these regions; farriers and veterinarians should prioritize assessment and education on proper fit, adjustment, and maintenance
- •Participatory engagement with owners and harness makers is essential—these stakeholders recognize problems but need practical, affordable solutions tailored to local work contexts
- •Equipment design and fitting standards should be developed collaboratively with local communities to ensure adoption and sustainability
Key Findings
- •Harness-related wounds reported in >60% of working equids in three Ethiopian towns, indicating widespread equipment-related injury
- •Mixed-methods approach identified significant gaps between equipment design practices and owner/user knowledge regarding proper fit and maintenance
- •Focus group participatory exercises revealed stakeholder awareness of equipment problems but limited access to improved harness design or alternatives
- •Equipment characteristics varied significantly by work type and species, with inconsistent assembly practices contributing to injury risk