Muhammad Asif Hameed

Welfare of Equines: Assessment of Inhumanness Factors and Welfare Concerns in Equines Muhammad Asif Hameed

Despite their valuable contributions, equines are the most neglected animal, accorded low social status, frequently subjected to overloading, beating and injuries. This leads to further ill- treatment when the animals are forced to work beyond their capacity. While at work, they are overworked, underfed, and maltreated. Millions of them suffer from neck injuries and bruising due to wipping and hot iron branding. Even shoeing and castration is done in primitive ways. The implements and carts to which they are hitched are inefficient and painful. Moreover, they are frequently subjected to beating during transportation, rough handling, and exposure to severe weather, carelessness towards wounds, in-adequate feeding and watering and frequent use of spiked sticks. Cruelty to animals is not only inhumane but it also makes cumbersome to achieve the desired objectives from the animals. The efficiency of these animals can substantially be improved by careful task scheduling, making use of the cooler parts of the day, using improved implements and machinery. Equines welfare needs priority, which is not only for their well being but will also improve the economic status of the equines owner.