Welfare and Academic Adviser João Rodrigues discusses how we’re leading the way in the field of harness and equipment for working equids.
As a vet with a career fully dedicated to working equids – the technical term for horses, donkeys and their hybrids – I soon realised that harness and working equipment play a key role in their health and welfare. Indeed, reports of skin injuries among working equids around the world are common, directly linked to poorly designed, ill-fitting harness.
In 2018 I had the privilege of coordinating a collaborative research project focused on improving harness and working techniques. It brought together in-house experts and external partners, including non-governmental organisations focused on animal traction and universities from different countries.
This collective effort led to a series of scientific papers focused on collar design for donkeys, the impact of logging techniques and the use of dynamometers to monitor force exerted by donkeys while working. This led to The Donkey Sanctuary being considered a leading organisation in these areas.
Once this technical and scientific phase of the project was achieved, we had to make sure that this knowledge could reach those who will benefit the most – donkey owners around the world.
We then converted our scientific findings into clear, simple and high-quality educational resources that are open to everyone through the Donkey Academy, our online virtual learning platform.
And because restless minds never stop, a new project is already underway looking at cart design. This important work is only made possible by supporters like you – thank you.