Journal of Animal Health and Behavioural Science

Abstract

Zerihun Asefa, Gudeta Dandena, and Alemayehu Fant

A study was conducted on the impact of introduction of improved pack saddle on harness related wound on donkey in Adulala and Ada districts of Bishoftu, Ethiopia, during the period from November, 2013 through April, 2014. A total of 160 donkey’s owners were sampled and interviewed and their donkeys were observed for any abnormality on contact part of body to IPS. Descriptive statistics for the common impact of improved pack saddle on harness related wound of working donkeys were calculated using Statistical Software which called SPSS version 20.0. Chi square and P<0.05 was used to determine the association of variables. No significant relationship (p-value 0.85) between materials used to prepare IPS and type of work taken from donkey using IPS. Use of IPS in working donkeys showed very favorable impact, as there was no sign of occurrence of any abnormality in 87.5% of working donkey used IPS and only slight hair removal from wither area in 8.8%, wound on wither area in 1.3%, scar on pelvic bone in 0.6% and scar on ribs area in 1.3% working donkeys were observed. There was significant relationship (p value 0.01) between area where lesion formed and material used to prepare IPS. The impact of water fetching and crop transportation on working donkeys was highest (35.7%) in both type of work, followed by sand carrying (14.2%), and wood carrying (7.1%) and charcoal carrying (7.1%). There was no significant relationship (p-value 0.35) between work type and lesion, wound or scar formation. Significance difference (p-value 0.01) between material used to prepare IPS and their cleanness was observed. The IPS made from sisal sac with wheat straw were easy to maintain and clean (75.5%) followed by fertilizer sac with wheat straw (19.9%) and clothes (2.6%). The IPS made from sisal sac with wheat straw (77.3%) were more durable (>1 year) than fertilizer sac with wheat straw (20.3%) and fertilizer sac with teff straw (2.0%) than these IPS made from clothes. (0.7%) which were less durable (<1 year). It was recommended that improved pack saddle made from sisal sac with wheat straw should be used to reduce harness related adverse impact causing hair removal, wounds or scars formation on working donkeys