A new collection of free research articles, published online this month by the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) and sponsored by World Horse Welfare, aims to build greater understanding and encourage collaboration in addressing the welfare problems of the world’s working equids. Future research articles will be added to the collection as new data emerges.

In July more than 150 representatives from 27 countries attended the 7th International Colloquium on Working Equids to discuss the plight of the estimated 100 million working horses, donkeys, and mules who sustain human livelihoods around the world. A key outcome of the event was the recommendation that broader access to research would encourage greater worldwide collaboration.

In response the EVJ, with support from World Horse Welfare, has published a compendium of eight diverse research papers with plans to grow the collection year on year to form an exclusive free resource for all practitioners working in equine welfare. The current collection addresses clinical problems such as lameness, husbandry, tack-related wounds, gastric ulceration (to which donkeys are prone), parasite infestation, and the risks associated with the meat and milk of the working equid in the human diet. It also includes a summary paper on the recent Colloquium on Working Equids.

“To improve the effectiveness of programmes focused on working equids globally, we need to share information globally,” said Roly Owers, MRCVS, chief executive of World Horse Welfare. “Research builds the evidence base for better interventions and helps improve collaboration between equine charities and veterinary organisations, with human development organisations, universities and governments. Wider access to relevant research should make an even greater, sustainable impact for working equids and World Horse Welfare is pleased to support the EVJ in helping to achieve this end