Wellness evaluation of dancing horses from a training center in Pungarabato, Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate animal welfare (AB) from direct indicators in dancing horses undergoing training in a training center in the municipality of Pungarabato, Guerrero. The information was obtained from 20 equines through a survey of the trainers that operate the training center. The results were processed in an EXCEL database. 40% of the horses had a good body condition, 60% presented regular body condition. 15% presented swollen legs, 10% moderate lameness, 35% back pain, 20% nasal discharge, 13% presented eye discharge, 35% skin lesions. Broken tail hairs 80%. In preventive medicine, 100% of the equines receive semi-annual deworming, and are vaccinated against the most common diseases. The stereotypes present were aerophagia (10%) and playing with the tongue (5%). However, the handling and training that equines receive causes them stress, affecting their well-being according to the indicators established by the Welfare Quality ® protocol.