The welfare of working equids in Mexico

Horses, mules and donkeys are widely used for many activities by the poor peasants of Mexico. This paper describes working conditions of their equidae. They pull carts and ploughs and carry loads, and people. They are often abused, insufficiently fed and in general neglected. Harnesses and agricultural implements are improvised making efficient work impossible and producing nasty wounds. Measures to improve these conditions are suggested. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.