Small-holder campesino agriculture is based on the diversified use of resources and off-farm work. Working equines have a multifunctional character and sustain the diversification of livelihoods having different values as assets or providing services. The objective was to identify the role of working equines in current diversification strategies in the livelihoods of campesino families in a hill-slope community in central Mexico within livelihoods analysis. Thirty-one variables related to ownership and use of working equines were analysed by cluster analysis and descriptive statistics contrasting the presence of equines in the diversification of livelihoods. Four groups were identified, determined mainly by age of farmer and number of family members who utilise equines. Results show these systems diversify in response to conditions of risk or to take advantage of opportunities, such that a balance is reached by resorting to off-farm activities without the total loss of components of the farming system. Two main situations were found in relation to working equines: the disappearance and change of functions of the large equines (mules), and the adaptation of small equines (donkeys) to the new conditions. It is concluded that there is a process of adaptation in hill-slope campesino farms such that large equines are less present in farms that have moved towards more diversification, but are kept in those farms less diversified. The use of equines for draught force in agricultural production and as pack animals continues, as is the presence of small livestock (sheep and poultry) irrespective of the context of the farm.

The economic contribution of draught animals to smallholder Mazahua campesino systems in two mountain villages of San Felipe del Progreso, in the central highlands of Mexico, was assessed. Campesinos rely on draught animals for cultivation tasks, as pack animals, and as transport for agricultural and domestic activities. The villages were San Pablo Tlalchichilpa (SPT) and La Concepción Mayorazgo (LCM). Twelve households that possessed draught animals were monitored from July 1999 to June 2000, nine in SPT and three in LCM, in terms of animal inventories and income from their draught animals, in cash and opportunity values. Equines in SPT have substituted bulls, and are recognized for their multipurpose contribution, while in LCM bulls are still used for ploughing the land. Overall total mean gross income was US dollar 490.78 per farm per year, plus US dollar 56 as opportunity value of the fertilizer value of manure for both villages. Deducting estimated costs, owning draught animals leaves a mean net margin of US dollar 412.50/year in SPT and of US dollar 285.64/year in LCM. There is a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between ownership of draught animals and incomes, with a regression coefficient of US dollar 279.16 per year per draught animal. Besides positive economic returns, having work animals alleviates drudgery for the campesino families.

<p align="LEFT"><strong><span style="color: #211d1e; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-size: xx-small;">Los Grupos Ganaderos de Validación y Transferencia de Tecnología (GGAVATT), se han evaluado en términos técnicos, productivos y económicos, pero existen pocos estudios sobre los aspectos sociales que influyen en la adopción de tecnología. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo conocer los cambios en la estructura de la red, en las interacciones sociales y las características socioeconómicas de los productores que implementaron el modelo GGAVATT y su relación con la adopción de tecnología. La hipótesis planteada fue que los cambios en la adopción de tecnología en productores que implementaron los GGAVATT están influenciados por cambios en la estructura de la red, las interacciones sociales y las características socioeconómicas. Se entrevistó a 26 productores de los GGAVATT "Tepetzintla", "Vía Corta" y "Caprinocultores Unidos Región Montañosa de Veracruz". Se encontró que la adopción de tecnología estuvo asociada al incremento del tamaño de la red e interacciones sociales, y con pocos cambios en los actores centrales. La adopción de tecnología se asocia positivamente con la educación, y es inversamente proporcional a la edad de los productores; y está influenciada por la escala de producción y manejo. Se concluye que el modelo GGAVATT dinamizó la adopción de tecnología, incrementando la red e interacciones sociales, proceso influenciado por las características socioeconómicas y técnico productivas.</span></span></strong></p>

Campesino systems on hill slopes in Central Mexico rely on equids for multiple activities and have a problem in adequately feeding them. A participatory trial was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of common vetch in the traditional forage oat crop to improve its feeding value. An agronomic evaluation was undertaken by intersowing common vetch at 40 kg seed/ha with oats at 80-100 kg/ha in small plots, recording the yield and the chemical composition of the fresh forage in ten plots at harvest. The data were analysed as a completely random design, taking each farmer/plot as a treatment. A feeding trial compared the live weight of 7 donkeys fed oats and vetch against 17 donkeys fed traditional forage. There were differences between farmers in forage yields (p < 0.01) that could not be explained as due to soil types or management. The mean yield of 31.0 t/ha of fresh forage of oats-vetch was 20.5% higher than that from monoculture, and had a higher crude protein content. Donkeys fed the oats-vetch were heavier (p < 0.001). The farmers evaluated the oats-vetch association positively, appreciating the higher yields and good condition of their equids. The combination is an appropriate technology for these campesino farming systems.

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