Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Farrier-Related Barriers to Successful Farriery Interventions for Equine Welfare in India

Abstract

Farriery is a critical component of healthcare services for working equids. However, in India, an informal workforce, lack of structured training facilities and non-implementation of farriery regulations pose challenges for quality farriery. Brooke India, an equine welfare organisation, has undertaken many initiatives aiming to improve farriery services, including technical training and engagement with equid-owning communities. However, this has met with varying success. The study aimed to identify factors that prevent farriers providing quality farriery services. Focus-group discussions were conducted with farriers from two districts of Uttar Pradesh with varying programme outcomes. Within each area, farriers were grouped according to previous level of engagement with Brooke programmes. Demand for services, farrier status, the external environment and technical training and knowledge were identified as key elements that affected farriery work. These factors were very context specific: in areas where brick kilns provided the majority of customers, recent closures had resulted in an increase in those farriers’ feeling of insecurity. A systems approach to improving farriery services, taking these factors into account, is advised. Mentoring-based capacity building, which is closely aligned to farrier needs and expectations, is expected to have positive results in terms of technical skill and farrier engagement.

The Importance of the Social Sciences in Reducing Tail Biting Prevalence in Pigs

“…To date, the Behaviour Change Wheel and associated theories have been utilised to varying extents in a number of animal welfare and farmer behaviour change studies. For example, Mohite et al (2019) [65] examined barriers to technical competence in Indian farriers via focus groups. Mohite et al (2019) [65] concluded that due to unwillingness of horse owners to pay for a good service and a low motivation in the farriers for training, behaviour change interventions should target Opportunity and Motivation.…”

“…For example, Mohite et al (2019) [65] examined barriers to technical competence in Indian farriers via focus groups. Mohite et al (2019) [65] concluded that due to unwillingness of horse owners to pay for a good service and a low motivation in the farriers for training, behaviour change interventions should target Opportunity and Motivation. However, the focus group discussions did not appear to have been shaped around the COM-B model and the model was referred to only once, in the discussion section of the paper.…”

“What can we do to actually reach all these animals?” Evaluating approaches to improving working equid welfare

“…As a result, many NGOs are broadening the scope of their programming to target human factors and more actively engage with the people responsible for determining animal welfare. Approaches include introducing knowledge and skills to communities and helping to develop local infrastructure in order to support sustainable welfare improvements [14]. Increasing owner knowledge about animal welfare and sentience through targeted education programmes…”

Evaluation of long-term welfare initiatives on working equid welfare and social transmission of knowledge in Mexico

“…Different models and approaches have been employed by different NGOs over time, and vary depending upon the size and philosophy of the organisation, the areas of the world in which they work and their funding sources [13]. These initiatives include the use of participatory methods [14], educational programmes for school children [15], advocacy [16], the provision of access to free veterinary treatment [10,[17][18][19], providing technical training and skills in fields such as farriery and saddlery to individuals in equid owning communities [20,21], and initiatives that target specific aspects of welfare such as handling and behaviour [22] or lameness [23]. There is debate surrounding the efficacy of the range of welfare initiatives that are implemented.…”

“…Veterinary treatment is often offered for a short period of time with specialist equipment and drugs transported for this purpose but after withdrawal, lack of existing animal health infrastructure and inability to follow up cases can prevent long term welfare improvement [ 4 ]. It has also been highlighted that purely service based approaches are likely to be treating the symptoms rather than the root causes of welfare problems [ 20 , 24 ]. The creation of dependency on free service provision is also a concern when services are likely to, at some point, be withdrawn [ 13 ].…”