Caracterização populacional e aplicação da escala grupequi- UFAL para avaliação de bem-estar em equídeos de tração do vale do Paraíba - AL

Abstract

The objective of this study is to perform population characterization and to apply and validate the GRUPEQUI-UFAL scale for assessing the health and welfare of working equines in the Vale do Paraíba region – AL. A total of 48 working equines were evaluated, focusing on nutritional and health management. A physical examination was conducted, assessing parameters such as Heart Rate (HR), Respiratory Rate (RR), Capillary Refill Time (CRT), intestinal motility, level of consciousness, Rectal Temperature (RT), presence of digital pulse using the semiological technique of Feitosa (2021), and Body Condition Score (BCS). Hematological and biochemical profiles were obtained through total blood collection for laboratory analysis of hematocrit, total plasma protein, fibrinogen, and creatine kinase. An inspection for the presence of injuries and stereotypies was also conducted, along with an evaluation for lameness. Among the observed species, 52.08% were horses, 45.83% mules, and 2.08% donkeys, with 58.33% being females and 41.67% males. The average age was 11.57±6.91 years, with 31.25% considered elderly. The average weight was 310.5 ± 62.06 kg, but only 25% were deemed to have an ideal body score. The average heart rate was 48.56 ± 9.02 bpm, which is considered above the normal values for the species. The hematological and biochemical values of the working equines were within the normal ranges for the species. The results of this study demonstrated that the working equines from the Vale do Paraíba in the State of Alagoas exhibited physiological, hematological, and biochemical parameters within the recommended values for determining animal welfare. This research enabled the application and validation of the animal welfare assessment scale created by the Research and Extension Group in Equines of Alagoas.