FIGURE 1: THE ‘HAND’A TOOL FOR EVALUATING PACK MULE WELFARE.

Thumb: behaviour anddemeanourThese provide an accuratereflection of how theowner/handler communicateswith and understands an animal.Over-reliance on the ‘stick’ andother systems or tools ofdomination rather than the ‘carrot’mean pain and fear lie at the heartof the relationship. Compare andcontrast this with relationshipsinformed by pleasure, trust andrespect. When observing mules,it is useful to ask yourselves whatvalues underpin and inform therelations they have with thosewho work them.

Index finger: bodycondition scoreThis reflects the extent to whichenergy demands made on themule are met (ie. energy in vsenergy out). A detailed evaluationof this equation takes intoaccount the quantity and qualityof food provided and eaten andthe animal’s ability to chew anddigest it (ie. the extent to whichnutrients can be taken up by thebody). A whole range of factorsfrom dental health, interferencewith chewing, competition forfood and parasitism need to beconsidered.

Middle finger: woundsWounds are breaches in the skinand reflect an underlying problemor process. In many cases,wounds arise through ill-fittingharness or practices that causeinjury to the animal.

Ring finger: lamenessand other abnormalmovementLameness and other abnormalmovement typically reflect pain orother difficulty when moving.Lameness may have variouscauses but is often due toproblems with foot care, footbalance and farriery. Unusualmovement can also indicatediscomfort elsewhere in the body,including from wounds. It canalso reflect interference with ananimal’s natural gait and theproblems this can give rise to.

Little finger: other signsof injury or diseaseOther signs of injury or diseasereflect the existence of otherprocesses or pathologies. Inmany cases these may benefitfrom veterinary attention todiagnose and treat the problem.

Palm: the life of the muleA holistic take on welfareconsiders every aspect includingsome that often remain invisiblesuch as the provision ofopportunities for friendship,social interaction and naturalbehaviour, rest and recovery.Perhaps most challenging is theattention paid to the mule’sretirement and other end-of-lifeissues.

Knuckles: theinterconnectionsThe knuckles remind us to thinkabout local cultures, attitudes andworking practices, which sit at theinterface between the life of themule (the palm) and theindicators of welfare (the fingers).

THE PROFESSIONAL MOUNTAINEER • ISSUE 9 • MARCH 2015 1514

In the summer of 2014, the ExpeditionProvider’s Association (EPA) met andagreed to implement a ‘Leader Checklist’to seek to ensure that the welfare of packmules working on expedition is notcompromised. This checklist will be used,in the years ahead, by leaders working onexpedition for companies such as FarFrontiers Expeditions, OutlookExpeditions and World Challenge,amongst others.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGEExpedition leaders can be forgiven for

feeling they do not have the expertise orauthority to comment on the welfare of amule in some far-flung country, let aloneinsist on changes and improvements.This feeling stems, in part, from aperception that they lack the experienceand knowledge to make welfareassessments. Few would argue, however,that the leader’s role implicitly involvesmaking risk assessments, whether that beabout the roadworthiness of localtransport, the safety of the group on themountain or the health of individualswithin the group. One’s ability to makethese challenging assessments isdeveloped through training, goodpreparation and experience. Forewarnedis, therefore, very much forearmed and, ifanimal welfare abuses are to beaddressed, the leader needs to knowwhat to look for, why this is time wellspent and what to do when issuesbecome apparent.This feature sets out to provide the

Leader with an illustrated guide tocompliment the Leader Checklist. Itexplores each welfare problem, in turn,together with some of the measures thatcan be taken to address these problems.Careful attention to this subject will

promote an awareness of animal welfareissues across the communities in whichwe work. Leaders will themselvesbecome more confident and competent

in making assessments and insafeguarding welfare. This will ensure thatwelfare is continually improved and thatthe mountain tourism and expeditionsindustries have a positive impact on themules and muleteers who do much, if notall, the hard work.

THE LEADER CHECKLISTThe Leader Checklist has been inspired

by the Donkey Sanctuary’s hands-onapproach to mule welfare (Figure 1).Welfare is a complex subject that is oftenreduced to a number of basic needs. The‘hand’ goes beyond such simplisticapproaches to welfare and asks moresearching questions of the mule’swellbeing. It does so by providing astructure (the ‘hand’) around which allwelfare components can be organised.This is therefore a tool that anyone cancarry with them; one that, arguably, canserve as a powerful memory aid. Theconstituent parts of welfare can all befound on the hand and are explainedfurther in Table 1.

LEADER CHECKS

Does the mule have a goodrelationship and understandingwith the owner/handler?Attention to the animal’s demeanour

and behaviour will reveal much about theunderlying relationship between theowner/handler and their mule. Workingwith animals requires trust, understandingand patience. Your in-country agentshould be employing tried and testedstaff, who they know to have goodrelations with their mules and to haveworked their mule without problems foryears. Agents should be encouraged tokeep records and produce, on request,the names and details of the muleteersand mules employed.If you see fearful responses between

man and animal, this is generally a badsign for it reflects a lack of trust, respect

and understanding. Fear can lead to awide range of problems, includingaccidents, mules kicking and mulesrunning off or responding in anunpredictable way. Adolescent boys oftenhave other things on their minds and areoften inattentive towards their family’smule. They, and other muleteers with littleor no experience of working with mules,should generally be avoided. Similarly,those muleteers with little or no empathyfor their mules should also be avoided —this is not uncommon amongst ownerswho buy a new mule at the start of thetrekking season and sell them on again inthe autumn.A reliance on a harsh bit to slow, stop

and control a mule is a sign of poorhorsemanship. Wherever possible,traditional bits should be avoided (Figure2). When led, mules should be worked inhead collars. When ridden, they shouldbe worked in bits that allow the mule tobe controlled with the minimum amount

of force. Ideally these will be made ofstainless steel and free from sharp orrough edges.

Does the mule have a good bodycondition score?Loss of muscle mass over the back and

pelvis leaves a number of bonyprominences unprotected and vulnerableto pressure sores. Poor body conditionalso reflects the existence of anunderlying problem. It could be that themule is not receiving adequate food, hasdental problems, is overworked or is aged.

If you can see the ribs, backbone andpelvis (Figure 3), there is likely to be anunderlying problem. These mules are bestidentified and excluded prior to departurein order to avoid the various problems thatunderweight animals are predisposed to(Figures 4a-4c).In providing a balanced diet to working

equines such as mules, it is essential thatthe best quality fodder be sourced andprovided. Agencies that scrimp and saveon the quality of hay, straw and grain arehaving a direct impact on the animal’sability to meet the nutritional demands ofan arduous trek. Questions to askinclude:—

� Are the owners paid enough to beable to buy the best food available? Itmay be appropriate to budgetspecifically for this.� Are the campsites selected to allowaccess to grazing at the end of the day?� Are adequate amounts ofsupplementary, high energy, food stuffs(eg. barley and sunflower oil) provided?� Is the grain of good quality (fat andheavy)? Has it been sieved to eliminatestones and dust?� Are the mule’s teeth grinding the feedefficiently? If grain is passing throughinto the faeces, this is a sure sign thatthe grain is not being chewed properlyand points to a dental problem.

Are there any wounds?Wounds may be hard to detect at a

distance. This is especially the case if the

Promoting PackMule Welfare onExpedition

IMAGES © GLEN COUSQUER.

GLEN COUSQUER ISA WML AND IML ANDSPECIALISES IN TREKKINGAND WILDLIFE WORK INMOROCCO, FRANCE ANDSCOTLAND. HE ISPRESIDENT OF BAIMLAND ALSO HOLDS ARESEARCHSCHOLARSHIP AT THEUNIVERSITY OFEDINBURGH’S INSTITUTEOF GEOGRAPHY, WHEREHIS RESEARCHINTERESTS FOCUS ONANIMAL WELFARE INMOUNTAIN TOURISM.

FOLLOWING ON FROM GLEN’S ARTICLE IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE,HE NOW LOOKS AT HOW THINGS ARE CHANGING FOR THE BETTERREGARDING THE WELFARE OF PACK MULES.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP TO ADDRESS MANAGEMENTAND WORKING PRACTICES, CULTURES, TRADITIONS, BELIEFS, ATTITUDES

OTHERVETERINARYINPUT

OTHER SIGNS OF

INJURY & DISEASELAMENESS

WOUNDS BODYCONDITION

SCORE

BEHAVIOUR

& DEMEAN

OUR

HOW IT USESITS BODYFOOTCAREFARRIERY

THE LIFE OF THE DONKEYSENTIENT BEING

AGE, POPULATION STRUCTUREEND OF LIFE ISSUES

HUMAN: DONKEY INTERACTIONSDONKEY ASSISTED THERAPY

HYDRATIONHARNESS ENERGY IN –

ENERGY OUTNUTRITIONDENTISTRYWORMS

COMMUNICATINGWITH DONKEYS

HANDLINGTHE CARROT OR THE

STICK

FIGURE 2A: TRADITIONAL BITS ARE OFTEN POORLYMADE AND EASILY ABUSED. THE TRADITIONAL BITTYPICALLY USED IN THE HIGH ATLAS OF MOROCCOFORCES THE MOUTH OPEN AND CAN CAUSE INJURYTO THE ROOF OF THE MOUTH AND TO THE TONGUEAND BARS OF THE MOUTH.

FIGURE 2B: THIS YOUNG MULE HAS A TRADITIONALBIT IN HER MOUTH. THE HEAVY METAL PORT (A) ISDRIVEN INTO THE ROOF OF THE MOUTH WHEN THEREINS ARE PULLED. THESE BITS ARE OFTEN THE CAUSEOF SERIOUS MOUTH INJURIES WHEN THE RIGHT-ANGLED PIECE OF METAL (ARROW) TRAVELS ACROSSTHE MOUTH OR IS PULLED DOWN INTO THE MOUTH.

FIGURE 3: THIS POOR MULE IS SEVERELY EMACIATED AND IS LIKELY TO HAVE A NUMBER OF SERIOUSUNDERLYING PROBLEMS. HER RIBS STAND OUT AND ARE EASY TO SEE. HER SPINE IS ALSO VERY PROMINENTBETWEEN POINTS A AND B. THE MUSCLE THAT SHOULD SIT TO EITHER SIDE OF THE SPINE IS WASTED AWAYLEAVING THE WITHERS AND SPINE VULNERABLE TO TRAUMA. THE GLUTEAL MUSCLES THAT SHOULD HIDE THEBONES OF THE PELVIS (C) ARE ALSO ABSENT. THE DOTTED TRIANGLE TRACES OUT THE BONES OF THE PELVIS.THESE ARE NOW OFFERED LITTLE PROTECTION BY ANY OVERLYING TISSUE AND ARE VULNERABLE TOPRESSURE SORES.

A

A

B

C

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Overloading and overwork will contributeto the development of arthritic problems.The setting of a maximum weight limit of80kg for a mule is designed to addressthis problem. It also means that, shouldone mule be unable to continue or amule be required to evacuate a client,the load can be redistributed to the other

mules without this being too much of aproblem. Such limits need to be checkedand monitored, however, and the leaderhas an important role to play here.

� What provision is made for the mule torest at the end of a trek? If a day’s rest isnot budgeted for the mule is likely to gostraight back out to work.� What provision is made for mules atthe end of their lives? It is commonplacefor mules who are no longer able to workin the mountains to be sold to the citiesin the same way that plough horses andother working equines in parts of Europewere sold to work out their days in the mills.

CONCLUSIONThis run through of leader checks has

sought to illustrate the areas of mostconcern when working with pack muleson expedition. There are many aspects toany welfare problem. Many of these willonly become familiar to the leader who

regularly visits a particular country andworks with the team there. Others aremore obvious and the leader who knowswhat to look for can act immediately toprevent welfare abuses.All leaders can contribute to the

promotion of welfare standards byphotographing and documenting theirconcerns. Over time this will result inwelfare standards improving year on year.It is by sharing experiences and asking‘what should I do when faced with thisproblem?’ that we are able to improve theway we help develop best practice.

saddle blanket is not removed. Leadersshould therefore always ensure all themules are evaluated with their saddleblankets off (Figure 5). The detection ofsaddle sores will also be greatly facilitatedby ensuring the back is palpated fromfront to back to ensure that it is both painfree and free of any sores or swellings.Wounds typically arise where there is a

poor match between the mule’s harnessequipment and the animal’s body. Inaddition to saddle sores, Leaders shouldalso be on the lookout for girth injuries(Figure 6a), injuries due to saddle strapsand those arising through tethering(Figures 6b-6c).Leaders should also remain alert to the

possibility of mouth injuries. Where thereis a lack of understanding between manand mule combined with harsh, poorquality bits, severe mouth injuries arecommonly seen. These injuries are oftenaccompanied by blood in the saliva(Figure 7a). These mules should beidentified prior to departure and excludedfrom the team. Similarly, the obviouspotential for poorly maintained bridles tocause injury must be identified andaddressed if these injuries are to beprevented (Figure 7b).In all cases where a wound is identified,

the cause should be sought by examiningthe mule’s equipment (Figure 8a-8b). Theleader thus has a responsibility topromote good mule care by making itclear that wounds should not be seen onanimals working in the industry.

Is the mule lame?Signs of lameness will reflect an uneven

gait and become apparent when theanimal is walked and or trotted. If the muleis obviously lame unloaded and at thewalk, it is unlikely to be able to carry aheavy load over difficult terrain withoutstruggling.

There can be many underlying causesof lameness and abnormal movement.Joint and tendon damage, for example,are not uncommon. They are a sadconsequence of overloading andoverwork and the resulting inflammatoryconditions will require rest and veterinaryattention.Generally speaking lameness

investigations are challenging and acompetent and experienced equineveterinary surgeon will be needed if thecause is to be pinpointed and appropriatetreatment put in place.

Other signs of injury and disease?Generally speaking mules working on

expedition should be free from other signsof injury and disease.Where injury and disease are present, or

become apparent, it is essential that theLeader has some idea of what they will doin these circumstances.

� Are they equipped with the skills andequipment to provide first aid andemergency care to such animals?� Do they have the contact details forlocal veterinary service providers?� Are they able to organise theevacuation of the mule?� Do they have the funds necessary topay for veterinary treatment?

During transportation, the expeditionleader must check the conditions, safetyand wellbeing of the animals to ensurethey can stand or lie down properly, haveadequate food, water and ventilation andthat the vehicle driver drives in such a waythe animal is not thrown about. Care mustbe taken when loading and unloading theanimal to avoid both distress and injury.The sides of the lorry should be paddedto protect the animal during the journey.The provision of bedding on the floor ofthe lorry will enhance grip and reduce thechances of a fall.

The life of a muleThere are countless other aspects of a

mule’s life that contribute to their welfareand that we are likely to overlook throughinattention. Many of these questions willbe challenging and problematic. There willbe no simple solutions and finding themwill require a host of partners to cometogether in order for them to beaddressed. As such, they may in manyinstances be beyond the leader’sinfluence. The leader can, however, reportback on them and, in doing so, contributeto the ongoing debate.

These questions include:—� What is the owner’s attitude towardsthe sustainable use of their mule?

THE PROFESSIONAL MOUNTAINEER • ISSUE 9 • MARCH 2015 1716

FIGURE 4A: THIS THIN MULEHAS A PROMINENT WITHERSAND SPINE. THE PELVICBONES ARE ALSO VERYPROMINENT. IT IS THEREFOREHARDLY SURPRISING THAT, ATTHE END OF A TREK, THEREARE WOUNDS OVER THEPELVIC BONES AND WITHERS.THE MULE’S POOR BODYCONDITION SCORE, COUPLEDWITH A POORLY FITTINGSADDLE BLANKET THAT FAILSTO PROTECT THE BONYPROMINENCES FROM THELOAD CARRIED WERE EVIDENTAT THE START OF THE TREK.THESE WOUNDS COULD HAVEBEEN AVOIDED.

FIGURES 4B – 4C: THE COXAL TUBEROSITY OF THE PELVIS (ABOVE) AND THE WITHERS (BELOW) ARE RED RAWWHERE PRESSURE SORES HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO DEVELOP OVER THESE BONY PROMINENCES.

FIGURE 5: THE SIMPLE ACT OF REQUESTING AND REQUIRING ALL MULETEERS TO REMOVE THE SADDLEBLANKETS FROM THEIR MULES ALLOWS BOTH MULE AND SADDLE BLANKET TO BE CAREFULLY EXAMINED ANDASSESSED. IN THIS CASE, THE MULE CAN BE SEEN TO BE WELL-MUSCLED AND IN GOOD CONDITION (THE RIBSARE NOT VISIBLE AND THE SPINE AND PELVIC BONES WELL-PADDED). THE SADDLE BLANKET IS CLEARLY INGOOD CONDITION. THIS INITIAL IMPRESSION IS FURTHER CONFIRMED WHEN A HAND IS RUN DOWN THEMULE’S BACK AND IT IS FOUND TO BE PAIN FREE.

FIGURES 6A AND 6B: THE USE OF NYLON ORPLASTIC ROPES TO SECURE LOADS CAN CAUSEBURNS IN THE GIRTH AREA, IMMEDIATELY BEHINDTHE ELBOW. THE USE OF THIN NYLON ROPES ISALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WIDESPREADINCIDENCE OF TETHERING INJURIES.

FIGURE 8A-8B: THE SORE TO THE BACK OF THIS MULE’S THIGH HAS AN OBVIOUS CAUSETHAT MUST BE IDENTIFIED AND ADDRESSED IF THE FRICTION BURN IS TO BE PREVENTED.EXAMINATION OF THE STRAP THAT PASSES BEHIND THE THIGH SHOWS THAT IT IS BADLYWORN AND ROUGHENED. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED PRIOR TO DEPARTUREAND APPROPRIATE REPAIRS MADE.

FIGURE 7A: WHERE BLOOD IS SEEN IN THE SALIVA, THIS SHOULD NEVER BE IGNORED ASIT IS THE CLUE THAT THERE IS AN INJURY WITHIN THE MOUTH. THESE INJURIES ARECOMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH TRADITIONAL BITS AND ROUGH HANDLING.

FIGURE 7B: TWISTED WIRE HAS NO PLACE IN THE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OFBRIDLES AS IT READILY CAUSES INJURY – AS, IN THIS CASE, TO THE TONGUE.

FIGURE 6C: SADLY, MULES ARE OFTEN SECURED INSUCH A WAY THAT THEY SUFFER CUTS AND ROPEBURN WHERE THE THIN CORD CHEESE WIRES INTOOR BURNS THE SKIN.

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