An appraisal of socio-economic owner's status, shelter pattern and characterization of horses in District Budgam of Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir

Livestock including equines plays a significant role in the economy of hilly areas. A study was conducted to appraise the socio-economic status of owners, shelter pattern and characterization of horses in four major equine rearing tehsils (Beerwah, Khag, Chadoora and Budgam) in district Budgam of Kashmir valley. Twelve equine keeping families from each tehsil were selected at random. A total of 48 households owning equines were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire to explore their socio-economic profile. Body characteristics (age, body weight -BW and body condition score -BCS) of different classes of horses and the shelter provided were also determined. The results revealed higher (P<0.05) land holdings (kanal per family) in Beerwah (8.58) than in Budgam (3.17) and Khag (1.33), while the livestock and equine strengths (numbers reared per family) were higher (P<0.05) in Chadoora (8.50 and 2.94 heads) than in Budgam (4.58 and 1.75 heads), Khag (2.00 and 1.58 heads) and Beerwah (5.33 and 1.17 heads). The literacy rate was higher (P<0.05) in Budgam (1.83) followed by Beerwa (1.33), Chadoora (1.19) and Khag (1.08). The overall mean age, BW and BCS were 7.25 years, 260.86 kg and 4.98 for adult horses, 1.80 years, 189.28 kg and 4.20 for foals, and 8.85 years, 267.04 kg and 5.14 for lactating mares, respectively with no statistical differences among the surveyed tehsils. Proportion of Pacha shelters being higher (P<0.01) in Chadoora (62.50%) and Beerwah (66.67%), while Kacha shelters were higher (P<0.01) in Budgam (41.67%) and Beerwah (33.33%), and temporary structures were in higher (P<0.01) proportion in Khag (83.33%). Mostly horses were housed with other livestock species with the proportion of shared shelters being higher (P<0.05) in Budgam (83.33%) and Beerwah (100.00%). It was concluded that equine owners in district Budgam were socio-economically weak and reared non-descript horses with average BW and BCS to add to their earnings.