Since July 2020, FECTU has been promoting a monthly webinar, covering different topics focused on health and welfare of working animals, but also on different uses in all kinds of activities. These webinars will continue in 2021 and are included in the continuous training programme, as a way to share knowledge and bring together professionals from different areas, having in common the passion for animal traction and working animals. As a result, FECTU has launched the new YouTube channel, where all the webinars will be available. We hope you will enjoy the content of this channel!

On the 9th of June, the Donkey Sanctuary promoted a webinar focused on Modern animal traction: current situation, challenges and opportunities. Joao Rodrigues, Pit Schlechter and Erhard Schroll were the guests of this webinar, which counted with attendees from all over the world. It was the perfect opportunity to explore the reality in Europe around working equids.

This study about the current situation of the working horse industry in Switzerland presents the working equid in general, meaning the possible uses, the assets and drawbacks, the technical data etc. Furthermore it situates the industry in the Swiss context (state of agriculture, forestry, territorial development etc.) and shows how it works by analysing the outcomes of a survey among stakeholders.

This document represents chapter 12 of "Current Donkey Production & Functionality. Relationships with Humans.Book 1." It gives a broad summary of donkey production, husbandry and managing systems, and it deals with a wide range of aspects like breeds and breeding, veterinary care and welfare concerns, domestication,conservation and genetic resources. It also lokks at threats and constraints and how these could be met.