| Sumario: | This paper reviews research findings relevant to draught animal husbandry and management, and highlights the differences in use of oxen and cows for draught. Topics considered include the choice between cows and oxen and effects of work on physiology, metabolism, health, food intake, digestion, bodyweight change and lactation and reproductive physiology in draught cows. The husbandry and management of draught animals are considered and methods are described which could be adjusted for different draught animal-powered farming systems. Aspects covered include duration of work, housing, health care and feeding of draught animals. In considering these aspects of husbandry, attention is focused on the need to optimise the use of farm resources in the search for sustainable farming methods. A summary of topics deserving more research is given. It is suggested that farming systems research in close copperation with the local communities is required to determine ways of producing adequate food for draught animals and the establishment of sustainable farming systems.
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