Working horses and donkeys in developing countries often lack basic veterinary care and work under conditions causing preventable suffering.
Working equids represent one of the largest concentrations of preventable animal suffering globally. Owners typically lack resources and knowledge to address common welfare problems — not from indifference but from poverty. Effective interventions are practical, low-cost, and demonstrate immediate productivity benefits. The welfare-livelihoods link makes working equid welfare one of the most compelling cases for development-linked animal welfare work.