Donkeys, mules, and horses are essential to the livelihoods of millions of people in low-income countries, yet they often experience severe welfare problems that affect both animal and human wellbeing.
Working equids in low-income settings face a convergence of welfare threats: overwork, inadequate nutrition and water, poorly fitting equipment, wounds from harnesses and loads, and near-total absence of veterinary care. These animals are also economically vital to their owners, meaning welfare improvements directly benefit human livelihoods. Community-based equine first aid training, subsidised veterinary services, and improved harness design have all been shown to produce rapid welfare improvements while strengthening household economic resilience. Animal welfare and poverty alleviation are deeply interconnected in working equid contexts.