An estimated 100 million working horses, donkeys, and mules in developing countries face severe welfare challenges that require targeted, culturally appropriate interventions.
Working equid welfare in developing countries is both a profound animal welfare crisis and a human development issue. Animals working with painful harness sores, severe lameness, or untreated wounds cannot work effectively, reducing the income and food security of the families who depend on them. The welfare and livelihood interests of working equids and their owners are strongly aligned — improving animal welfare improves human livelihoods. This alignment creates opportunity for welfare improvement without requiring owners to prioritize animal welfare over their own survival. The most effective programs address welfare, livelihood, and community ownership simultaneously through mobile veterinary services, farriery training, harness design improvement, and community education.