An estimated 100 million working horses, donkeys, and mules are used in low-income countries. Their welfare is closely linked to the livelihoods of the families who depend on them.
Working equine welfare in development contexts requires a fundamentally different approach from companion animal welfare in wealthy countries. Removing animals from work would destroy the livelihoods of vulnerable families — the welfare-positive approach is to improve conditions, not eliminate them. Training owners in low-stress handling, proper harnessing, and basic health care produces sustainable welfare improvements that owners have incentive to maintain because healthy animals work better and live longer. Supporting organizations like the Brooke and SPANA delivers high welfare benefit per donation dollar and addresses chronic suffering at significant scale.