Working Equid Welfare Standards | Animal Welfare Hub

Millions of working horses, donkeys, and mules in low- and middle-income countries face severe welfare challenges linked to poverty, workload, and lack of veterinary access.

Key Facts

An estimated 200 million working equids are in use worldwide, primarily in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Donkeys and mules are often preferred for mountainous terrain and small-scale agriculture.
Common welfare problems include lameness, wounds from poorly fitted harness, and overwork.
Working equids often have no rest days and insufficient access to water during heavy work.
Brooke, SPANA, and The Donkey Sanctuary are leading international welfare organisations in this sector.

Welfare Considerations

Working equids provide livelihoods for some of the world's poorest families, creating a complex link between animal welfare and human poverty. Improving equid welfare requires approaches that also address owner education, access to affordable veterinary care, and the economic pressures that drive overwork. Community-based animal health worker programmes, subsidised veterinary outreach, and harness improvement schemes have demonstrated significant welfare gains. Crucially, improvements in equid welfare also improve household income — healthier animals work more efficiently and live longer.

What You Can Do

Support Brooke, The Donkey Sanctuary, or SPANA through donation or advocacy.
Raise awareness of working equid welfare as a development and poverty-linked issue.
Advocate for inclusion of working animal welfare in international development programmes.
Choose tourism services and supply chains that commit to working animal welfare standards.