Millions of working horses, donkeys, and mules in developing countries experience significant welfare compromise from overwork, underfeeding, and lack of veterinary care.
Working horses, donkeys, and mules in developing countries experience welfare problems that are often rooted in poverty rather than indifference. Owners who lack resources to provide adequate feed, rest, and veterinary care may nonetheless depend entirely on their animals for livelihood. The welfare-optimal approach acknowledges this complexity, providing owners with practical support — feed subsidy, veterinary outreach, harness fitting — that improves animal welfare while protecting the livelihoods of the poorest people who depend on working animals. Punitive approaches that remove animals from owners without economic support create worse welfare and human outcomes than compassionate welfare education and resource provision.