Over 100 million horses, donkeys, and mules provide essential traction power in developing countries. Their welfare is central to both animal welfare and rural development goals.
Working equine welfare in the developing world involves animals performing essential labour with chronic, treatable conditions. Harness sores, untrimmed hooves, infected wounds, and severe undernutrition are widespread but readily addressable with basic veterinary outreach. Unlike welfare challenges in high-income countries, significant improvements can be made at very low cost per animal through targeted intervention.