Working Horse and Donkey Welfare in Developing Countries (2026)
An estimated 200 million horses, donkeys, and mules work in developing countries, often in conditions causing significant welfare suffering from overloading, poor harnessing, untreated injuries, and inadequate nutrition.
Key Facts
Around 200 million equids work in agriculture, transport, and commerce in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Brooke, World Horse Welfare, and SPANA operate welfare improvement programmes across major working equid countries
Poor harness fit causes shoulder sores, girth galls, and back injuries that are often left untreated
Working equids frequently suffer from chronic undernutrition — owners may not recognise the body condition required for healthy work
Welfare Considerations
Working equids with harness wounds experience pain with every movement and contact of tack against wounds. Overloaded animals — those pulling or carrying loads beyond their strength — experience musculoskeletal strain and respiratory distress. Untreated lameness causes animals to work in pain daily for months or years. Donkeys mask pain particularly effectively, making early recognition difficult without specific training. Castration without analgesia, dental neglect, and inadequate water provision during work all contribute to welfare burdens common in working equid populations.
What You Can Do
Donate to Brooke, SPANA, or World Horse Welfare working equid welfare improvement programmes
Support veterinary training initiatives that build local equid care capacity in working animal communities
Advocate for working animal welfare standards in agricultural development projects in low-income countries
Raise awareness that working equids provide essential livelihoods for millions of poor rural families while experiencing significant preventable welfare harms