A project in Haiti has improved the lives of working equines and the people who depend on them.
In 2019, World Horse Welfare raised £826,153 to set up the scheme with local charity Quatre Pattes, including £396,988 of match funding from the UK government.
The project shares knowledge through community-based local agents with members of the horse-owning communities. By providing training in saddlery, horse care and veterinary treatment, the project supports owners in improving the health of their horses and opens up income generation opportunities for local people.
Working horses, donkeys and mules are essential for transport in rural communities in Haiti – carrying produce and water, transporting children to school and playing roles in wedding and funeral ceremonies. World Horse Welfare’s project helps communities learn new skills that can be passed down from generation to generation to help these vital equines.
“The farmers depend on their animals […] the project was quick to identify that working animal owners needed training,” said Arius Ambroise, a community-based agent for Quatre Pattes in Kenscoff. “With our training sessions, they understand the importance of taking care of the animal, to protect it knowing how useful it can be […] they now know that their animal must be rested if it is injured.”
World Horse Welfare reported a significant change in the relationship between working equines and their owners, leading to an improvement in the welfare of the animals as well as a positive change in the lives of their owners.
“Before, I was afraid of my horse, I didn’t want to get close to it […] during the training the agent showed me how to interact with it, how to convince it to be my friend,” said one owner, Evelyne St-Mil from Bongard. “Today, the animal is much more profitable, because before I didn’t know how to take care of it.
“My situation has improved because of the training […] as an example, when I used to transport my goods myself, I could earn about 250 gourdes. With the help of the horse, I can earn up to 750 gourdes and even more.”
World Horse Welfare will continue to work with Quatre Pattes for another year, putting in the foundations for a community-led, local solution that can continue to help equines for years to come.
