| HIS/BHA EQUINE PROJECT funded by BROOKE HOSPITAL FOR ANIMALS (UK)
Previously, the working donkeys, ponies and horses of Jaipur suffered from exhaustion, lameness, debilitation, and often were driven until they could no longer walk, when they were abandoned on the roads and left to die.
The Brooke team goes out most days to treat animals
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This rescued donkey foal was successfully treated
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The family livelihood depends on a fit and healthy pony
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The BHA/HIS Equine project, led by team manager, Ms Rakhee Sharma, and veterinarian, Dr. Ashok Tanwar was founded in 1999 by visiting UK vet, Dr. Joy Pritchard, and is funded by the Brooke Hospital for Animals (UK). In it mobile clinic vehicle, the team visits various sites around the city where equines congregate for work, six days a week. Education of owners is an important part of the programme. Last year 216 awareness sessions were conducted in the field, and around 1000 owners attended these camps. Owners are also encouraged to look after the hooves of the equines correctly.
Communication with owners is important
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Brooke team explains to owners not to overload and overwork
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If the hoof is cleaned with rough implements it may be damaged, and equally, if it is not cleaned at all, small objects can become embedded causing inflammation, infection and lameness. Hence over the year 500 hoof picks have been distributed together with information on how to properly clean the hoof.
A horse can go lame if not properly shod
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Training courses have been held for the local farriers so that they could learn how to trim the horses’ hooves correctly, as poorly trimmed hoofs and ill-fitting shoes can cause tremendous pain and long-term injury to equines.
Many harnesses made of wire or plastic string have been replaced – repairs and replacements in all numbering 1560. Previously the poor materials resulted in supturating wounds due to friction from the use of bicycle chains and other inappropriate harnessing, instead of leather straps. Often the owners are so poor they cannot afford proper saddlery, so this has been provided at subsidized cost by the HIS/Brooke team.
Over the past year, 102 suffering, crippled and injured equines with no hope of recovery have been euthanased. To encourage surrender of equines which cannot work due to crippling pain from lameness or other injury, financially disadvantaged owners are offered a small sum in compensation for the loss of the animal. Additionally the team has attended over 120 emergencies at all times of night and day in various locations of Jaipur.
This villager asks for help for his horse
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The horse is prepared for surgery
The operation was 100% successful
and the owner was delighted
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Many people visiting Jaipur have commented that the condition of the ponies and horses has greatly improved since the HIS/Brooke team began work in Jaipur. Below is a typical letter from horse expert and dressage rider, Mandy Hughes.
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"I wanted to write to say that I am very impressed by the work you are doing in Jaipur. I had visited Jaipur back in 1999 when I first holidayed in India. The state of the Tonga ponies at that time was pitiful – the ponies were thin and had obvious painful, open harness sores and were often hopping lame. I was upset to see them being used in such a poor condition, every time I came across another pony I had to look away it was so upsetting.
However I have visited Jaipur several times over the past two years now that I am living in India and the improvement in the condition of the ponies is incredible – they are, in the main, now much fatter, no longer limping along and no sign of harness sores. Any sores they once had are now well healed evident from the scar marks. Clearly the work you and Brooke Hospital have done has helped these animals immensely. The education of the owners by your vets has resulted in a much better working environment for the ponies. I am so glad that I no longer need to avert my eyes every time I come across a working pony Jaipur. I really hope that your excellent work can continue across India and in other cities where there is still much to be done to improve the lot of the working equine."
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This year the Brooke (UK) is implementing a new Action Plan for all its teams in India. The purpose of this Action Plan is to try to bring about improvements in health and well-being of the equines by limiting treatments of animals, and instead liaising with owners to encourage them to develop improved management techniques which will be of long-term benefit.
This family is so poor even the children must work with the donkey
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The mare died on the street but the baby was successfully rescued
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The horse had fallen, and additionally to treatment, required rest at the
shelter for over a week
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