Equine welfare in India

Inspiring change in local communities

In Rawati, 21 households depend on working animals, with 33 horses and foals between them. The majority of animals pull brick kiln carts, earning between 100 and 150 rupees a day – less than £2.25.

The Brooke began working in Rawati in 2008 and since then we have laid the foundation for community action. This has includede:

• Supporting the formation of an equine welfare group, including all 21 owners.
• Training owners in the causes, symptoms, prevention of and treatment for common ailments such as colic, respiratory diseases and tetanus.
• Implementing community-led health check-ups and tetanus vaccination.As a result, the community has seen improvements in the welfare of their working horses, which has also benefited owners and their families.

Responsibility pays dividends

Through Rawati’s equine welfare group, owners have built a community fund which gives them increased purchasing power. For example, rather than paying a trader five rupees for each kilo of feed, they now buy good quality feed direct from a supplier at three rupees per kilo (a saving of 40%) - and store it properly so it stays dry, ready for use.

Local service providers have also become members of the group. Hashim is a farrier and he gives fellow group members a 20 rupee discount on each horse he shoes.  Owners buy good quality shoes and nails and set aside three days a month for farriery, so they get good service at a reduced price.

Nazim and Zahid offer a hair clipping service – they bought clipping machines with loans from the community fund. Members’ horses are clipped every 45 days to reduce skin diseases and irritating problems such as ticks.

All of these outcomes reflect the increased self confidence, motivation and morale amongst the community in Rawati.