Help in the heat

Kallu, 28, works as a buggy driver at the brick kiln in Bhadoli Village, northern India. When his horse died of colic, he bought two-year-old Baadshah to pull the cart, transporting as many as 4,000 bricks every day from the moulding site to the kiln.

Kallu depends on Baadshah to earn a daily income of 350 Indian rupees, which is around £5, to support his wife and three young children.

It’s hard work, and when Baadshah began showing symptoms of heat stress in the hot, dusty atmosphere of the kilns, Kallu knew he needed to see a vet. Kallu took Baadshah to the Brooke mobile veterinary clinic in Chacharpur.

Learning together

The vet diagnosed heat stress and gave him Novalgin, a painkiller which also reduces his temperature, as well as advising Kallu on how to keep his horse healthy and prevent stomach infections by making sure that dust and dirt don’t get into his feed.

“My horse Ablak died because I didn’t know about surgical colic, but I won’t let the same thing happen to Baadshah. He is healthy and not suffering because I am taking care of my horse, because of the advice from the Brooke,” says Kallu.

Kallu is also involved in the brick kiln’s ‘Peer Baba’ equine welfare group.

Kallu adds, “By helping each other and saving money together, the horse owners can deal with the needs that arise, including money matters and buying feed for our animals.”