Kiwi Care Team in Fiji

Background

The largest island of the Republic of Fiji, Viti Levu (commonly considered the mainland), is home to 70 percent of the population (about 600,000) and is the hub of the entire Fijian archipelago. The rural population of Fiji’s interior is made up of subsistence farmers who rely heavily on animal traction or transport to make a living.

In 1998 the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimated the horse population in the South Pacific to be approximately 75,000, of which 43,500 were in Fiji. It's likely this number is now far higher.

In Fiji, horses are used mainly for transport (using simple saddle cloths rather than saddles), draught (mainly ploughing), pig hunting in the mountainous interior and fishing on the coast. Informal racing of working horses has recently made a comeback on the island, having been popular during British Colonial rule. In coastal areas, horses are also provide beach rides to tourists.

Threats to the welfare of horses

There are several major threats to equine welfare:

• chronic wounds
• mouth lesions (from inappropriate bit materials such as rope)
• back lesions (from saddle pads that cause friction wounds to the skin covering the spine)
• traumatic injuries (from stallion aggression)
• road traffic accidents
• spear/machete injuries (following owner disputes)
• informal castrations

There is also a risk of infectious disease, with tetanus being endemic.

Due to inbreeding and inadequate nutrition, village horses often lack the size and strength to achieve the work expected of them. Poor care further limits their ability to work, with badly fitting saddles being a major problem. Until a Kiwi Care Team (KCT)-trained Fijian farrier began routine work in 2013, there were no farriers on the island. Cracked and overgrown hooves are therefore common.

What's happening now

Our Small Initiatives Fund grant enabled KCT, in conjunction with AnimalsFiji, to appoint Livai, a local Community Development Officer with a wealth of experience in agricultural projects and strong links to the rural communities in the interior of Viti Levu. KCT is working to better understand the extent of welfare issues and what the priorities are. As well as gathering information about body condition, age, etc, Livai and his assistant Kaitu will also be recording GPS data to create a population map of the mainland.

They are also working with the farmers, horse owners and communities they visit, educating them in basic equine care. In addition, the programme meets community leaders, religious leaders and headteachers to form a network of contacts for future KCT interventions.

The team is holding sessions in villages to discuss topics such as equine care, hoof care, saddle design, castration and preventative medicine. This improves animal welfare and in the long term encourages knowledge, positive attitudes and ultimately behaviour change.

Improved animal health can improve productivity and enhance human welfare by reducing poverty and supporting sustainable livelihoods. It is hoped this important project will become the foundation for future equine welfare projects in Fiji.