They can’t tell you they’re suffering. But we can.
This Christmas working animals are in pain, help make sure they are handled with care.
Over 100 million working horses, donkeys and mules work in harsh conditions to provide for their families every day.
Poor harnessing can cause a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering for working animals. It can lead to wounds, infections, and long-term damage, making it hard for these animals to work and live comfortably.
Our mission this Christmas is to ensure that all working horses, donkeys and mules are handled with the care and compassion they deserve. We work closely with owners to highlight the importance of proper harnessing and demonstrate how to fit and adjust harnesses correctly. This helps to prevent wounds and infections from developing.
We also provide pain relief and rehabilitation to those already in need and help them recover. By combining guidance, hands-on training and medical care, we ensure that these hardworking animals can live healthier, more comfortable lives while continuing to support their communities.
More than 50 parts of a horse, donkey or mule’s body can be affected by harness-related wounds.
They can’t tell us they’re suffering. We have to be the voice for those that can’t speak.
At the Rosita Mountain Pass, a bustling market where people and their horses gather to trade goods, Jose brought his beloved horse, Rosario, to a pop-up clinic co-hosted by Brooke and partners. Rosario had a painful wound on her back, caused by the unsuitable packs she had been carrying.
Jose, a dedicated horse owner, noticed that his horses were getting injured from their work. Determined to make a change, he reduced the number of heavy loads they carried, prioritising their wellbeing. He understood that the weight they bore affected their happiness and was concerned about the pain they might feel.
To help his horses, Jose suggested modifying their equipment. He created a hole in the soft part of the packs to prevent contact with injuries and ensured the packs were well-shaped and not too heavy.
Our team assessed the packs and harnesses, which were originally riding saddles adapted to carry loads. Despite efforts to pad the wooden frames, metal and worn parts were still causing injuries. We worked with Jose to explore better harnessing techniques to improve this and ways of treating Rosario’s wounds.
Although Jose hadn't heard of Brooke before, he quickly recognised the benefits of improving animal welfare, especially in communities with limited access to animal healthcare. Jose committed to regularly checking for injuries and using simple remedies like soap to prevent future problems.