south africa’s working equines receive the care & dignity they deserve

In South Africa, Blind Love held 11 outreach clinics during August and attended to 107 working horses. Feed and hay bales were distributed to provide additional nutritional support for these horses. In addition, the team held a clinic for donkeys, where 20 animals were assessed and treated. Blind Love also replaced any harsh equipment with kinder alternatives, thus reducing the risk working animals will be injured or wounded.

See how your fantastic support is improving the lives of working equines in South Africa:

WORKING HORSE PROGRAM

Areas: Thaba ‘Nchu, Botshabelo, Cart Horse Rank and surrounding rural villages.

Outreach Activities 

August was an exceptionally active month for the Working Horse Program, with the team conducting a total of 11 outreach clinics.

A total of 107 horses attended these outreach days.

Clinics continued at the Thaba ‘Nchu Horse Rank and surrounding communities, with a dedicated outreach day held in Botshabelo, which was attended by 23 horses. We also held a rural outreach clinic in the village of Paradys.

Across the outreach clinics, horses received:

• General health assessments

• Internal and external parasite control

• Cleaning and treatment of minor wounds and injuries

• Hoof and general welfare checks

• Tack and harness inspections

• Replacement of unsuitable harnesses where required

• Donated tack and equipment 

As the horses emerge from the difficult Free State winter, many are looking somewhat poorer following months of limited grazing. Feed and hay bales were therefore distributed, while the team has also been providing multivitamin supplementation to assist horses needing additional nutritional support.

Owners continued to make use of the Horse Care Station between scheduled outreach clinics, bringing horses for treatment and follow-up of minor wounds and injuries, as well as internal and external parasite treatment.

WORKING DONKEY PROGRAM

Area: Makhanda (Grahamstown), Eastern Cape

The regular monthly donkey outreach was held on 29th August, with 20 donkeys checked and treated.

An unusually high number of harness-related wounds were encountered during this clinic. Harnesses were replaced or adjusted where necessary, and donated snaffle bits enabled the team to replace several harsher bits with more appropriate alternatives.

Representatives from the municipality also attended the outreach day to speak directly with donkey owners regarding the forthcoming court case concerning donkeys roaming within the town. Blind Love continues to strongly encourage owners to keep their donkeys out of town wherever possible.

A further community meeting was arranged for 8th September, and owners attending the outreach day were asked to spread the message throughout the donkey-owning community to encourage them all to attend.

This meeting provided another opportunity to identify and record donkeys, and to reinforce the importance of responsible ownership and keeping animals away from the town centre.

Overall Summary

Working Horse Program:

• 107 horses treated via 11 outreach clinics during August.

• Routine health assessments, parasite control, wound care, hoof checks and equipment assessments continued.

• Harnesses were replaced where required, and donated tack and equipment were distributed.

• Feed and hay bales were distributed as horses emerged from the difficult winter grazing period, with multivitamin supplementation also provided.

• Horse Care Station activities continued between outreaches for minor wound care, follow-up treatment and parasite control.

Working Donkey Program:

• Two Rhodes University Master’s students visited the Donkey Care Station as part of their research into bot flies.

• Existing Care Station patients continued receiving treatment and daily care.

• 20 donkeys were checked and treated during the regular outreach on 29th August.

• An unusually high number of harness-related wounds were treated. Harnesses were replaced or adjusted, and donated snaffle bits were issued to replace harsher bits.

• Municipal representatives engaged directly with owners regarding the forthcoming court case concerning donkeys roaming within the town.

Acknowledgement

Blind Love would like to sincerely thank Animal Aid Abroad and their donors for your continued support of both our Working Horse and Working Donkey Programs.

Your support also continues to strengthen our Community Care Stations, allowing us to provide preventative healthcare, emergency treatment, daily nursing care, follow-up support and rehabilitation for working horses and donkeys, while responding to the changing welfare needs of the communities and animals we serve throughout the year.