Offering Care, Compassion and Respect for Working Animals in South Africa

With assistance from your kind donations, Blind Love provided 84 donkeys and 77 horses with free veterinary care during October.

See how your support is improving the lives and welfare of working animals in South Africa:

Donkey Outreach Activities

The first donkey outreach clinic was held on the 18th of October. Thirty working donkeys attended. Thankfully, the team did not see any serious wounds, stabbings, burns or mange. Each donkey was treated for any internal and external parasites, such as worms, ticks and flies.

Blind Love also handed out 12 humane harnesses, along with 12 donated donkey-sized bridles.

In addition, two healthy little foals made an appearance during the clinic - a little male and a pitch black female!

On the 14th and 28th of October, the team held two more outreach days where 54 donkeys attended. These were part of Blind Love’s Population Donkey Project, which is funded by Animal Kind International. All donkeys were examined and treated for any minor wounds, hooves were trimmed where needed, and harnesses and and other equipment were checked.

Vet, Dr Annie, treated a young donkey who had been knocked by a car and was struggling with his knee. She gave the owner some anti-inflammatories and the little donkey made a full recovery. Dr Annie also treated another donkey who had an infection in his knee joint. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were administered to help him recover.

Blind Love are excited that working animal owners from further away are now bringing their donkeys to their outreach days. The team are also planning to visit some of these rural towns at the request of these donkey owners.

Working Horses Outreach Activities

Four outreach clinics were also held for working horses during October, with 77 animals receiving veterinary attention.

Teff hay bales were also provided for the horses during each outreach clinic. This was much needed and appreciated by not only the owners, but the skinny horses too!

Twelve humane harnesses were distributed at the cart horse rank during October.

At the outreach clinic in Thaba’nchu, the team were accompanied by students from the Motheo TVET College. The students really enjoyed themselves and helped to take records, clean wounds, apply tick grease and fly spray, and learn about the importance of horse welfare for these hard-working animals.

At the outreach clinic in Botshabelo, the team handed out donated tack, saddle blankets, bridles and halters. Blind Love were also alerted to a horse who was running loose in the streets of Botshabelo town. They managed to catch the horse and put him back safely in his yard. The poor horse had a terrible saddle sore, which was cleaned and treated with antibiotic wound spray. When the owner was found, it came to light that his horse had been stolen and ridden very hard. The owner arrived in Botshaleo and took his horse safely home.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support, which allows Blind Love to continue their vital programs improving the lives and welfare of working equines in South Africa.