Working Equids

Help for working
donkeys, mules and horses
in developing countries

Help for working donkeys, mules and horses in developing countries

In developing countries, working donkeys, mules, and horses are vital to the rural economy.

In 2008, a small group of equine veterinarians met to discuss an organized effort to support working equids. Dr. Jay Merriam coined the term “Equitarian” to describe this form of volunteerism.

Dr. Mariano Hernandez Gil invited the interested American veterinarians to be “the students” for a week. This model became the first Equitarian Workshop which gave rise to the nonprofit organization Equitarian Initiative.

The Foundation for the Horse supported the workshop for five more years, and since then has provided leadership development grants to bring promising senior veterinary students and recent graduates to the workshop.

Equitarian Workshop attendees have taken that training and inspiration to begin projects in Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico and Native American Reservations in the U.S., reaching even more working equids, owners, veterinary students and veterinarians. Many other attendees have chosen to continue this great volunteerism in existing projects.

In developing countries, working donkeys, mules, and horses are vital to the rural economy.

In 2008, a small group of equine veterinarians met to discuss an organized effort to support working equids. Dr. Jay Merriam coined the term “Equitarian” to describe this form of volunteerism.

Dr. Mariano Hernandez Gil invited the interested American veterinarians to be “the students” for a week. This model became the first Equitarian Workshop which gave rise to the nonprofit organization Equitarian Initiative.

The Foundation for the Horse supported the workshop for five more years, and since then has provided leadership development grants to bring promising senior veterinary students and recent graduates to the workshop.

Equitarian Workshop attendees have taken that training and inspiration to begin projects in Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico and Native American Reservations in the U.S., reaching even more working equids, owners, veterinary students and veterinarians. Many other attendees have chosen to continue this great volunteerism in existing projects.

“Last week we had a wonderful time with our students at Ag-Horizon Veterinary Clinic and Training Center. We were out to do a clinic with our students, as we treated 177 animals. That was a great amount. We are trying to make a difference. ”

Franso “Acky” Fracitterne, veterinary agent
Haiti

“Last week we had a wonderful time with our students at Ag-Horizon Veterinary Clinic and Training Center. We were out to do a clinic with our students, as we treated 177 animals. That was a great amount. We are trying to make a difference. ”

Franso “Acky” Fracitterne, veterinary agent
Haiti