Haiti

Why we work here?

Working equines are vital to their families. They are used for taking goods to market, transporting water and carrying feed to livestock. 

These equines work long hours carrying poorly made pack saddles that are often overloaded which can cause injuries. Owners do their best, but they’ve never been shown how to properly care for their equines and there are very limited veterinary services accessible in rural areas. 

With access to the skills and resources they need, communities in rural Haiti can improve the care they give working horses, donkeys and mules. Communities recognise the value of their working equines and want them to be fit and healthy in order to thrive. Learning how to keep their animals strong and able to work is important to the people who depend on them, increasing their independence and strengthening livelihoods.

What we are doing?

In Haiti we share knowledge with horse- owning communities and provide training in saddlery, horse-care and veterinary treatments. On top of the practical training the community members receive workshops in setting up rural businesses. This helps them to sustainably provide better services and products for equines, and themselves a better income.

Meet an owner

Garron lives in Zoranje, a rural community near Port-au-Prince. He grows crops and rears livestock on a small plot of land, earning a living by selling his produce at market. Like many others in his community, Garron’s livelihood depends upon his donkey. 

Garron has been working with World Horse Welfare’s partner, Fondation Quatre Pattes (FQP), learning about horse care and management. He is now passing on his new found knowledge and skills to others in his community.