South Africa
We work in partnership with the Cart Horse Protection Association in the Cape Flat and are building a network of horse welfare organisations across the Western Cape.
Why we work here?
Cart horse owners and drivers from communities spread across the Cape Flats live in informal settlements and the carting community faces serious socio economic challenges on a daily basis in the form of rampant gang violence, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse and crime.
Education levels amongst the carting community are very low and such high levels of illiteracy makes it difficult for them to enter the formal job market. A thin, lame, sick or injured cart horse does not only pose a welfare concern but also has an extreme adverse effect on the earning capacity of the family it supports and can contribute to the cycle of poverty in which many live.
What we are doing?
We have been working with our partners the Cart Horse Protection Association (CHPA) since 1995 in creating a centre of excellence for working equine welfare in the Western Cape.
Since developing a training programme for Equine Welfare Practitioners across the country, CHPA not only directly helps carting communities across the Cape Flats but now also trains organisations and individuals across the Western Cape in equine health, management and legislation.
We are also supporting the Coastal Horse Care Unit (CHCU) in KwaZulu-Natal to deliver saddlery and farriery training to individuals living in horse-owning communities in rural areas to allow them to earn a living while providing quality and affordable services to local horse owners.
Meet a team member
Melony Lindt-Os joined CHPA in 2016 as a trainee Equine Welfare Practitioner. Before she joined CHPA she had gained lots of experience in community development projects in the Cape Flats but had not previously worked with horses. Melony’s experience of working with people was very helpful throughout the course and while others could help her learn about horses, she could share with them how best to engage with their owners.
Melony successfully completed the EWP course and now works at CHPA – using her training which includes qualifications as an Animal Welfare Assistant and Inspector – to help the carting communities in which the project works.
