BlindLove Cart Horses project - September 2023
Aside from helping BlindLove help working donkeys in South Africa, Animal Aid Abroad donors also help BlindLove help working cart horses in Thaba’nchu Free State Province in South Africa. Following is their September 2023 report:
During the month of September our team from Agripreneur farmers Institute held 4 outreach clinics and 1 veterinery outreach with CCS vet Dr Arno.
Outreach dates were 15th Sept, 20th Sept (veterinery outreach), 23rd Sept, 28th Sept, and 30th Sept
The numbers of horses vet checked and treated for internal and external parasites as well as having all wounds cleaned and treated, hooves checked was 30 which is a bit less than previous months.
This month we focused on harnesses and sent up the next batch of 20 humane harnesses!
Our team explained to the owners the importance of taking care of & looking after the harnesses in order to prevent injuries. They told owners to check their horses at the end of work each day for signs of rubbing and hair loss due to friction, and how this might develop into a sore. They urged owners to try and pad their harnesses in any areas that rub. We have seen some positive changes in this area.
Owners were advised to take care when placing harnesses on their horses first thing in the morning, to check all straps were lying flat and even, buckles facing outwards.
After use harnesses were to be cleaned to remove sweat, dirt and dust with a stiff brush to avoid the straps from becomming stiff and rough. They were advised to check their harnesses daily for signs of wear, and when not in use, to be hung up in a safe, dry place.
Although this falls outside the proposal and funds received from Animal Aid Abroad for the cart horses in the Thaba’nchu area, it highlights the harsh realities often faced by these owners who have access to almost nothing in terms of basic services, and our ongoing comittment to assisting them.
On Sept 4th Director Philippa Du Toit receievd a frantic message from an owner whose horses had been trapped in a raging veld fire and had got very badly burned. Contact was made with Dr Arno immediately who then also contacted the SPCA in Bloemfontein 75 km away.
Sadly it was determined that the horses had been too badly burnt and were put to sleep.
Over 17 000 ha of land burnt during this time, now leaving the horses with absolutely no grazing at all, and this just after the harsh winter months…… We managed to organize 5 big round bales of hay to be delivered to the owners who needed feed.
We got feedback from owners who’s horses had miraculously escaped the fires and just days later had given birth to some beautiful little foals!
