Feature: Easing the burden for horses and donkeys

Apr 1, 2010

Across Israel and Palestine, thousands of horses, donkeys and mules are used to do work and provide livelihoods for their owners. Overloading, untreated lameness and wounds are just some of the resulting problems the animals face. Two projects are working to ease their burden…

Israel

On the mend: Samuel the young donkey is recovering thanks to Zvika's care
© Pegasus

In 2007, the Pegasus rescue facility in Israel officially became a WSPA member society and has been supported by WSPA funding ever since. Pegasus, run by Zvika Tamuz, rescues Israel’s abused and abandoned equines and educates owners on proper care. Pegasus can care for 70 equines at a time, and there may be as many as four or five rescues a week.

Before WSPA stepped in with financial support, Zvika was working alone and says he found it hard to make ends meet.

“When I first started, I found myself looking after 10 rescued horses referred to me by animal welfare organizations. I found it a real financial strain – I was looking after them on my own land and paying for their care and food out of my own pocket. Then I heard WSPA was coming to visit Israel and I approached them for help.”

Since that time Zvika’s ability to do rescues has dramatically improved. Now, he has a small team that works by his side. Their work is well-respected by Israeli authorities, who will call if they see an animal in need, and the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture now covers transportation costs, veterinary fees and 20 days upkeep on all cases they refer to Pegasus.

Zvika is now a familiar figure at the border crossings between Israel and Palestine where he works with owners and police to check that animals are getting the care they need.

“I am known at the crossings now and I have seen a real improvement in the way that the animals are being treated. Wounds from harnesses and improper nosebands are not so common and the animals are not so skinny. Word has spread quickly and people want to be seen to be looking after their animals properly,” he explains.

In 2009, Pegasus rescued 162 equines. Zvika is modest about his success, and he says so much of
this is only possible because of the generosity of WSPA supporters.

“What can I say about their support? I am so grateful. I couldn’t do anything without their help. Everything I do for the animals, I can do because of them.”

Palestine

This foal was fitted with a new noseband.
© Dennis Brussaard/WSPA

Using a unique approach that’s been successful in other countries, our member society the Palestinian Wildlife Society (PWLS) is working with equine owners in eight Palestinian communities. The approach focuses on prevention – changing the way the owners keep their horses and donkeys – rather than emphasizing treatment.

“Traditional projects tend to provide veterinary or farriery services to improve the care and treatment of working horses. Although this approach can be very helpful in the short term, it can make people dependent on the service to sort out problems once they have occurred, rather than preventing them in the first place,” explains WSPA programs manager Suzanne Rogers.

Volunteers from each of the eight communities have been trained to identify issues that affect local horses and donkeys and how these issues can cause pain, injury and suffering. The volunteers then take this knowledge back to horse and donkey owners in their communities. We’ll be carefully monitoring their progress over the next 12 months and are looking forward to sharing some great success stories.

In addition to this visionary work, PWLS is providing hands-on care and offering veterinary services with their mobile clinic, and in 2009 they treated over 1,600 donkeys.