Training service providers

We think that it is important to train local horse service providers, such as farriers and saddlers, in the regions where we work. Improving their skills means they can better address the needs of many working horses in their communities for years to come.

Our experts in farriery, saddlery, nutrition and business skills develop courses to address the needs of working horses, which differ according to country.

Each of our in-country programmes are made up of a number of practical and theoretical modules, and train 20 local students every year in their chosen discipline, allowing them to use their new-found skills successfully in their communities.

Our most advanced students have the opportunity to become assistant instructors on future training courses. This offers great benefits, because these individuals speak the local dialect and can empathise with local issues.

Upon completion of each five-year programme, we aim to have trained 50 saddlers and 50 farriers, who will be able to offer their services to horse owners within their communities. Our assistant instructors will continue to teach good practice after we leave the project country, meaning that knowledge is shared and improved.

We also aim to become involved with other service providers such as vets and government agencies to assist them in work that they do with working horses. At present we are working with an organisation called the Equitarians, which provides veterinary care for working horses while giving local veterinary students the chance to gain practical, hands-on experience of working with these animals. We are also formulating plans to work with universities in our target countries to assist them in delivering the concept of animal welfare as part of the veterinary courses, and to give students exposure to the issues related to working horses, donkeys and mules.