Delivering real, lasting change for horses in Lesotho

What happens when more than 200 volunteers get together to transform the welfare of working horses in just four days? 31,531 animals receive life-changing treatment. 

In the mountainous region of Semonkong in Lesotho, a truly remarkable veterinary outreach event is run every year by our partner organisation, The Semonkong Hospital Trust.  

We have supported the specialist team of vets with resources and technical expertise since 2017 and this year, our International Programme Officer, Sebastian Da Silva, was on the ground volunteering. 

Here, Sebastian tells us more about how the project is delivering real, lasting change for horses and donkeys. 

---

“Horses and donkeys are the backbone of rural mobility in Lesotho. They transport goods, water and people across mountainous terrain in areas that vehicles cannot reach. They are also involved in farming and herding, making them indispensable to livelihoods. They are also often the only means for communities to access markets, schools and medical care.

“Lesotho is surrounded entirely by South Africa and is often called the “Kingdom in the Sky” thanks to its dramatic landscapes and high altitude. Semonkong, meaning “Place of Smoke”, is named after the nearby Maletsunyane Falls and is one of the most isolated and beautiful parts of the country.

“One of the mainstays of the rural economy here in the highlands is the production of Mohair from the Angora goat. Farmers cannot undertake livestock production without the assistance of working horses and donkeys, so their welfare directly impacts the well-being of the families who depend on them.

“Here, as with all our international projects, understanding the unique needs of people and communities is essential to creating real, lasting change.

“At the veterinary outreach project in Semonkong, farmers from far and wide flock to the event to get support for their animals – for their horses, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, cats and pigs. At the most recent gathering, 31,531 animals were treated including 3,365 horses.

“The scale of the event is hugely impressive. All of the horses seen were examined, 257 were treated for saddle sores, 121 received hoof care, there were 31 castrations, 5 eye removals and 16 were treated for other conditions such as pneumonia and lameness.

“Thanks to this project there has been a huge improvement in herd health and welfare, and owners, across the area have come away with strengthened skills and knowledge.

“Beyond the numbers, the biggest achievement of this project is the seamless collaboration between local and international partners, a true example of community-led development.

“I was genuinely inspired by the level of support and collaboration from everyone involved. The University of Pretoria and National University of Lesotho brought students who were eager to learn and contribute. Three of the team from our South African partner, the Cart Horse Protection Association, provided expert farriery and wound care services. The British Equine Veterinary Association Trust vets and volunteer vets from South Africa carried out complex procedures and mentored students. And my colleague Penny, our reginal coordinator in Africa, was instrumental in coordinating logistics.

“Most of all, I was moved by the commitment of Banyane and Wolfgang from The Semonkong Hospital Trust. Their passion for Semonkong and its people is infectious.

“But the work of The Semonkong Hospital Trust doesn’t stop there.

“Throughout the year they remain committed to improving animal welfare in the region and have trained 19 community representatives from 10 villages in basic horse care to build local resources and capacity. These reps play a vital role throughout their communities and support the Trust who also provide further veterinary care, farriery services, clinics and workshops.

“Coupled with this, the Trust actively builds partnerships with government and academic institutions, and helps to integrate horse welfare into school curriculums.

“All of these strategies ensure that improvements in animal welfare and community livelihoods endure well beyond the life of the project.”

---

Our international work with partner organisations and horse-owning communities helps us to better understand the challenges that horses and their owners are facing around the world.   

By putting the horse at the centre of our work, we find practical solutions which ultimately lead to better welfare and stronger livelihoods – creating lasting change well into the future, all thanks to your support.