Equitarian Initiative

Philanthropic Veterinary Care for the Working Horses of the Developing World

Equitarian Initiative is a non-profit corporation established by equine veterinarians to sustainably improve working equid health by harnessing the passion and expertise of volunteer veterinarians. They work synergistically with other international non-profit organizations and veterinary colleges to enhance both learning opportunities and availability of basic health care in areas of need in the United States and internationally.

They harness the expertise of volunteer veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal scientists, students, educators, and advocates to offer programs internationally and in the U.S. to improve working equid health and welfare. They collaborate with partner nonprofits and universities to address working equid welfare in innovative ways and to support the communities which rely on them.

Direct Aid

Through hands-on learning and discussion at the Equitarian Workshop and Equitarian projects throughout many parts of the world, veterinarians are empowered and mentored to join and start health care delivery and education projects.

Collaboration

Equitarian Initiative and individual volunteer veterinarians maintain project success by partnering with local veterinarians, veterinary colleges and charities that share our vision.

Education

An emphasis on community partnership creates a twoway educational discussion in which working equid caretakers communicate the value of the animals and volunteers share best methods of animal care.

Inspiration

Increasing public awareness of the vital role working equids play in developing economies and the critical support they provide for the livelihood of the families that depend on them.

OVER 100 MILLION RELY ON WORKING HORSES, DONKEYS AND MULES FOR FAMILY SURVIVAL. Dr. Jay Merriam, of Colorado and has written for WHM, is the Co-Founder of Equitarian Initiative.

The Equitarian Initiative international team consists of volunteer veterinarians, surgeons, vet techs, animal scientists, farriers, and students. The team travels to Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Morocco, and South Dakota, providing global impact.

There are approximately 100 million working equids in the world, representing 90% of the world’s horse population. They are essential for trade, commerce, transportation, and subsistence agriculture.

Traveling to remote areas of the world, our team provides extensive educational training to local animal caregivers on a wide variety of best practices in equine medicine.

Communities, including local children, are active participants in medical treatment and work collaboratively with our teams to ensure long-term solutions to chronic challenges. This cooperative approach fosters a two-way educational and cultural exchange of information. Children are often tasked as animal caregivers, so we have developed resources and materials such as our children’s coloring book to teach basic concepts in animal treatment and husbandry. Working with the local children makes a lasting impact on sustained animal welfare practices all over the world.

The ownership of a working equid means a family can generate a livelihood or a child can access an education or medical attention. Communities worldwide rely on these hard-working animals.

Very few families have the resources for veteraniary treatment. They work with communities to ensure these animals get the care they need.

The Equitarian Initiative also delivers continuing education, hands-on field training, and multi-lingual experiences for the students and professionals who attend our international programs.

Find out how you can help at EquitarianInitiative.org