International Colloquium on Working Equids Concludes in India

Every four years, the International Colloquium on Working Equids brings together veterinarians, policy makers, equine experts and others concerned with the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys. This year’s event was held November 29-December 2 in New Delhi, India, and marked the sixth time the Colloquium has been held.

The goal of this year’s colloquium was to foster collaborative efforts between different groups to work toward shared goals. The Brooke, a UK-based charity dedicated to helping working equines and their owners in impoverished areas of the world, is the driving force behind the colloquium.

Topics discussed at the colloquium included:

• Encouraging local participation in projects developed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Considering local culture when working toward improving animal welfare
• Using a prevention-based approach rather than a treatment-based approach to empower horse and donkey owners to take the best possible care of their animals
• Improving emergency relief efforts for livestock
• Engaging the next generation in animal welfare

Learn more about the International Colloquium on Working Equids at www.icwe2010.com

Learn more about The Brooke at www.thebrooke.org