Guatemala

Why we work here?

Many of these communities within Guatemala are dependent on livestock and other animals as a way of either making or sustaining a living. Equids (including horses, donkeys and mules) not only provide transportation for people, but also transport goods and materials to market, as well as feed and fodder for other economically important livestock. Working hard to transport materials and crops through dense forests and over rugged terrain, these horses often have high physical demands placed upon them.

What we are doing?

Since 2012, together with our partnership Servicios de Apoyo en Bienestar Equino (SABE.S.A) we have focused the project on creating a support network for working equid owners by building capacity within their communities through the training of selected local Community Based Equine Advisers (CBEAs), farriers or saddlers. 

Together with SABE S.A. we directly work with the Ministries of Education and Agriculture, the University of San Carlos and the Agriculture School system in Guatemala to deliver equine welfare education programmes. 

With the provision of regular training workshops to students of veterinary medicine of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala this allowed us to support 10 communities affected by the eruption of the Fuego volcano in Guatemala in 2018.

Meet a team member

Alex is a Livestock, and Animal Health Technician from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala graduated in 2017. Currently working at SABESA as the Veterinary Coordinator, his central role is to guide and support the equine welfare networks in each community working closely with farriers, saddlers and CBEAs to provide better services to working equines and the families that depend on them.