Photo: Icon Studios Photography/Karen Kennedy

Veterinarians across the globe are working together to improve health care and living conditions for working equids.

In many parts of the world, equids aren’t athletes, show animals, or backyard companions, but are instead hard-working partners that literally help put food on their owners’ tables, often under wretched, poverty-imposed circumstances.

Now, via a movement called the Equitarian Initiative, veterinarians, volunteers, -donors, animal owners, and like-minded organizations across the globe are working together to improve health care and living conditions for these working animals. This campaign to change the status quo is gathering support, momentum, and results.

The Seeds of Change

For the past 20 years, Jay Merriam, DVM, MS, has been traveling to the Samana peninsula of the Dominican Republic, taking with him veterinarians, vet techs, and students to assist local animal care professionals and equid owners during twice-yearly health clinics