Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Inc.

Today was our second day "in field" teaching the Haitian veterinarians. We were in the town of Mer Boulet, north of Port Au Prince, which is a mountainous region. (over 70% of Haiti is mountainous terrain that is restrictive to food production and stricken with poverty). Like yesterday, we set up a care clinic for the locals and their Equis. There are so many emaciated animals and poor people, it's a true culture shock. Nothing like anything I've seen in the US or my travels to any other country. The people are so grateful for our treatment and education. They line up their pack animals outside the clinic gate and wait for hours....just for a chance that we can possibly help them. We have averaged over 100 dentals, vaccinations, wound care, and trimmings along with a good education to the owners about nutrition ( body condition) and the importance of padding under the pack saddle. It is overwhelming to see so many equids suffering when so much of it can be changed with simple education. The Haitian vets have almost zero experience with "hands on" care, until now, most didn't even know what normal vitals are. What colic was! But they are learning and eager to replicate the clinics we have set up. They now see how they can help their people and the horses and have the knowledge to provide, at the very least, basic care. I have seen only 5-10 equids out of a 100 that are above a BCS of 2.5. None that are above 4. These animals are truely a beast of burden.

You can see the depression in their eyes, the way they hang their heads. I am so grateful for our team and the opportunity to share compassion through education. No matter if it is Haiti, Maryland, England, Russia.......horses are horses and they and deserve better. In this case when the animals are better so are the people. It's a two fold project. Humanitarian and Animal Welfare.

Tomorrow will be another town and another clinic. Stay tuned.