On Nov. 3rd, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture on Equitarian efforts in third world countries presented by Dr. Derek Knottenbelt, a very educated man with a long list of credits to his name. He is an equine specialist that devotes his time and resources making lives for donkeys, mules, ponies and horses improve in third world countries. He was one of the most captivating speakers I have ever seen, truly someone you would want to have a long conversation with. He had so much to share with us and did a great job really driving his main points home through his knowledge, stories, videos, and photos. If you ever get a chance to attend one of his lectures, I promise you will not be disappointed!
Dr. Knottenbelt began the lecture with what the horse (well, all equines, including donkeys, mules, and ponies) have done for humans. He pointed out that without the horse, we would never have been able to make so many technological and societal advances in our country. Horses have contributed their labor, sweat, and lives to making advancements for mankind. Now, he says, "the horse needs us. We owe it to them to take good care of them." And he pointed out that the majority of the worlds horses, which totals to approximately 110 million equids are living in third world countries. There are only about 10 million living in developed countries. Horses in developed countries are considered a luxury, a pet, a member of the family. But in the third world, equids are still vital to those people's way of life. The people there do not have a chance without their equid partners, they rely on them daily to provide for their families.
He then shifted to asking the audience to describe the differences between "cruel" and "cruelty". He showed us several videos of little donkeys pulling huge loads, he told us that an average workday for a donkey is 18 hours a day. These donkeys were skinny, had little to no breaks and were forced to work with wounds and some with broken legs. Upon reading this, you may think that this treatment classifies as cruelty, however, when you consider the word cruelty, what else do you consider? Is packing horses like sardines in stock trailers bound for slaughter in Canada or Mexico cruelty? He also showed us a video of a horse that had been abandoned in a vacant field with a broken shoulder, it was horrifying to watch. This video came from a rescue organization in the US. We have cruelty to animal cases everyday in our court system and even more cases that don't make it to court or prosecution. Just because these people in the third world have to work their animals beyond comfort with little food or water, does that classify as "cruelty"? He emphasized that this is not cruelty, but cruel. They have no resources or means to improve their lives, let alone their animals lives. The horse to them is a tool, not a pet, but that doesn't mean they do not care about their well-being. It is wrong for us to impose our standard of animal care on them, but not for us to wish that it was better for them.
He gave a great example to illustrate what needs to be done to help animals and people in third world countries. Denmark at one point in time sent tractors to a remote area of Africa in hopes of helping the people make crops for themselves so they could feed their starving population. However kind one may think this is, it is absolutely absurd! This remote area had no access to gas for those tractors, and for all that we know, the tractors sat there and became rust, Dr. Knottenbelt ensured us that we could still see the tractors sitting right where Denmark dropped them off. If we really want to better the lives of these people, we can't impose our lifestyle on them. They don't have any clue about the luxuries we have here in the states or those do in Europe, they just care about feeding their families. Life is hard for them, but do they pitty themselves? Do they think it's hard. Of course not! That is what they're familiar with, this is what life is to them. They are probably happier than we are. I've seen this myself in my travels to Peru in South America.
What needs to be done is education about birth control, availability of free basic health care, knowledge about basic veterinary care and access to common medicines and vaccines. These people are not stupid because they are uneducated, they are truly talented and have specialized roles in their societies. They don't want to change the way the live, they just want to make the lives of the next generation better.
The people want better for there animals, but they are inhibited by the poverty and starvation that they face every day just trying to survive. They may be cruel, but they don't want to be or don't know any better. Dr. Knottenbelt developed SPANA (Society for the protection of animals abroad) which strives to improve the lives of the animals in third world countries in hope of improving the living conditions for the people. These societies are far from materialistic and want to stay that way, but they can become knowledgeable about animal care and welfare.
The lecture left me wondering what can I do? What difference can I, just one person make in the lives of these equids and these people? Dr. Knottenbelt shared some touching stories about his travels to third world countries and his challenges helping these animals. I plan to take part in SPANA volunteering abroad when I graduate from vet school and to take part in other programs that help improve the lives of these people and animals. I knew that I've always wanted to make a difference in this world, that's one of the main reasons for going to vet school (to learn how to help animals and their people), but I think Dr. Knottenbelt has convinced me that I have to do something to change the world and I may be just one person, but I CAN make a difference!!! Summer 2012, I plan on volunteering at a veterinary care center in Fez, Morocco. It will give me great experience for my veterinary career and touch the lives of many animals and people.
If you want to read more or are interested in seeing what you can do, check out these links:
http://www.mmilani.com/commentary-201006.html
http://www.spana.org/index.html
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb10/100201a.asp
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