Projects
It soon became clear that after effects of the first series of dzud disasters (1999/2004) with the loss of millions of herd animals and horses (of the latter around 750,000 were estimated to have perished), would reverberate for many years to come. Widespread poverty had taken hold of many herders, and even today there are still herder families living at or below subsistence level.
The need was seen for a form of aid that would enable families and communities to not just recover, but to continue to sustain their increasingly fragile way of life as nomadic herders in an unforgiving climate, and in a flagging economy.
Our strategy was, and still is, to directly help maintain healthy reliable horses so vital to herding, that will better survive extreme conditions whatever their causes. However, this strategy depends varying conditions that prevail in different areas. For some, the need is for a bigger hay harvest to boost winter fodder reserves. For others in the south, the it's more for increased water supplies.
It soon became clear that after effects of the first series of dzud disasters (1999/2004) with the loss of millions of herd animals and horses (of the latter around 750,000 were estimated to have perished), would reverberate for many years to come. Widespread poverty had taken hold of many herders, and even today there are still herder families living at or below subsistence level.
The need was seen for a form of aid that would enable families and communities to not just recover, but to continue to sustain their increasingly fragile way of life as nomadic herders in an unforgiving climate, and in a flagging economy.
Our strategy was, and still is, to directly help maintain healthy reliable horses so vital to herding, that will better survive extreme conditions whatever their causes. However, this strategy depends varying conditions that prevail in different areas. For some, the need is for a bigger hay harvest to boost winter fodder reserves. For others in the south, the it's more for increased water supplies.
For all, there is a need for better animal health that, where already weakened by parasite-borne diseases, they will be better able to survive harsh weather and poor diet. Our vet aid to horses also helps reduce cross-infections. To these ends we set up the following aid projects:
VETERINARY AID (see also WSPA Vet Project page)
Our first mass-inoculation project - originally created and generously funded by WSPA - began late in 2003 with 2 mobile vet units bringing veterinary aid to the northern provinces of Bulgan & Khuvsgul. 29,000 horses were given life-enhancing inoculations. From 2004 onwards this project was extended to Dundgobi - a desert region with sparse vegetation, and similar veterinary needs. In 2007, 2008 and 2009 we treated between 45,000 - 50,000 horses in these 3 provinces, each receiving spring and autumn inoculations.
VETERINARY AID (see also WSPA Vet Project page)
Our first mass-inoculation project - originally created and generously funded by WSPA - began late in 2003 with 2 mobile vet units bringing veterinary aid to the northern provinces of Bulgan & Khuvsgul. 29,000 horses were given life-enhancing inoculations. From 2004 onwards this project was extended to Dundgobi - a desert region with sparse vegetation, and similar veterinary needs. In 2007, 2008 and 2009 we treated between 45,000 - 50,000 horses in these 3 provinces, each receiving spring and autumn inoculations.
WELLS
Further south, clean water provided is perennially in short supply. Some viable grazing in the arid Gobi zone is underused, and other areas are overgrazed. Renovation and subsequent maintenance of the many still unusable wells helps restore this situation to more localised herding. Herders and animals will have to travel less to reach vital water. Originally funded by SPANA and later by other Trusts and organisations, we have so far refurbished 68 wells - 13 in 2008, opening up new pastures to thousands of animals. This project brings much needed water to those living in the fringes of the parched Gobi Desert.
Further south, clean water provided is perennially in short supply. Some viable grazing in the arid Gobi zone is underused, and other areas are overgrazed. Renovation and subsequent maintenance of the many still unusable wells helps restore this situation to more localised herding. Herders and animals will have to travel less to reach vital water. Originally funded by SPANA and later by other Trusts and organisations, we have so far refurbished 68 wells - 13 in 2008, opening up new pastures to thousands of animals. This project brings much needed water to those living in the fringes of the parched Gobi Desert.
HARVESTING
In the north, our provision of horse-drawn grass cutting machines is both speeding up and boosting the hay harvest so increasing vital winter fodder reserves. This aid provides extra fodder when deadly dzuds in the form of deep frozen snow prevents grazing often for months at a time - as happened in the past - with such lethal effect
In the north, our provision of horse-drawn grass cutting machines is both speeding up and boosting the hay harvest so increasing vital winter fodder reserves. This aid provides extra fodder when deadly dzuds in the form of deep frozen snow prevents grazing often for months at a time - as happened in the past - with such lethal effect
Donations - however large or small - are urgently needed, any that you make going towards these projects to directly benefit herding communities in ways that will help poorer families to stave off the constant threat of animal mortality - a loss they cannot afford, since herd animals are their only means of making a living.
