Projects
It was clear that after the first series of dzud disasters from 1999-2003, with the loss of 10 million herd animals including around 700,000 horses that a majority of small herders would need ongoing support, having been left in a state of poverty and unable to fend for themselves, with minimal state help due to the collapse of the economy following transition.
The need was seen for a form of aid that would help families maintain their fragile way of life in an unforgiving climate compounded by a weak economy. Their essential horses - those that had survived - were left in a poor state of health, weakened by months of malnourishment and from a range of parasitic infections.
The aid envisaged was to help maintain healthy horses with which to manage herds and provide transport for their families in remote areas. Their animals also need access to grazing and water.
VETERINARY AID
Our first mass-inoculation project - originally created and generously funded by WSPA see their page - 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. WSPA funding ceased in 2007, with the project since dependent on other sources of income, chiefly funds raised by sponsored events.
Only if sufficient funds can be maintained will this project be able to continue.
WELLS
Further south, clean water 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 to date refurbished 83 wells - 15 in 2009, extending the pastures to many more animals. This project brings much needed water to those living in the fringes of the parched Gobi Desert.
HARVESTING
In the north, provision of horse-drawn grass cutting machines, again SPANA-funded in the first instance, helps speed up and boost the hay harvest in the short Mongolian summer, 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 and now again in 2010 - with such lethal effect.
