Nepal | Brooke
Source: https://www.thebrooke.org/our-work/nepal
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
Nepal | Brooke
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Nepal
Since 2007 we have worked in Nepal with our partners the Animal Health Training and Consultancy Service on a wide range of equine welfare projects.
Tabs
About
At a glance
There are thought to be approxamately 100,000 working equines in Nepal.
The country has a population of 29.1 million people.
25% of the population live below the international poverty line.
67% of equine owners engaged through Brooke's project with partner AHTCS now have access to quality healthcare services and equine medicines, compared to 24% in 2018.
Sources: World Bank
Take a closer look
Nepal is one of the world's poorest countries, where working horses, mules and donkeys play an important role in supporting the livelihoods of many of its communities.
In the hilly districts of Nepal equines are used for riding and for transporting goods by pack, while in the plains they transport people and produce by cart. Equines are also used in brick kilns to carry heavy loads of bricks over long distances.
The main issues faced by equines in Nepal are wounds, lameness, colic, general injuries, diseases and a lack of access to appropriate feed, water, shelter and vaccinations. Most equid-owners are poor and marginalized, struggling to fulfil their most basic needs. The welfare status of the animals is poor in all areas, but is worst in the brick kilns: a gruelling industry for both animals and people.
Recent changes
The country has gone through some significant changes since 2015 when the new Constitution of Nepal was promulgated. This has resulted in changes within the structure of government at local levels, which can affect the understanding and application of the Animal Welfare Law 2016. Whilst there is an animal health system of both government and private veterinary practitioners, it is relatively weak and focused on livestock species such as goats, cattle and poultry. Access to the right kinds of equine-specific medicines is a problem.
Since 2020, the country has been severely impacted by COVID-19, its people struggling in the face of lost earnings and lack of healthcare provisions.
Partners
Since 2007, Brooke has worked in partnership with
Animal Health Training and Consultancy Service
(AHTCS) to bring positive changes for sustainable equine welfare. AHTCS was established in 2000 with a mission to improve the quality of life of poor, marginalized and needy communities by providing them with eco-friendly practical education and services on animal care and its associated agricultural practices. They are recognised as a leading organisation within Nepal in providing training and mentoring in animal health to both government veterinarians and private individuals, as well as implementing community interventions to improve knowledge and access to healthcare services. As such, they have been perfectly positioned to deliver the
Sustainable Equine Welfare Project (SEWP)
with Brooke providing training and support in specific approaches for equines.
Since 2018, the SEWP has looked to make sustainable improvements to the welfare status of 6,584 equines working within the communities, brick kilns and rice mills of four provinces of Nepal: Dang, Bardiya, Banke and Bhaktapur.
In 2019, AHTCS was honoured with the title of
Best Organisation for Animal Welfare Promotion and Service Delivery
, received from the Nepalese Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Our work
Working in Brick Kilns
Since 2012
Animal Health Training and Consultancy Service
(AHTCS) has worked in the brick kilns of the Kathmandu Valley, Dang, Banke and Bardiya to create lasting change for the horses, donkeys and mules who suffer terribly in servicing this harsh industry. The majority of equines, which are required to carry large loads of bricks, are specifically brought to the brick kilns from India and are often not fit for such arduous work. Many will die on the journey or shortly after arrival. They are then subject to poor conditions, labouring day-in-and-day-out, breathing brick dust, and overloaded for long hours without proper rest, feed or access to water. They are also faced with the same issues we see in other communities: a lack of compassion and awareness resulting in poor stabling, poor handling, beatings, overworking, poor nutrition and a lack of available health care services.
How we are helping
AHTCS improves the working conditions and animal welfare facilities in the kilns through working with several different groups:
Brick kiln associations
Individual brick kilns within each province of Nepal can join a brick kiln association, benefitting from economies of scale and a strengthened position. In turn, they must abide by the rules of the association. SEWP staff work with these association members and presidents to understand and apply the Animal Welfare Law 2016 by developing practical regulations for all members. By embracing these, we are supporting brick kiln associations to build a more animal-friendly environment within brick kilns.
Brick kiln owners
The team encourage the owners (who are actually often contractors who hire a kiln for a season, and hence feel the pressure for it to be financially productive) to introduce regulations that govern the treatment of animals e.g. maximum working hours; maximum loads. They advise on the creation of appropriate stabling and environmental improvements to the site, such as providing drinking water points and levelling dangerous uneven terrain.
Equine fairs
The team advises Animal Contractors, who are hired by Brick kiln owners to acquire the animals for the season, on selecting appropriate fit and healthy animals, thus reducing the level of mortality in brick kilns. The team directly attends the annual Dewa Equine Fair in India to offer practical help and advice.
Workers
The teams engage with the men working in brick kilns, often separated from their families for six months at a time, to introduce equine welfare concepts and offer them practical training on handling and husbandry topics.
Animal Health Practitioners and Government Veterinary Field Units
Often, professional treatment for injury and illness, such as colic, tetanus etc. simply isn’t available to the men working in brick kilns, or is unaffordable. The team mentor and support both local private and government vets to improve their practical skills in treating equine cases and to extend their reach to be able to offer their services to brick kilns.
Consortia
The team collaborate with other animal, environmental and humanitarian groups and organisations who have a stake in improving conditions in brick kilns, to have a stronger voice in our dialogues with high-level policy-makers both in Nepal and the wider region.
Working With Owner Groups
AHTCS is working in 17 districts across Nepal, supporting the formation of equine owner groups. Some of these groups are mixed, but often they are either men’s or women’s groups, reflecting the specific roles traditionally played in terms of the use and care of working animals. We introduce welfare concepts and offer practical training on basic first aid, equine handling and equine care.
Sometimes the barrier for these owners in providing good health and welfare conditions for their animals is a lack of income, and we work within these owner groups to support them in developing savings and credit funds, which can provide loans for members to pay for equine treatment-related expenses. We link them with financial institutions and local government initiatives around providing opportunities around income-generation.
The aim is to strengthen resilient, self-sustaining communities who understand the needs of their working equids, can access the necessary veterinary services they may require, and have the income available to seek these services.
Advocacy work
AHTCS has celebrated a number of successes as a result of their advocacy work over the last few years.
As a result of their lobbying alongside several other agencies and organisations, in 2016 a national Animal Welfare Law and associated directives were passed in Nepal.
After further lobbying, in 2018, the Supreme Court of Nepal issued an interim order to adopt safe and humane transportation of farm animals for commercial purpose as provisioned in the Animal Transportation Standard. They also issued a revision to the Nation General Code that aims to prevent inhumane behaviour and punish captivity and cruelty towards animals.
To ensure laws are converted into practical action, the team continue to work directly with district and local level government officials to sensitize them to the law, its requirements and advice on practical steps to implement it.
More recently the team have worked to successfully encourage the government to include equids within a national Livestock Insurance Scheme, which offers financial protection and security for owners, whilst encouraging them to seek the correct veterinary services and medicines for sick or injured working equids.
Brooke Ambassador Richard Waygood meets horse owners in Nepal.
See also
Journey to a Nepal tea estate
See the effect Brooke’s formation of community groups has had on equine owners and their animals in Nepal in this photo story.
Success stories
New equine welfare collective shows the benefits of public participation in sharing skills and resources
Rapti Equine Welfare Group
in Ghorahi, within the district of Dang in mid-western Nepal, was established in 2015 under the guidance of the
Animal Health Training and Consultancy Service
(AHTCS) team with the objective of improving working equine welfare through public participation and awareness. Although initially established solely for this reason, later the group started a savings fund. Now each member deposits a monthly amount of NRs 500 and, in times of need, members can acquire a loan at an affordable interest rate. Monthly group meetings and group discussions are facilitated by the team and various training and advisory sessions regarding equine health and welfare, nutrition, shed management, hoof care, dental care etc. are provided.
According to Mr. Tikaram Chaudhary, treasurer of the group, since the formation and active mobilisation of the group members are very aware of equine health and welfare related issues. Various poor practices were prevalent in the community, such as overloading, beating and harmful traditional practices, but there has been a dramatic change in the owner's attitudes and practices since the arrival of AHTCS. Better feeding, handling and husbandry practices are being followed. One man - Mr. Krishna Chaudhary - used to administer human urine as a treatment for suspected colic, but is now fully aware of just how wrong this practice is and is keen to adopt change. Every group member is now aware of the availability of professional veterinary services, and is actively seeking them. The group even possess some commonly used animal medicines at home for treating minor ailments and injuries.
At the same time, monthly savings and loan investment have really helped to support the livelihoods and commercial prospects of the members. At present, the group fund stands at a healthy amount. Several group members have received loans to support their livelihoods, health and education. Beside this, with the formation of group, they have gained formal recognition among local governmental officials and can thus access various incentives and subsidies from government.
The change this approach has brought regarding knowledge, attitude and practice of the animal owners is really encouraging. Nevertheless, it’s just the first step towards achieving self-dependency and the ultimate goal of sustainable equine welfare in the long run.
Challenges
Challenges currently affecting equine welfare in Nepal
Constitutional changes
Following the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal in 2015, the ongoing restructuring of government at federal, provincial and district level remains a challenge, as engaged and sensitised officials can be re-posted to other parts of the country. This does however, afford us the opportunity to create animal welfare advocates who might bring this perspective to areas of Nepal where the SEWP (Sustainable Equine Welfare Project) does not currently cover.
Lack of resources
Despite our work, there is an ongoing lack of resources for the healthcare system, and government Veterinary Livestock Units that service their communities are often under resourced.
Medecine shortage
A lack of approved equine-specific medicines being available in the Nepalese market continues to be an issue.
COVID-19 pressures
More recently, the impact of COVID-19 on equine-owning communities is yet to be fully understood, but a lack of income during lockdown periods and the resultant pressure on working animals to make up shortfalls will no doubt have an acute effect.
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Skip to content
Nepal
Since 2007 we have worked in Nepal with our partners the Animal Health Training and Consultancy Service on a wide range of equine welfare projects.
Tabs
About
At a glance
There are thought to be approxamately 100,000 working equines in Nepal.
The country has a population of 29.1 million people.
25% of the population live below the international poverty line.
67% of equine owners engaged through Brooke's project with partner AHTCS now have access to quality healthcare services and equine medicines, compared to 24% in 2018.
Sources: World Bank
Take a closer look
Nepal is one of the world's poorest countries, where working horses, mules and donkeys play an important role in supporting the livelihoods of many of its communities.
In the hilly districts of Nepal equines are used for riding and for transporting goods by pack, while in the plains they transport people and produce by cart. Equines are also used in brick kilns to carry heavy loads of bricks over long distances.
The main issues faced by equines in Nepal are wounds, lameness, colic, general injuries, diseases and a lack of access to appropriate feed, water, shelter and vaccinations. Most equid-owners are poor and marginalized, struggling to fulfil their most basic needs. The welfare status of the animals is poor in all areas, but is worst in the brick kilns: a gruelling industry for both animals and people.
Recent changes
The country has gone through some significant changes since 2015 when the new Constitution of Nepal was promulgated. This has resulted in changes within the structure of government at local levels, which can affect the understanding and application of the Animal Welfare Law 2016. Whilst there is an animal health system of both government and private veterinary practitioners, it is relatively weak and focused on livestock species such as goats, cattle and poultry. Access to the right kinds of equine-specific medicines is a problem.
Since 2020, the country has been severely impacted by COVID-19, its people struggling in the face of lost earnings and lack of healthcare provisions.
Partners
Since 2007, Brooke has worked in partnership with
Animal Health Training and Consultancy Service
(AHTCS) to bring positive changes for sustainable equine welfare. AHTCS was established in 2000 with a mission to improve the quality of life of poor, marginalized and needy communities by providing them with eco-friendly practical education and services on animal care and its associated agricultural practices. They are recognised as a leading organisation within Nepal in providing training and mentoring in animal health to both government veterinarians and private individuals, as well as implementing community interventions to improve knowledge and access to healthcare services. As such, they have been perfectly positioned to deliver the
Sustainable Equine Welfare Project (SEWP)
with Brooke providing training and support in specific approaches for equines.
Since 2018, the SEWP has looked to make sustainable improvements to the welfare status of 6,584 equines working within the communities, brick kilns and rice mills of four provinces of Nepal: Dang, Bardiya, Banke and Bhaktapur.
In 2019, AHTCS was honoured with the title of
Best Organisation for Animal Welfare Promotion and Service Delivery
, received from the Nepalese Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Our work
Working in Brick Kilns
Since 2012
Animal Health Training and Consultancy Service
(AHTCS) has worked in the brick kilns of the Kathmandu Valley, Dang, Banke and Bardiya to create lasting change for the horses, donkeys and mules who suffer terribly in servicing this harsh industry. The majority of equines, which are required to carry large loads of bricks, are specifically brought to the brick kilns from India and are often not fit for such arduous work. Many will die on the journey or shortly after arrival. They are then subject to poor conditions, labouring day-in-and-day-out, breathing brick dust, and overloaded for long hours without proper rest, feed or access to water. They are also faced with the same issues we see in other communities: a lack of compassion and awareness resulting in poor stabling, poor handling, beatings, overworking, poor nutrition and a lack of available health care services.
How we are helping
AHTCS improves the working conditions and animal welfare facilities in the kilns through working with several different groups:
Brick kiln associations
Individual brick kilns within each province of Nepal can join a brick kiln association, benefitting from economies of scale and a strengthened position. In turn, they must abide by the rules of the association. SEWP staff work with these association members and presidents to understand and apply the Animal Welfare Law 2016 by developing practical regulations for all members. By embracing these, we are supporting brick kiln associations to build a more animal-friendly environment within brick kilns.
Brick kiln owners
The team encourage the owners (who are actually often contractors who hire a kiln for a season, and hence feel the pressure for it to be financially productive) to introduce regulations that govern the treatment of animals e.g. maximum working hours; maximum loads. They advise on the creation of appropriate stabling and environmental improvements to the site, such as providing drinking water points and levelling dangerous uneven terrain.
Equine fairs
The team advises Animal Contractors, who are hired by Brick kiln owners to acquire the animals for the season, on selecting appropriate fit and healthy animals, thus reducing the level of mortality in brick kilns. The team directly attends the annual Dewa Equine Fair in India to offer practical help and advice.
Workers
The teams engage with the men working in brick kilns, often separated from their families for six months at a time, to introduce equine welfare concepts and offer them practical training on handling and husbandry topics.
Animal Health Practitioners and Government Veterinary Field Units
Often, professional treatment for injury and illness, such as colic, tetanus etc. simply isn’t available to the men working in brick kilns, or is unaffordable. The team mentor and support both local private and government vets to improve their practical skills in treating equine cases and to extend their reach to be able to offer their services to brick kilns.
Consortia
The team collaborate with other animal, environmental and humanitarian groups and organisations who have a stake in improving conditions in brick kilns, to have a stronger voice in our dialogues with high-level policy-makers both in Nepal and the wider region.
Working With Owner Groups
AHTCS is working in 17 districts across Nepal, supporting the formation of equine owner groups. Some of these groups are mixed, but often they are either men’s or women’s groups, reflecting the specific roles traditionally played in terms of the use and care of working animals. We introduce welfare concepts and offer practical training on basic first aid, equine handling and equine care.
Sometimes the barrier for these owners in providing good health and welfare conditions for their animals is a lack of income, and we work within these owner groups to support them in developing savings and credit funds, which can provide loans for members to pay for equine treatment-related expenses. We link them with financial institutions and local government initiatives around providing opportunities around income-generation.
The aim is to strengthen resilient, self-sustaining communities who understand the needs of their working equids, can access the necessary veterinary services they may require, and have the income available to seek these services.
Advocacy work
AHTCS has celebrated a number of successes as a result of their advocacy work over the last few years.
As a result of their lobbying alongside several other agencies and organisations, in 2016 a national Animal Welfare Law and associated directives were passed in Nepal.
After further lobbying, in 2018, the Supreme Court of Nepal issued an interim order to adopt safe and humane transportation of farm animals for commercial purpose as provisioned in the Animal Transportation Standard. They also issued a revision to the Nation General Code that aims to prevent inhumane behaviour and punish captivity and cruelty towards animals.
To ensure laws are converted into practical action, the team continue to work directly with district and local level government officials to sensitize them to the law, its requirements and advice on practical steps to implement it.
More recently the team have worked to successfully encourage the government to include equids within a national Livestock Insurance Scheme, which offers financial protection and security for owners, whilst encouraging them to seek the correct veterinary services and medicines for sick or injured working equids.
Brooke Ambassador Richard Waygood meets horse owners in Nepal.
See also
Journey to a Nepal tea estate
See the effect Brooke’s formation of community groups has had on equine owners and their animals in Nepal in this photo story.
Success stories
New equine welfare collective shows the benefits of public participation in sharing skills and resources
Rapti Equine Welfare Group
in Ghorahi, within the district of Dang in mid-western Nepal, was established in 2015 under the guidance of the
Animal Health Training and Consultancy Service
(AHTCS) team with the objective of improving working equine welfare through public participation and awareness. Although initially established solely for this reason, later the group started a savings fund. Now each member deposits a monthly amount of NRs 500 and, in times of need, members can acquire a loan at an affordable interest rate. Monthly group meetings and group discussions are facilitated by the team and various training and advisory sessions regarding equine health and welfare, nutrition, shed management, hoof care, dental care etc. are provided.
According to Mr. Tikaram Chaudhary, treasurer of the group, since the formation and active mobilisation of the group members are very aware of equine health and welfare related issues. Various poor practices were prevalent in the community, such as overloading, beating and harmful traditional practices, but there has been a dramatic change in the owner's attitudes and practices since the arrival of AHTCS. Better feeding, handling and husbandry practices are being followed. One man - Mr. Krishna Chaudhary - used to administer human urine as a treatment for suspected colic, but is now fully aware of just how wrong this practice is and is keen to adopt change. Every group member is now aware of the availability of professional veterinary services, and is actively seeking them. The group even possess some commonly used animal medicines at home for treating minor ailments and injuries.
At the same time, monthly savings and loan investment have really helped to support the livelihoods and commercial prospects of the members. At present, the group fund stands at a healthy amount. Several group members have received loans to support their livelihoods, health and education. Beside this, with the formation of group, they have gained formal recognition among local governmental officials and can thus access various incentives and subsidies from government.
The change this approach has brought regarding knowledge, attitude and practice of the animal owners is really encouraging. Nevertheless, it’s just the first step towards achieving self-dependency and the ultimate goal of sustainable equine welfare in the long run.
Challenges
Challenges currently affecting equine welfare in Nepal
Constitutional changes
Following the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal in 2015, the ongoing restructuring of government at federal, provincial and district level remains a challenge, as engaged and sensitised officials can be re-posted to other parts of the country. This does however, afford us the opportunity to create animal welfare advocates who might bring this perspective to areas of Nepal where the SEWP (Sustainable Equine Welfare Project) does not currently cover.
Lack of resources
Despite our work, there is an ongoing lack of resources for the healthcare system, and government Veterinary Livestock Units that service their communities are often under resourced.
Medecine shortage
A lack of approved equine-specific medicines being available in the Nepalese market continues to be an issue.
COVID-19 pressures
More recently, the impact of COVID-19 on equine-owning communities is yet to be fully understood, but a lack of income during lockdown periods and the resultant pressure on working animals to make up shortfalls will no doubt have an acute effect.
Share this
Contact us
Jobs
Terms & conditions
Accessibility
Privacy statement
Cookies
Our fundraising promise
FAQs
Media enquiries
Brooke Netherlands
Brooke USA
X
YouTube
Close modal