Dama the carthorse needed help for an agonising wound caused by his harness. Vets provided the care Dama needed and showed his owner how to properly fit the harness so he could work comfortably.
Dama is a five-year-old horse from Bishoftu in central Ethiopia. He works four hours each day as a carthorse, transporting goods and helping children travel to and from school. This hard work enables his owner, Tesfaye, to earn a living to support his wife and child.
Over time, Dama’s old harness started to rub against his skin, causing a painful open wound. As he was wearing his harness every day, it continued to rub against his skin and his sores were unable to heal. He had also developed some wounds on his leg that Tesfaye was concerned about. Tesfaye took Dama to a veterinary centre in Bishoftu run by our local partner, Addis Ababa University College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, for help.
At the centre, the vet team gently cleaned Dama’s sores and applied a soothing zinc oxide cream. Tesfaye was given a supply of the cream and the vets showed him how to clean Dama’s wounds and apply the cream daily to continue his treatment at home. He was advised to let Dama rest for one month until his wounds were fully recovered.
The vets examined Dama’s harness with Tesfaye and suggested adjustments to prevent future wounds. They also gave Dama a soft girth padding and helped Tesfaye to fit it correctly so that it was comfortable and secure. Tesfaye said: “Thanks to SPANA for the help. Without income from my horse, I can’t afford to pay school fees for my child.”
In many countries where we work, harness wounds are some of the most common conditions seen by our veterinary teams. For working animals, these injuries are more than just painful, they can be life-threatening if left untreated, leading to potentially fatal infections.
In Ethiopia and beyond, our teams and local partners are providing essential veterinary care to treat these injuries. But more than that, we’re developing the animal care skills of owners so they know how to use safe, well-fitting harnesses that will protect their animals from future harm. Thank you so much for your ongoing support.
