Equitarian Initiative
Illustration | 2024
About the Initiative
The Equitarian Initiative is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and welfare of working horses, donkeys, and mules in developing regions. It works through partnerships with veterinarians, technicians, farriers, and communities to provide sustainable care for these animals, which are vital to local economies and livelihoods. By offering education, veterinary services, and community engagement, the initiative helps support both the animals and the families that rely on them. Learn more at: equitarianinitiative.org.
Design Contributions
These illustrations are incorporated into a flip chart used by veterinarians when meeting with an Indigenous community in Peru to discuss donkey welfare. The topics covered include identifying signs of illness in donkeys through their posture and expressions, hoof care, and recognizing when hooves are overgrown and need trimming. Because language barriers exist between Spanish and the Indigenous languages spoken, the illustrations were designed to be highly visual, helping bridge communication gaps and ensuring the message about donkey care was effectively conveyed. Donkeys are vital to the livelihoods of Indigenous communities in Peru, serving not only as key contributors to agricultural work but also to the tourism industry. Therefore, maintaining the health of these animals is crucial, both for their well-being and for the sustainability of the community.