mid-day Impact: NGO rides to the rescue of Matheran’s overworked horses

Horses get checked at the camp organised by the NGO in Matheran. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

In March this year, mid-day reported how Matheran, with its many horses and a tourist industry revolving around riding, has a crumbling clinic and no veterinarian for more than 450 equines stationed there.

Our report shed light on the suffering of equines and ghodawallahs (horsemen), citing the case of a horse named Dayavaan that passed away because of the absence of timely treatment.

For a better life for horses. Pics/By Special Arrangement

After the report, the Anant Seva Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works to empower underprivileged communities, has stepped in to provide treatment for horses and, by doing so, secure the livelihoods of the ghodawallah community at the hill station.

‘We needed to treat horses on urgent basis'

The foundation's Rahool N Kanal stated, "After reading the mid-day report, we held a three-day deworming and vaccination camp for the horses earlier this month as a first step. We have also had a recent meeting with Asha Kadam, president of the Matheran Sthanik Ashwapal Sanghatna. We are looking at improving the ‘dawakhaana' [clinic] for horses, which is in a dilapidated condition, and providing lights and water and, of course, a regular vet. We are also open to starting a clinic, too, over there. We needed to treat the horses on an urgent basis. Now, we will look at the larger infrastructure and finally, the entire ecosystem."

Health and horses go together

Kanal added, "It is Anant Ambaniji's vision, support, and guidance, which is helping us do our best." Kadam said, "We welcome any initiative for improvement for the horses."

Paver pain

Where there's a hill (station) there's a way

In 2023, this paper reported that on January 18, a visitor from Australia was riding down a slope in Matheran when the horse slipped, and they both fell. Many said that the new paver blocks caused a spike in accidents here, leading to the death of two horses, claimed several locals in our report, though supporters had said that the horse speed needs to be controlled.