Despite their valuable contributions, equines are the most neglected animal, accorded low social status, frequently subjected to overloading, beating and injuries. This leads to further ill- treatment when the animals are forced to work beyond their capacity. While at work, they are overworked, underfed, and maltreated. Millions of them suffer from neck injuries and bruising due to wipping and hot iron branding. Even shoeing and castration is done in primitive ways. The implements and carts to which they are hitched are inefficient and painful. Moreover, they are frequently subjected to...

Livestock is an important sub-sector of the agriculture mix of Pakistan. It holds much value in the rural socioeconomic system. More than eight million rural small and landless farmers raise livestock, making it an ideal sector for attacking rural poverty in the country. Livestock makes up almost 55.9% of the agriculture value added and contributes up to 11.9 % of the GDP thus the future high growth in agriculture is expected to be led by the livestock sector. About 49% of livestock population is inhabited in rain fed areas and is dominated by small and landless farmers. The income of the...