39 Delman Horses In South Jakarta Receive Free Vaccination Assistance

JAKARTA - A total of 39 wagon horses in South Jakarta receive free tetanus vaccination and anti-parasitic medicine. This assistance was provided by the Department of Food Security, Maritime Affairs and Agriculture (KPKP Sub-dept) and the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN).

Head of the South Jakarta Sub-dept. Of Food Security, Maritime Affairs and Agriculture (Kasudin KPKP), Hasudungan Sidabalok, Thursday, said that the assistance was given to provide welfare for wagon and coachmen and horse owners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is a long-term program, giving vaccines and deworming medication for five consecutive days, we have started since last Monday (22/2)," said Hasudungan as quoted by Antara, Thursday, February 25.

According to Hasudungan, the impact of the pandemic was also felt by wagon horses and horse-drawn horse workers. Large-scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) have made horse horse workers lose their livelihoods, especially in closed tourist areas.

During the pandemic, wagon horse workers continue to operate on the outskirts of the city with revenue of IDR 50,000 to IDR 100,000 per day.

Through a social program to care for working horses, the South Jakarta and JAAN KPKP Sub-dept. Provide tetanus and antiparasitic vaccination assistance for working horses.

"In South Jakarta there are 18 horse breeders, with a horse population of 39, scattered in Pasar Minggu, Pesanggarahan, Jagakarsa and Tebet sub-districts," said Hasudungan.

In addition to vaccination and deworming assistance, JAAN and the KPKP Sub-Department also provided training in making horseshoes for horse drivers and horse owners as well as disseminating a pocket book of manual horse care.

"Because the horse's most vital wagons are its shoes, horse shoes that are exposed to asphalt wear out quickly, and there are still many breeders who do not understand how to install them properly," said Hasudungan.

Meanwhile, the head of JAAN Domestic Karin Franken stated that his party is concerned about the current condition of the horse, including the coachmen and their owners.

Through the social program of caring for working horses, it is hoped that it can ease the burden on the coachmen and owners of horses and working horses themselves.

"We hope that with this cooperation program, we can improve the welfare of all horses and society," said Karin.

According to him, the working horse care program is a long-term program, which is sustainable to improve the welfare of horses and wagon coaches throughout South Jakarta.

JAAN also remains committed to continuing to support the government in issuing government regulations, related to the standardization of animal welfare on horse cart workers in Jakarta.

"It is hoped that this program can be sustainable and applied in other areas in Jakarta and throughout Indonesia," said Karin.