about us
Costa Rica Equine Welfare is a non-governmental organization registered as a non-profit association in Costa Rica. Our team consists of horse lovers inspired by similar organizations working for animal welfare and the quality of life of equines in Costa Rica.
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To be the leading association for equine welfare in Costa Rica, staying up-to-date with new global trends and contributing to local economies.
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We are a leading organization in Costa Rica focused on the welfare of equines, striving to improve their quality of life and positively impact the well-being of their families and communities through education, advocacy, care, and research.
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Commitment
Respect
Empathy
Welfare
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To promote the holistic well-being of equines through education, public policy advocacy, responsible care and management, and the development of applied research that supports sustainable best practices. We work to dignify the lives of these animals, recognizing their role in communities and fostering a relationship based on respect, knowledge, and care.
our focus
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We believe that by working with various local government departments, veterinarians, municipalities, health workers, teachers, children, the general public, and horse owners, we are fostering community awareness and are on the path to achieving positive change.
“Estos caballos de trabajo no son solo parte de la economía y tampoco una herramienta de trabajo, sino parte de la comunidad. Cada grupo involucrado es un elemento, una pieza del rompecabezas… Al aumentar la conciencia y trabajar con tantos de estos grupos como podamos, esperamos ver una transformación a largo plazo en estas comunidades.”
Cita de Debbie Warboys, Fundadora de Costa Rica Equine Welfare.
Raising awareness
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When we consider the total number of working equids (100 million)—which still provide an income for around 600 million people worldwide—we can easily appreciate the vital role they play. Horse welfare is crucial; a healthy horse enjoys a longer productive life, which in turn helps improve a community's economy, reduce poverty, and foster decent work, gender equality, and access to food and water, alongside better education and other benefits. It is a cycle in which we participate by improving the lives of working horses and enhancing community well-being. We hope to continue expanding education and raising awareness for the benefit of all.Cita de Lisa Ortuno, Presidente y Directora de Costa Rica Equine Welfare.
Where we work
To determine where to focus our efforts, the first step is to verify the presence of a significant working horse population in the area. Next, we identify the needs of these working equines and the challenges involved. Through observation and in-person conversations with horse owners, we gather information on service providers, working conditions, income, medical and health issues, and other common problems affecting working horses.
Once we have established that intervention is necessary, we collect key data and build a database to design a community-based program specifically tailored to address those needs.
Our 2025 Impact
