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Four uK equine welfare charities have joined forces to provide advice and support in implementing global standards for the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules. The standards were approved by the World organisation for Animal Health (oIE) in May last year. Now, the charities – Brooke, The Donkey Sanctuary, SPANA and World Horse Welfare – have formed their first formal coalition to share their professional expertise and technical knowhow to help put the standards into practice. Although the standards are not legally binding, the charities say that they give legitimacy to calls for equine welfare to be improved around the world. The coalition believes that it is able to help bring them to life. ‘A respected champion of change can be the difference between success and failure when it comes to implementation,’ said Petra Ingram, chief executive of Brooke, who will chair the coalition for its first year. ‘our message to countries is “let us help; equine welfare is an ally of humanitarian issues”.’ The coalition intends to work with governments, academics, communities and P hotgraph: Feya D ow sn/B roke