The Life-Changing Impact of Horse Shelter’s Unique Approach

Since 2018, B. Naranbadrakh and his younger brother J. Ochirbat have dedicated themselves to the noble cause of saving horses from slaughterhouses. Their organization, Horse Shelter, operates as a non-profit and has successfully made a significant impact in various domains, particularly in the realm of physical and mental health.

One of the key areas of focus for Horse Shelter is conducting research to understand how owning a horse positively affects the overall well-being of an individual. To undertake this study, the organization employs the traditional Mongolian horse-human communication method. This methodology can be likened to a hybrid between Equine Therapy and Horse Therapy. However, what sets it apart is its unique emphasis on individuals having their own horse.

In Mongolia, the culture of interacting with, riding, and loving horses in solitude has been prevalent for an astonishing 7,000 years. Drawing inspiration from this rich heritage, Horse Shelter initiated a program in 2021 that provided 50 individuals with their own horse. Crucially, the horses were not simply handed over to the owners; rather, they were required to regularly visit their horses, engage in communication, and shower them with love. The services rendered by Horse Shelter in this program were provided entirely free of charge.

The impact of this groundbreaking initiative has been nothing short of astounding. Teenagers who received their own horse during this period found themselves liberated from the clutches of electronic addiction. Furthermore, a powerful testament to the transformative power of equine companionship was demonstrated by a 117 kg individual who successfully shed a remarkable 74 kg in just one year. These heartening stories are not just grounded in physical transformations but also in the profound emotional growth experienced by these individuals.

What adds to the uniqueness of this program is the fact that each horse given to an individual has been rescued from the slaughterhouse. These horses, which would have otherwise met a tragic fate, have been granted a newfound lease on life. Today, they are thriving in the loving care of their respective owners, with 96 remarkable horses fostering love, compassion, and empathy among 50 fortunate individuals.

The impact of Horse Shelter’s work extends beyond the evident physical and mental health benefits. By combining the ancient wisdom of Mongolian horse-human communication with contemporary practices, they have not only saved horses from the brink of despair but also fostered a profound sense of connectivity and empathy within their community. Horse Shelter’s initiative serves as a reminder of how the timeless bond between humans and horses can lead to personal growth and societal harmony.

As B. Naranbadrakh and J. Ochirbat continue to rescue and rehabilitate horses, their achievements grow not only in magnitude but also in their ability to inspire and transform lives. Horse Shelter stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that simple acts of compassion and understanding can yield significant positive changes in both human and animal lives alike.

Providing Critical Care to Injured Horses – The Services of Horse Shelter

In urban areas, it is not uncommon to hear distressing reports of horses being involved in accidents, whether it’s being hit by cars or getting entangled in fences. These incidents can leave the horses severely injured and in desperate need of immediate medical attention. Fortunately, the Horse Shelter is there to respond to these calls and offer crucial first aid assistance, free of charge.

When it comes to emergency situations involving horses, the Horse Shelter is a lifeline. This organization provides essential care for injured horses that have been hit by cars or faced other accidents. With the support of a dedicated team of volunteers, including a veterinarian and a driver, the Horse Shelter ensures that these majestic creatures receive the urgent care they need.

The Horse Shelter is equipped with a specially designed ambulance, expertly driven by a skilled driver. This small truck is equipped with all the necessary equipment and supplies needed to provide on-site emergency care. From bandages and medications to specialized tools, the Horse Shelter ensures that no expense is spared when it comes to saving the lives of these magnificent animals.

One of the pillars of the Horse Shelter is the presence of a volunteer veterinarian who works tirelessly alongside the rest of the team. This skilled professional not only possesses an in-depth knowledge of equine health but also understands the unique challenges that come with treating injured horses at the scene of an accident. Their expertise enables them to provide immediate medical intervention and stabilize the injured horse’s condition until they can be transported to a veterinary clinic or hospital.

The Horse Shelter’s commitment to animal welfare is unwavering. They understand the vulnerability of injured horses and the critical importance of timely and effective intervention. By providing free emergency care, the Horse Shelter ensures that financial constraints do not hinder the provision of life-saving assistance to these animals.

Moreover, the Horse Shelter plays a crucial role in raising awareness about horse safety and preventing accidents. Through education and outreach programs, they aim to empower horse owners and communities with the knowledge and tools to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.

In conclusion, the Horse Shelter is a beacon of hope for injured horses in need of immediate care. With their dedicated team of volunteers, including a veterinarian and driver, they provide vital first aid assistance to horses involved in accidents. Their commitment to animal welfare, coupled with their outreach efforts, showcases their dedication towards preventing future accidents. In the end, the Horse Shelter’s mission is clear: to make a lasting difference in the lives of injured horses and promote a safer environment for these magnificent animals.

A total of 8 types of goals will be implemented within the “Mongolia is Horse Heaven” project, and it is projected that these goals will be fully realized by 2030. Under the leadership of the Office of the President of Mongolia, it has becomecritically important to establish policies around the Mongolian horse. Citizens value nature, the environment, horses and animals as part of their community and family. This tradition and culture are believed to have enabled Mongolians to contribute to world peace in the past. The “Mongolia is Horse Heaven” initiative will launch from theOffice of the President of Mongolia as a part of the President’s Action Plan for Diverse Tourism, Precious National Heritage, Culture and Values and the long-term development policy of the Mongolian government Alsyn Haraa 2050 underobjectives 1.2.3, 1.2.7, 1.2.8, 1.2.11, 2.2.6, 2.2.18, 2.2.30, 2.3.3, 2.5.17, 2.5.21, 2.6.2, 2.6.4, 2.6.10, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.4, 3.3.5, 3.3.6, 3.3.7, 3.3.8, 3.5.1, 3.5.4, 4.5.3, 4.5.12, 5.3.3, 5.3.6, 5.3.10, 5.3.12, 8.6.9 etc.     It will be implemented in accordance with the stated goals.

1. Horse theft incidents will be reduced to 0%. Horse theft is believed to cause 1.6 trillion US dollar in damages to society and the economy annually.

2.Demand for properly cared-for horses will be fostered in society by stopping the breeding of horses for slaughter. Since 1907, when Russia’s influence in Mongolia increased, Mongolian people began consuming horses as meat and alcohol – practices that have become common. As of today, Mongolia slaughters 300,000 horses per year domestically and for export, which has negative social and economic consequences. Slaughterhouses and dealers have been linked to theft from herders, with 54% of all theft cases in Mongolia allegedly involving horses.

3.An application (the largest national trade system) will be created to develop a direct digital trading relationship between suppliers and consumers called “Mongolia is Horse heaven.” This trading system will also develop cargo transportation and postal services in cities, towns, and rural areas.

4.The smart system aims to provide consumers with healthy and quality products of specific origin by creating a direct trade between herders and consumers in horse trades and livestock dairy trades. Christina Warinner, a scientist from Harvard University, has confirmed that only the beneficial bacteria in the stomachs of Mongolians originate from traditional dairy foods. Currently, herders do not produce dairy products (made without harming animals) because they lack a channel for selling their pure products. Likewise, urban residents do not consume dairy products because it is challenging to find pure dairy products made by herder families. Therefore, the trade system connecting herders and consumers will provide herders with the opportunity to have fewer animals, higher income, create their own branded products in the market, and provide them with the chance to compete fairly.

5. Implementing a Single Owner – Single Horse Policy

Mongolia aims to implement a policy to allocate pastureland for citizens to own and care for one horse each. Such a policy would have the following provisions:

• Provide 100 hectares of pastureland for every 100 horses will locate 40 km from the Ulaanbaatar city’s boarder which 100 people owns every single horses.
• Provide 100 hectares of pastureland for every 100 horses will locate 10 km from the province’s boarder which 100 people owns every single horses.
• Provide 100 hectares of pastureland for every 100 horses will locate 3 km from the Village’s boarder which 100 people owns every single horses.

The Single Owner – Single Horse policy is based on the cultural tradition of the strong bond between Mongolians and horses. By giving every citizen ownership of one horse, the policy aims to promote the following benefits:

• Provide citizens with an opportunity to form long-term relationships with their horses, lasting up to 30 years.
• Boost the Mongolian economy by utilizing citizens’ strong demand for horse ownership.
• Positively impact citizens’ physical and mental health through equine therapy practices using their personal horses.

The policy will recognize that owning a horse fulfill a long-standing aspiration for most Mongolian citizens. By implementing a systematic allocation of pastureland and structure for horse ownership, every citizen will gain the opportunity to experience the health benefits of caring for a horse.

6. Unconditional love is a crucial component of peace-building efforts. Promoting a culture of people who love animals and nature with the same spirit can make bodies and minds healthier, and increase Mongolia’s reputation abroad through sharing Mongolia’s peaceful culture. Mongolia’s traditional animal husbandry utilizing digital systems can serve citizens and visitors, creating a “horse heaven”. As citizens of Mongolia, the world’s most peaceful country, we want to share Mongolia’s culture of peace as a shining example for the world. Throughout human history, wars and conflicts have continued despite scientific and technological progress, including the nuclear weapons used in World War I and II. Though the United Nations was formed after WW2 to establish peace, military interventions remain prevalent. On September 13, 1999 at the 53rd UN General Assembly, a culture of peace was advocated by sharing each nation’s culture and traditions of peace. Nations can learn from each other to transform lives and habits, building peace. Therefore, Mongolia’s culture, traditions and values represent undiscovered wealth that can contribute to these efforts. In Mongolia’s 3000-year history, many religions have coexisted without conflict. Mongolians are known for religious tolerance, freedom of belief, and respect for individuals’ choices. These values of unconditional love, freedom and respect stem from the teachings of Great Mongolia’s kings, providing the seeds for Mongolia’s peaceful culture. In the 13th century capital of Karakorum, religions debated openly and exchanged ideas peacefully in the royal court, with no religions enjoying special rights. Compassion and love were among the 35 highest teachings for Mongolian kings, incorporated into the Ikh Zasag constitution which granted equal rights for humans and animals, respect for individuals regardless of social status, and respect for all religions. Mongolian herders passed down methods from ancient kings to teach children compassion from a young age through relationships with horses. In summary, Mongolia’s culture of peace based on unconditional love, religious tolerance and respect for nature offers invaluable lessons that can inspire enduring peace worldwide.

There existed an educational system instituted to impart love and compassion from an early age. Nomadic herdsmen in Mongolia have been passing down a method of raising children for generations. This is the way Mongolians utilize Mongolian horses to inculcate love and compassion in their children. It is a method handed down through the centuries, promulgated by the ancient kings of compassion. Consequently, when the child reaches the age of 5, he is assigned a 2-year-old horse of his choice, and he is instructed on how to love and care for the horse, and to train the horse . From then on till the age of 25-30, the child and the horse develop a strong bond. Mongolians believe…The horse is a great instructor who silently teaches people compassion without words.

7. Organizing a 10,000 Cavalry with Domestic and International Tourists Declaring “Mongolia is horse heaven” will be actualized by inviting 200 million horse enthusiasts to a parade of 10,000 horses once a year.

Anyone can participate by riding their own horse – locals and foreigners alike. The 10-day cultural event allows up to 50 riders per 100 hectares to indulge in Mongolian horse milk, feasts and cultural activities.

Citizens within provinces, sums and districts make up the domestic participant while international participants will assigned fixed locations to prepare for that year’s parade. The parade’s slogan promotes a peaceful equestrian culture for world peace and fosters a spirit of global citizenship that cherishes animals, people and nature alike.

8. Implement policies against pasture degradation and desertification.As of 2022, Mongolia has 71,120,433 livestock. However, the degradation of pastures in Mongolia is taking place rapidly. Policy changes are essential to address overpopulation of livestock, which is the main cause. At present, the source of income for herders is meat and cashew. The main goal of this policy will enable citizens with 500 animals to earn sustainable income of around 57,000 usd per year. Through the Mongolia is horse heaven application, citizens of cities and provinces can directly support herder families by visiting them to rest and experience life on the pastures, increase the variety of eco-friendly dairy products made by herders, improve internal and external trade delivery systems for herder products, and enable tourism centered around herder culture.

Because we are Mongols the most peaceful country and nation in this world.

I want to share this shining secret of Mongolian culture of peace.

From the beginning of human’s birth to the present day, wars and conflicts have continued on either side of the earth.

As science and technology developed, so did the art of warfare and even the weapons of war, and even nuclear weapons were used in the 20th century.

The First and Second World Wars also took place in the 20th century.

Even today, the war continues to divide the countries of the world.

Based on the lessons learned from World War II, the countries of the world came together to form the United Nations. I understand that the main purpose of the United Nations is to establish peace in the world and spread that vision.

On September 13, 1999, at the 53rd UN General Assembly, establishing Peace means:

Military peacekeeping is a prejudice.

On the other hand, advocate culture of peace is about sharing the culture and tradition of peace in their culture and tradition of each UN member countries.

Each nation can learn from each other, and to enlighten their population and make change their  life and habits by culture of peace.

Therefore, today I decided to share the culture of peace, bright examples, history, and rational solutions to make peace in the world.

Mongolia’s culture, traditions and values ​​are an unexplored “new motherland” wealth. Mongolian culture, traditions and values ​​are “undiscovered treasure chests”.

Because:

Mongolian people have heard the phrase “Racism”, but there is no concept of “Racism”.

Other countries of the world will never ask, “Why don’t Mongolians have racism?” never asked, never researched.

For 3000 years, many religions have coexisted and flourished in the Mongolian steppes.

There was no conflict between religions in the history of Mongolia.

Now, in the same family, there are cases where the mother and father are Buddhist, the daughter is Christian, and the son-in-law is Muslim.

But this does not cause any problems between the families.

It is not surprising that someone become Buddhists, the next day they become Christians, and a year later they become shamanists.

Because freedom of religion for a Mongolian means:

Voter sentiment changes, and a former Democrat may turn out to be just as libertarian as a Republican in the next election.

All this culture of unconditional love, freedom, and respect for choice is the germ of the Peaceful Culture created by the kings of Great Mongolia.

It’s like planting the right seed to grow the tree you want.

In the 13th century, in Karakorum, the capital of Great Mongolia, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and their many sects all settled in one city and gathered in the royal palace according to a fixed schedule.

In front of the Great King of Mongolia, all religious sects will debate and exchange books.

The question will be arranged by the king.

In the end, there is no winner, only the people and the goal of learning from each other for the peace and tranquility of the world.

That’s why there are 35 types of science, knowledge, and human qualities that Mongolian kings must learn from childhood, and the highest of these 35 sciences, or the science that must be learned, is “unconditional love and Compassion”.

For this reason, the basic concept of the “Ikh Zasag” law, which is the constitution of the Great Mongolian State, is the idea that “a citizen should be a loving citizen who does love everything by unconditionaly”.

For example:

According to Ikh Zasag Constitution:

Article 7: Humans and animals have equal rights to live under the blue sky.

Article 22: Everyone’s work is equal, rich and poor, noble and inferior are must respected by same level.

Article 23: Respect the elders and support the poor. Bodh sages and Meditators should be respected.

Article 24: People who are compassionate, honest,  learned and intelligent should be respected, not right, and flatterers and unruly people should be despised.

Article 43: All religions will be respected. But no religion can enjoy special rights.

The most important of the 35 teachings of a king is love and compassion.

There was a certain educational system created to teach love and compassion from an early age.

Now Mongolian herders have been handed down as a method of raising children.

This is the way Mongolians use Mongolian horses to instill love and compassion in their children.

It is a method passed down through the centuries, taught by the ancient kings of compassion.

In this way, when the child reaches the age of 5, he is given a 2-year-old horse of his choice, and

he is told how to love and care for the horse, and how to talk to the horse telepathically.

From this moment until the age of 25-30, the child and the horse begin to form a friendship.

Mongolians: “…Horse is a great teacher who silently teaches people compassion.

Mongolian herders have been handed down as a method of raising children.

This is the way Mongolians use Mongolian horses to instill love and compassion in their children.

It is a method passed down through the centuries, taught by the ancient kings of compassion.

In this way, when the child reaches the age of 5, he is given a 2-year-old horse of his choice, and

he is told how to love and care for the horse, and how to talk to the horse telepathically.

From this moment until the age of 25-30, the child and the horse begin to form a friendship.

Mongolians: “…Horse is a great teacher who silently teaches people compassion. “If someone

successfully learns this love from a horse, that person will live with Khiimori(God’s blessing)

until death.”

This is the vital spirit and main feature of Mongolian culture and tradition.

Every thought, word, and action of a Mongolian person who has unconditional love for nature,

animals, and people comes out of compassion and kindness.

Here’s an example:

Mongolians consider their livestock as a member of the family.

Sometimes calf become orphan.

At this time, there is a culture of sing song to Mother called “Khuus” that make her new step mother.

The song “Khuus” is sung by the person who sympathizes and loves the orphan calf the most.

When the new mother heard that song from her heart, she cried a lot and adopted the calf as her

own child.

This thing, which looks like a traditional folk ritual to other countries person, is one of the proofs

that “Mongolian” can feel the suffering, pain, and pain of animals as if he were his own.

In short, if everyone in the world can teach their children to be compassionate then World peace

is possible.

It’s very simple.

Teaching our children love and compassion is an important recipe for peace and tranquility in

this world.

From 2020 and 2021, Naranbadrakh batkhuu learned about the current situation of Mongolia’s social and economic conditions by conducting research on the horse related systems in Mongolia. Subsequently, together with 3,000 herdsmen living in rural areas, Naranbadrakh Batkhuu established the initiative named “Mongolia is horse heaven” for horses and appealed to the government of Mongolia through public media.In February 2022, the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, supports the Mongolia is Horse Heaven program, and has formed a team to implement this policy program with the participation of 5 ministries. This includes:

1. Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia

2. Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia

3. Ministry of Culture of Mongolia

4. Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs of Mongolia

5. Ministry of Digital Development and Communications of Mongolia

6. Mongolian National Broadcasting system

As of today, Mongolia annually slaughters between 250,000 to 300,000 horses for domestic consumption and export to Japan, Russia, and China. This trading system has various negative social and economic consequences. The slaughterhouses and butchers involved often become involved in criminal activities, and steal horses from herdsmen. Horse theft accounts for 54% of all theft cases in Mongolia. Victims who have lost their horses to cattle theft and those fearing their horses may be killed directly impact the movement of rural herdsmen to urban areas like Ulaanbaatar. Between 31,000 to 59,000 people move from the countryside to Ulaanbaatar each year. According to a 2018 to 2021 study by the Swiss Development Agency, 37% of people who migrate to cities have suffered from animal theft or fear animal thieves. Because of this, herders refrain from riding their horses, as tamed horses are easier to steal. Therefore, the ancient tradition of raising a Mongolian child on a horse is now being forgotten. Though slaughtering 300,000 horses annually generates 296.1 billion MNT or $84 million in income, the practice ultimately costs the macroeconomy 308 billion MNT ( $88 million) due to victims and migration to cities out of fear. When Mongolians who had regularly exercised by riding horses – and were thus physically and mentally healthy – stopped riding horses, 46% of the population became extremely overweight. Annually the associated costs are 5.6 trillion MNT or $1.6 billion. The remedy is straightforward: stop killing the horses and return to the old tradition of everyone owning one of their own horses.

A picture of the migration after the year of horse theft:

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