Innovative Pony Program Highlighted on MSNBC, Deutsche Press Agency

September 20, 2010

A unique partnership between the Foundation and the government of the Kingdom of Lesotho has caught the attention of international press. The program, called Horse-riding for Health, is employing a traditional yet innovative approach to deliver HIV/AIDS services.

Photo: Jon Hrusa/EPA

Working with the Foundation, health teams in the mountainous Mokhotlong district are using local horse riders to increase access to critical HIV prevention, care, and treatment services in communities unreachable by vehicle. Local riders, and a special breed of horse called a Basotho pony, are transporting medicines, HIV tests, and other vital information and records to and from health clinics and communities.

The Deutsche Press Agency chronicled the program, and MSNBC.com published a stunning photo essay by Jon Hrusa, a European Pressphoto Agency photographer who recently followed one Basotho pony and rider pair to document the innovative program. Visit both news sites to see how the Basotho ponies are helping, and learn more about the Foundation's involvement here.