The Urban Animal Project: Horse Ward (Cam 1)
Director: Nisha Vasudevan
Duration: 00:10:15; Aspect Ratio: 1.778:1; Hue: 63.390; Saturation: 0.092; Lightness: 0.359; Volume: 0.201; Cuts per Minute: 13.357
Summary: Cities are not “natural habitats”. However, over the years cities have become the spaces in which many animals have evolved; they are now the homes on which they have imprinted. The Urban Animal Project aims to document these species against the backdrop of a cityscape.
This is a work-in-progress which will be conducted in many phases, the first of which looks at land mammals in the city of Mumbai. Phase I delves into the reasons these animals are present in such a physical environment as opposed to existing in the wild. At the same time, it investigates what provisions are available for them and whether or not they are implemented. These laws are looked into with reference and from the point of view of municipal bodies, non-profit organisations, veterinary practice and the current curriculum, the meat and dairy industries, beasts of burden, animal trade and the role of superstition, among others.
Over time, The Urban Animal Project is expected to expand into marine life, protected areas within cities, birds, monsoon ecosystems and hopefully many other areas.
This set of clips have been shot at the horse ward of the hospital and joined (in no particular order) until the time that they are edited into the documentary.. This section houses not only sick horses, but also those that have been abandoned in their old age (or after having served their purpose).
Currently being worked on by Namaah Kumar, Reema Sengupta, Falak Mulchandani and Nisha Vasudevan. Each phase of The Urban Animal Project will be edited into short documentaries.
Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals, Horse Ward
abandonment
horse
victoria
This cat lives by freeloading off the cattle ward and the horse ward. It is a smart cookie! And rather pretty, too.
Why are these horses found in the city and not in the wild, like the Mongolian Tahki?
The relationship between man and horse spans so many years. Horses have been used as beasts of burden by man, and also as transportation. In the city of Mumbai, one finds the Victorias (
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aprilrinne/3919344831/), or ponies that are used for entertainment on the beaches or roads.
Many animal-lovers do not patronise the use of these animals for entertainment. However, without patrons, many starve to death. Catch-22.
These horses do not always come to the hospital due to sickness.
Many are abandoned because they have grown old and can no longer be used in the Victoria or pony-rides business. Many are abandoned owing to physical anomalies. They are rounded up from the roads and brought here to recuperate. The ward boy told us that efforts are made to rehabilitate the horses into farms, etc.
Not all of them are healthy, either. Note the slight disturbance on the hide of this horse.
It's a little disturbing to see this horse eating hay while its excrement lies barely a few centimetres away.
People do not work exclusively in any one ward. Every fifteen days they are put in charge of a different ward. So a group that might be working at the Horse Ward this fortnight may be moved to the Dog Ward the next.
There has been a problem with the mic in this clip. All audio has been lost.
The horses are allowed to graze in batches. Look at the black horse's hoof - it is longer than most others.
The same horse that was frolicking in the garden, the one with the long hoof. Looks positively emo, don't you think?
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