Where Toyota Land Cruisers Can't Go: The 2025 Texas Equitarian Project Begins
The cobblestone streets of Antigua, Guatemala whisper stories of colonial past, but today they're witnessing a different kind of history in the making. As the morning mist lifted over the UNESCO Heritage Site, our team of veterinarians, specialists, and students gathered for what marks our 25th service trip to the area - the 2025 Texas Equitarian Project. Thirteen years of dedication has led us to this moment, each return visit building upon the foundation laid by previous teams’ contributions.
In the shadow of ancient volcanoes, our first destination was San Andreas Itzapa, where more than 50 working equids – a mix of horses, donkeys, and mules – awaited our care. These aren't your typical show horses or beloved pets; they're the unsung heroes of Guatemala's mountainous regions, the four-legged engines of local economies and family sustenance.
"These animals are the Toyota Land Cruisers of the mountainous Third World," Dr. Rob Franklin explained as we set up our mobile clinic. It's a fitting analogy. Where modern vehicles can't navigate the steep terrain, these hardy animals persevere, carrying everything from firewood for cooking to children headed to school, from coffee beans to crucial supplies for entire communities.
What makes this milestone year special is witnessing how far we've come. Over 25 service trips, we've seen the gradual transformation of these communities' approach to equine care. Now, with Dr. Jackie, our local veterinary partner, we're taking the next crucial step: establishing a year-round presence across ten communities. But our commitment extends beyond veterinary care – through FullBucket's innovative giving program, we've partnered with local manufacturers to produce essential nutritional supplements that reach these working equids throughout the year.
This local production and distribution network ensures that the animals receive consistent nutritional support, addressing the underlying deficiencies that often compromise their health and working capacity. It's not about parachuting in with temporary solutions; we're building upon decades of trust and experience to create a lasting infrastructure of care that combines medical expertise with sustained nutritional support.
The day brought a beautiful convergence of learning and service. Thirty veterinary students from Guatemala rotated through our stations, their eyes wide with curiosity as they learned about dental care, wound treatment, and natural horsemanship techniques. There's something magical about watching the next generation of veterinarians discover their calling while serving their own communities.
Our international team – including specialists from FullBucket, veterinarians from across the United States, and local experts – worked in seamless coordination. Each examination told a story: of a horse that carries firewood up steep mountain paths, of a donkey that helps a family bring their coffee harvest to market, of a mule that's essential to a small farmer's livelihood. As we worked, local community members arrived to collect their monthly supply of nutritional supplements – a testament to FullBucket's commitment to ongoing care through their giving program. These supplements, manufactured locally to support the regional economy, are carefully formulated to address the specific nutritional challenges faced by working equids in these mountainous regions.
Beyond the immediate medical care – the vaccines administered, the dental issues addressed, the parasites treated – we're witnessing a transformation in how these communities approach equine care. The traditional "strong-armed" approach to horsemanship is gradually giving way to more sympathetic, synergistic methods, thanks to the gentle guidance of our team.
As the sun set over Antigua's baroque churches, we packed up our supplies and reflected not just on today's impact, but on 13 years of service to these communities. What began as a modest veterinary outreach has blossomed into a comprehensive program that has touched thousands of lives - both human and equine. Today's fifty animals treated and thirty students trained are part of a greater legacy, one that has steadily elevated the standard of equine care throughout the region.
Tomorrow, we'll venture southwest, to another community where working equids form the backbone of daily life. But tonight, we rest knowing that we've taken the first step in a ten-day journey that will leave lasting footprints in these ancient cobblestone streets.
There's something profound about combining centuries-old tradition with modern veterinary medicine, about bridging the gap between first-world expertise and developing-world practicality. After a decade and a half of service trips, we've learned as much as we've taught. The progress is evident – from improved community awareness about equine health to the growing number of local veterinary students passionate about large animal care.
FullBucket's Giving Program, with its emphasis on local manufacturing and continuous nutritional support, has become a model for sustainable veterinary outreach. Here in Guatemala, we're not just treating animals; we're nurturing a comprehensive system of care that combines immediate medical intervention with long-term nutritional support, preserving and enhancing a way of life that has sustained these communities for generations.
This is the first in a series of daily blog posts documenting the 2025 Texas Equitarian Project in Guatemala. Stay tuned for more stories from the field as we continue our mission of service, education, and sustainable veterinary care.
Our Gratitude
None of this vital work would be possible without the unwavering support of our corporate veterinary partners. Through the generous contributions of MWI, Boehringer Ingelheim, Wedgewood Pharmacy, Zoetis, and YETI, we're able to provide comprehensive care that meets the highest standards of veterinary medicine, even in these remote mountain communities. Their donations of essential medicines, vaccines, supplies, and rugged equipment to protect our vital materials aren't just inventory on a shelf – they're the building blocks of hope and sustainability for these working equids and the families who depend on them. These partnerships exemplify how corporate responsibility can create lasting positive change in communities that need it most.
*Continue to Day 2 of our 2025 Giving Trip here.*
