On March 28, mid-day reported about how Matheran, the automobile-free hill station, has no veterinarian for over 450 horses. Pictures showed an apology of a clinic, which is in shambles. No veterinary care, combined with poor infrastructure, has imperilled the equines, which are the lifeblood of the popular tourist getaway.

In our report, we focused on a horse called Dayavaan. The horse was ill, but with no immediate care available, it passed away after a trip to Pune to be looked at by a vet. Upon reading the report, a distinguished veterinarian, Dr Prashant Wandhare, made a trip to Matheran this weekend. The doctor said, “The mid-day report made me visit Matheran, and I examined several horses owned by ghodawallahs. They earn their living through joyrides for visitors. There are also some ponies that carry construction material to different places in the hill station.”