Our commitment

At LMG Treks & Expeditions, we recognise that load-carrying animals can play an important role in supporting mountain expeditions around the world.

On some of our expeditions, animals are used to transport food, camping equipment, personal baggage and expedition supplies through remote and mountainous environments. Examples include mules in Morocco and yaks and jhopke (yak–cow hybrids) in the Himalayas.

We recognise the important contribution these animals make to local communities and expedition logistics. However, their use comes with a responsibility to ensure that their health, safety and welfare are properly protected.

LMG is committed to ensuring that animals used in support of our expeditions are treated humanely, are fit for the work required of them, and are provided with appropriate food, water, rest, handling and veterinary care.

Our approach is informed by internationally recognised animal welfare principles and the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), including its standards relating to the welfare of working equids. WOAH emphasises animal-based indicators such as behaviour, body condition, lameness and response to handling when assessing working-animal welfare.

​

1. Scope

This policy applies to any load-carrying animal used directly or indirectly in support of an LMG expedition.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Mules and other equids used in Morocco and elsewhere

• Yaks used on Himalayan expeditions

• Jhopke / yak–cow hybrids used in Himalayan regions

• Other pack or load-carrying animals that may be used by LMG's local expedition partners in the future

The policy applies whether the animals are owned directly by LMG's local partners, hired for an expedition, or supplied by a third-party operator.

​

2. Regional use of load-carrying animals

LMG recognises that the use of pack animals varies considerably between destinations and is an established part of local mountain communities and expedition logistics.

Morocco

On expeditions in Morocco, particularly within the High Atlas, mules may be used to transport expedition equipment and supplies over mountain terrain.

Mules are particularly suited to the steep and rugged terrain encountered on many Moroccan trekking routes. Their use can also provide an important source of income for local muleteers and communities.

However, the suitability of a mule for mountain work must never be assumed solely because the animal is traditionally used for this purpose.

Each animal must be considered individually, taking account of its health, physical condition, workload, terrain, weather and available rest.

Himalayas

On Himalayan expeditions, including trekking and mountaineering trips, yaks and jhopke may be used to transport equipment and supplies.

These animals are adapted to high-altitude environments and have a long-established role within mountain communities.

LMG recognises that Himalayan working animals may operate in environments involving:

• High altitude

• Cold temperatures

• Snow and ice

• Steep and uneven terrain

• Long distances between settlements

• Limited access to veterinary services

These environmental factors must be taken into account when determining whether an animal is fit to undertake a particular journey or workload.

​

3. Fitness for work

No animal should be required to undertake work for which it is physically unfit.

Before being used, animals should be assessed for:

• General health

• Body condition

• Mobility and soundness

• Lameness

• Visible injuries

• Harness or pack-related injuries

• Signs of illness

• Signs of exhaustion

• Age and physical maturity

• Ability to carry the intended load

• Suitability for the terrain and environmental conditions

Animals showing signs of significant illness, injury, lameness, exhaustion or poor body condition must not be used.

Where an animal becomes unfit during an expedition, its welfare takes priority over the expedition schedule, itinerary or equipment.

​

4. Appropriate loads

Loads must be appropriate to the individual animal and the conditions in which it is working.

The load carried must take into consideration:

• The species and size of the animal

• Age and physical condition

• Fitness and experience

• Terrain

• Altitude

• Distance

• Temperature

• Weather conditions

• Duration of the journey

• Availability of food, water and rest

Loads must be distributed evenly and securely.

Animals must never be overloaded in order to reduce the number of animals required.

Where there is uncertainty regarding an appropriate load, the load should be reduced.

The objective is not to determine the maximum weight an animal can carry, but the appropriate workload for that individual animal under the prevailing conditions.

​

5. Working hours, distance and rest

Animals must receive sufficient opportunities to rest and recover.

Expedition planning should incorporate regular breaks rather than treating rest as something that occurs only when the destination is reached.

Particular care should be taken where journeys involve:

• Long ascents

• Steep or technical terrain

• High altitude

• Extreme temperatures

• Deep snow

• Difficult footing

• Long distances without access to water

WOAH's working-equid standards provide guidance on workload and rest, while emphasising that welfare should be assessed according to the animal and its circumstances rather than simply applying a single numerical threshold.

LMG will therefore treat published workload limits as upper guidance rather than targets.

If an animal is showing signs of fatigue, its workload must be reduced regardless of the planned schedule.

​

6. Food and water

Animals must have access to sufficient appropriate nutrition and clean drinking water.

Expedition planning must consider:

• Water availability

• Natural grazing opportunities

• Supplementary feed requirements

• Temperature

• Altitude

• Workload

• Journey duration

Animals must not be expected to complete demanding journeys without adequate opportunities to drink.

Where natural forage is insufficient, appropriate supplementary feed must be provided.

 

 

7. Shelter and environmental protection

Animals must be protected from unnecessary exposure to environmental conditions that could compromise their welfare.

This includes consideration of:

• Extreme heat

• Strong sunlight

• Heavy rain

• Snow

• Severe cold

• Wind

• Prolonged exposure to difficult conditions

The environmental conditions experienced by animals should form part of expedition planning, particularly in high-altitude Himalayan environments.

​

8. Packs, harnesses and equipment

All equipment used to carry loads must be appropriately fitted and maintained.

This includes:

• Saddles

• Pack saddles

• Panniers

• Harnesses

• Ropes

• Straps

• Other load-bearing equipment

Equipment must not:

• Cause unnecessary pressure

• Restrict breathing or movement

• Cause significant rubbing

• Create wounds

• Become excessively tight during the journey

• Shift dangerously during movement

Animals should be checked regularly during the working day for signs of rubbing, pressure, injury or discomfort.

​

9. Humane handling

Animals must always be handled calmly and respectfully.

The following practices are prohibited on LMG-supported expeditions:

• Beating animals

• Deliberately causing pain

• Excessive use of sticks, whips or goads

• Dragging animals

• Deliberately frightening animals

• Forcing an injured animal to continue

• Forcing an exhausted animal to continue

• Deliberate overloading

• Any other treatment likely to cause unnecessary pain, fear or distress

LMG recognises that effective animal handling depends upon appropriate knowledge, experience and training.

WOAH identifies handling, workload, harnessing, injury management and caretaker competence as important elements of working-equid welfare.

​

10. Daily welfare monitoring

Where load-carrying animals are used on an LMG expedition, the expedition leader or designated local representative should monitor their welfare throughout the journey.

Before work

Check for:

• General condition

• Alertness

• Lameness

• Injuries

• Body condition

• Harness or pack fit

• Ability to undertake the planned journey

During work

Monitor for:

• Excessive fatigue

• Changes in behaviour

• Difficulty walking

• Excessive sweating

• Signs of heat or cold stress

• Difficulty breathing

• Harness movement

• Rubbing or injury

• Reluctance to continue

After work

Check for:

• Lameness

• Wounds

• Harness injuries

• General condition

• Access to food

• Access to water

• Ability to rest comfortably

Where a welfare concern is identified, action should be taken immediately.

​

11. Animal welfare takes priority

LMG operates a welfare-first approach.

If an animal becomes injured, exhausted, ill or otherwise unable to safely continue working:

The animal must be rested, its workload reduced, or it must be removed from work.

Expedition equipment, schedules, summit objectives or itinerary commitments must never take priority over animal welfare.

Where necessary, expedition plans must be changed to protect the animal.

​

12. Veterinary care and emergency arrangements

LMG's local expedition partners should have arrangements in place for obtaining appropriate veterinary or animal-health assistance.

Before an expedition involving load-carrying animals, reasonable consideration should be given to:

• Availability of veterinary assistance

• Emergency contact arrangements

• Treatment of injured animals

• Removal of an animal from the route

• Alternative transport arrangements

• Access to appropriate medicines and first aid

An injured or incapacitated animal must not simply be abandoned.

​

13. Local muleteers, yak handlers and animal owners

LMG recognises the important knowledge and experience of local animal owners, muleteers, yak handlers and expedition staff.

We will seek to work collaboratively with local partners to promote good animal welfare.

Where appropriate, local handlers should receive or participate in guidance covering:

• Appropriate loading

• Load distribution

• Harness and pack fitting

• Recognising fatigue

• Recognising injury and lameness

• Hydration and nutrition

• Humane handling

• Rest requirements

• Emergency procedures

LMG will seek to build long-term relationships with responsible local partners rather than treating animal welfare as a one-off consideration.

​

14. Supplier and partner standards

LMG expects local expedition operators and animal owners supplying animals for our expeditions to support the principles contained within this policy.

Where LMG identifies serious or repeated welfare concerns, we will raise these with the local partner and seek appropriate corrective action.

Where unacceptable treatment continues, LMG may cease using the individual supplier, handler or animal.

15. Transportation

Where animals are transported by road or other means, appropriate consideration must be given to their welfare during loading, transportation and unloading.

Animals must be fit for transportation and handled appropriately.

Transport arrangements should take account of:

• Journey duration

• Weather

• Ventilation

• Space

• Access to water

• Loading and unloading

• Rest requirements

• Emergency arrangements

WOAH considers animal welfare during transport a shared responsibility between owners, operators, transporters and other parties involved in the process.

​

16. Responsible tourism

LMG recognises that the use of load-carrying animals has an important social and economic dimension.

In many mountain regions, animals such as mules, yaks and jhopke form an important part of local livelihoods and expedition infrastructure.

Our objective is therefore not simply to eliminate the use of working animals, but to promote their responsible and humane use where they are appropriate to the environment and expedition requirements.

We believe that responsible tourism should support both the welfare of animals and the livelihoods of the communities that care for them.

​

17. Continuous improvement

LMG will periodically review this policy and seek to improve our practices.

This may include:

• Feedback from expedition leaders

• Feedback from local animal handlers

• Monitoring welfare incidents

• Consultation with veterinary professionals

• Reviewing relevant scientific research

• Reviewing international animal welfare standards

• Working with responsible local partners

• Updating staff and expedition leaders on good practice

WOAH's current approach places particular emphasis on implementing welfare standards, education and capacity building, collaboration with local partners and practical assessment of animal welfare.

​

Our Load-Carrying Animal Welfare Standard

Every animal supporting an LMG expedition should be:

FIT

Physically capable of undertaking the work.

FED

Provided with sufficient appropriate nutrition.

HYDRATED

Provided with adequate access to clean water.

RESTED

Given appropriate breaks and recovery time.

PROTECTED

Protected from unnecessary environmental stress.

COMFORTABLE

Using appropriately fitted and maintained equipment.

RESPECTED

Handled calmly and humanely.

MONITORED

Regularly assessed for signs of fatigue, injury or distress.

SUPPORTED

Provided with appropriate assistance and veterinary care when required.

PRIORITISED

​

Given priority over expedition schedules, equipment and objectives when welfare is at risk.

If these standards cannot reasonably be met, the animal should not be used for the expedition.

​

Policy statement

LMG Treks & Expeditions is committed to responsible use of load-carrying animals. Whether working with mules in the Moroccan High Atlas, yaks and jhopke in the Himalayas, or other working animals elsewhere in the world, we expect the welfare of the animal to remain a fundamental consideration in every stage of expedition planning and operation.