For more than eight decades, the Brooke, the world's largest international equine welfare charity, has been the driving force in lessening the suffering of working equine animals all over the world. And itâs no easy task. There are more 100 million equines in the developing world, working to support more than 600 million of the poorest people on earth.
Providing sustainable solutions to equine welfare challenges in the developing world
In 2015 the Brooke reached a record 1.8 million equines, benefiting 10 million people in the developing world with education about caring for their equines so that owners don't overwork, mistreat, and neglect the very animals who provide a livelihood for them.
© 2015 by Brooke
In developing countries, motorized vehicles are not an option for the majority of the population, so it is not unusual for an entire extended family to depend on the work of a single horse or donkey for all their needs.
But even beyond the needs of individual families, there are entire communities - even entire nations â that rely on the work of these crucial and patient animals to provide economic stability.
Unfortunately, ignorance and desperation created by extreme poverty often lead equine owners to overwork, mistreat, and neglect the very animals who provide a livelihood for them. Consequently literally millions of equines are laboring through chronic pain, malnourishment, dehydration, and crippling lameness â all of which are preventable when owners receive training from the Brooke.
The Brooke provides scientifically proven, practical, sustainable solutions to enormous equine welfare challenges in the developing world. They work in communities where many people together with their animals earn less than a dollar a day.
The Brookeâs programs alleviate the suffering of animals through free veterinary intervention and by training owners in better animal husbandry skills. Both animals and the people who depend on them benefit immediately and for generations to come.
Brooke USA, the American division of the Brooke, enhances and expands this vital work through fundraising to support the Brookeâs overseas programs.
In 2015 alone, thanks to Brooke staff and generous donors worldwide, the Brooke reached a record 1.8 million equines, benefiting 10 million people in across 11 countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. With continued support from donors in the U.S., the Brooke will achieve its goal of reaching an additional 2 million equines benefiting 12 million people in 2016.
For more information or to get involved, please go to www.BrookeUSA.org.
About Brooke USA
Brooke USA is a 501(c)(3) charity located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, which exists solely to support the overseas work of the Brooke â the worldâs largest international equine welfare charity. The Brooke was founded by Dorothy Brooke in 1934.
As the wife of a British Major General stationed in Cairo, Mrs. Brooke began a free veterinary clinic there after seeing the deplorable conditions of the British war horses who had been left behind in Egypt after WWI by the military and virtually sold into hard labor.
The Brooke has expanded over the last 81 years to assist millions of working equines, benefitting millions of people who depend on them in the worldâs poorest communities. The Brooke is currently working in Egypt, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nepal, Senegal, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Mexico.