Brooke USA’s 2017 Horse Heroes campaign far surpassed its ambitious goal to raise $1 million for international equine welfare programs in memory of the one million American horses and mules who served in WWI. Donors generously gave to Brooke USA, bringing the total raised to $1,112,626.
Helping equines on a global scale
Brooke USA’s 2017 Horse Heroes campaign honors horses of yesterday while helping those of today.
© 2018 by Brooke USA
“We wanted to mark the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entering WW1 as an important time to honor the memories of our war horses by bringing awareness to the plight of today’s working equines.
We are so grateful that donors understood and responded to the plight of many working equines in the poorest countries. For these horses, mules and donkeys, conditions have not changed in the past century, except in communities where Brooke’s equine welfare programs are in full swing,” said Emily Marquez-Dulin, executive director of Brooke USA.
Today, more than 100 million horses, donkeys, and mules in developing countries endure tremendous hardships, chronic suffering and high mortality - just as the Horse Heroes of WW1 suffered - as they work to serve more than 600 million of the world’s poorest people.
One hundred years ago, American and other horses and mules were carrying soldiers, guns, ammunition, food, medical supplies, and water to the front lines.
They literally carried the weight - and the outcome - of the war on their backs. Today, 100 million equines are literally carrying the weight of their families’ survival on their backs.
About 80% of working equines in the developing world suffer from preventable injuries, lameness and diseases. Brooke USA funds projects that make a huge impact on this statistic and alleviate suffering across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America by providing:
- Training for local veterinarians, farriers, animal healthcare workers, feed dealers, and other service providers
- Veterinary intervention to bring immediate relief from suffering
- Training for owners in overall equine health, nutrition, harnessing, and handling
- Teaching women, children, and entire communities in ways to improve the welfare of their animals, which also benefits themselves
- Working at the government level to ensure that equine welfare is considered in laws that affect them
“Thanks to our amazing donors, Brooke USA has been able to improve the welfare of these crucial working animals, and by extension we have also secured the livelihoods of countless marginalized people around the world,” concluded Marquez-Dulin.
ABOUT BROOKE:
Brooke USA's mission is to significantly improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people they serve throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America by raising funds for the global equine welfare programs of Brooke, the world's largest international equine welfare charity. About five years ago, Brooke USA opened its headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, at the famous Kentucky Horse Park.