The Brooke - Vulnerable foals, too young to work

When should horses and donkeys be put to work?

In Britain, horses need to be at least four years old, and donkeys three years old before they are put to work. It is also recommended that horses and donkeys do not take on heavy or prolonged work until they are at least five or six years old.

Why are animals put to work too young?

In poor communities overseas, it is very difficult for struggling owners to care for and feed foals for this long if they are not earning their keep.

How do young animals suffer?

Parting foals from their mother leaves foals in danger of malnutrition, through lack of milk
Being made to work can stunt their growth, as foals need energy to grow
The strain of pulling heavy loads can cause irreversible problems and a lifetime of pain for a foal
Foals can’t cope with the psychological burden of work – and can be left depressed, confused and fearful.

What is the Brooke’s solution?

Brooke teams hold training sessions for children and older animal owners to help them understand how to look after foals, as well as adult animals in the following ways:

Horses and donkeys should not be put to work until they are at least three years old
Young horses and donkeys should carry out lighter duties and work fewer hours than more mature animals

The Brooke vets answer questions from the children

Young horses and donkeys should work alongside older animals when pulling carriages and carts, so they can learn how to handle the hectic environments in which they toil

There are serious, and sometimes lifelong consequences of setting foals to work too early

How you can help

Anything you can give will help:

£10 could provide two months of healthy green fodder for a mother and her young foal.

£15 pays a community animal health worker for three days, so a little foal isn’t made to work before he’s ready.

£36 covers the cost of a Brooke vet for two days

£65 covers the cost of running community training sessions for 100 animal owners

Make a donation today