The Brooke - New operations launch: Ethiopia

Ethiopia has the largest equine population of any country in Africa, with over 5 million working horses, donkeys and ponies. Many lead a painful life of suffering and they urgently need our help.

Will you make a donation today to relieve the painful suffering of working horses and donkeys in Ethiopia?

For many Ethiopians, a horse or donkey is a lifeline. These loyal animals support entire families with their labour. Working long, tough days, amid searing temperatures, donkeys and horses are forced to carry back-breaking loads. All too often they are given little water or shelter, and suffer daily with chronic lameness, pressure sores, malnutrition and exhaustion to name but a few.

Tragically, there is widespread ignorance and lack of information about how to care for donkeys and horses properly, and sadly, most never see a vet. Which is why the Brooke are setting up desperately needed operations in this vast and impoverished country. So, with your support, this situation can change.

In many Ethiopian communities, cruel myths and traditional medicinal treatments still prevail, such as nostril slitting, hobbling and firing. Many owners also believe that animals cannot feel pain, and that the only way to make a donkey work hard, is to beat it.

Donkeys tied by the front legs are left in the blistering Ethiopian sun

The Brooke has years of experience demonstrating that practices like this are harmful – and that humane ways of caring for horses and donkeys are not only kinder, but also make animals healthier and live longer. These owners are not intentionally cruel: with your help, the Brooke will show them that there are better, more compassionate ways to care.

Given Ethiopia’s size and poverty, the only way to effectively reach the suffering horses and donkeys is by the Brooke’s proven approach using mobile veterinary teams. Brooke teams will travel to areas of greatest need to treat working animals and give vital training and education to owners.

With your help, by April 2007, we plan to have six mobile teams operational in Ethiopia (see map). The teams will reach 1 million suffering horses and donkeys in their first three years alone. Your gift to the Brooke today will help us to continue our vital work, bringing care to hundreds of thousands of working horses and donkeys, and changing the attitudes of their owners for life, across poor communities in developing countries like Ethiopia.

Every day, thousands of horses and donkeys are suffering and waiting - helpless in the scorching Ethiopian sun. Please help us reach them, before it’s too late.