The Brooke -

Every day, Brooke teams are reaching horses, mules and donkeys who are working despite terrible pain. The teams ease that pain - and train their owners to recognise the signs that they are distressed. The Brooke is working to prevent the suffering of animals like Husna, a mare who works pulling a Tonga cart in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Recognising the signs

In October last year, she fell on the road, badly injuring her leg. Her symptoms included:

drooping ears
limping gait
short and strained breathing
standing abnormally
she was reluctant to move
she was off her feed and refusing water

But her owner Asmatullah didn’t recognise the signs, so despite her pain, Husna had to continue pulling her heavy cart. After several days, Asmatullah took Husna to see the local Brooke trained community animal health worker, who saw straight away that the horse was in distress and directed them to the Brooke clinic at Peshawar. Husna was treated by our vets for her injury – but days of suffering could have been avoided if only her owner had understood the signs.

Small changes can have a big impact

A little time, care, and knowledge can ease so much suffering. Our animal health teams run training sessions which quickly enable animal owners to learn the basics of equine body language. Our experts in the field live and work locally – helping to build the trust and communication between animal owners and Brooke teams that is so vital.

Thankfully, Husna’s owner now knows how to spot the signs that she is in pain, frightened, hungry or tired – and why it’s important that he does. So Husna will get the treatment, food and rest she needs, straight away. Asmatullah understands his loyal horse better than ever, thanks to the Brooke’s teams.

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Spreading knowledge, easing pain.