Heal broken hearts appeal

Around 100 million working horses, donkeys and mules are lifelines for millions, transporting people, food and water in vulnerable communities around the world. Brooke is committed to improving their welfare and helping their owners, fighting to ensure these animals receive the care and protection they deserve.

José is a farmer and cultivates corn, beans and coffee. He also owns a horse named El Rojito (The Red One). Through Brooke, José has learned how to care for his horse better, providing improved conditions and treating him well.

José says: "El Rojito is more comfortable with us and trusts us." Adding after the Brooke training: “Both the animal and the person start to earn each other's trust.”

One thing José learnt from Brooke is to listen to his horse. When El Rojito is hungry on their journeys to the plantation, José stops to let him eat the grass, as he knows the terrain is difficult (very hilly and muddy) and can be tiring.

José understands the importance of building trust and rapport with his horse. He mentions the practical benefits of having El Rojito, especially in transporting loads, and how their relationship has deepened through mutual trust and understanding, saying: "If I didn't have him I'd have to carry it myself (coffee beans). With him, we accomplish a lot more."

José travels only a short distance, maybe half a mile, to coffee bushes near his home. He picks ripe berries from the trees, collects them into sacks and loads them on to El Rojito and takes them home. José then washes the berries, removing the pulp and leaving him with the beans, all with equipment he has at home. They then sit out on racks to dry. After that, El Rojito will help him carry the beans to markets or sorting centres to sell.