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good husbandry messages.
or other goods such as building materials, and they can support other small businesses: feed sellers, harness makers and cart makers.
in the world, and of these the Brooke estimates that as many as five million may be enduring extreme pain and suffering. With estimates of between six and twenty people dependent on each working equine animal in the developing world, this also suggests that around 30 million people (at a conservative estimate) are dependent financially on those horses, donkeys and mules that suffer the most in the world.
The Brooke goes wherever the need is the greatest, but to help establish its veterinary and education priorities, it has developed with the world renowned Bristol University Veterinary School in the UK, a method of assessing the condition of a working equine animal, comparing it to preset optimum welfare conditions. From day one, the vets are building relationships with the owners, establishing trust and good communication. The Brooke's staff are regularly trained in communication and education techniques. For example, the local community may be asked to appoint its own veterinary worker who can be trained to give minor veterinary support between the Brooke's visits, or the vets may choose someone who might also act as an advocate, helping to spread
In addition, the charity trains not only the animal owners but also those in the allied trades supporting the horse owning community including the farriers, harness-makers, saddlers, feed sellers and shoe manufacturers. In this way, it makes its work sustainable and empowers the communities it supports. Over the next decade, the Brooke intends to reach the five million equine animals that suffer most in the world by accelerating its partnership programme, which will see proven Brooke solutions delivered through partners in countries it does not currently reach, where there is a heavy dependence on working equine animals. In pursuit of this aim, the Brooke has already established partnerships with local organisations in Afghanistan, Kenya and Guatemala, organisations which share the charity's ideals and which have already established links with poor communities dependent upon working equine animals. Today, in developing countries, ownership of a horse can lift a person out of poverty as they build their own small business based on a working horse, donkey or mule. They can earn cash by leasing the services of their animal, transporting agricultural
The Brooke's help is not restricted to the young. Across all the countries where it works, the sight of a Brooke vet or mobile unit can give hope to any horse or donkey owner, even the very elderly. Seventy-four-year old Zaheer Mirz Baig has also been working as a farrier since 1947. Zaheer is unable to read or write and can barely see out of his thick-rimmed glasses, but is a staunch advocate of the Brooke's working methods. The elderly man knows all too well the realities of trying to carve out a living on the streets of Delhi, and has something important to say about the Brooke. "I am a poor man," he says lowering his voice. "But the Brooke vets give me respect and this makes me happy and thankful." He pauses for a moment, before adding: "I never expected anyone to show respect to a man like me.".
TO FIND HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE BROOKE, PLEASE CALL THE BROOKE'S MAIN NUMBER: 020 7930 6210 OR EMAIL INFO@THEBROOKEORG OR VISIT ITS WEBSITE: WWW.THEBROOKEORG
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