Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys

27/04/2026

Meet nine year old Nauman and his donkey Chibbarh. Two years ago, Nauman’s father passed away and since then he has spent most of his time with his grandad in the brick kiln taking care of the family’s four donkeys 🫏

Healthy animal competitions are regularly held at the brick kiln where Nauman and his grandad are based. At the last competition, Nauman entered his one year old donkey Chibbarh, who he describes as “manic, clumsy and playful, always running around exploring things and being cheeky.”

Nauman loves animals but knows he doesn’t have the height or strength yet to work with some of the stronger, older donkeys, so Chibbarh makes for a suitable companion. However, he likes to enter the healthy animal competitions to learn how to care for his family’s donkeys properly:

“Brooke has taught me how to feed and groom our donkeys. I know they need water and food regularly.” ~ Nauman.

The Brooke Pakistan team shared some apples with Nauman who was very amused by watching Chibbarh eat one for the first time. The team noted that they could see Chibbarh’s character and affection clearly, which reflects the calm and caring nature of Nauman and his grandad 🧡

25/04/2026

“It’s a very enjoyable job being a vet. The impact of this intervention we can see wherever we go. We leave them with good practices.” ~ Dr Umair Ashraf

Today we’d like you to meet Dr Umair, a vet and community animal health officer from Pakistan 🇵🇰

Umair works in a lot of the brick kilns in Pakistan and loves that he isn’t sat at a desk all day because it means he can interact with the communities and be on the ground most of the time. As well as providing direct veterinary treatment to horses, donkeys and mules, Umair uses resources that have been created and provided by Brooke Pakistan to engage equine-owning communities.

For example, Dr Umair uses animal models in his community workshops instead of real animals to help explain practical elements of care and welfare. This can be helpful for explaining how to use items from a first aid kit for example, and allows owners of horses, donkeys and mules to visually see how things work without creating stress to an actual animal.

Umair mentions that many communities now have posters that easily explain things such as heat exhaustion. These help owners to understand what signs and symptoms to look out for in their animals, and some posters use colour coding so that children and illiterate adults can also understand what is important for their animals.

Local children also compete in drawing competitions based on all of their learnings about animal welfare, particularly with working donkeys in brick kilns. Dr Umair gets to judge these competitions and notes how they are a good way to promote Brooke’s welfare messages and create a stronger connection with the local communities, as well as the next generation of equine owners.

Being a vet in our countries of operation is a varied role, but one that has such an impact on both the animals and the people who care for them. Without individuals like Dr Umair, Brooke would not be able to reach as many equines and communities in need 🧡🫏

25/04/2026

The 25th April is Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand, where those who served in war are remembered; similar to Remembrance Day here in the UK. However, it’s not just the people who are remembered on this day, but also the animals who lost their lives whilst serving. Perhaps the most prominent animal of them all is Bess, a thoroughbred from New Zealand who was one of only four horses to return home out of more than 10,000 sent overseas from New Zealand during the First World War.

Bess was selected by Colonel CG Powles who was part of the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment. In October 1914, they both set off on the long journey from New Zealand to the Egyptian desert. Together they served in Egypt, Sinai and Palestine before heading on to France. During these times Bess endured the brutal conditions of war: limited rations, harsh and unforgiving terrain, scorching heat, heavy rain and thick mud, all alongside the bullets and shells falling around them.

During one battle, a shell exploded in front of Bess, sending master Powles plummeting to the ground. Despite being hit by shrapnel herself, Bess stayed by Powles’ wounded body until help arrived.

When the war finally ended in 1918, soldiers were told they could not take their horses home. However, Captain Powles was determined not to leave Bess behind, being the only horse to have remained with just one master. He was eventually given permission to take her home, and after spending 12 months in quarantine in England, Bess returned to the green pastures of New Zealand.

Once back in her homeland, Bess continued to serve alongside Powles whilst he carried out his duties as a commander at a school in Trentham. She produced four foals before passing from natural causes in 1934. Powles and his two sons built a memorial site for Bess on the spot where she died. Now, every Anzac Day there is a gathering at her grave to remember all the New Zealand animals who served during World War One. The memorial is made from white marble and features two memorial plaques, one of which lists the places where Bess served during the war.

As a charity that was founded after the discovery of ex-British war horses left behind abroad, we're pleased that Bess was one of the ones who made it back home. Through this memorial, Bess’s story, and those of thousands of other animals who lost their lives during the First World War, lives on.

📷Terry Kinloch, NZ on Screen and The War Horse Memorial

22/04/2026

Today, more than 100 million working horses, donkeys and mules support families around the world; transporting goods, helping to grow food, fetching water, and enabling communities to survive and thrive.

At Brooke, our power is care and compassion 🧡

There’s a common misconception that people who rely on working horses, donkeys and mules don’t care about their animals, but the reality is very different. Many families are doing their best to survive with limited access to knowledge, resources and veterinary services, often relying on practices passed down through generations.

Sustainable change starts with welfare. When working horses, donkeys and mules are healthy and well-treated, families are more secure and communities are more resilient. That’s why Brooke works alongside owners; sharing practical knowledge, improving access to affordable resources, and strengthening local animal healthcare services.

Caring for what we already have is one way we can protect our planet. By supporting families to care for their animals, we help reduce hardship, prevent unnecessary loss and build a more sustainable future for animals, people and the environment 🐴🫏👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🌍

📷Atul Loke

20/04/2026

“Ejiao is not only used in China, as a country like the US takes a third of the gel and I would think even the UK shares a portion of it." ~ Raphael Kinoti, Brooke’s Regional Director in East Africa.

If you didn't see our article in The Sun this weekend, which highlights the devastating impact of the donkey skin trade, you can read it via the link in this post from The Brooke East Africa.

Donkeys are vital to the livelihoods and survival of thousands of families across Africa. Without donkeys, these people, their livestock, and the wider environment all suffer.

Stolen. Brutalised. Skinned for profit.

Across Kenya and the region, donkeys are being taken from families and subjected to extreme cruelty to feed the donkey skin trade.

As quoted in The Sun, our Regional Director, Dr. Raphael Kinoti, warns this black market is “alive and kicking” and must be stopped before the crisis deepens.

This is not just about animal welfare. It is about livelihoods. For millions, donkeys are essential for daily survival.

Read more below 👇🏾

https://www.the-sun.com/news/16240469/donkey-skin-trade-animals-bludgeoned-skinned-chinese-medicine/

17/04/2026

Happy ! Great to see this mother and foal using a water trough in West Africa 😊🧡

14/04/2026

Yesterday we shared the motivation behind creative media producer and Brooke supporter Adam, running two marathons this month 🏃‍♂️🎽👟

When visiting Brooke Ethiopia in November last year to capture photographs for an upcoming photography exhibition in aid of Brooke, Adam got to see first-hand the real difference Brooke makes in the everyday lives of working horses, donkeys and mules and their owners in Ethiopia 🇪🇹

“What stood out most was meeting the dedicated Brooke teams who are deeply embedded in the communities. They take their work incredibly seriously and tirelessly educate owners and users on better health, husbandry and welfare practices.
Through this hands-on training, owners learn simple yet powerful changes: better feed, rest, shelter, wound care and harness adjustments. The result is healthier, happier horses, donkeys and mules that work more comfortably, live longer, and support their families’ livelihoods more sustainably.”

Adam mentions that seeing this ripple effect of knowledge and compassion was truly inspiring. It showed him how Brooke creates lasting change, not just quick fixes, and why supporting us through these marathons and his exhibition feels so meaningful.

In addition to seeing Brooke staff educate communities, Adam also saw Brooke directly helping working horses, donkeys and mules in practical ways during his visit:

“One highlight was watching their teams build a new large shelter designed to accommodate up to 100 equines overnight, offering essential protection from harsh weather, predators, and theft for the donkey skin trade. I also visited an existing shelter built a few years ago with Brooke donations, which is already making a huge difference by giving animals a safe place to rest.”

Adam also visited rural clinics funded by Brooke donations, which provide vital veterinary care, treatments and advice right where it’s needed most, helping horses, donkeys and mules stay healthy 🐴🫏

Adam saw how Brooke donations create real, lasting benefits to working equines and the communities who rely on them.

We are incredibly grateful that he has chosen to run these marathons to raise funds that will further support our work to give working horses, donkeys and mules a life worth living🧡

If anyone would like to help Adam reach his fundraising target, the link to his JustGiving page is in the comments below.

13/04/2026

For this week’s , we introduce you to Adam, owner of a creative media company who is running not one, but TWO marathons for Brooke in the space of just eight days! 🏃‍♂️🎽👟

Adam first came across Brooke while serving as a soldier in the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, where working horses were a part of his daily life and operations. Even after he left the military, Adam remembered his interaction with Brooke and after moving to work in the creative media industry, decided he wanted to give back by using his talent for photography to create an awareness project.

This led Adam to visit Ethiopia to see Brooke’s work in action. He saw first-hand the incredibly harsh conditions many working horses, donkeys and mules face: extreme heat, rough terrain, heavy loads, and often limited access to proper food, water, shelter or veterinary care. What struck Adam most was the vital role of these animals in everyday life. In rural and urban areas alike, the horses, donkeys and mules are lifelines for entire communities. They carry water, firewood, crops, goods to market, and people, often supporting multiple families. Without them, many households could not survive or earn a living.

This experience deepened Adam’s admiration for Brooke’s work and inspired him to run the Windsor ultra marathon for Brooke this April to raise money to improve the welfare of these hardworking animals and the people who depend on them. After signing up for the Windsor marathon, a spot became available to run the London Marathon for Brooke, and he decided to take that spot and challenge himself further!

We are incredibly grateful to Adam, and everyone who helps fundraise for us so that we can continue to give working horses, donkeys and mules a life worth living🐴🫏🧡

If you would like to help Adam reach his fundraising target before his first marathon this coming weekend, please visit the link in the comments!

11/04/2026

Last week, Brooke's Global Harnessing Advisor, Jackie Hickman, was in Nicaragua visiting mountain pass locations. In these areas, horses and mules are the main form of transport for goods and people. Many travel for hours each way to reach these remote trade hubs, laden with heavy saddle packs.

One of the main welfare issues affecting horses and mules is harness related wounds. Jackie and the Brooke Latin America and Caribbean staff will be working with mountain communities and IPSA government vets to offer training on how to improve harnessing fit and function, including the use of welfare-friendly materials to prevent harness-related wounds. Advice on hoof care will also be provided.

So far, the communities have responded really well and are keen to engage 🐴🧡

10/04/2026

Do you know how many trips donkeys take in brick kilns, coal mines and gold mines during their days work?

09/04/2026

In the gold mines of Tanzania, donkeys are used to transport bags of rock up and down hills to be crushed in search of gold. Unfortunately, the welfare of these donkeys is not ideal, which is why The Brooke East Africa have begun a new project focusing specifically on this industry. Despite only recently beginning work here, change is already occurring.

Meet Amos, chair of a welfare group set up by Brooke at Magenge gold mine. He also owns five donkeys 🫏

Amos is trying to foster a culture of care around working animals, however, explains that it is difficult when mine workers come from afar for temporary work. He notes how they are primarily focused on income rather than community or animal welfare.

Trying to set an example, Amos explains that he has a deep connection with his donkeys, one of which is White, who can be seen with Amos in the photo of this post. Amos mentions how he’s developed a strong friendship with his donkeys:

“If you serve them food, you just call them and they come. If you bring water, they come. So, they got used to me and we became friends.”

Amos has expressed his gratitude for Brooke’s work at Magenge mine. He already has a much better understanding of his donkeys’ needs and sees Brooke’s presence as an opportunity for much needed support in educating the community in animal welfare. He is open to learning and improving his own welfare skills as he recognises himself as a leader in compassion to animals in a tough working environment.

“We have a lack of education of these working animals. We need Brooke’s help to educate us. I can now pass on what I’ve learnt to other owners to help more donkeys in the mine”

08/04/2026

In exploitative industries, life is tough for both people and animals. We're breaking the cycle in coal mines, brick kilns and gold mines 🧱🪙🫏