Source: Brooke USA

Life is hard for the 100 million working equines in the developing world, because 600 million people depend on them for their livelihoods. Life is particularly difficult for working mares who are either pregnant or have foals by their sides while labouring in back-breaking jobs in the brick kilns of Afghanistan, the deserts of Senegal, the coal mines of Pakistan, the mountains of Nepal, on busy city streets in India, or in the construction industry of Kenya. A new campaign from Brooke USA called March MAREness will raise funds to ease the suffering of those animals.

A boy with his mare and foal in Senegal, West Africa.

Most equine owners in developing countries have neither the skills, knowledge, nor resources to provide adequate care for their animals. Brooke USA funds practical, sustainable, scientifically proven programs that can be adopted by even the poorest owners to measurably improve the welfare of the animals on whom they depend.

A family in India with their mare and foal.

Emily Dulin, executive director of Brooke USA, said, “While most of the country will be focused on ‘March Madness’ this month, we’ll be focusing on ‘March MAREness’ and raising critical funds for projects that help these animals and their owners. 

“Working through Brooke, the world’s largest international equine welfare charity, we’ll fund programs that provide training for owners in proper nutrition for mares and foals, vaccinations and deworming, while encouraging them to give sufficient time off from work for mares and foals to bond and nurse during this very important time in their lives. The programs also teach the importance of keeping the animals’ stabling clean to prevent fatal diseases.”

By helping mares and foals, the March MAREness campaign will also benefit the families who rely on those animals by ensuring that their animals remain healthy and happy, and able to continue their important roles as economic stabilizers.

A skinny mare and her foal at a brick kiln.

For more information about March MAREness and ways that you can help, go to www.BrookeUSA.org/give-money, call the Brooke USA office at 859-296-0037, or email info@BrookeUSA.org. 

About Brooke USA: Brooke USA’s mission is to significantly improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people they serve throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America by raising funds and responsibly directing them to the areas of greatest need.

Photos are courtesy of Brooke USA.