About stray horses and stray donkeys.

Working horses and donkeys are the most mistreated and abused animals in the world…

These animals have a very hard existence. There is little compassion in their daily lives. The animals are used at a young age for – much too – heavy work. Loads are placed on their backs that almost make them fall through their legs, or they have to pull carts that are overloaded.

Add to this the high work pressure without moments of rest, the whiplashes and the hours in the blazing sun without enough food or drink and you can imagine that the animals literally drop down on a regular basis. There is little empathy for the hard workers, they are only seen as tools.

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When that work is no longer possible, they are left to die on the rubbish dump, in a ditch along the road or simply on the street. And then you can safely speak of stray horses and stray donkeys …

Australian couple Jill and Warren Barton are avid horse lovers and wanted to do something good for horses in need more than 10 years ago. That is how they ended up in Egypt where they started volunteering in a horse shelter there.

Everything they thought they knew about animal suffering was completely nullified by seeing the indescribable suffering with their own eyes.

Back in Australia, they couldn't get the horrific conditions out of their minds. And so they exchanged their, then luxurious, existence to devote themselves entirely to helping horses and donkeys.

From scratch, they have set up an independently operating animal clinic and shelter in Giza that focuses on the local working animals in Cairo and the surrounding area. They work with volunteers and are actually volunteers themselves.

They take care of sick and injured, abused and severely neglected horses and donkeys. They treat them and educate the owners so that the animals will hopefully have a better future.

After all, the population is poor, and they desperately need the animals themselves to guarantee some income. It is in their own interest to spare the animals more and to keep them healthy for longer.

Egypt Equine Aid (EEA) works together with veterinarians from more developed countries who also have the task of training and retraining Egyptian veterinarians, the knowledge of Egyptian veterinarians is usually not that good. For example, they often work with dirty needles, which causes the animals to contract tetanus.

In Egypt alone there are an estimated 3 million (!) horses and donkeys that are used for transport, (agricultural) construction and tourism. Yes, even in the tourism sector, there is still a lot to improve. As long as tourists continue to use horses and donkey rides in and around the pyramids, the work of EEA will continue to be much needed. Under the colourful saddle, the back is often completely raw and under that cheerful nose band, the skin is often deeply carved.

Most people in Egypt believe that animals do not suffer pain. Unimaginable right? As long as the animal can still stand and walk somewhat, they must continue. If necessary with beatings and beatings.

Yet another and equally persistent problem that the team often faces is the superstitions and cultural traditions in society. For example, to ward off evil, a rusty nail is stuck in the skin or pieces of rope are pulled through the skin. Wounds, deliberately inflicted by branding or cuts in the skin are supposed to cure disease… You would say they have learned over time that the wounds only get infected and no animal has ever benefited from it… but no, it doesn't seem to be learned from it.

Education and information about their working animals is therefore desperately needed to improve the bond between humans and animals. EEA's tireless volunteers are doing everything possible to bring about some improvement.

In all those years they have been able to help thousands of horses and donkeys.

On average, about 75 (!) animals per day. The local population is getting better at finding them and sometimes after days of walking with an injured animal, often standing or lying on a cart, they come to the clinic. The most common problems that the doctors and volunteers encounter are: malnutrition, dehydration, gastrointestinal problems due to poor nutrition, exhaustion, tetanus infections, open wounds, skin disorders, hoof disorders and broken limbs. A long list… We struggled to find photos with the project that wouldn't be too shocking. Animals must be put to sleep every day that arrive in such a bad condition that they can no longer be saved, euthanasia is then the only option after they have, if possible, been able to enjoy a nice meal and rest and love.

There is also a shelter next to the clinic. For some horses and donkeys, that means a nice, quiet old age. She is so gifted!

Furthermore, the EEA distributes grooming supplies such as well-fitting halters, soft nose bands, fly masks, horse blankets and saddle blankets to prevent the risk of injury. And they provide additional training to Egyptian veterinarians and veterinary students and caregivers.

Is it necessary to mention that the clinic is short of money and only thrives on donations?

It is appalling what is going on there, but they are doing fantastic work under very difficult circumstances, and they have been able to achieve so much in recent years.

Very clever in a country like Egypt.

The couple is therefore described as very skilled, very loving and very motivated.

But it is a long way to better living conditions for the animals and help is desperately needed every day.

Only a limited number of animals can be helped, but so many more workhorses and donkeys need help. From U.S.!

Egypt Equine Aid daily involves donors and followers in their work and developments through social media. So you can see their amazing work for yourself via their Facebook and Website

You can help these animals directly by transferring an amount to:

NL16 INGB 0004 7841 60 for. Stichting Dierennood o.v.v. 'Aid project 168'

And we ensure that your donation will really only be used for this aid project.

With us there is no deduction for salaries, housing or unnecessary frills.

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