A New Chapter: Supporting Horses & Communities on Native American Reservations |
At Brooke USA, we believe that caring for animals and supporting people go hand in hand. Today, we’re proud to share something especially meaningful—a new initiative that brings that belief to life right here in the United States. We are launching our Native American Equine Welfare Initiative, a program dedicated to improving the health and well-being of horses on Northern Plains reservations while creating opportunities for the communities who depend on them. This work is deeply important.
On reservations like Standing Rock, horses are more than animals—they are essential partners in daily life, cultural traditions, and community identity. They help with transportation across vast rural lands, support livelihoods, and play a meaningful role in ceremonies and healing practices. But despite their importance, many horses—tens of thousands—do not have access to routine veterinary or farrier care. |
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As a result, preventable issues like hoof overgrowth, lameness, and injury can become life-limiting conditions. At the same time, many of these communities face significant challenges, including high poverty rates and limited access to resources. Young people, in particular, often lack opportunities for meaningful employment and skill-building. This is where we see the opportunity to make a lasting difference.
Through this initiative, Brooke USA is partnering with Rural Veterinary Experience Teaching and Service (RVETS) to deliver hands-on care and long-term solutions. Together, we will: - Provide essential farrier and veterinary services to horses in need
- Train reservation youth in farrier skills—creating pathways to income and independence
- Support education programs that build local expertise in equine care
- Equip participants with professional tools so they can continue this work within their own communities
Our goal is not just to provide care—but to help build sustainable systems that will last for generations. We have set a goal to raise $80,000 over the next three years, and thanks to early supporters, $20,000 has already been committed. These funds will allow us to expand access to care, train new farriers living on the reservations, and ensure that this program continues to grow and thrive. This initiative is about more than horses.
It’s about dignity, opportunity, culture, and connection.
When horses are healthy, communities are stronger. And when communities are empowered, lasting change becomes possible.
If this work speaks to you, we invite you to learn more and be part of it. Together, we can make a difference—right here at home. |
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Should We Act? Share Your Thoughts on Helping Donkeys in Gaza |
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Across the globe, donkeys quietly sustain communities—but in places of crisis, their importance becomes even more profound. Today, in Gaza, these resilient animals are enduring extraordinary hardship while continuing to serve as lifelines for the families who depend on them.
With fuel shortages, damaged infrastructure, and limited access to vehicles, donkeys have become essential for transporting water, food, medical supplies, and even people. In many cases, they are the only reliable means of movement through rubble-strewn streets and areas inaccessible to cars. For countless families, a donkey is not just an animal—it is their connection to survival.
Yet these animals are suffering. Reports indicate widespread malnutrition, untreated injuries, exhaustion, and a lack of basic veterinary care. Many are working longer hours under increasingly difficult conditions, often without adequate food, clean water, or rest. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, so too does the strain on the animals that support it. Brooke USA has long championed the welfare of working equines and the communities that depend on them. In moments like this, the question becomes not only how we can help—but whether we should act now. We are asking our supporters and constituents: Should Brooke USA launch a dedicated fundraising campaign to support donkeys in Gaza and the families who rely on them? Your voice matters. As an organization rooted in both compassion and impact, Brooke USA seeks to respond thoughtfully and effectively, guided by the perspectives of those who share our mission. Together, we can consider how best to extend care—not only to the people facing unimaginable challenges, but also to the animals working tirelessly beside them. |
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Take Action: Protect Donkeys—and the Families Who Depend on Them |
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Right now, a global crisis is unfolding—and it’s one that affects not only animals, but entire communities.
Millions of donkeys are being slaughtered each year for their skins to produce ejiao, a gelatin used in traditional medicine and beauty products. As demand has increased, the impact has been devastating. In fact, China’s donkey population dropped dramatically from 11 million to just 2.5 million in less than three decades—pushing the crisis far beyond its borders.
Today, donkey theft, trafficking, and inhumane slaughter are rising across vulnerable regions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. But this is about more than animal welfare.
For many of the world’s poorest families, donkeys are lifelines. They carry water, transport food, haul firewood, and provide a source of income. When a donkey is taken, a family can lose everything—access to basic necessities, financial stability, and even the ability to send their children to school. This is where your voice matters.
This week, Brooke USA board members are on Capitol Hill advocating for the Ejiao Act (H.R. 5544)—legislation that would help stop the global donkey skin trade. When they meet with Congressional offices, one question will come up again and again: “Why should we care?” Your outreach helps answer that question.
We invite you to take action today: Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to co-sponsor the Ejiao Act. Share why protecting donkeys—and the people who depend on them—matters to you Encourage others to speak up Please reach out by April 17th.
Every call, email, and message makes a difference. This is especially impactful if you live in states like California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey or South Carolina—where key legislators are being contacted and constituent voices carry real weight. When elected officials hear directly from the people they represent, they listen.
Donkeys—and the families who rely on them every day—are counting on us to stand up and be heard. Take action now: https://www.brookeusa.org/ejiao-act#/ Together, we can help protect working donkeys and preserve livelihoods around the world. |
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Brooke USA's Ponies & Pearls Debuts in Sarasota with Wonderful Success |
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Brooke USA was proud to bring Ponies & Pearls to Sarasota for the very first time—and what an unforgettable debut it was. Thanks to the incredible generosity and enthusiasm of our guests, sponsors, and supporters, the event was a tremendous success, raising over $55,000 to support Brooke USA’s mission.
From the energy on the polo field to the vibrant atmosphere in the clubhouse, the day was a true celebration of community, compassion, and the powerful bond between people and working equines. We are deeply grateful to our Presenting Sponsors, TCBG Law and Walter Group Luxury Real Estate, whose leadership helped bring this event to life. Special thanks also go to our sponsors who added so much to the experience: Fun on the Field Sponsor: The Lins
Raise Your Glass Sponsor: Sarasota Polo Club
Most Valuable Player Sponsor: Dr. Crystal Riczu of Elite Equine Athletes, Equine Functional Sports Medicine
Best Playing Pony Sponsor: Mr. & Mrs. Raymond R. Guest III
A heartfelt thank you to Riding Warehouse for their generous donation of hats for the hat bar—an attendee favorite—and to our wonderful volunteers whose time, energy, and dedication ensured the day ran seamlessly.
This event would not have been possible without the vision and leadership of our incredible Event Chairs, Misdee Wrigley Miller and Kimbrell Hines, along with a dedicated organizing committee. Their passion and commitment brought Brooke USA's Ponies & Pearls to life in just a matter of weeks, creating an experience that truly reflected the heart of our mission—even with a bit of wind in the mix!
Every dollar raised will make a meaningful difference. Around the world, an estimated 100 million working horses, donkeys, and mules support the livelihoods of over 600 million people—helping families access food, water, and education. At Brooke USA, we focus on this vital connection, improving the welfare of these animals through veterinary care, farrier training, and owner education in vulnerable communities.
The success of Brooke USA's Ponies & Pearls Sarasota is more than a milestone—it’s the beginning of something special. We are so grateful to welcome each of you into the Brooke USA family, where we believe that while animals cannot change their circumstances alone, people like you can change everything. |
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Fall Events to Mark on your Calendar |
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Become an Equine Guardian: Small Monthly Gifts, Lasting Global Impact
The work of protecting vulnerable working horses, donkeys, and mules around the world depends on compassion—and consistency. That is why Brooke USA invites you to become an Equine Guardian, a special community of supporters whose monthly gifts provide reliable, year-round support for the animals and families who rely on them.
Joining is simple, meaningful, and flexible. A monthly gift—of any size—adds up to powerful impact over time, and every contribution is tax-deductible. When you become an Equine Guardian today, you help provide hope, safety, and dignity for countless equine-human partnerships tomorrow.
Start your monthly impact today by becoming a Guardian at www.brookeusa.org/guardians |
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Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and be their advocate by spreading the word. If you’re interested in how to help at this moment, your Donor Advised Fund could bridge the gap in our funding – making sure that our core programs continue uninterrupted while we navigate these challenging times.
Many of our donors choose to give from their assets such as stocks, gifts from their IRA, and grants from Donor Advised Funds to receive even larger tax savings. EIN number 33-1173163 |
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