For centuries, horses have been woven into the lives of Great Plains Native nations. They increased food security, mobility, and trade for tribes who endured displacement, mistreatment, and forced relocation. Horses were—and remain—integral to Plains cultures, often honored as sacred beings.
Yet today, many of these horses are suffering - not from lack of love, but from lack of access to treatment. Horses endure hoof conditions such as overgrowth, cracking, deformities, and laminitis causing unnecessary pain and suffering. These are all treatable conditions, but sadly very common on large reservations. Deep poverty, lack of education, access to care and resources; all cause horses to often go without veterinary or farrier services — even though they remain deeply valued.
This is where we step in.
Brooke USA is launching the Native American Equine Welfare Initiative to bring immediate hoof care, veterinary services, and farrier training to reservations across Montana and North and South Dakota — including communities of the Oglala Lakota, Crow Nation, Northern Cheyenne Nation, and families at Standing Rock Reservation. High unemployment, limited transportation, underfunded education, and barriers to healthcare create daily hardships—and leave little capacity to care for animals, even those deeply valued. At Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota, one of our key project sites, an estimated 34.3% of families live below the poverty line. Limited career opportunities make it especially difficult for young people to remain in their communities, contributing to long-standing social challenges.
What This Initiative Will Do
Provide immediate hoof care for at least 800 horses, increasing annually
Train reservation youth as skilled farriers — creating income-generating career pathways
Offer long-term mentoring and support beyond initial training
Deliver on-site clinics in even the most remote areas
Supply essential farrier tools and materials so trainees can continue serving their communities.
Selected students will be mentored to continue their education by enrolling in Montana State University Farrier’s school.
Your gift does more than fund treatment.
Imagine skilled farriers living and working within their own nations — caring for horses, earning livelihoods, and strengthening their communities from within.
That is sustainable change.
Help Us Raise $80,000 to Launch and Sustain This Initiative
Choose Your Impact
$50 provides essential hoof care for a horse in need.*
$100 trains a reservation youth in basic farriery skills.
$250 contributes toward a personal set of farrier tools for hands-on training and professional use.
$500 provides community training, veterinary and farrier services for in extremely remote locations.
Make It Monthly. Create Lasting Change.
*A monthly donation of $50 will cover the cost of a full farriery treatment like the one pictured. Every month, you’ll relieve suffering, strengthen communities, and honor a powerful horse culture.
Why This Matters Now
Brooke USA has decades of experience relieving extreme poverty and preventing animal suffering in underserved communities around the world. Now, we are directing that expertise closer to home.
When trust is built, communities are engaged, grateful, and ready to lead change themselves.
We are seeking to raise $80,000 to launch and sustain this initiative across five reservations, including Sioux (Oglala Lakota), Crow, and Northern Cheyenne Nation lands.
Your gift — one-time or monthly — will:
Provide immediate relief for horses in pain
Equip young people with employable skills
Preserve cultural heritage
Strengthen entire communities
The bond between people and horses is sacred. Together, we can protect it.
Join Us
Make your gift today and help bring compassionate, sustainable equine care to Native American communities.