Map of areas where Brooke works in Pakistan
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In July this year in
Pakistan received
disturbing reports about the racehorses
at Karachi racecourse.
An argument over the payment of fees led to
the closure of the course and all racing was
stopped. The racecourse is home to 600
racehorses and, with no money coming into
the course, many of the owners were left with
no means to feed themselves or their families.
The owners who were better off were able to
move their horses to other racecourses, but
the poor owners had no other choice but to
leave their animals there. With no access to
food or water 70 horses starved to death.
The International League for the Protection
of Horses (ILPH) and Brooke Pakistan
worked together to come up with a solution.
With £5,000 provided by ILPH for feed and
veterinary care and Brooke providing our
veterinary skills and having many important
contacts in high places in Pakistan, helped
arrived within a matter of days. |
At least 60 of the remaining horses were severely malnourished. Green fodder
and
barley were purchased and distributed to the starving animals. Many cases of colic,
resulting from horses eating unsuitable things to satisfy their hunger, were treated.
Worming treatments were also given to help the horses to digest their food properly.
Wherever necessary wounds were treated to avoid infection. Lack of water and very hot
temperatures had lead to many of the poor animals suffering from dehydration. Those
horses were given fluids via drips in an effort to help them regain their strength. Help
had
arrived just in time. The only way to resolve the situation was for racing to start again.
Thanks to a little encouragement from the Director of Brooke Pakistan, Lieutenant
General Shah Rafi Alam, all parties where able to reach an agreement and racing began
again on 28th of July. If help had arrived in Karachi any later, then more animals would
certainly have died. It is with the generosity of our supporters that Brooke is able to
help
in situations like this one, as well as continuing with our everyday work.
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