One Hundred Years Ago this Week, One Million American Horses and Mules would be Joined by American Soldiers in World War One
Brooke USA’s Horse Heroes Program Commemorates the Launch of the U.S. World War One Centennial
LEXINGTON, Ky. - April 5, 2017 - This week, on April 6, the U.S. will commemorate its World War One Centennial, marking the 100th anniversary of its entry into the war, and Brooke USA will officially launch its Horse Heroes program to honor the one million American horses and mules who also served. Brooke USA’s goal is to raise one million dollars this year through its Horse Heroes program – one dollar in memory of each of those American horses and mules, to fund equine welfare programs in some of the poorest countries around the world.
The war horses in WW1 carried men to battle and wounded men to safety. They carried food, water, medicine, ammunition, guns, and other supplies - enormous and precious loads - to the front lines through appalling weather, over unforgiving terrain, in terrifying situations, and surrounded by dead and wounded men and animals. While often sick and wounded themselves, the animals continued to do their part, and they worked until they were annihilated by guns and poison gas, or simply died in their harnesses from exposure and sheer exhaustion.
The contributions made by horses and mules were enormous, but so were their mortality rates and their suffering. They provided immeasurable support to the military, and without their sacrifices, the war’s outcome - and now the world - would be very different. But of the one million American animals who were shipped to Europe, only 200 returned home to the U.S. after the war.
Despite their role in the war, nearly all of the animals who had survived were abandoned by their armies to be slaughtered or sold into hard labor in the countries where they served. Dorothy Brooke, the wife of a British Army officer stationed in Cairo, became aware of the misery of those abandoned, former war heroes and rescued 5,000 of them, bringing a peaceful end to their suffering.
Today 100 million equines in developing countries are enduring similar, tremendous hardships, chronic suffering and high mortality as they labor to serve 600 million people, and the charity that is still helping them, Brooke, is reaching more of them than ever before. Since Dorothy rescued her first war horse, Brooke has become the world’s largest international equine welfare charity, alleviating the suffering of working equines across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central America. Last year alone Brooke reached 2 million horses, donkeys, and mules, benefitting 12 million of the world’s poorest people.
By utilizing scientifically proven, sustainable, practical equine welfare programs and direct veterinary intervention, Brooke improves the lives of the animals on whom many of the world’s poorest people depend.
As an official Centennial Partner of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, Brooke USA’s Horse Heroes program is using this opportunity to raise awareness of the contributions that equines made to the war effort and to honor their service by helping today’s animals. “One million horses, one million heroes, one million dollars” is Brooke USA’s clarion call for Americans to show their respect and gratitude for yesterday’s war horses through individual and corporate donations to their Horse Heroes program.
High-resolution photos are available to accompany this release by contacting Cindy Rullman, Brooke USA,859-296-0037 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Horse Heroes also welcomes media partners Equus Magazine and Active Interest Media
About EQUUS MagazineEstablished in 1977, EQUUS magazine, published by the Active Interest Media (AIM) Equine Network, is a monthly publication based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Although focused primarily on horse health, care and training, EQUUS explores a broad range of topics related to horses and horse sports, including in-depth articles about the causes of racetrack breakdowns and the history of horse breeds.About Active Interest MediaOne of the world’s largest enthusiast media companies, Active Interest Media publishes leading consumer magazines such as Yoga Journal, Backpacker, SKI, Skiing, Vegetarian Times, Yachts International, Sail, Power & Motoryacht, Black Belt, American Cowboy, Spin to Win Rodeo, Practical Horseman, Dressage Today, EQUUS, Horse&Rider, Log Home Living, Old House Journal, Country’s Best Cabins and more. The company’s five divisions—the Equine Network, Home Group, Healthy Living Group, Marine Group and Outdoor Group—reach more than 40 million people in 85 countries. We also operate websites, B2B businesses, a state-of-the-art video unit, and Warren Miller Entertainment, the most successful outdoor film production company in history. Each of our divisions also runs consumer and trade events, including the world’s largest boat shows and yoga conferences. Active Interest Media’s customers are smart, engaged and loyal, and they look to our brands for trustworthy information and services that will inspire and enable them to enjoy their passions.
About Brooke USABrooke USA is a 501(c)(3) charity located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, which exists solely to support the overseas work of Brooke, the world's largest international equine welfare charity. For more than 80 years, Brooke has been alleviating the suffering of horses, donkeys and mules who work in some of the poorest communities on earth. Brooke's scientifically proven, practical and sustainable solutions to enormous welfare challenges improve the lives of equine animals and the people who depend on them across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Central America. This year alone, Brooke reached 2 million equines, benefiting 12 million people in the developing world. To learn more, visit BrookeUSA.org.
