Imagine the agony of trying to walk miles on uneven hooves. For thousands of working horses, donkeys and mules, this is a painful reality.

Their days are spent stumbling on rocky ground, on hooves that may not have been trimmed correctly in years, if at all. The pain causes them to move in an imbalanced way, causing inflammation to the soles of the feet and chronic pain to joints that are working hard to compensate for the discomfort.

Not only that, but they often have to walk for miles a day, carrying heavy loads that add even more pressure and pain to their bodies.

In many countries, farriery is an unrecognised, unregulated industry. Farriers don’t receive adequate training on how to correctly trim feet, or handle an animal with compassion.

By supporting Project Hoof, you could help us to set up mentoring schemes, where Brooke-trained farriers work within communities to share skills with aspiring farriers, so they know how to trim, rasp and shoe animals’ hooves. It could also help to teach the importance of handling with compassion, so that animals feel safe and secure. Or even work to make farriery a recognised industry, where farriers can work to a set standard that ensures the welfare of working animals is protected.

If Project Hoof reaches its funding total or you give after 31st October 2021, your donation will be spent wherever the need is greatest.

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