Eventing legend Jane Holderness-Roddam was a VIP guest at a lunch hosted by the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF) last month.
Held at Mercers’ Hall in London, the Court Lunch recognised the work of equine welfare charity Brooke and its Global Farriery Project.
The project, which launched in 2019 to transform the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules around the world, was initiated following research by Brooke which found that in some regions 100% of working animals suffered from lameness, often due to poor hoof care.
Organisations like the WCF, NGOs and governments have formed partnerships and helped provide training and mentoring for street farriers as part of Brooke’s Global Farriery Project.
‘An ambitious initiative’
“The Global Farriery Project is an ambitious initiative designed not only to transform farriery services, but to elevate farriery into a respected and fairly compensated profession worldwide,” said Laura Skippen, Brooke’s Global Head of Animal Health and Welfare.
“Effective farriery is essential – preventing unnecessary suffering and supporting the livelihoods of the people who depend on working animals.
“We are immensely grateful to the Worshipful Company of Farriers for their continued partnership and support.”
New award scheme
Brooke has recently partnered with the WCF to launch a new award scheme which celebrates the work of farriers globally.
The Farriery Progress Awards will be given out annually to Brooke-trained farriers who have shown commitment to the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules.
The inaugural winners were Salou Fall from Senegal, Zerihun Girma from Ethiopia and Muhammad Maqbool from Pakistan.
“The Worshipful Company of Farriers are delighted to fully support Brooke’s Global Farriery Project which continues to do so much to improve standards of Farriery in Developing Countries,” said John Cowper-Coles, Master of the WCF.
“We hugely value our strong relationship with Brooke.”
Main image of John Cowper-Coles, Master of the WCF, Jane Holderness-Roddam and Brooke staff © Brooke.
