Lost War Horses of Cairo: The Passion of Dorothy Brooke

Dorothy Brooke followed her new husband to Cairo in 1930, where she discovered thousands of suffering former British war horses. She established the Old War Horse Memorial Hospital to rescue and care for these noble creatures, and her legacy endures today in the dozens of international Brooke animal-welfare facilities dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys, and mules.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 224 pages
\n Publication date: 28 November 2018
\n Publisher: Allen & Unwin
\n

In 1930, a wealthy Scottish socialite named Dorothy Brooke embarked on a journey to Cairo with her new husband. Upon arriving, she was shocked to discover a distressing sight: thousands of former British war horses were living in abject toil and misery. These majestic animals had been brought to the Middle East by British forces during the Great War, only to be left behind when the war ended. They were deemed too valuable to transport home, and thus, they were abandoned, left to fend for themselves.

Grant Hayter-Menzies, in his captivating book, delves into the lives and eventual rescue of these noble creatures. These ex-cavalry horses had endured years of deprivation and suffering, their bodies scarred and their spirits broken. However, their fortunes would change when Dorothy established the Old War Horse Memorial Hospital. This remarkable institution provided them with the respite they desperately needed, offering them medical care, nourishment, and a place to call home.

The story of the Old War Horse Memorial Hospital is not just about the rescue of these animals. It also sheds light on the challenges of founding and maintaining an animal-rescue institution on this scale. Dorothy faced numerous obstacles, from financial constraints to logistical challenges. However, her unwavering dedication and passion for these animals drove her forward, and she persevered in her mission to improve their lives.

The legacy of the Old War Horse Memorial Hospital and its founder endures today. The dozens of international Brooke animal-welfare facilities dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys, and mules across Africa, Asia, and Latin America are a testament to their enduring impact. These facilities provide medical care, training, and rehabilitation to these animals, ensuring that they are healthy and able to perform their vital roles in agriculture, transportation, and other industries.

Dorothy Brooke's compassion and determination to help these forgotten animals have left a lasting legacy. Her dedication to animal welfare has inspired generations of people to follow in her footsteps, and her vision of a better life for working horses, donkeys, and mules continues to thrive. The Old War Horse Memorial Hospital may have closed its doors, but its impact on the lives of these animals and the broader animal-welfare community will never be forgotten.

\n Weight: 240g\n
Dimension: 193 x 167 x 17 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781760631444\n
Edition number: Main\n