Dressage Mule „Slate“ Poised to Spread Awareness of Plight of Working Equines in the Developing World, through Brooke USA

Press release Brook USA – Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 5, 2016 – As Grand Prix level dressage rider and trainer Vicky Busch rides down centerline and salutes, crowds of spectators lining the ring break out in an explosive applause. It is the dressage mule Assassin, affectionately known as „Slate,“ who draws the crowds and brings a new and sensational quality to the sport. Recently, Busch learned of Brooke USA, the American-based fundraising arm of Brooke, the world’s largest international equine welfare charity dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in developing countries. She immediately identified with their mission.

„I have ridden some of the nicest horses there are down the centerline,“ Busch explained. „There have been maybe four people watching. I rode that mule down the centerline for his first dressage test in May, and there must have been 100 people watching. It was unbelievable! They were screaming, hooting and hollering. Slate is a ham. He was hee-hawing through his test and everybody just loved him.“

Busch has always liked mules, but had never owned one before Slate. She happened across an advertisement for him online while reading an article about the Bishop Mule Days Festival in California. After watching a video of Slate, and seeing that the 4-year-old mule had three correct gaits, she phoned his owner. Assured that he had a good personality and no major vices, Busch took a leap of faith and bought him, sight unseen.

„I had a feeling,“ Busch said with a smile. „From the moment he stepped off the trailer, I’ve just been smitten with him. He’s precious. He’s kind of shy for a mule but he really likes little kids.“

Slate has been the star of the barn ever since.

Working on his dressage with Busch, as well as competing at 4-H shows with a young rider, Slate attracts admirers everywhere he goes.

„I think the kids like him so much because he has that almost cartoon character charisma,“ Busch said. „He’s like an overgrown stuffed animal. I can look at him all day. He is adorable and so cute. He does funny things and just always keeps us laughing.“

Slate has been holding his own in 4-H competition and Busch hopes to do more dressage shows with him in the future. He and his young rider, Isabella Rodwig, have qualified for and competed in the Louisiana State 4-H Horse Show, where they placed well against seasoned competitors. Busch is thrilled with his progress and plans to continue his training.

Since learning about Brooke USA, Busch has been a generous supporter. For more than 80 years, Brooke has been alleviating the suffering of equines who work in some of the poorest communities on Earth. Brooke’s scientifically proven, practical and sustainable solutions to enormous equine welfare challenges actively improve the lives of equine animals and the people who depend on them. Last year alone, Brooke reached 1.8 million equines, benefiting 10 million people in the developing world.

Owning Slate has made the work that Brooke USA does – helping working equines including mules around the world – a cause close to Busch’s heart. She hopes that she can use the attention that Slate attracts to bring more awareness to Brooke USA, and put a personal touch on it. Busch is eager to tell Slate’s admirers at shows about the important work of Brooke USA and how they can help improve the lives of working equines around the world who are not as lucky as Slate to have such a wonderful home

About Brooke USA
Brooke 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 and Central America. Last year alone, Brooke reached 1.8 million equines, benefiting 10 million people in the developing world. To learn more, visit BrookeUSA.org.

Follow Brooke USA’s Facebook page. To support Brooke USA in its effort to fund equine welfare projects around the world, go to BrookeUSA.org.

Buy a Donkey a Drink
Soon 13,500 working equines will have lifetime access to clean water they so desperately need, thanks to a new project being funded this summer by Brooke USA donors. The „Buy a Donkey a Drink“ campaign will raise support to construct five permanent water troughs in the Shala Woreda (district) of Ethiopia. These 50-foot concrete troughs will be located in very busy market areas where thousands of animals regularly gather. The troughs will allow as many as 340 horses, donkeys and mules to quench their thirst with each filling, and will allow other livestock such as cattle and camels to receive life-saving water as well.

The fundraising goal is $98,000 over the next three months, which will allow construction of the water troughs to begin at once and be completed in phases by the end of the year. To donate now, or to find out how you can help, please visit www.buyadonkeyadrink.org

Source: Press release