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The Shocking Reality Of Horses And Camels In Egypt
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The Shocking Reality Of Horses And Camels In Egypt

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I’ve always been a horse girl. For me those animals are the epitome of beauty and grace. I grew up in a Western country raised with the ideal that pets are a part of family, worthwhile and even status symbols. Also in legends and myths from other regions horses are described as precious, decent and sometimes canonized beings. A Beduin legend says:
 „Horse, thou art truly a creature without equal. All the treasures of the earth lie between thy eyes. Thou shalt carry my friends upon thy back. Thy saddle shall be the seat of prayers to me. Thou fliest without wings, and conquerest without sword.“

Outside my well-protected young world reality is much different. At least since I found a Facebook page named „Prince Fluffy Kareem“ it suddenly became clear to me. Where people are grinding poor why animals should have a better life? Shocking pictures of pinched horses, giant flesh wounds and ill-treated bones are showing a world behind post card pictures of the Pyramids of Giza. True life seemed to be very different by the photos of the PFK team.

More info: wiebke-haas.com | Facebook

Since 2011 Marte and her team are taking care of the Pyramid horses, camels and donkeys

Kareem – one of Marte’s first rescued horses and name giver of the project. He comes mentally and physically back to life but his scars will remain for ever.

They treat wounds, replace raddled halters and saddle pads

They also provide education among residents and horse owners and host those animals who hardly can stand upright on their hooves

Can we judge people who are hurting their animals in such way, letting them pull the carriage through deep desert sand up to 20 hours per day, barely feeding enough or removing the unfitting tack?

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It would be the easiest way. But it’s not that simple

Most equestrians there don’t even know much about horses for example that the steppe inhabitant needs a lot more gras and hay than feed pellets and oat

They have never seen a horse running free through a green field

For me as a photographer this photo series was like a jump in at the deep end

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Even though the toughest part was not to be confronted with endless misery and death

The much more challenging part was to capture the images from a neutral point of view without judging, dramatization or fake emotions

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I wanted to show what life looks like in the streets of Giza and to let the viewer form his own opinion

It’s not a black and white world with good and bad guys

We need to understand the situation locally before we start talking about things we don’t know about

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Meanwhile the PFK horse barn became bigger, donations from all over the world are helping to sponsor the project

And the local people?

Many of them are thankful for the help, a few are willing to learn and to improve the keeping. A grain of hope

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sumaeid1974 avatar
MadameButterfly
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every horse is beautiful,I hope they are always kept safe and well,I miss Egypt!

magun avatar
Michel Guntern
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the newborn filly, getting all curious about its surroundings. When there's birth, there's hope.

Load More Replies...
boc avatar
Just A Girl
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the perspective of this! More issues should be projected like this.

reception_1 avatar
Virginia Greenwood-Warner
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What you are doing is amazing but please don't tell me not to judge people rich/poor The wounds on those sentient beings are real, they did not happen by themselves! As for the camel - I have no words to express my revulsion at the huge gaping hole and then on top it stitched so crudely. This is all totally unacceptable! Poor frigging animals my heart goes out to you all.

emma_thompson_568847 avatar
Emma Thompson
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stitched so crudely? It wasn't stitched.. you can't stitch a hole like that. If you want to see the stitching capabilities (that are even applauded by surgeons abroad) and how 4 years on from this visit by a photographer our work continues visit Prince Fluffy Kareem on Facebook.

Load More Replies...
lanza130 avatar
Melody Lanzatella
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look...I CAN judge! Because if these animals are critical to your livelihood, for one thing, its in the OWNERS best interest to take care of them properly! Secondly, as an adult, you DO have a conscience! And Hopefully also EMPATHY! So, as an adult, I would do what I had to to EDUCATE MYSELF about what care they need!

sumaeid1974 avatar
MadameButterfly
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your right melody,my heart bleeds for them,they suffer so much! It's just not acceptable. :,(

Load More Replies...
myriam_ickx avatar
Myriam Ickx
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Arabs and Muslims in general are notorious for their indifference to animal suffering. Having travelled extensively through the High Atlas (Morocco), where mules were used to carry all the gear, I was appalled at the extent of wounds the animals had because of ill-adjusted pack-saddles. The mule is often the muleteer's only resource; should he lose his mule because of an infected wound, he would be hard put to buy a new one. Well, even in the evening when the load was taken off their back, never have I seen a single muleteer attempt to clean his mule's wound or alleviate its discomfort by better adjusting the saddle. Other examples abound of cruelty to animals in the Arab world: camels sold for their meat are slaughtered and dismembered while still alive, sheep are left to bleed to death. I saw a video on Youtube of two Saudi Arabian youngsters setting a donkey foal on fire, just for the sheer fun of it... What do we have in common with those people?

ladytootah avatar
Tootahtoot
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I apologize if I were to come off as offensive to you, I'm merely sharing my opinions, but opinions can be viewed of as rude.

Load More Replies...
atlantike avatar
Arty
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the explanation, nor black nor white! By the way you can look the same way at elephant in tourist zones of Asia

sara_handley_397 avatar
Sara Handley
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Support the Brooke Hospital too - it's been helping equines in Egypt and other countries for many years.

rabbitt209 avatar
Rabbitt209
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bravo!! Heart-rending to be sure. But this is the reality for more people and animals than not.

richard_petch_94 avatar
Richard Petch
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They will never learn, animals are not worth the soil they walk on, they are still cave men, just like the slavers were.

layla-alsaady avatar
Layla Al Saady
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Load More Replies...
lizburgessequine avatar
Liz Burgess
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fantastic photos that really capture the work of PFK and the difficulties faced by them and the people of Cairo. If you live in Europe and care about the animals they help, why not join this group and donate €1 per month?https://www.teaming.net/treating-fosteringhorses-donkeys-camels-dogs-catsinegypt-pfk- Or look them up on Facebook - Prince Fluffy Kareem. Much more background there on how life really is for these working animals and their owners. Sweeping generalisations should be discouraged - as per the ethos of the photographer and the beautiful images (albeit some harsh) that have been produced.

mariarohlen avatar
Maria Rohlen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes we can judge and I certainly do. I judge the owners and even more the tourists who are the reason why these animals are there. Don't pay people who don't take care of their animals, don't pay for abuse, don't ride poorly animals use your own two feet!

sara_handley_397 avatar
Sara Handley
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Brooke Hospital works hard to help equines in Egypt and India. It was started by Dorothy Brooke who was devastated by the condition of cavalry horses left behind after the war, left in the desert far from their homes in England.

parisliau avatar
WhiteFox
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is terrible. egypt. seriously. what is wrong with you

katerinavak avatar
Katerina Vakalopoulou
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ΔΕΝ ΣΚΕΠΤΟΜΑΙ ΠΙΣΤΕΥΩ ΠΩΣ ΑΥΤΗ ΕΙΝΑΙ Η ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΜΟΥ ΙΣΤΟΣΕΛΙΔΑ.-

ladytootah avatar
Tootahtoot
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's saddening how people can be so cruel... Do their hearts not shatter at the sight of something so clearly in pain?

ana_bile_5 avatar
Ana Bilé
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sad.... i love animals in general, and fully agree with beduin comments about the horses and their magic. So its sad and cruel all this..

puddintane avatar
Puddin Tane
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SHOCKING! I'm always glad to have my eyes opened up even though it really sucks.

annagsalerno avatar
Anna Salerno
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Why would anyone expect these savages to treat animals with respect... look how they treat humans! My heart hurts for those precious animals including the dogs and donkeys that are mistreated and neglected too. :'(

wayne-beesley-3 avatar
Wayne Beesley
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Muslims yet again treating beautiful life like s**t

sumaeid1974 avatar
MadameButterfly
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't be judgemental, not all Muslims are the same,neither are the Christians all the same.

Load More Replies...
manslayer1972 avatar
Jane Gray
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

F****n disgusting creatures middle eastern men are. Bastards

dr_medhatmohsen avatar
Medhat Mohsen
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

You're kidding! You should come to see the shocking fact of Egyptians not only animals! Animals are much more lucky to have their freedom!

sumaeid1974 avatar
MadameButterfly
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every horse is beautiful,I hope they are always kept safe and well,I miss Egypt!

magun avatar
Michel Guntern
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the newborn filly, getting all curious about its surroundings. When there's birth, there's hope.

Load More Replies...
boc avatar
Just A Girl
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the perspective of this! More issues should be projected like this.

reception_1 avatar
Virginia Greenwood-Warner
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What you are doing is amazing but please don't tell me not to judge people rich/poor The wounds on those sentient beings are real, they did not happen by themselves! As for the camel - I have no words to express my revulsion at the huge gaping hole and then on top it stitched so crudely. This is all totally unacceptable! Poor frigging animals my heart goes out to you all.

emma_thompson_568847 avatar
Emma Thompson
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stitched so crudely? It wasn't stitched.. you can't stitch a hole like that. If you want to see the stitching capabilities (that are even applauded by surgeons abroad) and how 4 years on from this visit by a photographer our work continues visit Prince Fluffy Kareem on Facebook.

Load More Replies...
lanza130 avatar
Melody Lanzatella
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look...I CAN judge! Because if these animals are critical to your livelihood, for one thing, its in the OWNERS best interest to take care of them properly! Secondly, as an adult, you DO have a conscience! And Hopefully also EMPATHY! So, as an adult, I would do what I had to to EDUCATE MYSELF about what care they need!

sumaeid1974 avatar
MadameButterfly
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your right melody,my heart bleeds for them,they suffer so much! It's just not acceptable. :,(

Load More Replies...
myriam_ickx avatar
Myriam Ickx
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Arabs and Muslims in general are notorious for their indifference to animal suffering. Having travelled extensively through the High Atlas (Morocco), where mules were used to carry all the gear, I was appalled at the extent of wounds the animals had because of ill-adjusted pack-saddles. The mule is often the muleteer's only resource; should he lose his mule because of an infected wound, he would be hard put to buy a new one. Well, even in the evening when the load was taken off their back, never have I seen a single muleteer attempt to clean his mule's wound or alleviate its discomfort by better adjusting the saddle. Other examples abound of cruelty to animals in the Arab world: camels sold for their meat are slaughtered and dismembered while still alive, sheep are left to bleed to death. I saw a video on Youtube of two Saudi Arabian youngsters setting a donkey foal on fire, just for the sheer fun of it... What do we have in common with those people?

ladytootah avatar
Tootahtoot
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I apologize if I were to come off as offensive to you, I'm merely sharing my opinions, but opinions can be viewed of as rude.

Load More Replies...
atlantike avatar
Arty
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the explanation, nor black nor white! By the way you can look the same way at elephant in tourist zones of Asia

sara_handley_397 avatar
Sara Handley
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Support the Brooke Hospital too - it's been helping equines in Egypt and other countries for many years.

rabbitt209 avatar
Rabbitt209
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bravo!! Heart-rending to be sure. But this is the reality for more people and animals than not.

richard_petch_94 avatar
Richard Petch
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They will never learn, animals are not worth the soil they walk on, they are still cave men, just like the slavers were.

layla-alsaady avatar
Layla Al Saady
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Load More Replies...
lizburgessequine avatar
Liz Burgess
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fantastic photos that really capture the work of PFK and the difficulties faced by them and the people of Cairo. If you live in Europe and care about the animals they help, why not join this group and donate €1 per month?https://www.teaming.net/treating-fosteringhorses-donkeys-camels-dogs-catsinegypt-pfk- Or look them up on Facebook - Prince Fluffy Kareem. Much more background there on how life really is for these working animals and their owners. Sweeping generalisations should be discouraged - as per the ethos of the photographer and the beautiful images (albeit some harsh) that have been produced.

mariarohlen avatar
Maria Rohlen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes we can judge and I certainly do. I judge the owners and even more the tourists who are the reason why these animals are there. Don't pay people who don't take care of their animals, don't pay for abuse, don't ride poorly animals use your own two feet!

sara_handley_397 avatar
Sara Handley
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Brooke Hospital works hard to help equines in Egypt and India. It was started by Dorothy Brooke who was devastated by the condition of cavalry horses left behind after the war, left in the desert far from their homes in England.

parisliau avatar
WhiteFox
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is terrible. egypt. seriously. what is wrong with you

katerinavak avatar
Katerina Vakalopoulou
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ΔΕΝ ΣΚΕΠΤΟΜΑΙ ΠΙΣΤΕΥΩ ΠΩΣ ΑΥΤΗ ΕΙΝΑΙ Η ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΜΟΥ ΙΣΤΟΣΕΛΙΔΑ.-

ladytootah avatar
Tootahtoot
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's saddening how people can be so cruel... Do their hearts not shatter at the sight of something so clearly in pain?

ana_bile_5 avatar
Ana Bilé
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sad.... i love animals in general, and fully agree with beduin comments about the horses and their magic. So its sad and cruel all this..

puddintane avatar
Puddin Tane
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SHOCKING! I'm always glad to have my eyes opened up even though it really sucks.

annagsalerno avatar
Anna Salerno
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Why would anyone expect these savages to treat animals with respect... look how they treat humans! My heart hurts for those precious animals including the dogs and donkeys that are mistreated and neglected too. :'(

wayne-beesley-3 avatar
Wayne Beesley
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Muslims yet again treating beautiful life like s**t

sumaeid1974 avatar
MadameButterfly
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't be judgemental, not all Muslims are the same,neither are the Christians all the same.

Load More Replies...
manslayer1972 avatar
Jane Gray
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

F****n disgusting creatures middle eastern men are. Bastards

dr_medhatmohsen avatar
Medhat Mohsen
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

You're kidding! You should come to see the shocking fact of Egyptians not only animals! Animals are much more lucky to have their freedom!

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