Horse Rescue
HORSE RESCUE
Many working horses in Egypt have a difficult life and suffer mistreatment and neglect at the hands of abusive or ill-informed owners. Horses & Hieroglyphs was founded with the goal of helping some of these horses in need and giving them a second chance at a better life.
How It Works
Our horses come from all over Egypt. Sometimes we come across them ourselves, other times a friend or acquaintance alerts us about a horse in need of help.
When we rescue a horse, we don’t always know if they will end up staying with us long-term. Not all of the horses we help are able to become our riding horses – and that’s ok.
Some horses are unable to be ridden again, or their past injuries limit the amount or intensity of riding they are capable of. In these cases, after we’ve done as much as we can, we will find another suitable home for them. If they make a successful recovery and are fit for our riding tours, they will usually stay with us as one of our holiday horses.
Becoming our Holiday Horses
There are many challenges to overcome before we can determine if and when the horses are ready to be ridden on our holidays. Usually, there are physical issues to resolve first. Often they need to gain weight and build strength, or recover from wounds and abscesses. Oftentimes they’ve also been handled and ridden harshly, so they may need time to regain trust and resolve behavioral issues. Our horses come from all different backgrounds, including ex-carriage horses to young and unstarted horses, so they also may need to be familiarized with riding out on the trail and in a group.
Rehoming
When it’s necessary to rehome, our horses only go to owners that we know personally. This way, we can be sure they have the means and experience to look after them properly. Additionally, the horses are given (rather than sold) to the new owner, under the agreement that we may take the horse back into our care if necessary. Fortunately, our founder, Ganun, is well connected among the horse community in and around Luxor and able to identify suitable homes.
The Challenges
Rescuing horses in Egypt is not easy. Unlike in other places, the horses are not being surrendered to us or offered at low prices. Oftentimes, the owner actually doesn’t want to sell or asks for an unreasonable price. There is usually quite a bit of negotiation involved. Another struggle is limited access to quality supplies and veterinary services, although we have managed to find reliable sources for this. The expense of feeding horses here is another ongoing challenge. There is little to no grazing available, so everything the horses eat must be purchased. Since our horses are either recovering or working, their nutrition is crucial. They are given a variety of high-quality, protein-rich feed including hay, fresh alfalfa, corn, quinoa, and barley. In recent years, the soaring inflation in Egypt has driven the costs of horse food even higher.
Before & After Examples
This sweet mare, Aminah, was one of our very first rescue horses. She was terribly underweight with deep wounds on her back and withers, and she had a very long recovery. She eventually became a fantastic guide horse – unafraid of anything – and a trustworthy partner for riders of any level.
Our handsome boy, Prince! He is barely recognizable from when we first got him. He surprised us with a remarkably swift recovery, and within a matter of months he transformed into the dapper stallion he is today. Spirited but with great manners, he is a pleasure for experienced riders.
When we came across this starving foal (who we named Arabi), we couldn’t pass him by. We immediately offered to buy him from his owner. Thankfully, we were able to help him escape his terrible circumstances to give him a second start in life.
Angel
Angel was one of five horses we rescued from the Pyramids area in Giza. Although impossible to believe, she was being ridden by tourists at the Pyramids. Her condition was shocking and deeply disturbing. We knew the recovery process would be a long and challenging one. Thankfully, her progress has been steady, and we are delighted to see her condition improving and her perky personality shining through.
Angel arrived to us with many wounds, and we can only imagine what she had been through.
Wahid
Wahid was another of the five horses we rescued from the Pyramids area in Giza. This pure Arabian stallion was in possibly the worst condition we’ve seen. His front and back legs had been kept tied together, and he could barely stand properly. When he tried to graze, his legs shook. When he laid down, he didn’t have the strength to get back up. For a while, we weren’t sure if he was going to make it. But we didn’t give up, and the effort is paying off. He has significantly improved, though it will still be a while before he fully recovers and regains trust.
It was a huge effort to help Wahid get back on his feet when he didn’t have the strength to stand up himself. In the end, it took 9 people – including our team plus some extra help.
The Road to Recovery
Rescuing horses is hard work, especially in a country like Egypt, where many cases are extreme and resources are limited. Fortunately, we have a dedicated and passionate team that pours their hearts into this work day in and day out to help the horses recover. The rehabilitation process looks different and the recovery time varies for every horse. Patience and resolve are key. The outcome is always worth it – seeing the horses become stronger, healthier, and happier.
Our Vision
We look forward to growing our rescue efforts and capability.
Our goal is to expand our facilities and resources in order to better accommodate our rescues and take in more horses in need of our help. When you book a riding tour with us, you are helping us to continue our work and keep growing!
Want to Help?
No amount is too small.
100% of donations go towards food and medical care for the horses.
