Config.
The mission of Pferdehilfe Kairo e. V. is to sustainably improve the lives of working horses in Cairo. Its work focuses on combining urgent veterinary care, preventive education, and the development of reliable local support structures. In the context of “190 Years of Waldhausen,” the project is receiving additional attention within the equestrian community, helping to build a bridge between international animal welfare and responsible equestrian culture.
Veterinary Care and Stabilization on Site
At the core of the practical work is the care of animals in the Cairo region, particularly in Giza around the pyramids. Many horses there are used for tourist transport, which regularly leads to a high need for medical treatment.
Typical care measures include:
- Treatment of acute injuries and wounds
- Care for infections and stress-related conditions
- Stabilization of severely weakened animals
- Follow-up care and monitoring of recovery
The work is not carried out as one-off interventions, but is designed to provide continuous, ongoing care.
The Good Karma Sanctuary as the Central Medical Care Structure On Site
A key component of the work is the Good Karma Sanctuary Cairo, supported by Pferdehilfe Kairo e. V.. Here, horses receive free, professional veterinary care around the clock. A 24-hour emergency service ensures that injured or severely weakened animals can be admitted and treated at any time.
Care is provided on both an outpatient and inpatient basis. This means:
- Minor injuries are treated directly on site
- Severely injured or weakened animals remain at the facility for more intensive care
The goal is to relieve the animals’ suffering and, whenever possible, enable stabilization and recovery.
Founding of the Association Pferdehilfe Kairo e.V.
The founding of Pferdehilfe Kairo e. V. is based on personal experience and many years of commitment to animal welfare. Many of the founders had already supported the Good Karma Sanctuary for years. Some knew the clinic and Joke van der Post for a long time or had been on site multiple times to help, bring medication, or deliver material donations.
With each visit to Cairo, it became increasingly clear how severe the animals’ suffering truly is. These impressions left a deep impact and did not let go of those involved. A clear realization emerged: looking away is not an option.
At the same time, it became evident that individual help reaches financial and organizational limits. From this understanding, the idea arose to create a shared structure - Pferdehilfe Kairo e. V. - to pool resources and make aid more effective.
The guiding principle is deliberately realistic:
It is not about saving all animals. That would be an unrealistic expectation.
Instead, the focus is on a different idea:
Every single rescued animal counts.
Every treatment counts.
Every animal spared from dying in pain counts.
This mindset shapes the daily work.
Treatment, Education, and Sustainable Change as Part of the Mission
In addition to direct medical care, preventive work plays a central role. A key issue is not only treatment itself, but often a lack of knowledge or awareness. The goal is to support animal owners in the long term and promote a better understanding of animal health in daily working life.
The focus is on:
- raising awareness of overwork and injury risks
- teaching simple preventive measures
- promoting responsible use of working animals
This approach is based on cooperation with local stakeholders rather than short-term interventions.
An Appeal for Responsibility in Tourism
The vision of Pferdehilfe Kairo e. V. is clearly defined: a realistic yet determined goal. It is not about creating a perfect world, but about achieving concrete improvements. Every animal that can be helped matters. Every treatment is progress. Every prevented instance of suffering is a success.
At the same time, the message also addresses the public:
Tourism contributes to the situation, and conscious choices can make a long-term difference.
Anyone who engages with the situation of horses in Cairo quickly realizes that change is only possible through collective action.This also includes taking responsibility for one’s own behavior and critically reflecting on which forms of animal use are supported during travel.
Every decision counts — for the animals on site.
Balance, coordination, and body awareness play an important role in supporting a horse’s health and mobility. Targeted exercises on a balance pad can make training more varied while encouraging the horse to become more aware of its own body. In this article, you will learn about the benefits of training with balance pads, how they support the deep muscles, and what to pay attention to when performing the exercises. Read more on our blog.
Massage in horses is more than just relaxation: when applied correctly, it supports muscles, mobility, and recovery. This blog article shows you how to massage your horse in a targeted and effective way.
As part of the 190th Anniversary Charity Project, Waldhausen is supporting animal welfare organisations with donations of goods and money. TARA Tierhilfe e.V. is an animal sanctuary in North Rhine-Westphalia that has already received support from Waldhausen. Find out more about the animal welfare organisation TARA Tierhilfe e.V. and the rescued animals in this blog.
In this blog, discover how the company grew from a small saddlery into a global equestrian expert and what continues to define its products today.