Responsible use of animals in tourism

Enjoy a holiday unblemised by the sight of an animal suffering by promoting responsible care and use of animals in tourism. Everyone has the power to prevent a working horse or donkey from suffering. Brooke is on hand to help caring travellers and tour operators make responsible choices.

Horses, donkeys and mules working within the tourism industry can travel long distances, often in harsh climates and over challenging terrain. As they pull or carry people and luggage, their welfare is often overlooked.

Enjoying your holiday does not have to be at a cost to animal welfare. There's a growing movement to protect the welfare of animals used in tourism.

Brooke contributed to the ABTA travel association's codes of conduct to improve animal welfare standards in the tourism industry. Brooke has also given training to help tour operators prioritise the welfare of equines used in expeditions.

Bismark takes tourists on horseback through the coffee and banana plantations of Ometepe Island in Nicaragua. The horse riding tour guide admits he didn’t always get things right in the past, but his care and skills have improved thanks to Brooke.

I am grateful for Brooke's support. Brooke organised horse welfare workshops that have given me and other tour guides a lot of knowledge that we honestly didn't know.

Bismark, tour guide in Nicaragua

What to consider when planning a holiday

How have tour operators ensured the animals are happy and healthy?
How do attractions prepare for unintended consequences, such as accidents?
What alternatives are there to animal use?

Think before you ride

Is the animal happy and healthy?
Can the animal carry/pull my weight?
Am I paying a fair price?

Remember the happy horses holiday code and "one wheel per person when riding in a carriage".

Report poor practice

Please don't wait to report mistreatment. Make a formal complaint to tour operator, tourist police or local authorities.

Email us about your concerns

Brooke wants to help as many suffering working animals as possible. Please share your concerns about working horses, donkeys and mules by sending a short report to [email protected]. Include:

Country/location
Your observations about the condition of the working animals - whether you were part of an organised tour
Any photograph and/or videos illustrating your concerns

Use our happy horses holiday code

If an animal seems well looked after, praise the owner.

The 10 tips provide tourists with guidance on how to make quick welfare-based decisions when considering the services of a working horse, donkey or mule while on holiday.