Susan Baekeland has been in touch to plea for help in saving the Arabian horses of Yemen, who are facing starvation and death.
Between 1963 and 1975, Susan was the only female Assistant Adviser, Political Officer, to the Federation of South Yemen when it was under British colonial control. She told The Arabian Magazine: “HL Hunt moved most of the Royal Yemeni Stud to Germany and some to the US. I assisted in this.
“These ancient Arabian horses are now under grave danger again. They are starving, and have been shot at while in Sanaa, the capital of the Yemen, where they are stabled at a military barrack.
“I have tried to reach out to leading people in the world of the Arabian horse to help save these horses, but I have had no response. I am hoping that through your sharing the story and the feature in Middle East Eye someone with some influence will see the plight of these horses and be able to help.”
Susan now lives in Normandy and remains passionately devoted to the Arabian breed. “They are just so beautiful, and while I no longer have my own horses, I want to help others as much as I can,” she told me. “I have tried to help the Arabian horse in other countries as well, such as Syria, and I fervently hope that we will be able to save the majestic Arabian horses in Sanaa.”
The full story of the Yemini horses can be found here: https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/malnourished-ill-brink-sanaas-arabian-horses-struggle-through-war-0
If you are able to help in any way, please e-mail info@thearabianmagazine.com in the first instance.
Title photo credit Middle East Eye
