Equine Welfare Camp At Matheran

In Defense of Animals organized equine welfare camp at Matheran on 27.09.08 in collaboration with Bombay Veterinary College. After monsoon season, horses and ponies are brought over there to carry tourists, and load on their back. Therefore it was planned to organize the camp immediately after rains so that animals could be examined for general health condition, prophylactic vaccination, deworming and their guardians could be sensitized for preventive behavioural change for prevalent welfare issues. The camp was attended by fresh graduates and post graduates along with the teaching faculty of Department of Surgery & Radiology, Bombay Vaterinary College.

This camp offered an opportunity for these students to learn about handling, management and common problems faced by these working animals from the experts from IDA- India and College. During camp, operations for gelding were performed, cases of thrush and sand crack and skin infection were treated apart from lameness, wound and digestive system disorder cases. Then we discussed with guardians of these animals about common problem faced by their animals and how they tackle them. Through focused group discussion we were able to know their perception of diseases. Firing is still considered as remedy for exostosis, tendonitis and other joint diseases while application of lime+ tobacco OR Grease + Burned tyre+ coconut oil is used topically on wounds.

Some guardians informed about traditional medicinal plants and their uses for different conditions. Many of them have already been scientifically validated through various research projects. Then we discussed about Trypanosomiasis (Surra) its diagnosis, prevention and treatment. PRA tools were used for such discussion.

The camp provides a platform for vet graduates to learn about equine welfare issues and the socio dynamic status of their guardians. In the same vein, we can also plan for short term internship programme for vet graduates so that they can have exposure of equine husbandry and other related issues.