Mass Outreach Clinic in Nicaragua for Working Horses

Animal Aid Abroad recently funded a mass clinic for working horses in Nicaragua, which was run by our partner group Orprovet. Three hundred and fifty-five horses were provided with veterinary care in the cities of Granada and Rivas, as well as rural communities of La Laguna. Orprovet partnered with the Central University of Nicaragua for this clinic and trained 10 final year students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. An equine veterinarian from the USA also joined the team to teach the students various surgical and anaesthesia techniques.

All of the working horses were given tetanus and rabies vaccines, plus deworming and tick treatments. Some horses needed dental treatment, with 75 horses having their teeth floated (uneven teeth filed down) and 3 requiring tooth extractions. Additionally, hoof trimmings were completed for 150 horses. Other procedures performed included treatments for 50 wounds, 15 castrations, 15 treatments for lameness and 1 eye enucleation. Along with the extensive veterinary care provided, a small seminar was held for owners to educate them on equine welfare.

Sadly, many of the horses seen were in poor condition and were extremely thin. Orprovet plan to continue meeting with owners and to commence a feeding program for these horses. Animal Aid Abroad will continue to support Orprovet’s fantastic efforts to monitor and improve conditions for working horses in Nicaragua.