By Christine Reix (Veterinary Resources Advisor)
10 Nov 2010

July saw the coming together of vets from three Brooke countries - Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan - for two weeks of training, and I helped to run this course. These Brooke vets will be providing the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure the best care for working horses, donkeys and mules. 

The training course, held in Luxor, covered the veterinary theory and practical skills needed by ‘vet trainers’. This included the clinical examination of horses and donkeys in the Luxor clinic. During the session, I found the vets’ professionalism and dedication inspiring, and I know they will become role models for others.

However, they will face many challenges in their jobs back home. The animals work in harsh conditions and their owners are under a lot of pressure, often living below the poverty line.

These challenges mean that even if the vets offer the best advice for the animals, in practice, it is not always possible for it to be carried out. Due to pressure to earn a living, animals cannot be rested for long periods of time and medicines in some locations are unavailable. This can be very frustrating for the vets as they try to do the best they can. However, with the continued training of owners and raising awareness at local government level, I believe they will be able to achieve their goal. 

This course in Egypt is the start of a year-long training programme to produce teams of vets in all Brooke countries capable of teaching private and government vets, non-vet technicians, animal handlers and animal owners themselves. They have a big job on their hands, but I’m confident they will be able to deliver the best service possible and make a difference to thousands of working horse, donkeys and mules worldwide.