‘On show’ for equine welfare
The NZ Horse Ambulance Trust will attend six premier racing events held during Canterbury’s iconic Cup and Show Week to help protect the welfare and wellbeing of NZ’s equine athletes. A purpose-designed horse ambulance and experienced operator attends all thoroughbred and harness race meetings in New Zealand; at over 600 events annually across the motu, assisting the race day vets and stewards.
Well known West Melton standardbred trainer Margo Nyhan and partner Peter Davis are ever grateful for the presence of a horse ambulance. On three separate occasions in the past year one of their horses has been injured and subsequently safely transported by horse ambulance, most recently their enigmatic trotter The Fox.
Image of The Fox by Race Images South
On 27 July 2023 at Addington Raceway The Fox was cooling down after a race when he slipped while turning in the cross ties, sustaining a hind end injury. After attention from the race day vets Dr Alicia Corser and Donna Williamson, the gelding was transported to the Canterbury Equine Clinic for further assessment.*
The Fox was subsequently diagnosed with a stifle injury and possible hairline fracture, confined to seven days of box rest, and then two weeks in a small paddock. The charismatic ten-year-old gelding is now back in training in preparation for a race day return. Margo reports that Foxy is bright and happy, and loving his work.
The horse ambulances, custom built in Mosgiel, are a world class asset and highlight the importance of equine welfare for racing, sport and leisure horses and ponies.
A key feature of the horse ambulance is a two-point hydraulic system that lowers it to the ground within five seconds. An injured horse enters at ground level rather than up a ramp, minimising further injury. It has a side door and stowaway diagonal crush that is easily disassembled to enable the horse to walk in and out of the horse ambulance without turning. The crush is heavily padded and designed to relieve pressure on the trachea of a sedated horse.
There is a growing awareness of the social licence to participate in equine sports, with an ever-sharpening focus on animal welfare. The horse ambulance service is tangible proof that key stakeholders in the racing industry and NZ’s horse-loving communities take their responsibility for the horse seriously.