A TRAINING clinic to help vets learn field surgery and anaesthesia skills on semi-feral ponies took place at an equine charity in Devon this month. 

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary hosted the specialist clinic, which was organised by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA). It allowed vets to demonstrate castration techniques in the field, rather than in an operating theatre.

This will help improve the future of colts who, uncastrated, are difficult to find homes for. As geldings they could become riding or companion ponies or they could return to moorland sites to graze in gelding herds, helping land conservation.

The equine charity invited delegates from BEVA to learn and share best practice at its Beech Trees Veterinary and Welfare Assessment Centre in Newton Abbot. 

BEVA member Richard Frost is owner and director of Tor Equine Vets, based at The Beech Trees Veterinary and Welfare assessment Centre. 

"This kind of field clinic doesn't happen frequently but is invaluable," he said.

"It might happen a couple of times a year and is usually hosted in Liverpool, so it's a long way for people in the Southwest to travel.

"During the training event, relatively newly graduated vets literally had equine specialists at their fingertips to be able to give them guidance to understand the best ways of doing this kind of specialist work.

South West Farmer: Ponies.

"Some of them will already have a little bit of experience, some will have never castrated an animal at all. They may never have done a general anaesthetic on a horse. They will vary in their ability but all of them will be at the earlier stage in their career and it's vital that vets get the opportunity of these training days where they are able to work in an environment where they've got support, and they can make mistakes. Sometimes when the mistakes happen it's even better because we all learn how to respond for the best possible outcome."

Seven ponies from Dartmoor and three colts (including two Shetland ponies) from a private owner based in Cornwall were brought to The Mare and Foal Sanctuary ahead of the clinic for pre-operative training.

Syra Bowden, The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s head of equine welfare, added: "As a champion of excellence in equine education and welfare, we were glad to host such a valuable training event to help the continuing professional development of 17 vets who work across the UK. We had delegates from as far as Kilmarnock, Northumberland, Norfolk, Wales, the Midlands, Wokingham, Reigate and Cornwall.

"The clinic was extremely successful, and nine of the ten colts were able to undergo surgery, showing calm and relaxed behaviour throughout.

"The course taught several anaesthetic techniques which have different effects. It allowed the delegates to practice all the stages of the procedure from fitting catheters, administering drugs and the castration itself, right through to recovery.

"Partnerships are vital within the equine community, and we are proud to work so closely with other organisations and owners who put equine welfare at the heart of all they do."