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Redwings vets in action at Appleby
Two vets from Redwings Horse Sanctuary have been in action this week at Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria during one of the biggest horse events in the travelling community calendar.
Redwings Senior Welfare Vet Nicolas De Brauwere and Welfare Vet Roxane Kirton attended the seven-day event to provide specialist veterinary support to both visiting horse owners and the RSPCA. Redwings vets have been attending the event for five years and this year a number of other welfare organisations also offered their support at the Fair, which started on June 4th.
Redwings Senior Vet and Head of Welfare Nicolas De Brauwere said: “Over the past few years we have seen fundamental changes at the fair, such as the ramp into the water, which has vastly improved safety in the river, and closer working relationships with not only the police but also official representatives of the travelling community. Sadly each year has been punctuated by horrible incidents such as the tragic drowning of a young colt two years ago, and the very sad death of two dogs who overheated in a car last year, but incidents like this are exceptional and are considered just as unacceptable by the majority of the travelling community as they are by the general public and welfare professionals.
"We are seeking to improve the welfare of all the animals, dogs as well as horses, that attend the event, and we are working with the travelling community to try to change attitudes as well as uphold the animal welfare legislation. Appleby Horse Fair is only one week in a year but we hope that the messages we spread and the work we do there will help us to see improvements in how horses are treated on a permanent basis.”
