As a result of the vastly reduced tourist trade, those people whose
livelihood relies on visitors paying for horse rides around the
cities have suffered greatly, and with little money coming in to
provide for even the most basic needs of the operators and their
families, the standard of living of the horses they own has fallen
to the point where many suffer from horrific injuries, with little
chance of them ever receiving treatment. Added to the problem
is the refusal of many native Egyptians to consider euthanasia
for their animals (they believe it is better for the animal to die
`naturally' than by human-hand). Compounding the problem
further still is lack of education about animal husbandry and
basic welfare, and apparent little interest in caring for them in a
proper manner.
Though sadly the majority of horses in Egypt still lead lives
blighted by malnutrition, non-existent medical care and
mistreatment, thanks to the efforts of several charities that
are now providing much needed care (and endeavouring to
educate owners), the situation is slowly improving. One such
organisation is the New Zealand-based group `Kiwi Care Team',
a group of volunteer vets, nurses, equine dentists and farriers
who provide voluntary veterinary care and animal welfare
education to those in need around the world. Currently in the
final stages of becoming an officially registered charity in New
Zealand, everything Kiwi Care Team does is self-funded through
extensive fundraising in order that all medical equipment can be
sourced in advance and then taken to whichever country the team
is visiting.
The 10-strong team visited Giza in Egypt in March of this year
in order to provide much needed first aid to the horses in the
region and, importantly, education for their owners. Giza is the
third largest city in Egypt, located on the west bank of the river
Nile, approximately 20km from the country's capital, Cairo. The
team consisted of Michelle Horan - vet nurse, team manager
and founder; Chris Taylor `Galaxy Equine' stud breeder, team
manager and founder; Nicole Larkin specialist equine vet;
Charleen Baker small animal vet; Warrick Behrns and
Stefan Hadzi-Longinovic equine dentists; Lucy Turnbull -
vet nurse; Chloe Phillips-Harris - equestrian rider and trainer;
Ashleigh Annerau - horse rider and enthusiast, and Stephanie
Chin - pre vet student and equestrian rider. A team of farriers
from the UK (known as Farrier International) also joined them.
The Kiwi Care Team were affiliated with/assigned to the
Egyptian Society for Animal Friends (ESAF) charity, which had
an animal shelter and clinic in Giza and also another smaller
clinic (solely for horses, donkeys and camels) based in the
Pyramids area. Usually open for a couple of days each week
Added to the problem is the refusal
of many native Egyptians to consider
euthanasia for their animals (they
believe it is better for the animal to die
`naturally' than by human-hand).