YMG Report | EQUINE
from the normal. In the treatment area the students got hands-on experience with exchanging drips, drawing up
medication, monitoring vitals and the general handling of horses. The vets also made an effort in explaining concepts
and blood results to the students, taking their level of knowledge in consideration. The vets were an amazing group
of professionals and mentioned that they truly could not get through the weekend as smoothly, had they not had the
students to help. The Intra Africa Cup held at the Penbritte Equestrian Centre on 18 May was attended by 2 students.
The students were amazed by the atmosphere and the manner in which the vets treated them as colleagues. I was
honoured to make this arrangement and change these students’ concept regarding endurance rides and working
with horses.
The Endurance 101 conference at Sondela Nature Reserve (from 30 to 31 May) was a new addition to the Endurance
industry this year. We managed to arrange a 50% discount rate and 3 students attended. The knowledge that the
students gained from this conference regarding endurance rides and how to become a FEI vet was very insightful.
To such an extent that, while studying for our 4th year Equine exam, I came across terms and concepts that I already
knew since I’ve heard it from the vets at the conference. The content covered included how to become a FEI vet as
a newly graduated vet, what to do when you are invited to work at an endurance ride and how to approach a colic
horse. The information and advice given was very practical, easy to understand and most definitely something that
could prove to be useful in the future careers of each student that attended. There was also a practical demonstration
showing how to examine the horses at the vet gates. This is definitely an event that I would propose, should it be
held again in 2020, as it is a great opportunity to learn from some of the country’s most experienced endurance
veterinarians.
The Fauresmith endurance ride (from 1 to 4 July) had very positive feedback from the students who all seemed to
enjoy it very much. The vets included the students every step of the way. The students rotated between working
at the lanes where they were taught how to identify lameness and how to differentiate between each individual
horse’s normal gait. They also helped out at the treatment area where they saw a few serious colic cases as well as
fractures. The students attended the daily meeting in which they experienced how differences in opinion can exist
between vets but that it is possible to set these differences aside and still work efficiently as a team. They also got the
opportunity to meet different types of people while working with the riders on the lanes and experienced how a vet
should approach difficult clients while still maintaining a professional image. Here students got the opportunity to
practise their communication and social skills as they had to call out riders for blood sampling and withstand the not-
so friendly reaction of some of these difficult riders. Being able to say that they survived the below zero temperatures,
all for the passion of working with horses was just a side note.
Looking at how the vets and students compliment each other at the endurance rides, I can honestly not think of a
better way to introduce students to the endurance industry. The vets are more than willing to welcome students
amongst them and the networking is also a valuable addition as the vets get to know the students. As the food and
accommodation are freely provided, and the possibility of providing fuel money for SAIC has been discussed for
the following years, it is evident that the vets are truly keen to have the students assisting them. Working with the
students, veterinarians and organizers I got to develop many communication, social and organizational skills, and I
would be honoured to fill this portfolio anytime again, challenges and all!
• Volume 22 Issue 01 | March 2020 •
43