Peru HSVMA-RAVS 2012
by Dr. Dave Turoff and Angie Gebhart
Day 2: August 18, 2012
Today the HSVMA-RAVS team visited the village of Lucre, about a 45 minute drive from Cuzco. Initially, there was some confusion about the proposed work site, the first option (essentially a gravel pit) being rejected as too dangerous, and eventually we wound up at the local sports complex, with a shade structure under which to set up supplies, and a large soccer field on which to work. A better site would be hard to come by anywhere.
There was a relatively light case load, but everything went quite well. One case was especially interesting. A young stallion had been castrated by his owner two weeks previously, by “ligating” the testicular cords with strips of tire inner tube, and allowed to necrose off. One testicle had done so, albeit with a great deal of inflammation, but the other was
still attached by a necrotic and fibrosed cord. We anesthetized the gelding, and debrided both cords thoroughly. It is still possible that a scirrous cord
will result, and we encouraged the owner to return the following year for further surgery, if indicated then. Six horses in total were castrated today.
Another out-of-ordinary case was a foal that presented with a significant limp. The owner reported that another horse had kicked the foal, but only very limited inflammation was found and no digital pulse was obvious
, only a small wound, only mildly sensitive to palpation (out of proportion to the limp). The owner reported that the situation was improving, although slowly, so no treatment was done.
We were surprised – and some of us quite excited – to see some burros today as well. This has been an uncommon sight on past years’ trips. For the most part, these burros only required a bit of farrier care. No severe dental cases were treated today.
We were overall impressed with the quality of horsemen at this location. We saw many horses with appropriately trimmed hooves, but some left a bit to be desired regarding the fit of the shoes. Shoes seemed to be too small which can cause overgrown toes and underslung heels. Farrier Brooks taught basic nipping and rasping techniques to two very interested men who have done quite a bit of farrier work in the community – with machetes. We put them in contact with the group from YANAPANA who knows how to access some tools that are sold in Lima. The horses were overall very docile and had very durable, well-shaped feet with minimal cracks or flares.
One docile mare was checked for pregnancy and found much further in along in her gestation than previously thought (near term). After our workday we were lucky to visit a 16th century church and some local artesanías before a wonderful, vegetarian supper of quinoa “burgers” and coca tea.