Friday, October 26, 2012

Blog by Dr. Suzi White Pictures by Karen Kennedy, Icon Studios

After breakfast at the hotel, the morning was spent in the auditorium at CATED. We were greeted by a slide show of some of the outstanding photographs taken during the week by Karen Kennedy (iconphotosbykaren.com). We listened to presentations on dental problems by Larry, Joel and Dave and podiatry

problems by Tracy Turner and Steve O’Grady seen during the past week. Camie Heleski provided a comparison of problems in health and management of working equids in Brazil and Mali with those we have encountered during the past four days. Amy McLean gave us an overview of how donkeys and mules are utilized in the United States.

Jay Merriam, Mariano Hernandez Gil and Stephen Blakeway each gave a summary of the Equitarian Workshop from their perspective. All agreed much was learned and accomplished and expressed their hope that even more collaboration of effort and expansion of programs will continue.

 

We then proceeded to the town of Capula for our final working afternoon. This town is at the foot of rolling hills, in an area with high desert vegetation. It is the home of one of the farriers, Angel, with whom we worked throughout the week, Angel. Our work site was the town soccer field. Reception of the patients and clients went smoothly, as numbers were given out as people arrived and initial examinations done in order.

The clients were a mix of men, women and children, many accompanied by their dogs.

 

 

Some of our colleagues had already departed so the dentistry station was not as well staffed and a limited amount of instruments were available, however all dental patients were seen. The farriers were busy as they were throughout the week.

 

 

Lameness cases were also presented. Medicine saw many ophthalmology and dermatologic cases and a few respiratory cases. Surgery performed castrations, including a cryptorchid, and a hernia repair. Harness adjustment and provision was limited, as our chief Mexican harness maker, Concepcion, chose to work as a farrier today. He is not only a harness maker and farrier, but also a veterinarian and horse trainer who is held in high esteem by his peers. Fortunately only one mild wound from a harness was seen and the owner’s existing pad was reconfigured. The work proceeded smoothly as everyone had adapted well to the tempo and work during the previous 4 days. Approximately 75 patients were seen, consisting of a mix of horses, mules and donkeys.

 

At the end of the day a delicious Mexican lamb barbeque was provided by Angel’s family with all the trimmings. Everyone enjoyed the roast corn, fresh vegetables and slow roasted lamb.

 

 

Many hugs were given and photographs taken as remembrances of a truly life changing and fantastic week. Some of us will be traveling to Popocatepetl volcano tomorrow to go hiking and others returned to Mexico City tonight for flights home on Saturday. All of us plan to keep in contact with our new found colleagues and continue to work for the health and welfare of the worlds working equids.