Welfare organisation to sponsor Ethiopia horse care project

Tuesday, 13 April 2010 17:31

A researcher has travelled to Ethiopia to perform tests and carry out a study into horse care.

A scholar sponsored and trained by the Horse Trust, Fernando Malalana will be doing voluntary work for welfare foundation SPANA, concentrating mainly on equines - horses and donkeys - with vision problems.

In his second year of a clinical Horse Trust-funded scholarship at the University of Liverpool, his work will be focused on the eye area, using an indirect ophthalmoscope - bought by the organisation - to undertake examinations.

"Other vets have noticed on previous trips that many of the donkeys and horses in Ethiopia have problems with their eyes and vision, sometimes causing the animal extreme discomfort," Fernando explains.

It is said that some 40 per cent of equines in SPANA's target areas have issues with their vision.

Another research project recently funded by the Horse Trust found a link between colic and equine fat protein.

Posted by Katherine