Paros lies deep in the heart of the Equine Care Programme. It all started more than a decade ago with volunteers Mary and Marielli. People living on this island where, reportedly, agricultural life is being negatively affected by housing development, have supported our cause with great warmth since its very beginning. For some years, outreach visits had paused due to unexpected circumstances. Meanwhile, our anti-hobbling project involving electric fence installation as an alternative to hobbling, was the top priority. It seems this period was enough for some owners to realise the difference and benefits given to their equines by routine checks and expert care. As a result, there was genuine interest expressed in our team getting back.
Our team prepared carefully for this journey. Unfortunately, veterinarian and Equine Care Programme Coordinator Elisa Geskou, had to cancel it for herself in the last moment. From November 26-27, the Animal Action Greece Equine Care team – comprising equine dental technician Alkis Gkeskos and farrier Tasos Skyllas – conducted a two-day outreach visit to the island of Paros, consulting Elisa remotely where needed. They travelled across 11 villages and delivered services to a total of 47 equines (9 horses and 38 donkeys) and 1 goat.
Despite the autumn period and the morning rain on the first day, the weather was on the team’s side during fieldwork with sunshine enabling travelling and working.
The majority of the owners met were familiar with the team and eager to renew the meetings. The major change since previous visits was offering our services to the residents of an animal sanctuary at Mesovounia. Most of the animals there were in a relatively good condition, but almost all needed hoof and dental treatments that hadn’t received in the past.
Dental and farriery services
Equine dental technician Alkis had to treat dental sharp edges, hooks and ramps that are common. The motorized equipment proved very useful, as many animals were treated with it, relieving these patients quickly, with the minimum discomfort. It is worth noting that on the first day, three retired horses in their mid-twenties, which had been added as extras to our patient list, all turned out to have severe dental conditions. Each required extensive floating with motorized equipment to correct overgrown teeth and pronounced ramps. These interventions restored proper chewing function and will help the horses gain weight in the future while reducing the risk of impaction colic.
Farrier Tasos trimmed the hooves of equines in need. Thirteen animals were found to have long or excessively overgrown hooves and, following treatment, were able to walk again without pain—further demonstrating how vital this outreach has been to improving their welfare. One goat also benefited from the farrier’s services, being relieved after the hoof trimming. Several donkeys were found with chronic laminitis and advice was offered remotely by Elisa regarding the animals’ diet.
Tetanus cases
This outreach in Paros reminded us how important it is to continue educating equine owners on the importance of tetanus vaccination. Two cases of tetanus had taken place in Paros, one of them with severe neurological symptoms in a young foal. Although tetanus infection has a very high death percentage, both cases were fortunately diagnosed by veterinarian Elisa at a very early stage. Together with the owners’ commitment the treatment worked and both animals, a young foal and a donkey survived. Prevention is always better than cure, therefore equine owners should never forget to vaccinate their animals, to avoid tetanus infection that might prove lethal for their animals.
An unexpected adventure
The two-day outreach period was utilized to its fullest extent. Word spread quickly, and by the end of the visit, additional owners—beyond those already scheduled—were requesting the team’s services. Unfortunately, it was not possible to attend to all animals during this trip, therefore a longer outreach visit will be planned for the future.
Owners expressed their appreciation through generous donations to the charity. These contributions are vital, as they enable the organization to allocate resources to help more animals across a wider range of locations.
Overall, the outreach was highly productive and left the team with a strong sense of accomplishment. The return journey, however, proved far less pleasant for one team member. Alkis, along with fellow passengers, remembered all prayers during a short but intensely frightening flight to Athens, as the aircraft was repeatedly shaken by severe turbulence and thunderstorms.
Every outreach visit continues to surprise us, each one bringing not only meaningful impact but also its own small adventure.