Hydra is the only inhabited location in Greece where automobiles (excluding an ambulance and garbage trucks), motorcycles, other energy using means of transport and even bicycles are not allowed. Although definitely living in the 21st century, local people use equines in their work and for moving around the island. Animal Action Greece, through its Equine Programme, has a pioneering and long-time presence there having produced an extraordinary amount of work with most positive effects. A proportion of people feel proud of their donkeys, horses or mules and are interested in their welfare, as well as their decent retirement.
In the last six years, the Municipality has taken under its auspice the annual equine care programme giving the opportunity to these animals and to their owners to have access to valuable professional services and education.
This year, it was under consideration to conduct the 2-day outreach visit earlier in the spring, prior to the opening of the touristic season. It was a kind request of the Municipality to adapt to local professionals’ schedules, so, despite weather risks, it was attempted. Following an unexpected ferry-trip cancellation due to strong winds, the veterinarian Kostas Okkas, the farrier Vaios Bakratsas and the equine dental technician Alkis Gkeskos, were lucky to arrive on the island on time, conducting the annual visit on the 28th-29th of April.
After this weather challenge, sunshine and temperatures were on their side. This helped the team offer their services to 58 equines (20 horses, 7 donkeys and 31 mules). Our team didn’t take a break during work hours.
General animal health
Overall, the animals presented in good health and body condition. No specific health problems were encountered by our vet in this visit. Also compared to the previous visit, no cases of fly irritations were seen, due to the coldest weather in this time of the year.
Most of the equines on Hydra have healthy and normal sized hooves, as they are unshod and walk on the island’s stoney ground. The equines that were in need of hoof trimming received treatment. A serious case of a mule’s hoof was treated by our farrier. The animals was facing long time a lameness because of an infection and inflammation of the white line. The hoof was deeply trimmed, cleaned and bandaged, while the owner was given the needed instructions to continue the daily care.
Our EDT mainly performed routine floating on sharp edges, small hooks and ramps, finding tooth condition generally satisfactory. More complex cases were not absent though; certain owners brought some strong, hard working equines for their first dental treatment. In this year period, owners had time to spend even for the treatments of animals they thought of as fully healthy. What followed was fascinating, as ‘secret’, ‘hiding’ problems were discovered. These included step teeth, pointed back ramps and huge hooks. Treating them with motorised equipment had an immediate positive effect on the animals’ chewing performance and their owners felt appreciation for our dental technician who prevented hidden dental problems from becoming serious.
Animal Identification
Encouragingly, a great number of equine owners have microchipped their animals, which significantly aids in identification and traceability. This year, fourteen more animals were microchipped by our vet and/or properly registered in the digital platform by our organisation, according to the Greek legislation.
Attendance
This outreach was most successful because of the time of the year, where owners are not stressed under the tourist pressure. The owners who come every year had the time to bring all their animals and not just the ones in need, while several new owners appeared, which was a great satisfaction for all.
There are thoughts on how to expand this annual visit and help a bigger percentage of the island’s animals benefit from our professional services. It is true that the ‘seed’ planted almost two decades ago by the collaboration of the Greek Animal Welfare Fund and Hydra Ark and painstakingly grown by Elisa Geskou, our veterinarian and Coordinator, has grown very strong roots and has made a significant change on the island’s equine welfare and the local owners’ attitudes. There is now a significant number of owners on the island that demonstrate openness, responsibility and genuine concern for their animals’ well-being who are receptive to veterinary advice. Unfortunately, on the other hand, there is a number of owners who don’t give importance to the annual preventive treatments and maintain only a very basic level of care, simply because the animals are essential to their livelihood. The challenge is how the latter can be convinced to bring their animals for treatments. We are in discussion with the Municipality of Hydra who actively support the Programme, on which is the best approach and soon we will put this in action.
School children education
Following last year’s successful educational presentations to the primary school children of Hydra, the veterinarian, and Equine Care Programme Coordinator, Elisa Geskou was invited again by the Municipality, to talk to the High School children this time. Elisa gave an engaging presentation to approximately 40 children, who had the chance to be informed on the Equine Care Programme and the services provided to the equines of Hydra, as well as the common problems that the equines face on the island. At the same time they explored what responsible pet ownership is, the struggles strays face and what Greek animal welfare laws say, how we can all be part of the solution, through neutering, microchipping and kindness, and even tackled a multiple-choice quiz to check their knowledge while having fun. Elisa admired these young minds that expressed their opinion and questions with self confidence and gentle behaviour. Congratulations to the teachers of Hydra High School for accepting with enthusiasm our educative action and for doing such a great job in teaching children a nice behaviour. Our grateful thanks to the Municipality for inviting us, organizing and fully supporting this event at the “Melina Merkouri” Hall, showing how much importance they give to education.
Acknowledgements
For the sixth consecutive year, the Municipality of Hydra took the visit under its auspices fully funding the visit and demonstrating commendable commitment to animal welfare on the island. Our organization covered the costs for veterinary, dental, and farriery equipment, ensuring high standards of service provision. Many thanks also to the equine owners of Hydra who consistently show their appreciation and gratitude through donations — the sole means of supporting the organisation’s ongoing work.