Helping horses and donkeys in The Gambia

Abstract

As a Registered Equine Veterinary Nurse (REVN), Marie had always been interested in equine welfare. In 2015, she flew out to The Gambia, Africa to work at The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust (GHDT). The REVN spend two weeks at GHDT helping to look after inpatients, treat horses and donkeys out on visits and at markets. This article focuses on Marie’s second trip out to GHDT in December 2017 and demonstrates that it is both challenging and rewarding for a REVN to go abroad, and share skills and knowledge, to help animals and owners in need.

Keywords:

• horse
• donkey
• welfare

Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank Millpledge Veterinary for donating bandages and dressings to GHDT.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marie Rippingale

Marie Rippingale Bsc (Hons), REVN, G-SQP, DipHE CVN, DipAVN (Equine)

Marie obtained a First Class Honours Degree in Equine Sports Science in 2005. Marie has worked at Scarsdale Vets in Derby since 2003 and qualified as an REVN with merit in 2007. In 2012, Marie completed the Diploma in Higher Education Clinical Veterinary Nursing (Dip HE CVN) and obtained the RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Dip AVN) in equine context, with distinction. Marie has been lecturing on the Veterinary Nursing Diploma course since 2010 at Bottle Green Training in Melbourne. Marie has had articles published in a number of veterinary journals including The Veterinary Nurse and Veterinary Practice Today. Marie’s special interests include foal nursing, bandaging, radiography, anaesthesia and intravenous catheter care. The proceeds from this article have been donated to The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust.