When it comes to transport, horsepower to most of us simply tells us how powerful the engine of our car is. But for millions of people throughout the world, horses are the only way of travelling or making a living.

It is estimated that there are 100 million working horses, donkeys and other equines around the world, and the long days of toil take their toll on these beasts, yet they are cared for by less than one per cent of the world’s vets.

This is why the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow is helping a charity called Animal Care Egypt (ACE) treat working horses and donkeys in Luxor.

Dr Patrick Pollock, senior university clinician in equine surgery at the University of Glasgow vet school, spent one week at the ACE veterinary surgery, helping treat animals and educating local vets, on a trip organised through the British Equine Veterinary Association.

Patrick said: “Many of these animals are in a pretty bad state, but it’s not through deliberate cruelty. These animals are often the main or only source of income and transport for people in developing countries and vital to their survival. They are used for transport, for hauling carts laden with huge loads, and even for carrying bricks on building sites.

“The animal’s owners often don’t have the time or the money to rest their beasts and have them treated by vets, so this charity provides a vital service. And if we can keep the animals healthy it has a knock-on benefit for the health of the owners. That is a very important goal of ACE, it’s not just about the animals but humans too.

“Many of the animals I saw had sores caused by ill-fitting tacks or saddles but some of the worst conditions I saw were animals that had been burnt after either getting caught in sugar cane fields where the stumps are burned after the plant has been harvested, or as the result of road accidents.

“There were animals with injuries that had they been in the UK they’d probably have died, but out there, they are so tough and resilient that they can be treated.

“It was pretty humbling. I’m used to looking at racehorses and making sure they are fit for races. In Egypt by helping the animals you are helping their owners earn enough money to eat. In the UK we see ten or 20 horses a week, in Egypt we saw 40-50 horses a day.

“The University of Glasgow has a long track-record in voluntary work in the developing world and this is another project we believe it is important to contribute to. We’re keen to send some of our postgraduates to ACE to gain some experience and I intend to return myself.”

Further information:

Contact Stuart Forsyth in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 4831 or email s.forsyth@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 19 December 2008

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