The Olympic Games have closed and at the time of writing this the Paralympic Games are about to begin. Throughout the Olympic Games we have seen fantastic horsemanship from all countries and I am particularly proud of Team GB. Who can forget those wonderful Team Golds for Team GB in the Showjumping and Dressage, and another Gold with Charlotte Dujardin in the Freestyle Dressage, or even the Team Silver in the Eventing?
These spectacular events feature equine athletes who can be worth thousands if not hundreds of thousands of pounds. It also involves equines being transported from all parts of the globe ready to compete and with that comes the risk of spreading diseases, therefore the AHVLA have had a huge role to play this summer in ensuring London's Olympics have been running not only smoothly but safely for both human and animal competitors too. According to the AHVLA routine risk assessments were carried out and grooms were taught the procedures that needed to be carried out if a horse was suspected to be carrying or suffering from a disease.
In addition at Greenwich itself where the equestrian action took place, all horses were subject to strict veterinary checks in order to ensure the horses were fit to compete, with vets always on-call to discuss any issues that may have arisen. Also the horses had access to an on-site veterinary clinic apparently kitted out with all the technology that may possibly be needed to provide top quality veterinary care during the Games. The clinic also included a pathology lab where tests could be run and equine physiotherapists that could be used by the teams. A Specialist equine ambulance was also prepared just in case of any accidents that could occur during the competition and was reportedly one of only 3 vehicles in the world.
Upon leaving the country after the Games, many equines will also be tested before being exported to ensure they have not caught a disease whilst here in the UK to prevent possible spread to other countries were such a case to be found. In particular the AHVLA test for: African Horse Sickness, West Nile Virus, Equine Viral Arteritis, Glanders and Vesicular Stomatitis.
No one can deny that the London 2012 Olympics have not been incredible to watch and a have helped to make this a proud year for all of Team GB, however I must say that I am also in awe of the amount of planning and thought the organisers and AHVLA have put in to ensure that this Games was a success for all those involved in the equestrian section! It just goes to show how many people in the veterinary sector work tirelessly to continue to promote and protect equine health and welfare and those who have helped to do so should be in my opinion as proud as the athletes who have won Golds in the equestrian for without them things may not have run so smoothly!
Sources: http://www.horsehealthmagazine.co.uk/?page=news
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2012/07/31/olympic-horses-have-best-health-facilities/#.UDUbx6mPW8A
http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/07/24/protecting-equine-health-and-welfare-during-the-olympic-games/
Image of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro: http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=17297
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