Editor's note: Six months ago (JEVS 14:8), we wrote about the opening of the first free veterinary clinic established at Porto Alegre, Brazil. The clinic is part of a world-wide effort by the World Society for Protection of Animals to improve the lot of the equine species. Following is a report on the progress of the clinic in treating horses, mules and donkeys in Brazil.

AIDING EQUINES IN BRAZIL

In its first six months of operation, a free veterinary clinic established to care for the needs of working horses in the coastal town of Porto Alegre, Bra- zil, has already provided more than 1500 treatments and follow-up consul- tations. The clinic, known as PAATA (which translated from the Portuguese means "The Pro- tectors, Friends of Traction Ani- mals Association") has estab- lished itself as a facility where not only do the horses receive vital veterinary treatments, but as a place where the horse own- ers can come and learn about how to better care for their animal's needs.

"The horse owners come from a very low economic level, and this clinic has provided them what they lacked the most - - attention, care and information, all provided by skilled professionals," said Marco Ciampi, Field Officer for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

According to Ciampi, PAATA has become a place where the horse owners meet, and discuss their animal's ail- ments and needs with one another, and with veterinarians.

The clinic's veterinarians have worked hard to gain the confidence and respect of the carriage horse owners. During every consultation, the horse owners are given educational brochures about how to properly care for their horses. The veterinarians talk with the owners about the brochures, to make sure they understand the concepts.

Many horses have made complete recoveries from debilitating conditions because of the veterinary treatment and advice available at the clinic. Malnour- ished horses were able to make dra- matic improvements, gaining nearly 50 pounds in less than three months.

Last December there was an out- break of equine influenza in the area, which can be fatal in a sick and debili- tated horse. Yet due to the clinic, and the educational materials that it pro-

vides, hundreds of horse owners recog- nized the flu symptoms their animals were exhibiting. All of the 228 horses treated at the clinic for influenza recov- ered.

"We established the PAATA clinic last summer, after a WSPA member returned from the region, and told us about the plight of these over-worked

animals," said Neil Trent, WSPA Di- rector of Field Services.

Trent and Ciampi investigated the situation personally, and determined that a veterinary clinic located in the central market area would help to rem- edy the problems experienced by the horses. In January of this year, Trent and Ciampi returned to Porto Alegre to look in on the clinic's progress.

"During my recent visit to the clinic, I was delighted to see the con- stant stream of horses entering for vet- erinary examinations and treatment," said Trent.

"I helped a veterinarian administer a life saving intravenous drip to an emaciated horse, and I watched the fortifying fluid take hold," said Trent. "It felt as if I was watching the horse come back to l i f e - - his ears perked up,

and the dismal gray film cleared from his eyes."

The cost of treating each horse, and the veterinarians' time, is less than ten dollars per animal. WSPA pays for each treatment, so it is a significant savings to the owners.

"This is an extremely low price to pay, considering it pro- vides essential care and treat- ment to the horses, and it en- ables the workers to earn their livelihood," said Trent.

According to Ciampi, the carriage drivers collect second- rate fruit and vegetables from the markets, which they try to

sell in their own neighborhoods. In addition, these drivers are competing with people who have access to cars and trucks, making their work even more difficult.

These factors contribute to incon- sistent earnings by the horse owners, that would normally make it difficult

Volume 15, Number 5, 1995 249

for them to afford veterinary services. If the owners had to take their horses to the local veterinary university, the price of the consultation would be approxi- mately twenty-five dollars, which is beyond the means of the horse owners.

The PAATA clinic has greatly re- duced incidents of infection and dis- ease, yet many horses still suffer from lameness and leg injuries which can be attributed to bad shoeing. There are no professionally trained farriers in Porto Alegre. Many of the horse owners make their own shoes, cutting the horse's hooves to fit the shoes, rather than altering the shoes to fit the horse's hoof, causing great suffering to the animal.

WSPA is developing a program to subsidize the professional training of a farrier who will work at the clinic, and shoe the horses that come in for treat- ment.

"This increases the operational costs of the facility, but these exploited horses must receive the care needed for a healthy, working life," said Trent.

In the long-term, WSPA's goal is to establish a veterinary inspection pro- gram for the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which would determine whether or not horses are fit to work. There are ap- proximately 3,500 working horses in the Porto Alegre area, and a total of 10,000 horses throughout the state, that could benefit from these inspections.

The success of WSPA's working horse clinic in Porto Alegre has lead to an expansion of the program further north on Paqueta Island, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Carriages, which oper- ate with two horses each, are the only means of transportation on the island, because vehicles are prohibited.

There has been no veterinary ser- vice available on the island, and a trip by ferry back to the mainland takes an hour and a half. When a horse becomes sick or injured, there is not enough time to properly care for the animal. The horse owners, like the ones in Porto Alegre, come from a low economic level.

The combination of these factors

led WSPA to agree to finance regular veterinary examinations and treatments. In addition, WSPA is working with the island's Administrator, Jorgo Augusto Gomes, to provide new harnesses for the working horses living on the island. During the year, improvements will also be made to the stable facilities for the horses, and educational materials will be distributed to the owners.

Ultimately, these programs in Bra- zil help working horses lead more pro- ductive lives, and they give the carriage workers the educational background necessary to protect their horse' s health for years to come.

If you would like to make a dona- tion towards the long-term continua- tion of WSPA's work for horses in Brazil, please contact: WSPA, PAATA Clinic, PO Box 190, Boston, MA 02130, or call (617) 522-7000 for more infor- mation.

Jason Black, WSPA Communications

Officer

AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL CONVENTION SLATED FOR JUNE 4-7

The American Horse Council has announced plans for its 26th Annual Convention to take place June 4-7 at the Worthington Hotel at Fort Worth, Texas. Hundreds of industry leaders are ex- pected to attend the convention to dis- cuss the many national, state and local issues which impact the horse industry.

"If you're involved with horses - either commercially, competitively or recreationally- you can't afford to miss the AHC Convention," said James J. Hickey, Jr., president of the American Horse Council. "The convention pro- gram promises to be informative and thought-provoking, as well as an im- portant networking opportunity for all who attend."

The 1995 convention program will include sessions on federal legislative

and regulatory issues, association man- agement, horse management and farm business management. A forum for horse show managers, a seminar on horse racing and a trails workshop are also planned.

At its annual awards luncheon, AHC will present its Rolapp Award to a member of Congress or the Administra- tion who has made an extraordinary contribution to the horse industry. Two other national awards of achievement will be presented; the AHC's Van Ness Award and the Department of Equine Adminis t ra t ion - Univers i ty of Louisville's John W. Galbreath Award.

The AHC Tax Workshop will take place Wednesday, June 7. Experienced professionals in equine tax issues will present timely information on hobby

loss issues, depreciation of farm and non-farm assets, capital gains, alterna- tive minimum tax, passive losses and other topics.

The cost to attend the convention is $200 for AHC members and $250 non- members, if received before May 15, 1995, otherwise registration is $240 (AHC) members and $300 non-mem- bers. Registration for the tax workshop only is $150 for AHC members and $200 for non-members.

For more information on conven- tion registration or sponsorship oppor- tunities, please contact the American Horse Council, 1700 K. Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006- 3805. Phone 202-296-4031.

250 JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE