World Association for Transport Animal Welfare and Studies
Registered Charity Number 1070042

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Contents
Introduction
El Salvador Project
Coordination with Other Charities
Video of Donkeys and Cart Design in Sudan
Seminar on Traction Animal Health and Technology 
Scholarships 
Publications 
Conclusion 
Abbreviations 
Contact information

1.0  Introduction

Plans made during the 1990s were successfully executed during 2001 and 2002. The following are highlights of TAWS activities in 2001.

·    The completion of the pilot phase of the Project to Improve the Management, Health, Nutrition, Welfare and Genetic Quality of Pack and Draught Animals of El Salvador. The commencement by TAWS, ILPH and MAG of the official project which will continue for a further three years.

·    The preparation of the video describing the use of donkeys and carts in the Sudan.

·    The preparation of a new TAWS brochure, availability of information through our web site and electronic communication through email.

·        The printing of the Proceedings of the 1999 and 2000 Joint BVA and TAWS Seminars.

·        The funding of two BVA Student Scholarships.

·        The financing of veterinary surgeons from the developing nations to study in veterinary practices and institutions in the United Kingdom.

There is no doubt with its very modest funds TAWS is acting as an efficient catalyst in the transference of technology related to pack and draught animals, improves health and  management by transferring technology to owners and veterinary surgeons.

In spite of the success of TAWS thought must be given to find young members and means to sustain its activities. There is a constant demand from students to fund their studies and projects overseas. It is sad that often all TAWS can do is make suggestions regarding the presentation of applications to other charities. ANY MEMBERS WISHING TO JOIN THE BOARD ARE MOST WELCOME.

2.0  Project to Improve the Management, Health, Nutrition, Welfare and Genetic Quality of Transport Animals of EL Salvador.

(i)                Progress of the Project.

·        ILPH and TAWS components of the project are developing as planned. 60 farriers and saddlers have been trained and are making a contribution to the welfare of working horses and the economy of their communities. The project has been well received in the mountainous region close to the Guatemalan and Honduran frontier .

·        The two training courses for veterinary surgeons were well attended and appreciated by the profession and MAG.

·        Training in the first semester of 2001 was cancelled due to the economic and social crisis caused by the earthquake.

 (ii)             The Course to Train Veterinary Surgeons in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Disease that affect Equines in Central America.

17 February to 1 March 2002.

 ·        12 veterinary officers, 2 private veterinary clinicians and 2 students attended the course, which was held in the offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Santa Tecla, the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Soyapango and stables close to San Salvador.

The course covered the identification of bacterial and parasitic diseases of equines as well as the use of the laboratory to confirm them. The training was practical and the maximum time was spent examining horses and observing the operation of the laboratory.

As a result of the veterinary training courses provided by TAWS in 2000 and 2002, six veterinary officers now work with horses.

Unfortunately only the project counterpart  Dr. Manuel Ramirez is authorized to work with these animals during MAG time to support the project. Drs. Espinosa and Roque were excellent students and are providing good services to owners of both working and leisure horses.

Carl Boyde who has a broad knowledge of equine management and disease, was requested to give second opinions concerning the treatment and prognosis of lameness in horses.

Dr Roger Connan’s lectures of the modern approach to equine helminthology were well received as well as his comments related to the detection of resistance to anthelmintics. His practical demonstration of gastro intestinal parasites in the digestive tract of working horses clearly demonstrated the heavy burden carried by these animals, which must reduce their performance.

The next course for veterinary officers will be held in the first quarter of 2003, when it is hoped to provide training in equine virology, teeth care and minor surgery.

·        Clive Woodham has been invited to return to El Salvador for 10 days in June 2002 to conduct an evaluation of the laboratory service. He will also be able to review the study of equine endo parasites set up by Dr. Roger Connan.

·     At a very low cost TAWS was able to transfer technology related to equine health and management to veterinary surgeons. The donation from ILPH to conduct the equine parasite survey was much appreciated by the Salvadoran veterinary profession.

 (iii)  Field Visits to Working Horses, Farriers, Saddlers and Veterinary Surgeons.

·    Three days were spent visiting Metapan, Nuevo Ocotopeque (Honduras), Chalatengo and San Andres to see first hand the ILPH component of the project. It has been well received in all areas visited. Discussions with farriers, saddlers and veterinary surgeons demonstrated the need for a greater veterinary input to achieve effective shoeing of horses. Individual horses were examined and condition scored. Faeces were collected to determine egg counts of nematodes.

·        Carl Boyde believes that the SPANA approach to education should be adopted, as it not only addresses the needs of the owners but also their children. Training in North Africa is provided in their schools to guarantee appropriate transfer of technology related to shoeing.

(iv)      The project in Nepal has not continued because of the political situation in the countr y.

3.0  Coordination with Other Charities

 ·        Carl Boyde was invited to become a member of the Board of SPANA.

·        Excellent relations continue with ILPH, the Brooke Hospital, SPANA and the International Donkey Sanctuary.

4.0  Video of Donkeys and Cart Design in Sudan.

Ramsay Hovell has completed the video after receiving additional support from the RCVS and SPANA. The Video will be presented at the International Equine Traction Colloquium to be held in Syria from the 22^nd to the 26^th April 2002 in Syria. There are versions in both English and Arabic.

5.0  Seminar on Traction Animal Health and Technology 

·    The theme of this years seminar was ‘ Is the veterinary surgeon making a useful contribution to transport animals. The speakers described the advantages of Community based Animal Health Officers as seen in Vietnam, procedures for obtaining project funds from International Development Agencies and the impact of the TAWS and ILPH project in Central America.

·    The afternoon session included demonstrations and discussions of harnesses, shoeing and lameness in equines as well as an excellent presentation from BVA Overseas Scholars.

·     Thanks must be given to Mr. and Mrs. Mike Stamp for their generous donation towards the costs of the seminar.

6.0  Scholarships

·    It is planned that a Sudanese Veterinary Officer Dr Ayman Nahas will receive 8 weeks training in June and August 2002 at the Farrier’s School, Hereford and with a practicing farrier.

·     Dr Manuel Ramirez received two weeks training in October 2001 in equine medicine and surgery at an equine practice in Hampshire and 3 days in shoeing plus hoof care with Haydon Price in Wales.

·     BVA Student Scholarships for Overseas Projects. Mr. And Mrs. Mike Stamp kindly donated £1000.00 for two scholarships which have been awarded to Rebecca Cannon and John Parrott. They are University of Bristol undergraduates. Their project, that is titled ‘Animal Health and Welfare Assessment in a Developing Country’ will be carried out in Kenya.

7.0  Publications

·     Publication of the Proceedings of the 1999 and 2000 Joint TAWS and BVA Seminars. Dr Roger Connan edited these documents and then presented them to the printer. Fort Dodge Pharmaceutical Laboratory gave £300.00 and Virbac £500.00 for payment of space in the document to advertise their products. They are now available at £5.00 per copy.

·     A report of the El Salvador project was prepared by Clive Woodham and submitted to the Veterinary Times with photographs of the different activities of the program. It was published in the February Issue of the journal.

·   Similarly a report has been published in the Forge magazine following a request from the BVA.

·    The Daily Telegraph has shown interest in receiving a letter from TAWS where dismay is expressed related to decline in the use of United Kingdom veterinary services and technology in developing nations.

8.0  Conclusion

·     2001 and 2002 were successful years for TAWS. Activities overseas and at home have had a positive impact on improving the health and management of working animals.

Clive B.Woodham Secretary TAWS

Abbreviations

TAWS      World Association for Transport Animal Welfare and Studies, Hardwick Court Farm, Chertsey

ILPH         International League for the Protection of Horses , Snetterton, Norfolk.

 CTVM      Center for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

 MAG        Ministerio de Agricultua and Ganaderia, El Salvador.

 SPANA    Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad, London.

 BVA        British Veterinary Association, London.

 RCVS      Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London

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