Local authority inspectors gain confidence in handling feral ponies.

The research revolves around a training program aimed at enhancing the skills of more than 40 local authority trading standards and environmental health inspectors in Wales. This program focuses on the assessment and handling of feral ponies, equipping these professionals with practical hands-on experience, and critical knowledge regarding horse welfare, horse diseases, and the necessary biosecurity measures. The ultimate goal of this training is for inspectors to provide improved advice on equine welfare.

Training Program

• The program was conducted by the Horse Trust and Redwings Horse Sanctuary, with funding provided by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Companion Animal Welfare Enhancement Scheme (CAWES).
• The practical training included activities such as the rounding up and loading of feral ponies into a vehicle, and assessment of their welfare — specifically, understanding the needs of foals and geriatric horses, and determining whether a horse was fit for travel.
• It also provided knowledge on identifying common local and exotic horse diseases, such as strangles and African horse sickness, respectively.
• The importance of biosecurity measures were also highlighted through this training.

Significance of Training

• The training was deemed crucial as local authority inspectors are often the first to encounter horses suffering from diseases in the field. It is thus paramount that these officials can promptly recognise symptoms and instigate appropriate control measures to prevent the further spread of diseases.
• Understanding the welfare needs of feral ponies is especially necessary in Wales, which houses a large feral pony population. By being equipped with practical experience and working knowledge, the inspectors can more effectively discern the need for veterinary intervention.
• The hands-on segment of the program was greatly beneficial for providing experience in handling animals that are not accustomed to human interaction.

Impact and Future Directions

• The training program fostered partnerships between equine charities and Welsh local authorities, paving the way for more efficient resource allocation for animal welfare.
• An attendee expressed that the training was highly informative, providing them with enhanced confidence in working with horses in the field, and enabling them to provide better advice to horse owners on improving animal welfare.
• This program is part of the continued efforts under the CAWES scheme to develop the skills needed to address future equine welfare concerns in Wales.