Friendicoes in India - June 2023 Report

With the help of our generous donors, AAA has been a long-term supporter of Friendicoes based in India. The Friendicoes team have had yet another busy month with June bringing the usual high number of colic cases. Colic causes dehydration, impaction and poor gut motility. The treatments include painkillers, laxatives and fluid therapy, along with plenty of fresh clean drinking water.

Another common ailment that the team dealt with was lacerations caused by fencing wire, an iron sheet and a kick from a fellow equine. Most of these type of injuries could be avoided if not for the lack of stables or proper equine housing, which is always an issues in this area. These type of injuries are treated with antiseptics and dressed to keep the healing wound clean and free of flies etc. Each case is also given painkillers, antibiotics and a tetanus vaccine.

The Friendicoes team also distributed a number of buckets to working animal owners in the area, including at Brick Kilns, Old Delhi. The owners can collect water from identified sources such as storage tanks or municipality provided taps. There has also been the construction of water troughs at Turkman Gate in Old Delhi. Not only does the stand have 175 to 200 resident animals, Turkman Gate is a place where over 300 to 500 pack animals pass through and all are able to avail themselves of a rest and a drink of clean water.

During the month of June, two ponies were rescued. The first was rescued from Mandawali in Delhi, It had been abandoned in a municipality car parking area where there is a tremendous flow of vehicles. The second pony was abandoned on the Gurgaon Manesar highway. Both ponies were brought to the Gurgaon shelter to receive some much-needed care and veterinary attention.