From 23-25 May 2024, the Animal Action Hellas equine team made a 3-day outreach to several remote islands of Dodecanese.
This outreach trip involved ‘island hopping’ between the islands of Leros, Lipsi and, once again after a two-year pause due to very bad weather, the island of Patmos where Saint John wrote the book of Revelation.
Vet Kostas Okkas, dental technician Alkis Gkeskos and farrier Tasos Skyllas offered their valuable services to 47 equines (19 donkeys and 28 horses).
In Leros, the team treated 17 animals (5 donkeys and 12 horses). They visited a farm with rescued donkeys, a miniature pony and a horse. Their new owners love them very much (our team think feelings are mutual!). They believe that keeping them in an almost free state within their farm is the best for their welfare. Unfortunately, they don’t know, yet, much about domestic equines and, so, have never put a head collar on them. But they are intelligent people and it was easy to convince them that headcollars are necessary for handling when any health service is required. Before leaving, they promised to our team to learn to do so from now on.
On the other hand, a couple who run a small riding horse on the same island, surprised us with their knowledge over horses and the good care they take of them. The team quickly noticed that their animals trust them deeply. These people have changed the fate of some relatively young but neglected horses, which now work but enjoy a good life. Julia, the pony, one of the very recent arrivals, was found with overlong and distorted hooves and serious chronic laminitis. The hooves were trimmed with great difficulty and treatment was given to help her continue the rest of her life in retirement without pain. The owner who trims the hooves himself, received all the necessary advice from our farrier on how to continue keeping these hooves in normal shape every five weeks so that they don’t become overgrown again.
The three wardens (grandfather, father and son) of the Meloi sanctuary for retired donkeys in Patmos, were more than happy to see us again. They assisted the team with all animals which resulted in full treatments being given on the 14, very old, residents. Their sensitivity to fly bites was still present, but the skin condition very improved, as the carers had followed all our advice about the insect-repellents and general husbandry. Our EDT noticed that, contrary to two years ago, the ‘old mouths’ were, in general, in a relatively good condition. Apparently, having floated the excessively sharp edges, hooks and ramps at that time, helped the animals preserve their state through right chewing and the proper food. One horse also, received a dental treatment on Patmos, with his mouth impressively improved since our last visit.
On Lipsi we met again another friendly couple, who seek us every year. Their horses’ teeth had need of the annual routine floating. Again, most of the other serious problems had not redeveloped this time. Their beloved Friesian stallion needed again veterinary care for a fistula by our vet Kostas and by the local vet Dr Kontrafouris. Careful floating on the sharp edges of his cheek teeth which had leaded to the disappearance of the fistula last year, made him feel more comfortable again and hopefully it will keep away for long time its reoccurrence, as it happened in our previous visit. Of course ideally x-rays are needed in this case, but due to the remoteness of the island this seems impossible. Another one of their many horses was sedated so that motorized equipment was used to reduce the ramps on the first lower premolars and help the horse chew normally again.
It was an interesting and successful trip as we offered our services and education to three remote islands of Dodecanese that have no easy access to professionals, apart from the tireless vet Michalis Kontrafouris who cares for every animal and whom we thank for taking care of every little detail of the trip. Despite the pressure of time and difficulties from the boat connections, our team managed to complete everything scheduled.
All owners showed us their hospitality by offering us the meals and covering the accommodation expenses, which is always a great aid to the Equine Programme and helps us continue to visit places all over Greece.
