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Thinking about how to help more horses and their people, somewhere deep in my mind there was an idea of making an educational project, but still “was not the right time to do it” or “it was better to care about my busy practice” than “teaching something everybody knows” or “nobody needs” (I am sure all of us know how the common excuses sound like).
In spring I’ve had two work-related injuries in 3 days. No serious damage, but I was not able to work for almost one month. And yes, you are completely right if you think: “Who the hell goes to work three days after injury to get another one?” Well, this is also a part of the busy field veterinarians’ reality.
When this happened it reminded me of my own words that I’ve repeated several times at every single veterinary first aid course I’ve been teaching:
How easy is to put yourself in a danger thinking that it’s just a quick/easy/painless procedure so nothing can happen to you!
Being big and strong animals, horses can be potentially dangerous. Although horses had been domesticated approximately 6 thousand years ago and selected for specific qualities by humans, we never manage to get rid of their flight response and claustrophobia completely.
That’s what we have to keep in mind not only when riding but also during the daily handling and health care.
According to many practitioners and studies, horses are among the most difficult patients to handle and being an equine vet is the most dangerous civilian profession.
Because horse-related injuries are so common among equine vets, riders, and horse industry employees, it’s always worthwhile to repeat the fundamental safety rules
As far as I can say it was fatigue and lack of awareness what has knocked me down in both cases.
Springtime is usually the busiest part of the equine veterinarian’s year. I very often work the day and night through. When I am very tired I’m, of course, not able to pay 100% attention to my patients no matter how much caffeine circulates in my vascular system.
I’m pretty sure many of you know what I’m talking about. So take care!
In the end, everything bad is good for something. This is how the project with its very own logo was born.
I hope you will enjoy it 🙂
© Katerina Musilkova