A team of UK farriers is heading out to Egypt to trim the feet of neglected horses and ponies desperately in need of care.

Starving to death

Kris Parsons, a remedial farrier from Devon, will be leading Cairo Farrier. He is giving up a week of his time to travel out to Cairo along with his two apprentices, Alex Eltringham and Roland Thompson. 

Animal welfare in Egypt has always been a concern, but following the recent political troubles there, the number of tourists visiting the country has dropped significantly. As a result, the horses that used to earn their keep giving rides around the Pyramids have lost most of their income. Many of these horses were already in a poor condition, but with no money coming in their owners are unable to feed or care for them, and hundreds are being left to starve to death.

Cairo Farrier

In response, a group of vets, vet nurses and equine dentists from New Zealand got together to create the Kiwi Care Team, and provide some desperately needed aid for these working horses. The only thing missing from their team was a farrier, which is where Kris and his apprentices stepped in. The two teams will be heading out to Cairo on March 24th and working alongside the vets from The Egyptian Socity of Animal Friends (ESAF).

“I am very pleased to be asked to go out to Cairo and be part of a team that can make a difference to the condition and treatment of their horses,” says Kris. “My experience in training apprentices and working with a wide range of horses and hoof conditions will hopefully mean that I will be able to make a lasting difference.”

How you can help

One of the first issues to be addressed by Kris and his team will be laminitis, which is a major problem with Pyramid horses caused by stress and concussion. Kris will also give an educational and practical workshop for owners and local farriers.

Aeroplane tickets have already been bought for Kris and Alex, but funds have yet to be raised for Roland. If this first trip is successful and sufficient funds are raised there are plans to register Cairo Farrier as a charity, with annual visits to different cities in Egypt. Visit www.facebook.com/cairofarrier for more information.

.