The Vets with Horsepower team: Dr. Sanne Wilmink, Dr. Caroline Hann, Prof. Derek Knottenbelt, Trevor Croft and Dr. Dietrich Graf von Schweinitz
Norbrook Supports Vets With Horsepower Charity Riders To Raise Over £75,000
6 years ago 
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Norbrook has helped to raise more than £75,000 for Vets with Horsepower. The team supported the motorbiking vets who travelled 3,800 miles in 14 days from the United Kingdom to the Arctic Circle.
The trip involved the delivery of continuing professional development lectures for vets, while raising money for three charities – conservation organisation Saving the Survivors, The Interstate School of Veterinary Science and Medicine of Dakar that trains vets across West Africa, and the children’s charity SmileTrain.
Eight bikers and the Norbrook support team left the UK on 15th June with GPS navigators set for Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Germany, delivering five days of lectures and wet labs to vets interested in equine health.
The team was tested when a seriously injured horse required emergency surgery following a motorway accident in Sweden. It was feared the horse would lose its life after suffering two serious lacerations in the accident and would not make the six-hour journey to Oslo for medical attention.
The vets were able to perform urgent surgery at Böden, Sweden, where they had travelled to deliver lectures.
“The horse was admitted as an emergency with life-threatening haemorrhages. Fortunately, the team had surgeons and anaesthetists who could operate immediately and save the animal’s life,” says Vets with Horsepower motorbike rider, Dr. Jessica Kidd.
As well as the usual challenges of extreme heat or constant rain, the team faced particularly dangerous traffic in Germany, with little respect shown for motorbike riders.
Another challenge came very early on when one of the team members had his tank bag and passport stolen on the first day during a stop at services on the way to the Dover ferry. Despite being forced to return home, he was able to re-join the team a week later in Hamburg, Germany complete with a new passport.
Despite these setbacks there were plenty of highlights, including the audience in Norway who turned out to be staunch supporters of the Vets with Horsepower initiative, now in its eighth year.
“What an amazing trip. We had so much help to make it happen from riders, sponsors, delegates, friends and well-wishers: getting together for the greater good,” says organiser and vet, Professor Derek Knottenbelt.
“Thank you to Norbrook for the extraordinary support - all the way to the Arctic Circle and back!”
Lizzie Barnard, Norbrook Product Manager – Equine, says: “Vets around the world have benefited from the knowledge and expertise of the Vets with Horsepower team, while these amazing charities will receive much-needed funds. It’s a win-win for everyone, and Norbrook had a wonderful time as support for the crew.”
To donate go to www.justgiving.com/vetswithhorsepower, or the full lecture notes are proceedings are available on a Norbrook / VWHP USB stick for a donation of £45. Please contact Norbrook for more details.
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Norbrook is a global leader in the development and manufacture of veterinary and animal health medicines. Norbrook, headquartered in Newry, Northern Ireland has a presence in 120 countries in the world, with facilities in the UK and Ireland, Europe, the US, Africa and Australia.
For further information please contact Rachel Crowe ([email protected]) on 01536 741 147
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