Photo By 1st Sgt. Lisa Rodriguez Presley | Soldiers with the 200th Preventive Medicine Unit make their way through a pasture...... read more read more
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LOCKWOOD, Calif. – The United States Army has a long and colorful history with horses. While tanks and armored vehicles are now the mounts of Army Cavalry units, soldiers of the 149th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services and the 200th Preventive Medicine Unit continued that history by training at Redwings Horse Sanctuary during warrior exercise at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif.
The veterinarians and vet techs got hands on experience at the 160-acre facility that rescues abandoned, abused and neglected horses and burros. A variety of breeds and backgrounds are represented among the 85 residents of the sanctuary, allowing the vets to work with horses of every size and temperament. Redwings’ veterinarian Stephen McClenny was on hand to show the soldiers some basic horse handling techniques, how to perform a physical, and diagnosing illness.
It was a unique experience for the unit, and though the Army no longer has horses, according to Maj. Victoria Smith, a Field Veterinarian from Lacey, Wash., the experience treating them is especially helpful prior to deployment.
It is great to get hands on training with large animals before a deployment because part of our mission is working with the local population.” she said. “They will often bring horses, cows and other farm animals to us for treatment so getting this training before we get in theater makes it easier for us to provide those services.”
The training for these soldiers marks the first time Redwings Sanctuary has provided training to the military, but for executive director Linda Plumb, this opportunity falls right in line with the mission of the sanctuary. “A big part of our mission here is to community outreach and education,” she said. Working with military or civilians, it allows us to get the word out so people will learn to appreciate these magnificent creatures.”
As soldiers made their way through a large pasture toward a water pond, a herd of curious wild mustangs began to follow them.
The soldiers gathered samples from all of the water sources on the sanctuary to check for bacteria that could be harmful to the animals. Approaching slowly, the mustangs allowed the soldiers to get close enough to touch them, which was a thrilling experience for Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Howle of Tracy, Calif.
“Man, I have the greatest job in the world,” he said. Stroking the muzzle of a white mustang, he looked toward the other soldiers and asked, “Where else would you ever get to have an experience like this?”
| Date Taken: | 03.24.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2013 20:26 |
| Story ID: | 104435 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | LACEY, WASHINGTON, US |
| Hometown: | TRACY, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 150 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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