Equine athletes get the best veterinary care at London 2012

A STATE-OF-THE-ART veterinary clinic has been constructed at Greenwich Park in London to care for the equine athletes competing at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic events.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) reports that the temporary clinic was built in just three weeks and has been equipped to the highest specifications. It will provide on-site 24-hour veterinary care and clinic staff will also have access to a team of experts who can be called in if necessary. Three specialist equine hospitals are on call throughout the Games.

The clinic has a diagnostic laboratory to provide clinical pathology services, and endoscopy, radiography, ultrasonography and physiotherapy services are also available. There are four treatment boxes which are overseen by the FEI's veterinary commission to ensure that treatment complies with FEI veterinary regulations. The veterinary services team also includes horse ambulance drivers, administrators and veterinary technicians.

‘We are very lucky in the UK to have the best of the best veterinary experts …