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VINJETT Rolf Nilsson has been driving the horse a
mbulance since the start in 1978. On the horse ambulance’s Facebook page, you can follow some of the stories of the horses that have been helped. We are not talking about standard ambulances, however; these are custom-designed vehicles that can accommodate the largest stallions and are equipped to handle all types of emergencies. There is a stretcher for horses that can’t stand up unaided, a 40-metre-long winch and other emergency equipment such as splints for injured legs. The walls are movable and the roof is equipped with hooks so that horses with fractures can be supported in hammocks. It is also equipped with a camera linked to a monitor in the driver’s cab, so that the driver can monitor the horse’s condition BECOME Stockholms Hästambulans in 1978, as she felt that there was insufficient, worthy care available to horses injured at trotting and flat racing meetings at the Solvalla and, at that time, Täby race courses. “Margareta has an enormous love for horses and she is a real driving force when it comes to horses and how they should be cared for. She is still very much engaged in our organisation,” says Rolf Nilsson, who is the operational manager of Stiftelsen Stockholms Hästambulans. “Our motto is that all horses should be able to ride with us; the price must not be a factor. This is why the foundation is run as a non-profit organisation with at-cost prices, making us entirely dependent on our sponsors.” A SPONSOR More sponsors are required for the operation of another two ambulances. If you are considering sponsoring the foundation, please email lomossberg@gmail.com. during the journey. “Unlike a standard ambulance, we are not permitted to use emergency vehicle lights as we are not considered an emergency vehicle and are therefore not eligible for a permit from the county administrative board,” says Nilsson. THE AMBULANCE transports 50 or so horses every year and has a catchment area with a radius of 100-150 kilometres around Stockholm. Horses are generally transported to the University Horse Clinic in Ultuna, just outside Uppsala. The ambulance is available to anyone who might need it. “It is generally a veterinarian who prescribes that the horse should travel with us but owners do call us themselves from time to time,” explains Nilsson. THESE DAYS, alarms normally relate to privately owned horses, although it is still not unknown for injured trotters to require emergency transport. The ambulance is always on call at Solvalla during trotting IT IS ALWAYS JUST AS NICE WHEN YOU HEAR AFTERWARDS THAT A HORSE HAS MADE IT AND IS FINE meetings, as well as for the horse shows at Stockholm’s Friends Arena. The foundation also employs another driver who shares the on-call duty with Rolf Nilsson and drives the foundation’s ambulances. Where does one find the energy to remain on call day and night, whether it is Christmas Eve, Midsummer or a birthday? “It is the love of these animals that gives me strength to keep going. I want to help the horses and their owners. It is always just as nice when you hear afterwards that a horse has made it and is fine,” Rolf Nilsson says. THE STOCKHOLM EQUINE AMBULANCE • Was established in 1978 • Total call-outs 2018: approx. 50 • Most common ailments: colic and fractures • Catchment area: A 100-150 kilometre radius around Stockholm • Competitions covered: All trotting meetings at Solvalla, three-day events, and the horse shows at Friends Arena • On the agenda: two more ambulances are planned so that the service can cover a wider area OUR WAY OUR WAY MENHAMMAR MENHAMMAR 21