Society for the Protection of Animals
Abroad
Jeremy
Hume, Chief Executive, reports after his visit to Marrakech in
April 2009.
“Everything is progressing, but of course, being Africa, it all
takes a little longer than one might hope for. Currently, all
nine troughs have been built - with adaptations to the curbs and
roadways, to allow horses to approach head on, while still in
harness.
But only one is actually fitted up
to mains water and working. This is because originally we had
intended that the troughs be connected to either a local well or
the mains supply. However, the local authorities only switch on
the ring mains during the summer, for irrigation. Although they
are very supportive of the project they also felt that some
unscrupulous/opportunistic people will steal the water to set up
car washes/launderette businesses.
So it was back to plan B.
This involves making a caleche, with
a water tank/bowser on it. It will be based, and the two horses
stabled, at our refuge, where we can fill up the tank as we have
our own well there. The driver will then visit all the troughs
twice a day - the extra advantage of that being he can keep an
eye on things and ensure that the water troughs are kept clean
and being used properly.
I saw the caleche bowser under
construction a month ago - they had to make specially strong
wheels to carry the load and it's almost finished. They are also
going to weld baffles inside the tank to stop the water sloshing
around too much. I also think there will need to be brakes on
the rear wheels, as well as really good breeching harness on the
horses.
I did see horses drinking from the
trough outside one of the hotels - but they take a while to get
used to it - never having seen a lot of water with reflections
before. It took over a year for the animals to get used to the
trough outside the Marrakech refuge - now it's extremely
popular. When mules and donkeys are unharnessed, they even make
their own way, unattended, across roads and pavements, and help
themselves. As do all the local stray dogs and cats, of course.” |