Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center has a new equine ambulance for use at local events. The ambulance purchase was made possible by Applestone Farm, EBY Horse Trailers, and Willowdale Steeplechase. New Bolton Center’s previous equine ambulance, 20-plus years old, was retired at the end of the 2015 eventing season.
“The new ambulance is a much-needed upgrade,” said Dr. Barbara Dallap Schaer, New Bolton Center Medical Director. “We are grateful to our generous donors who make it possible for New Bolton Center to support our local equine community with a state-of-the-art trailer.”
Penn Vet provides the trailer and driver free of charge to several local equine events throughout the year, including Willowdale Steeplechase, Radnor Hunt, Plantation Field Horse Trials, and Winterthur Point-to-Point. The new truck-and-trailer combination made its debut at the Cheshire Hunt in March. The presence of an equine ambulance is required at equine events.
“Eventers can take comfort in knowing that their horse is receiving the best care possible from the second it enters the trailer to when it arrives at New Bolton Center,” Dr. Dallap said.
Penn Vet’s ambulance will transport horses from the events only to New Bolton Center, and is not offered as a general service.
New Bolton Center’s new ambulance trailer features:
- A height of 8 feet with a custom back door to minimize the incline, and a side walk-off door for easier exit
- A center partition on a roller so the stall can be a full width of 7 feet, 6 inches, or smaller, using the partition to support the horse
- A remote-controlled winch, which can handle up to 8,000 kilos, located on the front wall for easier load-in
- Two standalone batteries for use with the winch and the water pump
- A 30-gallon water tank to hose down overheated horses
- Temperature-controlled ceiling fans, and a privacy screen
- Ability to pass through rocky terrain
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health. Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling more than 30,000 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet’s large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles more than 4,000 patient visits a year, while the Field Service treats nearly 37,000 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center’s campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry. For more information, visit www.vet.upenn.edu.
