Finally, some news. Not much . . . but some.

Charity Foundation set up

The newly established Belgian-registered Ukrainian Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation, led by the federation’s secretary-general Mykhaylo Parkhomchuk, aims to help horse owners, riding schools, athletes, equestrian clubs, stables and professionals. It will also provide counselling and needs-based assistance on the ground, including the relocation of horses, and gathering and distributing goods for equestrians and their horses both in Ukraine and in their temporary locations in Europe.

Today, Parkhomchuk is taking a horse truck with “humanitarian cargo” to Ukraine and will evacuate several horses to Poland on his return trip. He is also negotiating the organisation of logistical hub for humanitarian aid and as a pick up place for evacuated horses.

He is planning to negotiate with the Polish veterinary service about the possibility of simplifying the border-crossing procedure with horses for humanitarian considerations. More »

Other Items

The Horse & Hound (magazine) in the UK reported on 1st March :—

A FEI Solidarity relief fund of 1 million Swiss Francs (£813,760) is being allocated to help the equestrian community in Ukraine. The FEI is liaising closely with the Ukrainian federation and neighbouring countries to facilitate and coordinate logistical support as well as the financial aid.

After the FEI executive board met yesterday (28 February) and unanimously condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the FEI has announced it is removing all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus from its calendar. This follows a statement from the International Olympic Committee urging international sports federations to relocate or cancel their sports events.”

In the meantime, Euro News reports that neighboring countries, “Romania, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovenia, Hungary and Poland have all relaxed their restrictions on pets, meaning refugees from Ukraine can take animals with them. In Poland there is even funding available for accommodation and vaccination of pets, making things even easier for families travelling with animals.”

Organisations like Humane Society International and PETA are now calling on countries to relax veterinary paperwork for any pets travelling with refugees.

PETA Germany is positioned along the Polish and Romanian borders at present, helping people with pets safely cross out of Ukraine.

From what we can gather from social media, there are still many Ukraine horse owners staying with their horses because of the difficulty of transporting them out of the country. It is also being said that Russian soldiers are threatening to kill horses for their meat “if it became necessary.”

The Romanian association “Casa lui Patrocle” from Suceava, 40 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, is offering help to arriving war refugees and their pets. On Facebook they write: “We will do our best to find accommodation and veterinary care for the animals – no matter if dog, cat, horse, cattle or poultry”.

Featured Image: Not Credited.