Partner in the picture: Veterinary Clinic Wolvega
Over the years, Foal Auction Prinsjesdag has not only built up a large network of buyers and entrants, the auction has also entered into a successful alliance with a select group of business partners. One of these partners is Sport Horse Clinic Wolvega† The clinic in the Frisian town is fully focused on the health of (sport) horses. We spoke to vet Marco de Bruijn about the company.
Marco de Bruijn is one of the clinic's senior partners. He graduated in '97 as a veterinarian in Ghent. He made internal diseases his specialty and is a Dutch and European certified internist. He has been working in Wolvega since 2004. Marco: “I care a lot about (very) young foals. At the University Veterinary Center Utrecht I was responsible for the so-called 'foal brigade' for four years. In Wolvega, I am responsible for emergency care and hospitalized patients, among other things.”
The clinic employs a total of fourteen (equestrian) vets. Four of these are senior partners. De Bruijn: “What makes our team unique is the way we treat each other. There is a very good atmosphere in the practice. We do not have a strict hierarchical organization. Our mission is therefore to bring out the best in each other. We believe this is the only right way to find and retain the right employees for our company.”
Work is currently underway on a new building in Wolvega. Sports Horse Clinic Wolvega will soon consist of three locations on one site; the hospital, the new sport horse clinic and the gynaecology department, which also houses the farrier and the laboratory. “We are busy with the new building. The opening is planned in October. In the meantime, the clinic is of course fully operational, we are in the middle of the foal season.”
Inspection Prinsjesdag foals
Sports Horse Clinic Wolvega will perform the first inspections of the selected foals during the photo-video days of Foal Auction Prinsjesdag. “During the first inspection, we check whether a foal is wheel (not lame), whether it has an overbite and whether heart, lungs and eyes show any abnormalities. We also check whether the animals have an umbilical hernia and whether the testicles of colts have descended.” The foals are inspected again on the day of the auction.
He is clear about the importance of inspections for horses: “A good inspection is important. It is not a sandwich at the bakery that you buy. With a good veterinary inspection, mutual expectations become clear in advance. You have to know what you are buying and selling. Non-potential buyers can judge for themselves whether a foal is healthy, and breeders often cannot. In order to avoid misery, an expert should shed some light on this.”
The veterinary reports of all foals in the selection of Foal Auction Prinsjesdag can be viewed online prior to the auction. Veterinarians from Sportpaardenkliniek Wolvega will be present on the auction day(s) to explain the reports.
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