Man's Olympic horse ambulance job

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Of all the people heading to the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer, one Wrexham man has one of the more unusual jobs.

Sebastian Garner has been appointed Horse Ambulance Consultant for the equestrian competition, which takes place in Hong Kong.

Horse ambulances are adapted horse boxes that can ferry injured animals to veterinary aid.

His main role will be in training the Ambulance personnel prior to the game.

He will also oversee the operation during the Cross Country phase, which takes place on 11 August.

Mr Garner, who is owner of Racehorse Ambulance Ltd, based at Worthenbury near Wrexham, said he was approached for the Olympic job by a man he knows who is overseeing the veterinary side of the games.

"He approached me last year to come along and give them some advice and some help because unfortunately in Hong Kong they have never done anything like this other than horse racing," he said.

Horse ambulances are specially adapted horse boxes

"They had plenty of veterinary expertise and they have absolutely unbelievable facilities but unfortunately when it comes to show jumping, dressage and eventing, not a lot of that is done in Hong Kong and therefore they asked me to go along and give them some advice on how to operate horse ambulances and what they needed to have available for the games."

Mr Garner set up his company in 1989 as a sideline, but as demand grew it became a full time business.

He now provides a horse ambulance service at 13 UK Racecourses, as well as at major equestrian events such as Badminton, Bramham, and Blenheim Three Day Events.

He also does other major shows such as Royal Windsor Horse Show and the Horse of the Year Show.

The horse ambulances are not the only measure which has been put in place to protect the horses' welfare at the Olympics.

There will also be "cooling tents" and fully equipped equine hospitals.

Heat is the primary concern, so the events have been moved earlier in the day to try and stop the animals overheating.