A British charity is fitting inflatable seatbelts to donkeys
to help carry pregnant women to give birth in poor countries.
Mums-to-be in remote regions of Third World countries will
be able to climb on the ‘donkey
ambulances’ fitted with the inflated
wrap-around saddles, reports the Sunday People.
Donkeys are still regularly used to transport pregnant women
in many Third World countries.
Many families across Africa do not have cars but many villages
have access to a donkey or horse to get to hospital. But the saddles will cut
down the risks of falling.
The saddles made by charity SaddleAid in Anglesey, North
Wales, have been tested by a Welsh donkey called Queenie to improve the
inflatable safety gear.
They have already been trialled in Afghanistan and are set
to be used for mums-to-be in Ethiopia next year.
Credit: Mirror
Cat Jones will run the trial for Hub Cymru Africa, supported
by the Welsh Government, in north Ethiopia.
She said: “The time to get to the facilities can often put
both the mother and baby at risk.
“A device like this can make a real difference when access
to roads and vehicles is often not possible, but where many families have
access to a horse, pony or donkey.”
The company wants to train villagers in using the saddles
which they say could also be used in the UK to help disabled people comfortably
take part in horse rides or pony treks.
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