Veterinary Medical Services

The Role of the in the Swiss Armed Forces

43rd ICMM World Congress on Military Medicine - – May 23rd 2019

Dr méd vét Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces Who I am ?

• Born 1960 in Lausanne, Switzerland • Trilingual (French, German and English) • A passionate Equine Practitioner and Rider from the beginning • Since 2003, Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces • Member of the Swiss Association of Equine Medicine (SAEM) • Member of the American Association of Equine Practitioner (AAEP)

Swiss Armed Forces 2 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces Summary

1. Why having horses in Armed Forces ? 2. The case of the Swiss Armed Forces: What is the mission ? 3. breed as 4. The – a Swiss specialty 5. The Swiss WB () breed as a riding 6. Farriers in the Swiss Armed Forces: a true tradition 7. Why is horse riding part of education in the Swiss Armed Forces 8. Conclusion

Swiss Armed Forces 3 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces Why having horses in Armed Forces ?

• Can be used almost immediately and at any time • Day and night - in bad weather • Used mainly in the mountains and especially where vehicles have no access • Does not make noise - does not cause any damage

Swiss Armed Forces 4 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces The case of the Swiss Armed Forces: What is the mission ? • Transports in favor of the troop in all situations • Transports in favor of the civilian population in consultation with the leadership (subsidiary mission) • Support of civil authorities in case of natural disasters such as landslides, earthquakes or avalanches • Border patrol riding

Swiss Armed Forces 5 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces Three different breeds of horses

• The Freiberger as a and • The mule as a packhorse in difficult landscape • The as a

Swiss Armed Forces 6 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces The Freiberger breed as a packhorse

• Freiberger horses are purchased at the age of 4, 5 or 6. They are fundamentally trained by the breeder and are further trained for special purposes by us • They are used for the following functions: packhorse, , horseback riding and pulling of debris and wood

Swiss Armed Forces 7 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces The mule - a Swiss specialty

• Swiss Armed Forces still has a "Know How” with • Used in difficult landscape – mules are very reliable • This competence is trained and maintained

Swiss Armed Forces 8 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces The Swiss WB breed as a riding horse

• Warmblood horses are bought at 3 years of age. They are green (not broken), ridden as “Remonten” and take an exam after 2 years of training – after that, they are "Eidgenoss”or a “Federal Horse” – • They can be used as a riding horse or driving horse • The Swiss Armed Forces offers a Riding education to all officers (Train and Vet) who are active in ridden troops

Swiss Armed Forces 9 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces Farriers in the Swiss Armed Forces: a true tradition • World-renowned training in Farriery • Special technology with a hoof lifter • Farriers are very important partners of the veterinarian

Swiss Armed Forces 10 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces Why is horse riding part of education in the Swiss Armed Forces - I The following skills are promoted thanks horse riding practice:

• Thinking ahead • Communication • Body control • Character training • Responsibility • Determination • Courage • Endurance • Self-confidence • Management skills assessment and selection

Swiss Armed Forces 11 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces Why is horse riding part of education in the Swiss Armed Forces - II Horse riding has also other goals in the Swiss Armed Forces: • Maintenance of knowledge: The military riding is still maintained • Motivation, carrying on, privilege for young people • Tradition: Preserving best practices and staying open to new things! • Promoting team spirit

Quotation from dated 1956:

“I wish all people to be able to go to the school of the horse – For the horse, which is not least one of the best means remains to : Being man…”

Swiss Armed Forces 12 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces Conclusion - Quotation

Georges Louis Leclerc, Count of Buffon (1749 – 1789)

«Le cheval: la plus noble conquête que l’homme ait jamais faite est celle de ce fier et fougueux animal, qui partage avec lui les fatigues de la guerre et la gloire des combats» (original in French)

"The horse: the noblest conquest that man has ever made of this proud and fiery animal, who shares with him the fatigues of war and the glory of fighting" ( translation in English)

Swiss Armed Forces 13 Veterinary Medical Services Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces Thank you for your attention

Swiss Armed Forces Dr med. vet. Stéphane Montavon, Colonel and Chief Veterinarian of the Swiss Armed Forces 14 Veterinary Medical Services