Vaccinations and a National Database

I returned from France in January after living there for seven years, during which time my daughter and I rode, and we owned three horses. The last was a gorgeous 2yo Welsh/Anglo-Arab filly – I was able to buy her with total confidence because I could research her origins online, as well as have her vet checked, of course. I could know for certain that she was exactly what the breeders said, and that she was not stolen, etc. Needless to say, she was completely perfect.

This latest fiasco with equine flu horrifies me, but I am also amazed at people here who do not want their horses to be microchipped or put on a national database. The entire French system is superb. They have a really well run horse breeding industry and various websites. If you want to see an example, have a look at this website www.haras-nationaux.fr/portail/particuliers/interroger-le-sire/informations-sur-un-cheval/. Then put in the name of a French stallion – for example Ever Des Chouans, then click on valider. Then carry on to click on the underlined name for more information. This is just a small part of the entire website. It’s in French but you’ll get the idea. To get more access to information you have to register.

I know that the French have fantastic resources but we have to start somewhere and it would lead to a better regulated industry with better bred horses in the long run. We love our horses in Australia as much as the French do, we should make it happen here. A microchip is just a small start.

In addition, the entire French horse industry does not grind to a halt because of equine flu because they do annual vaccinations.

We can’t go anywhere near a horse at the moment. Our riding school is in quarantine (we have made a donation, of course) and are planning to buy a horse but not just yet.

I can’t believe how much talk there is of the racing industry when so many other people are affected. As they say in France – “Bon courage” - to all who are struggling to keep going.

Claire Linsdell

Artarmon NSW