Over The Worst.

13th October.

Over the last seven weeks we have heard from Heath Ryan about his worries for the horses, with 50 odd foals expected and his concern that we were not “all pulling together” in the fight to eradicate EI.

“Whilst we may have different ideas and opinions as to what should be done, we are obliged by law to follow certain protocols, and from the beginning that has been the policy of eradication and until such time as the protocol is changed, we must all adhere to it. What concerns me is that does not appear to have been the case, with anecdotal evidence suggesting there has been illegal horse movement. The DPI have been constantly reminding us that the virus can be transmitted from human to horse and many of the outbreaks have been allegedly due to that. However, I know it is not that difficult to decontaminate yourself, as Warwick director, Simon Goddard went home every third night and none of his horses at home have contracted EI. You just have to take care and follow the procedures. I would suggest that some of the outbreaks within the racing stables may have been due to horses being smuggled in, because surely people would not have been so careless?”

“At home here it looks as if we are coming out the other side of EI. The Grand Prix Dressage horses, (Greenoaks) Dundee, Regardez Moi and Donna Carrera have had a mild bout and will be brought carefully back into work in November. The stud season is in full swing and we have had ten foals and they are beautiful and are all well, which is a huge relief. Between now and March we are expecting about 40 more. It is to be hoped that by the time the foals loose their colostrum immunity, nothing here will be shedding the virus”.