Sunday Sermon.

21st October.

The 7.30 Report on the ABC a few nights ago gave a clear view of the division caused by the outbreak of EI. On the one hand we saw John Messara, chief of the Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Association and on the other, modern Australia’s answer to Peter Lalor, Heath Ryan. John, in tailored suit and impeccably groomed, explained in modulated tones the importance of the Throughbred industry to the Australian economy, to justify the treatment, principally with regard to vaccination, it was receiving. On the other hand Heath, who like the Eureka Stockade hero, Lalor is “a bluff straight forward gent who blurts out plain truths in a homely, matter of fact style”; and “fought for the truth as he saw it” (a quote from the Melbourne Argus in the 1860’s). Heath, with horse in hand, spoke in his usual impassioned way for the rest of us. His efforts received considerable praise from readers of this website, whilst John Messara received none. It would be fair to say that Messara received commendation on the racing blogs. However, they are both doing their best as they see it for their own side.

Of course the virus does not distinguish racehorse from dressage horse and the disharmony within the entire horse industry, coupled with perceived Governmental ineptitude, has given the virus free rein to run seemingly out of control. To be offended that the racehorses receive preferential treatment would be like the showjumping and dressage community being offended that he eventers are receiving more funding. Three consecutive Olympic Eventing Gold Medals, Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney and a 2006 WEG Bronze Medal have guaranteed government funding of all Olympic discipline equestrian sport. Governments love Olympic Gold Medals, with all politicians trying to get photographed as close to the recipients as possible. Fair enough, they helped get them. And it’s not just the horsey set that is moved by an Olympic Gold Medal. The entire nation was excited and moved by our Sydney Eventing Gold Medal. And it’s not just the racing community that was blown away by Makybe Diva’s sensational third Melbourne Cup win. We are on common ground here, or at least we should be.

In England the Horse Race Betting Levy Board funds the Animal Health Trust, an organisation that benefits horses (and other animals) around the world through its research into disease including EI. There is a big argument for the government and /or TABcorp to fund such an organisation here. Now is the time and whether or not, racehorses were the principal concern, all others would benefit. We have to try and drag something out of this whole sorry mess. Passion is wonderful, so are reason and common sense. We need them all. The Australian Horse Industry Council already has a foot in the door; with our help they can put their shoulder to it.

But we continue to squabble about what vaccine to use, whether we should use it and compensation. Many who have not contacted the virus maintain they do no want to vaccinate because they have worked so hard at their bio-security. Surely the bio-security recommended at the moment is only slightly above how it should always be. But we are a funny lot. International showjumping rider Greg Smith and his wife Pam maintain a horse truck, clean enough to “eat off the floor”. They have been subject to some light hearted ridicule over the years. It would seem their approach, which involved gear, rugs stables etc. was close to the mark and bio-security for them would involves minimal effort. We all need to learn from this episode.

There is some concern regarding the gene modified canary pox vaccine, ProteqFlu. Some states are against gene modification per se. However, this vaccine containing the live canary pox virus “does not replicate in non avian species” and its use will not affect the dog food market, nor the human food market for that matter. ProteqFlu is apparently a very affective vaccine, especially amongst the naive community and thought to be better, certainly in the first line of defence. Live or killed vaccine aside, it seems very likely as affirmed by Sunshine Coast veterinarian Stuart Bryce on the 17th October, that we will be vaccinating up to (at least) 2012. As everyone keeps saying, “after the Cup” we will know more. Adding another piece of paper to our horse registration cannot be so bad. Adding further cost at a time when keeping a horse is very expensive is bad. However, it would seem that the cost of feed, given the drought is a far greater concern that Flu vaccinations. But it is another cost, whether or not we can bring the price down by various means, including the possibility of producing the vaccine in Australia, it is still another cost and for some it may be one cost too many. The pleasure horse industry is reliant on the professional horse industry, whose needs are greater? We cannot keep people out of work indefinitely.

Perceived criminal behaviour should be reported and dealt with, but it is not wholesale anarchy. We must all come to some agreement and that appears to include vaccination. Two hundred dollars a year seems a small sum to the many who are loosing thousands and indeed professions. We need leadership, diplomacy and even compromise to get through this.

Anna Sharpley.