This Can Be Nailed!

4th October.

There is no doubting Heath Ryan's integrity, nor indeed his candor. Heath has been generous with his time in discussing the EI outbreak and so Horse Deals sought his opinion on the great vaccination debate.

"I don't think this (EI) is as out of control as people are suggesting. I know the EFA are heading towards vaccination, but I have a few issues with it. At this point in time only just over three percent of the horse population has EI and certainly if you are in the middle of it, it feels like it is out of control. Vaccination used in an eradication programme is fine and ring/buffer vaccination has to happen.

"I'm not for mandatory blanket vaccination as I don't think the equestrian community (other than racing) can or will come at the $400,000 million annual bill. (This is based on one million horses at $400 a year for the recombinant vaccine)

"There is precedent all over the world that blanket vaccination does not stop EI outbreaks. At the moment Swedish racing is shut down and there are outbreaks in Ireland, France and England, all of which can be verified on the Animal Health Trust Website.

"There are problems with a vaccinated horse not showing signs of EI infection and as a consequence being worked as usual, resulting in permanent damage to the horse.

"I'm not arguing that you won't get up and running with vaccination, I'm just worried you are going to regret going the short term quick fix rather than going another couple of months and this thing could be taken. I understand that ring vaccination is happening, although the Thoroughbred industry are guzzling the vaccine at its expense. The hot weather, the ring vaccination, bio-security and isolation will work, and I don't think it is a black scenario yet in terms of eradicating it in the near future. All the signs are showing it can be controlled.

"I'm not against anything, but we are being brainwashed by the Thoroughbred industry and they don't care if people are going under. I try to be realistic and I'm desperate to get up and running, but there is a real lack of leadership on this thing."