Fair, many don't think so...

To NSW and Qld horse lovers

I think that I can speak for all horse owners and say that we are very sorry for your misfortune of having ill horses or watching and hoping that your horse(s) escapes the flu. Reading the blogs, my admiration goes out to all and your positive attitude is incredible.

In regard to Victoria and other presently EI free states I find it's interesting that we are still not asked to track movements of our horses, follow hygienic procedures, monitor their temperate twice daily (charts and advice on the DPI web site) and follow what is asked of the racing industry.

I question how long the ban on competitions will continue as we are not being prepared for future comps. Of course it would be time consuming but the world for horse owners has changed, perhaps forever. In making these suggestions, I want to acknowledge that we agist our horse 15 minutes away and would be very inconvenienced by safety precautions but that would then become our choice if that's what would be required to compete.

Also I question why the RASV (at the same time as racing industry was asked) could not have given advice and insisted that if competitors still wanted to compete at Melbourne you would have to demonstrate all required procedures. And it's not too hard to insist that the general public be required to stay behind a 5-metre barrier as the racing industry. It's a kick in the guts to know that racing is going ahead with thousands of the general public involved only a few kms from the show grounds, makes Mark O'Sullivan's explanations (on RASV web site) seem like a joke.

There is time and cost involved for everyone who has a horse(s) but people who compete at a senior already incur huge costs on a weekly basis, and still do but can't compete even through there is not to date any EI in Victoria. For all those still seeing it as too much of a risk would naturally choose not to attend horse comps, PC, 3DE etc..

Many of us agree it's to protect the money driven, racing industry and if we are right I think we can safety assume that there will be no competitions for 'pleasure horses' till after the spring carnival. Of course then the Autumn carnival is only three months away after the Spring season so perhaps we should consider that there will be a 9 mth ban on 'pleasure horses' competing again. But in saying that I am very happy to be wrong and hope that we will soon compete.

All the organisations who we pay to support us may need to consider partial refunds for the time period that we can not compete as they are supporting the decisions for us not being able to compete! That may at least demonstrate fairness and their commitment to their decisions.

Thank you for this opportunity to voice my opinion and I look forward to feedback,

Best wishes to all

Lorraine Harvey

PIRSA Equine Influenza Meeting - Mt Gambier

In South Australia we have had two meetings so far regarding Equine Influenza. The first held in Adelaide and the other in Mt Gambier, the town in which I am situated.

Unfortunately due to the last minute decision to hold the Mt Gambier meeting, not as many people attended as expected, with Mt Gambier being a large recreational horse area as well as being a Mecca for racing in country SA.

The meeting was held by PIRSA on Thursday 5th September, at the Mt Gambier RSL and was conducted by Dr Rob Rahaley, SA Chief Veterinary Officer. There were approximately 50 people in attendance. I was amazed that of all those who attended there were only two people representing the racing industry, somewhat disappointing.



The information from Dr Rahaley informative and current, straight from the horses mouth, so to speak.

• Approximately 3000 horses are reported as infected in NSW
• EI has a 5-6 day incubation period before signs of the disease are seen
• EI stays in the nasal passage and respiratory system of humans for 48 hours
• The virus can travel up to 1km in wind

The scary thing is that humans are capable of carrying EI for up to 48hrs. This fact should have been communicated sooner as a primary reason for the spread could be humans, rather than airborne infection or horses coming into contact with other horses.

Another interesting point raised at the meeting, is that the racing industry is permitted to hold race meets. Dr Rahaley assured attendees thorough checks were conducted on all stables prior to any event being held. However, it is difficult to know where trainers, jockeys, officials etc had been prior to the day and therefore I personally am concerned that the infection could be carried that way.



The boundary of my property is less than 300m from the Glenburnie Race Course. The organisers did not notify of the race meeting (held Thursday 5th September). If there is an outbreak in this racecourse, it is possible all my horses will be at risk.

It is important that event organizers understand if they choose to hold an event during this EI period and there is an outbreak of the disease, the organising association is liable for all costs associated with quarantine and support until the infection is quashed.



Competing riders also need to know if an outbreak occurs at an event, all riders and the organisers can be fined up to $20,000. I believe this is a good reason not to travel or attend events until more is known about the situation.

Thanks to PIRSA and all related departments/organisations for their efforts in keeping the equine community informed and the outbreak out of South Australia, so far.

Not only is it costing the entire equine industry a lot of money, but who would want to risk the health of their horse with a disease like this?

Cheers,

Kerrie Bowman
Fourwinds Performance Horses

EI Airborne at Diamond B

“EI has to be airborne,” declared Helen Chugg today who confirmed the first cases at Diamond B Stud in Glossodia. “The first horse to get it here was eleven days after the lockdown and we couldn’t have been more careful with our bio-security measures. Today (Thursday 6th) we have five cases.

“I am relieved in a way, as we were always going to get it and we are not expecting any foals until the end of October, so I’m hoping everything we have will have had it and be over it by then. At the moment, the imported stallions, Vivant (pictured) and Conquistador are well and because they have been vaccinated previously, I am not expecting them to get a bad bout, if at all. We have several European horses here and some have been vaccinated quite recently, so we are not expecting them to get the flu”.

Glynis Nunn Jumps To the Aid Of the Warwick Lockdown.

You can never be too surprised who you find at an equestrian event. Horse Deals’ roving reporter and cameraman, Blair Richardson gave us the telephone number of one the teachers helping the lockdown students “it’s the Olympian, Glynis Nunn” he said!

Glynis Nunn-Cearns was more than an Olympian, she won the first ever Olympic Heptathlon Gold Medal at the Los Angeles Games in 1984, as well as claiming Commonwealth Gold two years earlier. (The Heptathlon includes, the 100 meters hurdles, high jump, shot put, javelin, 100 and 200 meters run and long jump).

So how did Glynis find herself at Warwick?

“I was in the lockdown with my two children, as they were competing here and I was the strapper. I’m head of the Australian Track and Field Coaches Association, but I am a qualified Phys Ed and English teacher. The majority of the senior students here have laptops and their teachers are emailing work, so we are not teaching them as such, but we are there to assist if they need any help with their work. There are 18 senior students and eight primary students and they attend school from 10am to 1pm. They look after their horses ‘till about 9.30am, go to school ‘till one, have a bit of a rest and look after their horses again, so they are not just sitting around doing nothing. They manage to get quite a lot done in the time they are in school, as there is plenty of help. The eight primary students have two teachers.

Are you getting them out there running and jumping?

“I told Heart Sport about the situation here and they have sent some sporting equipment and Sport and Recreation have other equipment, so the kids are doing some activities.

How did your kids get involved with horses, are you a horsey girl?
“I was brought up on a farm outside Toowoomba and we had horses, but I never rode competitively, we used to just get on and see who was fastest to the gate. My daughter Jesse has a real love of horses and that is how we started with the competitions. My son Blake rides too, but he loves soccer and is quite and athlete; he does a bit of everything. Part of the deal of them being here to look after their horses was to do their school work, and they have been pretty good.

“I’ll be here off and on, as I have a National Conference to organise, but when I’m here, I’m here to help.

Read more about Glynis

More Photos from Morgan Park, Warwick Photos by Blair Richardson

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