News from Warwick 25/09/07

Today on the Horse Deals blog an article was posted stating that the Warwick horses would no longer be released on the 2nd of October, so we contacted our Morgan Park correspondent, Alishya Hill. We found Alishya during a very jovial session of community wheel barrow races, but she found time to do some investigating for us.

Have you heard if your release date has been changed?

No, but when we where told the 2nd of October, it was emphasised that this was a guide only and not to be surprised if it was two or three weeks later. I asked the person who had heard the date had been changed and she said one of the vets had told her. I asked the vet here this evening and he knew nothing about it. I was going to ask at the 7pm meeting but it was cancelled and we have been told the next meeting is Friday. I will try and find out more information tomorrow.

Do you know about a number of horses getting colic?

All the horses where to be drenched for worms today, as they thought it was a good idea with so many horses together for all this time. However, it has been put off for a few days due to some horse (I do not think as many as 15) getting colic the other night.

How is the yard problem?
Since the big meeting the other day people have been better, so hopefully it stays that way.

As with this whole EI out break the lack of communication is causing more problems than the disease. Hopefully we will get some more information tomorrow.

Vinery Stud, Good News and Bad News.

Just over a couple of weeks ago, Horse Deals spoke to Vinery Stud’s Bloodstock Manager, Adam White, to find out how the long established Hunter Valley Stud was dealing with the EI outbreak. At that time, EI had not reached the farm, but Adam expected that it was not far away and there was a good deal of anxiety concerning its arrival.

“We knew EI was going to get here and we were pretty anxious to get it, so we could move on and try and get back to a little bit of normality for the season”. EI did arrive as expected. “We are getting on fine, the virus is about half way through the farm now and they are all (about 400 horses) coping pretty well. Different horses are handling it differently. Most horses though are handling it fine. We do have a few mares that look a bit depressed, with spiking temperatures. Most have foals at foot and the foals are coping really well, in fact probably better than the mares. A couple of foals have gone off the suckle a little bit, but there has not been a situation where we have been really concerned about either an adult or a foal’s welfare. The relatively mild nature of the virus in the area has been a great relief, especially with the foals, where it has been suggested there might be a 40% mortality rate. To this day I have not heard of a foal dying from it in this area. We have great staff here who watch all the horses very, very carefully.

“A few of the stallions had the flu last week, including the shuttle stallion, More Than Ready (pictured) (Watch video conformation and race win). He came from the USA and would have been vaccinated, but he only had a very mild dose and was off serving for just a few days. As long as the horses are in good health, they might as well be serving. When we do the scans for the services done last week, we will be able to determine if, the mild flu they had affected their fertility at all. We have had strict protocols in place in the stallion barn, to make sure they recovered quite quickly. One stallion, Red Ransom, remains in quarantine at Eastern Creek and he will return as soon as possible to England.

“As soon as the Purple Zone was established last Friday, mares from agistment and walk on farms in the area have started to move onto the stud to be covered. We have also taken extra mares from outside the Purple Zone and they will have to stay here until further notice. So at least we are moving on now and getting quite a few mares covered and getting back to a bit of normality, although we are well past the stage where it is going to be like a normal season. We have to take one step at a time. It is difficult to gauge where numbers are with the stallions and we are contacting breeders that have booked, just to find out what mares are in the Purple Zone, what will come in and what will not. Some of the busy stallions might be busier and a couple a bit quieter than usual.

‘The situation is not as bad as we initially thought it would be. The introduction of the Purple Zone has been a great help to us, as well as the other breeders, as they are getting their mares covered, which gives them hope of a future income”.

Visit Vinery Stud website.

HRCAV, recommends canceling events and rallies for 2007

SITUATION AT 24TH SEPTEMBER 2007
Representatives of the HRCAV, EFA, PCAV, VAS (Victorian Agricultural Shows), Racing Victoria and the DPI met yesterday to assess the current situation with regards to the Equine Influenza outbreak and discuss the best course of action for the coming months.

Expert advice indicates that the containment measures aimed at allowing the virus to burn out is the best course of action for the long term benefit of the equestrian and racing industries. While the number of infected properties in NSW and Qld is still rising sharply, the good news is that, up to this point, the disease has not spread outside the present Restricted Areas. While this would indicate that the containment strategy is working, such strategies are dependent on human cooperation and cannot be regarded as watertight.

At a meeting at the beginning of September, the equestrian bodies agreed to recommend that their events and activities be put on hold for the rest of the month as the risk of an EI outbreak in Victoria was high. Unfortunately, we were advised yesterday that the risk is still high and it is unlikely that this situation will improve over the next few months. In fact, with movement of horses now allowed in the NSW Green Zones there will be added pressure on our borders.

The HRCAV has notified the Clubs of the current situation and recommends that they consider canceling events and rallies for the remainder of 2007. Should a Club choose to go ahead with an event or rally there will be new registration requirements. Further details regarding these requirements will be provided to Club contacts shortly. Organisers and participants will be required to observe the bio security guidelines and be prepared to accept the consequences of a shutdown at the venue should an outbreak occur in Victoria . There are also insurance implications which need to be considered.

Our organisations will continue to monitor the situation and will be meeting with the DPI again at the end of October. Members are also encouraged to register their details on the AHIC Horse Emergency Contact Database. Thank you for your support.
Important EI links

PCAV strongly recommends that Clubs consider cancelling events and activities for the remainder of 2007.

PCAV Recommends In light of the information received at the meeting PCAV strongly recommends that Clubs consider cancelling events and activities for the remainder of 2007.

Should Clubs decide to go ahead they must be aware of new more stringent registration requirements which will be available later in the week. Bio security guidelines remain, part of these require that a register of horse movements and locations is kept and all participants will need to be made aware of the consequences of a shutdown at the venue should an outbreak, or a suspected out break; occur in Victoria during that time.

SA pony clubs to stop events until 2008

South Australian pony clubs have moved to cancel all events until the end of the year to help ensure the state stays free of equine influenza.
The Pony Club Association, which includes 62 local clubs and about 1,600 riding members, said the decision followed a briefing by primary industries officials.

Read the full story.

Hopes Dashed At Moonbi.

It has been over a week since Horse Deals spoke to Meg Drury at the Moonbi lockdown.

“We are really disappointed,” commented Meg, “we have been her for 28 days now, and had blood tests and nasal swabs taken on the 21st. All the bloods came back positive, which is good, but one nasal swab was negative, which meant that one of the horses was still shedding viral spores. So how disappointed are we? We were told that they would be shedding for 10 to 14 days maximum after contracting the virus. So it is new science that one is shedding after 21 days. It was one of the first horses to get the virus on about day two and was quite sick, with a hard, hacking cough for a long time. It is interesting too that only one horse of the 38 is shedding. A private vet came and did the tests and let the DPI know.

“This is a bit out of hand isn’t it, but I suppose it is still early days.

“The horses all look pretty well to me, there is a little nasal discharge and every now an then you hear a cough, but it’s nothing compared to what it was. We have been told we will be re- tested next Thursday or Friday (27th/28th). It was recommended that we put in permits to go home, but not to expect anything to happen at this stage. But I suppose if all the paperwork is done it might be quicker to get home when we get the all clear?

“Everyone is going pretty well, but it’s been hard going, but everyone is managing alright, I think, and people are still being very kind”. When we pointed out to Meg that they must surely be closer to the end than the beginning, she laughed and said “that’s a very positive thought”. Let’s hope that for the marooned at Moonbi, it is in fact correct.

Expensive Vaccination

It cost me $100 for two shots to bring my horse to Germany, with demand this would become much lower. In the USA the EI injection cost $8.00!

Dianne White.

Qld DPI Report

Latest news: Tuesday 25 September 2007:
Queensland is awaiting final results from the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong to confirm a possible equine influenza case in a stable at Hendra. The total number of Queensland infected premises (IPs) has increased to 347. New infected properties have been confirmed at Warwick, Brisbane western suburbs, Rosewood/Minden and Tamborine.

Frequently Asked Questions about Vaccination for EI
Will all horses be vaccinated?
Can my horse be vaccinated if it is a high risk case e.g. had severe pneumonia in the past?
Can I purchase vaccine for my horse?
Am I in a vaccination buffer Area?
I have received a letter, how do I make an appointment for vaccination?
How much does the vaccine cost?
What if I do not have a vet/ what if my vet is not participating in the vaccination program?
Can the vaccine be used during pregnancy and lactation?
Can foals be vaccinated?
My horse has already been vaccinated. Does it need another vaccination?
Will horses that are showing signs of illness be vaccinated?
If the vet doing the vaccination detects signs of EI, will it be reported to the DPI&F?
What will happen if my horse is positive for EI and I am located in the vaccination buffer zone?
What will happen if a person refuses to allow their horse to be vaccinated?
How many shots of vaccine does my horse need?
Can horses move after they have been vaccinated?
How many vaccination buffer zones are there?
How long will the vaccination program take to roll-out?
Will all horses inside the buffer zones be vaccinated?
Will properties where horses are vaccinated be registered?
How will vaccinated horse be identified?
My horse is already microchipped. Does it need another microchip?
Is there more than one type of microchip available?
If I own a horse that is chipped do I need to purchase a scanner?
What records will be collected?
Will there be an ongoing surveillance program?
How will vets know what to do?
What legal documents will a horse owner have to sign?
Does vaccination completely eliminate the risk of a horse becoming infected and shedding virus?
Can my horse get a reaction to the vaccine?
Do I have to pay for the vaccine?
Can horses move from paddock to paddock on the one property?
Will vaccination prevent my horse getting EI?

Treatments and vaccines
Is there a vaccine available?
Vaccines are used routinely in most countries that have equine influenza, but they are expensive. Vaccines are being imported to prevent the spread of disease outside of the area around the infected property.

NSW Equine influenza daily update - 25 September 2007

BUFFER ZONES

Containing horse flu is similar to fighting a bushfire; buffer zones, like firebreaks, work best where there are natural barriers and a low level of fuel. Susceptible horses are the fuel for the Equine Influenza fire. Buffer zones are being established in NSW in areas of low density of horses and the susceptibility of horses in the buffer zones will be dampened down by vaccination.

Buffer zones are an essential part of DPI’s plan to contain Equine Influenza by stopping the property-to-property spread. Owners of horses within the buffer zones will have two alternatives:

• voluntary movement of their horses out of the buffer zone or
• compulsory vaccination and an indefinite standstill.

It is important that horses vaccinated in the buffer zone stay where they are. Vaccinated horses can still get infected and spread the virus.
The buffer zones will be at least 10 km wide. There will be ‘doughnut’ buffer zones around the isolated Restricted Areas at Parkes, Dubbo, Tamworth, Armidale, Berry, Wauchope, Nowendoc and Mudgee. There will be a southern ‘plug’ buffer zone south of Picton and around the escarpment above Wollongong. There will be a northern ‘plug’ buffer zone between Stroud and Gloucester north of Newcastle. There will be a broad buffer at the Liverpool Range in the Upper Hunter area.

It will be increasingly vital for horse owners to comply with movement restrictions and to practice stringent biosecurity. Recent EI outbreaks at Warwick Farm, Brisbane or Scenic Hills Riding Ranch are almost certainly due to spread of infection by humans. This disease is highly infectious. The safest policy is not to allow anyone who has contact with other horses onto your property.

Although the total number of infected properties is growing steadily, these are within our expectations. Apart from the new infected properties found around Armidale, the infected properties are still within the containment lines and buffer zones.

SITUATION UPDATE
There are currently 2242 Infected Properties, 340 Dangerous Contact Properties and 312 Suspect Properties. Now that zoning has been implemented, we will no longer report on Restricted Areas, unless the current number changes. Some adjustments at the interface of the amber and red zones are now taking place.

As part of the NSW DPI’s buffer zones strategy, development of vaccination handling orders and protocols is under way for use of vaccine in the two major buffer zones north of Newcastle and south of Sydney. Vaccination is planned to commence on the weekend following the delivery of vaccine to Sydney on Thursday. Vaccination will only be permitted under the approval of NSW DPI’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

An intensive survey to confirm the number of horses and their locations in the southern buffer has been completed. The process for the northern buffer commenced today.

As reported yesterday we are now starting to see properties that suffered the first wave of infection coming out the other side, with projected outbreak scenarios predicting a continued high incidence of Infected Properties for the next month or so followed by a variable rate of decline over succeeding months.

The Community Education branch is currently establishing extension teams, with the help of Forward Command Posts and industry representatives, to arrange community consultative committee meetings. These meetings will be held in strategic locations throughout NSW.
The distribution of community information packages and posters continues, with all NSW local councils and NSW universities receiving these. Over 50 organisations are now distributing these packages to their members and to the public. The NSW Department of Education and Training are now working with Community Education to distribute a one-page flyer prior to school holidays.

IN THE NEWS
Kembla Grange racetrack near Wollongong remains free from equine influenza following NSW DPI testing over night. Two horses were showing signs consistent with the disease but have returned negative tests for EI. They will remain under close veterinary observation.

NSW Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Steve Dunn discusses latest developments in Equine Influenza control program. Topics include, negative test results for Kembla Grange, racing at Coffs Harbour and vaccinations. Audio link.

See http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/news-releases/media-releases/kembla-grangeAs reported yesterday, a riding school near Campbelltown have tested positive to equine influenza. See http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/news-releases/media-releases/riding-school-near-campbelltown-tests-positive-to-horse-flu

6,000 flu doses needed to save Spring Carnival

Racing Victoria wants at least 6,000 horse flu vaccines this week, to ensure the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival goes ahead.
Victoria has been allocated 1,500 doses in the first allocation of the vaccine across Australia.

Read full report.

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/audio/200709/20070925-Mcguaran-Flu.mp3 Audio Link.

EI CLASS ACTION GATHERS MOMENTUM - LAWYER

The Senior Partner of a legal firm conducting a class action on behalf of affected people and businesses in the thoroughbred and equine industries says that they have been inundated with enquiries since articles of the class action were published three weeks ago.

Jeff Garrett of Attwood Marshall Lawyers said that he had been contacted by a huge variety of people affected by the EI restrictions.

"We have had enquiries from equestrian photographers, produce store proprietors, stallion and broodmare owners, transport companies, racehorse owners and trainers, non-thoroughbred breeders and various associations of people who work in the industry. Its amazing the extent of the losses that everyone has suffered and will continue to suffer until this mess is sorted out".

Mr Garrett said that at this stage his firm was making preliminary investigations into the viability of the proposed class action and the cause of the EI outbreak.

"Everyone will probably have to wait until the outcome of the Federal Government inquiry before any concrete steps can be taken. Its early days yet and people are still suffering losses as we speak. These losses probably won't crystallise until well into next year. Obviously people involved in different areas of the industry will suffer different kinds of losses with different timeframes. For example, a racehorse trainer or owner with horses locked down at Randwick will be completely different to a stallion owner in Victoria who has a stallion at Eastern Creek. There is now some relief for stallion owners and breeders with the "purple zone" protocols but there are still a lot of people hurting out there".

Mr Garrett said that he knew exactly what people are going through - he himself is a commercial breeder and has 4 broodmares stranded on his own broodmare farm in Queensland. He also has 3 racehorses in work in Brisbane but these are also affected by the restrictions.

"I know exactly what people are going through given my own involvement in the industry. This gives me a great insight into the problems that the people in the thoroughbred industry are facing".

Mr Garrett urged everyone who had suffered loss to register with his firm as part of the class action.

"Obviously the more people we have to represent in the class action, the stronger voice we will carry to the Government".

Mr Garrett is hopeful of having a strong presence for the pending inquiry.

"Hopefully there will be a positive finding from the inquiry and this will convince the Government to set up a proper compensation scheme for all of those affected by this disaster. If this doesn't happen, there will probably be a long drawn out Court battle".

Anyone interested in registering their interest in the class action go to http://www.attmar.com.au/index.php/ei/ or telephone Attwood Marshall hotline on 1800 621 071 or email info@attwoodmarshall.com.au.

EI outbreak

I own several show horses,and, doing all I can to prevent the spread of EI,as, most not for profit horse people are.all this costs us money,plus the loss of the breeding season for my mare.I for one,am sick to death of hearing the racing industry and the government bleating about how much is is costing them.Afterall, the racing industry bought EI into Aust.and the government let it escape.The way I see it the rest of us are innocent victims, and far to silent.
Carol.

EI Compensation

It appears that at this stage all public statements by the Federal and State authorities are circulating around the welfare of the thoroughbred breeding and the racing industry. My feeling is that they treat what they call the "recreational horse industry" with contempt. The lobbying of the major players in the TB industry is obviously pushing into the wrong direction to allow movements of broodmares in certain areas in NSW close to properties with confirmed cases of EI. Considering the suspicion that EI was brought in by TBs coming from Japan and spread by improper quarantine proceedures within the Sydney quarantine facility, the thoroughbred and racing industry will very likely unjustly be compensated under priority which will be kept quiet to avoid court cases setting precedence. The rest, and namely the Warmblood horses, for all facets of the equestrian sports are left out to get small handouts.

I therefore call all affected operators, breeders, trainers, owners etc. of Warmblood horses to pool sources in order to fight for acceptable and appropriate levels of compensation.

Holger Schmorl
KINNORDY STUD
Holger & Melanie Schmorl

Letter to Member of Ford

This is what I have sent - please feel free to use my words.

Dear Kay I am writing to you to plea for help with the Equine Influenza. We need action now – on TV and on the radio – constant broadcasts to inform people of what the Bio-Security measures mean. We are now into the fifth week of the lock-down and many horse owners, horse related workers and business are going to go to the wall. A subsequent fall out of this on top of the drought is going to be starvation and neglect of horses as well. We cannot get a vet to travel to our properties at the moment (foaling has already begun this season), and horse feed is nearly treble of what it was 2-3 years ago. The biggest problem is lack of information – the QLD DPI is 7-10 days behind visiting possible infected properties, and vets will not attend or prescribe antibiotics until confirmed. Although the centres set up provides basic information for many horse owners, it isn’t actually achieving much as people continue to move about transporting the virus from property to property ( a lot faster than the DPI can distribute information) – and now, of course, the Brisbane Racing Stables at Hendra has signs of EI. Most horse’s owners are relying on email and internet links of blog sites to locate where the latest infection is, how horses are fairing, getting much needed advice and support. Please help us as the crisis is escalating fast.
Yours Sincerely Fiona Spillane

Owner of 3 retired ex-race horses and two dressage horses Tamborine Qld 4270
Regards
Fiona Spillane

NO MOVEMENT AT MORGAN PARK

After going into lock down at Morgan Park on 25/08/07 every one was looking forward to a conclusion of their confinement only to have this dashed this morning when told that they will NOT be allowed to leave on October 2nd as indicated.

Blood tests where taken last week and all 250 odd horses, tests came back showing that all horses now had antibodies present. Morgan town residents were told on Friday 21/09/07 that they were on the home stretch and the end was in sight.

Today the DPI and Bio-security people have refused to accept the results of the blood tests and the Oct 2nd date for a possible departure has been stopped.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?, we can not get straight answers from anyone.

Horses are now getting injured along with there handlers at Morgan Park, only 2 nights ago 15 horses had colic in the one night. These performance horses are full of feed and no meaningful exercise, is it going to take a horse to get seriously injured and have to put down, who will bear the cost of losing a valued animal if this happens? Surely if things continue the way they are animal welfare must become a issue and the RSPCA brought in.
What is happening is not a result of anything that the organisers of the Warwick Horse Trail Club have done , a lot of these club members have had their lives turned upside down as well.

It is time for Ian Douglas and Ron Glanvile from the DPI and Bio-security to start answering some questions honestly .
I bet if they where race horses they would be bending over backwards to provide a end to the situation.

Come on every one the time has come to get cranky and start to bombard those responsible Politicians, DPI & F and Bio security with e-mails and phones calls demanding ANSWERS.

Phillip
Jimboomba

Media Release from DPI Vic

EI EMERGENCY HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR REGISTRATION
Individual horse owners and horse organisations are being strongly urged to register on the Australian Horse Industry Council Horse Emergency Contact Database to ensure they can be contacted in an emergency.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Hugh Millar said it was vital horse owners could be contacted in an emergency to ensure the welfare of individual horses was not jeopardised.

“The recent EI outbreak has again highlighted the importance of being able to contact horse owners in a timely manner to ensure they are notified of emergency situations and restrictions that could be introduced at very short notice.

“Individuals, clubs and equine service providers can register on the website, and emergency information, usually by SMS, will be sent to those registered in the relevant locations to the emergency.

“The system is not only used to notify horse owners or clubs of disease outbreaks such EI, but also natural disasters such as bushfires and floods.
“There is no national registration for horses, making it difficult to contact all horse owners in times of emergency, or for authorities to be able to plan or map areas.

“This is a great system which allows the AHIC to alert people in a timely manner and reduce unnecessary risk to the welfare of horses,” Dr Millar said.

Personal details of horse owners recorded on the database are not provided to councils or commercial businesses. The database is provided to ensure horse owners receive emergency information in a timely manner and to assist with emergency planning.

People can register on the database at the AHIC website, www.horsecouncil.org.au and follow the prompts to the Horse Emergency Contact Database.

For people without access to a computer they can call (03) 5222 6650. A form can be posted to them to complete and return via mail or fax.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Equine Flu

I wish to extend my deepest thoughts to all those in Queensland and NSW who are fighting this dreaded Equine Flu. My son is on a large stud in Scone, NSW and up until 10 days ago were free from the virus. Ten days ago they were allowed to shift mares from one side of the road to the other so that mares could foal down. But now unfortunately they have contracted the virus. Their security system for their stud was so strict my son having to leave the stud "for a carton of milk" completely sprayed on the way out and double sprayed on the way back. The cars were driving through a hose down situation.

SO how did this "bug" get in. Being an airbourn problem have we thought of 2 carriers - the wind and probably the most dangerous - A BIRD! This property had 950 mares booked into stallions, one that still remains in quarantine and has been there since August 11th!

I feel for all those who have been stood down - retrenched and businesses that have come to a stand still. Not only the likes of jockey's, trainers, horse transports but caterers and those associated with all facets of the racing industry. We need to feel for all those equestrians that had high hopes of maybe gaining positions on our Olympic Team. The list could go on and on.
We - those people in some way that are connected to the "Equine" Family are part of a giant team. I’m sure if we all work and help each other we will overcome this dreaded virus and get ourselves back on track with our thoroughbreds, Standedbreds and our much loved horses. I for one would rather give up one season of shows to make sure that our small team here remained safe and "flu" free.

I wish all those effected the very best and hope that you and your much loved horses are back on "track" very soon.

Kris Meyer

SIGN YOUR NAME HERE QLD

I posted a blog here around a week ago and like many of you out there are dismayed at the lack of support for the (RECREATIONAL HORSE INDUSTRY)

I AGREE stand up and roar if we want to roar we have to do it together attach your name to this blog and add the no. of horses you own, or care for at your property.

LETS PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AND ROAR TOGETHER.........................
The DPI and in particular the media may be more interested when they see how many of us there are...... I hope this list grows quickly so that we can stand united and do our bit to help each other
This may just be the way to be heard.

Sue
4 show horses.

Letter to all Victorian Agricultural Show Members

Please follow these links to read the letter sent to all agricultural show organisers yesterday, after the meeting with the DPI.

http://www.vicagshows.com.au/

Recent Additions to the SiteImportant Information to Members

TIME WE WERE HEARD!

Peter McGauran's announcement and swing in rhetoric to a 'slight' chance of containment, in my opinion that was purely to justify pandering to the boys in Vic. What this also did was open the way for the NSW and QLD Ministers to also look after the big boys and to hell with the rest of us. Well it didn't take long!!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/24/2042083.htm

I thought on the week-end how convenient that one of the tracks in Sydney was sacrificed to enforce their case, I kept that to myself, but yesterdays news of a track in Qld some 50klms from the nearest hotspot... Sorry, too much of a co-coincidence, now this morning in the news gee look 7000 viles of the first shipment (which after funnelling some to VRC) left 9500 to come to Qld. You do the math, the TB's are again taking priority and will jeopardise the containment eradication program, while the rest of the industry are left on their knees.

I am purely a recreations horse owner but I have friends who are being financially crippled by this and I for one have had enough.

I suggest if you feel the same write a letter to your local members, Minister for Primary Industries, the PM and the opposition leader and let them know we will stand up and be heard, if not now then at the polling booths.

Find your Federal Member's email address here
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/mi-alpha.asp
There is an election about to be announced and we need to be heard, we need to bombard these people and tell them we will hold them TO account come polling day!

Cindy M
SE Queensland


(Here is a generic letter, feel free to use it or write your own, but DO IT NOW! We must be heard!)

Dear ???As a recreational horse owner, I would like to express my dismay and anger at the handling of the Equine Influenza outbreak in Australia.While governments fall over themselves to help the racing industry -- to the point of giving vaccines to Victorian Racing, when they were purchased to help eradicate the disease in New South Wales and Queensland -- many thousands of people in the recreational horse industry are all but ignored.Those vaccines are paid for under the cost sharing arrangement, which means horse owners will bear 80 percent of their costs. Why should we as recreational horse owners subsidise the interests of racing when it is to our own detriment?I demand that all possible efforts be made to eradicate EI from Australia, rather than pandering to the racing industry by introducing widespread vaccination -- something that will lead to long term significant additional financial and administrative burdens on horse owners, show societies and clubs. Many people and businesses in your electorate rely on the recreational horse industry for their survival. Many, many others have had their lives disrupted, and yet they rate barely a mention in the voice-grabs, or the planning, of the authorities. All of these people, as well as their families and friends, will be keen to have their say on how this crisis has been handled at the polling booth in the near future.Stop playing politics with our horses' health!Yours faithfully

Armidale Infection From Narrabri??

On Sunday Armidale locals were informed of a confirmed case of horse flu, another south of Uralla near Kentucky was also confirmed. The DPI is claiming these infections stem from Narrabri. Now unless I am mistaken the Narrabri Campdraft was on the weekend of the 25th & 26th of August. Sunday was the 23rd of September! We are told the incubation period is between 1 and 9 days (that is the longest I have heard, most are saying 1 to 5.) So how is it that we have new cases almost a month later?? The lack of information is a disgrace. God help us if it's foot and mouth next.
Kristy
Walcha

World Championship Horse - Hoping, Wis...

Kudu is horse with springs under her hooves. Alycia Targa, a young rider with the polish and panache of a champion.

But without the Equine Flu vaccination their hopes of representing Australia at the World Championships are dashed.“Kudu must have the vaccination if she is to compete in Germany at the World Champs,” Alycia, 21, said. “The people of Berry have helped me raise money so that I can afford to go - surely someone can help. We need to leave by December 1 at the latest. I urge the Government to consider Kudu as a horse eligible and worthy of vaccination,” she added.The Young Riders World Dressage Championship is being held in Frankfurt, Germany, between December 13 and 16 and Alycia and Kudu are the first to be selected to represent Australia at this unique event.Neversfelde Kudu was bred by Jane and Maurice Bruce at Berry in NSW. She is from an ex-racing thoroughbred mare and was trained by Maurice, then ridden by Jane right up to the dizzy heights of Grand Prix, the Olympic level for dressage.

After taking over the reins of Kudu, Alycia went on to compete very successfully in Australia, winning our National Young Rider title and was subsequently selected to ride for Australia at the Worlds. But her dream of wearing the Australian flag on her saddle cloth may now be over if she cannot access vital vaccination for her horse.

Berry is a red zone area because horses infected with EI were taken to Broughton Valley some 8km from Berry at the beginning of the epidemic. The virus spread to all other horses on that property but there have been no further outbreaks since.

Contact The Media

I agree with Ang and Victoria we need to contact the media we are all horse people and this is affecting all horses and people in one way or another not just the racing industry. I emailed Sunrise today I directed them to this site so they can see the hardship that is not linked to the racing industry I erge everyone to do the same post your story contact the media lets not be forgotten in this. There are more pleasure horse owners than racing lets all be heard!!!!!!
Michele
Toowoomba

Adelaide Show 2008