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."

Waiting In The West

It would seem that most people in the West have so far missed the turmoil caused by the Equine Influenza outbreak. However, yesterday we heard of the trouble well know Western Australian pony producer and newly co-opted Para–dressage rider, Sharon Jarvis was having due to the EI outbreak. So today Horse Deals contacted Sharon to get the full story.

Sharon is well known around the shows in the West for producing show ponies and riding dressage. Just last years a fellow Para-Dressage rider suggested she joined RDA.

“People who have known me for years could not believe I was eligible for RDA, as I never really told people about my problems. I tell then, have you ever noticed I get on from the wrong side, it is not because I do not know which side is correct, it is because I cannot get on from the correct side. When I was seven I developed bone cancer and my parents were told I only had three months to live, but my wonderful parents never told me. They told me I was going to get better and I never thought otherwise. After extensive treatment, I survived the cancer but a lot of damage was done to the bones of my pelvis. I have very restricted movement of the pelvis and some days I am in quite a bit of pain, but those days I take pain killers.

“I did not ride for six years and then the doctors could see no reason why I should not start again. It worried my parents and it is always in the back of my mind how devastating a fall and a broken leg could be to me. But you have to live life, I have parachuted and abseiled and prepared lots of ponies for children to ride. It was my dream that when I got a pony good enough, to take it East. I did that last year and it was wonderful. When I got home, I was wondering what my next challenge would be and the Para-Dressage came along and the timing was perfect.

“ This is the first year I have not been at the Royal for ten years, it is very disappointing. I should have been at the National RDA Championships in Melbourne, so I did not enter the Royal and now that the Nationals have been postponed, I am sitting at home while everyone else is at the show. Last year I did the show then flew straight to Melbourne for the RDA Nationals, but it was very difficult. However, I was picked to represent Australia at the FEI World Para Dressage Championships in Hartpury in England in July this year.

“There were seven Australians all riding borrowed horses and four made up the Australian team, including myself. Our team was placed seventh, the highest placed team on borrowed horses, individually I placed 8th, 6th and 14th in my three tests. The horse that I drew was 17 hh, which was a bit of a problem with my disabilities, and the fact I normally ride small horses, but he was wonderful. The whole experience was wonderful.

“Whilst in England we were looking for a horse with the Para-Olympics in Hong Kong and the World Equestrian Games in mind. I found a wonderful, 11 year old Dutch Warmblood, which is currently competing at Prix St George/Inter I. People told me when I found the right horse I would know and after looking at a number of horses both in Holland and England I just knew he was the one, I did not want to get off. He was due to leave England the day of the outbreak and he is still there in quarantine. “IRT have been wonderful sending me photos (Picture left; IRT got the people at the quarrantine in England to take a photo for me. It was taken after 5 weeks of him being there) and keeping me up to date, but I was so excited about him arriving and now it is so frustrating not knowing. Today IRT thought they might have him on a flight on the 13th of October, so I am really hoping. What I am going through is nothing compared to people in the East, but so many people are affected by EI in so many different ways.

“When he does arrive we do not think we will bring him home as there is the fear the WA boarders will be closed again and then he will be stuck here. We have friends in Melbourne, so it looks like he will stay there and I will fly back and forward.

“So I am just sitting here quietly waiting”!

Sharon hopes to be able to send us photos of her new horse and we will catch up with her soon to find out if she has had any good news.

FYI - Vaccine makes us laughing stock: Vet

Also found this on the same TB website (Racing), thought this was interesting..........

Vaccine makes us laughing stock: Vet: Wednesday, 3 October 2007

NEW SOUTH WALES - Prominent Sydney veterinarian Tim Roberts is aghast at the vaccination policy against equine influenza in NSW.
"We are the laughing stock of the world over this," Roberts told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Why do we have to use the genetically modified vaccine?"
Roberts claims Australia has been far too slow in responding with any effective measures and maintained the use of "killed" vaccine would have been a much better option.
"There's no shortage of killed vaccine which is very effective in reducing the clinical effect of the virus to a very mild and transient disease which is overcome in a couple of days in most instances," Roberts said.
"And, importantly, the paperwork is fast tracked."
On Friday night at Rosehill, five vets - including Roberts - went through the laborious vaccination procedure that demands documentation with stewards present. He treated 56 to 58 horses.
"I did 1200 on my own in South Africa," he said.

Maureen

FYI - Special Allocation of up to 100 Doses of Horse Flu Vaccine for High-Value Equestrian Horses

Found this on a TB Website (Racing based), gee they are getting generous - 100 Doses!

Olympic Hopefuls Vaccinated: Wednesday, 3 October 2007

NEW SOUTH WALES - Horses in NSW short-listed for Olympic competition are being vaccinated following a special allocation of up to 100 doses of horse flu vaccine for high-value equestrian horses.
NSW deputy chief veterinary officer Steve Dunn said vaccination would minimise the clinical signs of the disease in any horses that became infected.
“Vaccine has been allocated so these horses have enough time to get back to full training and compete at an elite level in lead-up events,” Mr Dunn said.
Equine Federation of Australia’s NSW veterinary advisor Derek Major said immediate vaccination was the first step on a long road to Olympic competition.
“Although Olympic horses are not due in Hong Kong until next August we are working back on a tight timeline to make sure they will be competitive,” Mr Major said.
“They must demonstrate they are fit, competitive and experienced to an elite level to achieve Olympic selection.
“Selected horses will also have to be free from this disease in time for some to travel to New Zealand and Europe for further lead-up competition.”
Mr Dunn said accredited veterinarians had begun vaccinating horses on the central coast, south coast, southern highlands and Hunter Valley.
“At the moment they are permitted to vaccinate only short-listed horses in the high risk red zone that have not already become infected,” Mr Dunn said.
“Vaccination will not stop them getting EI, but it will reduce the clinical signs and speed up recovery from the disease.”
Mr Major said competition at Olympic qualifying events could not begin until the current movement restrictions within and between zones were eased.

Maureen

Congrat's Horse Deals

I just want to congratulate and commend your great team for the
quantity and quality of information and reportage on the EI outbreak.
In such a short space of time, you've got a huge amount of info, and have
also kept an upbeat and supportive air towards all horse owners. It was
worth waiting an extra week for the magazine!
I live in Tamworth, and all our seven horses have EI at the moment, and four
have been extremely ill. But at least they (and us!) have been quarantined
at home, not stuck at a showground somewhere far from home.
Keep up the good work - an absolutely top magazine - we buy it every issue
even though we don't sell our horses... but we have bought 2 through Horse
Deals. Please congratulate all your team, because the "EI Issue" would
have taken a lot of very long hours in a short space of time.

Judy Evans Summerwood Arabians

REPLY TO EVENT CO-ORDINATOR ELAINE EDWARDS

Are you out of your minds? The reason why you are EI free is because of thestandstill . You need to put the needs of your horses first, put the thought of competitions behind you, I really can`t understand the minds of some people.

People like you will not remain free of EI once you startcompeting and moving around, IT ONLY TAKES ONE... YES JUST ONE. Horses are dying out there guys. What does it take for you too realize that this is anepidemic of grand proportions. We are all disapointed at the fact that we can`t compete. If you go ahead, you are fools. And therefore deserve to be infected (not that I wish it upon anyone) and experience first hand the hardships that the rest of the infected country are going through

GOOD LUCK I SAY.

THANKS, KAREN

Why are we not out showing ?

Why are great venues like Tonimbuk equestrian centre and many others doing it tough Because the EFA and the government wants people to jump through hoops to show. Don’t let the EFA tell you they are on your side (and we know there are sides in this) they are not .The DPI has no idea how to handle this.

But of course I don’t see the Melbourne cup carnival having any dramas .So look if you are willing to take your horse out at your own risk knowing full well that you may get stuck somewhere why can we not do it? Lets face it if the government will not vaccinate SO there must not be a huge risk to all our little show horses. So lets see we cant show because the DPI and EFA have cancelled everything. They will not vaccinate because we are not important enough. But we can still have the Melbourne Cup Oh that’s right its the RACE THAT STOPS A NATION well that’s for sure . COME ON VICTORIA STAND UP FOR YOUR SELF. We are just sitting ducks waiting but the racing industry are not concerned at all so maybe they know something that no body else knows .By their actions we obviously have nothing to fear. So to all the people that have lost animals and there will be a lot more it must just be bad luck.
I DONT THINK SO come on have a heart ,any body that has lost anything out of this disaster should be compensated because wake up they did not do this to themselves. To all the people who are sick of people blaming the government or the racing industry wake up also who started this? who let it in to the country?

Lets get real here we are not coming out of this the same way we all went into it. Every single horse owner has lost in a very big way. This country will have to change the way this is governed in the future .I myself will be fighting for the right to vaccinate any horse I own with or without the say of the DPI or the Australian government. Please remember these people who are making the decisions that could very well cost you your horses life don’t pay the bills that go along with keeping them. I hope everybody gets through in NSW and QLD and if you guys have any information that will help Victorian horse owners get through please pass it on .We will go through it that is just a matter of time.

Thank you from one of the sitting ducks who reads Horse Deals.

Home Safe and Sound with Blair Richardson

Blair Richardson and his team of horses who were just one of the many victims of the Morgantown Lockdown are finally home safe and sound in Scone NSW.

Blair reported 'When we finally got the permit from the DPI, Chris Burton & I left in a convoy. We had to follow the route the DPI gave us which meant we travelled along a pot-holed dirt track which felt like 'out the back of bourke' for about 60's km's. It was a funny trip, you would hit a pot hole and everything would fall off the dash, it also meant it put an extra 200km's on the trip. At one stage we missed a turn and got a little lost but we finally made it home. 

The horses are all really well, they haven't lifted their heads since they have been in their paddocks, their temps are down over a degree lower than they were in Morgantown , - I think all of us are just relieved to have finally made it home!

EI and Infuenza A (People's Flu)

Hi,

We are like most and surely the majority that have horses beacause we LOVE them. Every one has got his/hers own personality. We know each and everyone's sights and scares.

We have 3 girls and a boy. He is our clydie that we "rescued" from starvation. He's only 4 and if the flu should come to us he will surely not make it. He is on the recovery path for 4 months now and still get some set-backs. We've been told that recovery can take anything from 6 - 10 months even more!

What frustrates us with the whole EI and vaccination system is that ONLY racehorses are given the vaccine! Who still says this is NOT ABOUT MONEY?! Horses was vaccinated INSIDE the buffer zone and infected areas, explain?

This brings the issue of Infuenza A in the human population to mind. The flu is exactly the same. We've learned from one or two horses, so far, that died because of EI or related links to EI. How many people has died form IA? Did they (Government, DPI, whoever) quarantined the people? No, you cannot and could not get something to treat the flu. You just had to sit it out. When you got the flu, it's COMMON SENSE not to exercise or you will die. Same with horses, get the flu you have to rest him/her!! What is so very difficult to comprehend? Coming back to the money issue, racehorses will die when you make them run while sick.

Thanks

Chris & SusanBrisbane South

We have been advised restrictions will be in place until Easter 2008

I have read and heard now from several reliable sources, including DPI vets, that we should expect to be under movement restrictions, in the eastern States until at least Easter 2008 - if things don't get worse.

How many businesses will make it thru the next 4 weeks - let alone the next 7 months?? How many thousands of business's will fold, and lives destroyed? How many horses will go to waste?? Of course racing will start again by Xmas - and race horses will have free rein to go where and when they like - while the other 80% of us sit and watch on.

Things are tuff now - wait another 4 weeks when people become desperate - desperate people do desperate things - maybe then things will change....

When does the cost to stop this - out weigh the benefits of one day returning to EI free status??

Regards Jenny

Hello

Hello everyone,

I think that it is silly letting racing horses move around once they have been vaccinated but we don't get vaccinated till two weeks time. I mean come on, If they move around they could be moving the EI with them. We are on a property with race horses and they have been vaccinated but we haven't. Its silly. I am scared that not only my horse will get it but everyone else's. I think people should only be moving their horses for a good reason. I mean some vets aren't even worried about ponies (Older ones, and young foals) when our vet came out he said I shouldn't be worrying about these scumper ponies... SO angry... Anyone else agree with me?

Ashleigh
Sunshine Coast

For or Against Vaccination?

I would like to know more about the pro's and cons of vaccination.

You read so much about the negatives of vaccination, I'm now confused, as most of the voters on this site seem to be "for" vaccination. I'm reluctant to support the idea, as I there is so much information going around and it's mind boggling.

Also, I'm confused about the question of the survey, does it mean bringing in vaccination as compulsory for all horse owners??

Could someone provide feedback on the following;

• Once vaccination comes in as compulsory, does it mean we will have given up the fight to eradicate EI???
  
• How does the vaccination work in the buffer zones if horses that are vaccinated can still contract EI and pass it along??
  

Will people become complacent once vaccination is in place??
I understand the whole industry needs to get back up and running, but is this going to be at the expense of not completely eradicating EI?

Jodi

It continues to disappoint and astound!

EFA VIC taking the same road as the racing Industry.

With the Non racing sector grouping together to receive some recognition as to how this Virus is effecting us all the EFA Vic are still running an Event for Intro to Pre novice horses, is it really that important?

How can they expect everyone else to do the right thing when they are making their own rules. It continues to disappoint and astound me that while 99% of the horse world continue to try and stop this Virus in its tracks, people Continue to think of them selves not the whole Community.

So EFA How can you Bag the Racing industry when you are doing exactly the same thing????

JOHN

Support EI Crisis Meeting - Saturday 6/09/07 at Ipswich

Just a reminder to everyone in Queensland PLEASE COME and Support the EI Crisis Meeting that is being held on Saturday 6/09/07 at Ipswich Show Grounds

Start time 1.00pm

Strict Bio-security measures will need to be adhered to.

This is our chance to be a united group and show the State and Federal Government what EI is doing to us and our horses and to voice our concerns and put some equity back into this whole thing.

Phil

Maybe we should just stand up and compete!

This so called EI crisis has become a joke - we the so called Recreational Riders are being held to ransom through NO FAULT of our own. We are largely unknown unrepresented and very underestimated by governments and I cannot see this changing in the present climate. By the time we form one group with one voice many of our suppliers will be gone it will be past tense and too late. The only way that either the media or government is going to become interested in our plight is to revolt or sue. To organise a class action will take time but I am sure we could arrange hack shows/show jumping/cutting events in a rather short time.

The racing community appears to be able to continue on its merry way in SA and Vic with a shared foot bath a hundred metres of orange bunting and a box of tissues. I cannot for the life of me see holding yards or accommodation provided in case of an outbreak. The recyclers of the racing fraternity are being totally taken for a ride (if only it was a saddled one).

My understanding of the South African outbreak (see Horse Deals current article) was that it was wide spread evacuation that curtailed the spread. It was only later down the track that it was reintroduced with lapses from yep you guessed it the 'Thoroughbred Industry'. Why are we being ignored in the vaccination process if the clean states introduced widespread vaccinations we would know it is not going to travel further.

Maybe just maybe we should just stand up and compete!!!!!!

Chris SA

Victorians Grasp The Nettle.

At last there is some positive and courageous action in Victoria, which has been effectively held at ransom since the Equine Influenza outbreak in August. The fear of the Melbourne Cup Carnival being cancelled has created a paranoia that goes beyond logic. The threat that local competitions in the Melbourne area with local horses pose with regard to spreading the EI virus is considerably less than the threat of a Cup Carnival visitor bringing the virus from NSW. No one wants the Cup Carnival to be cancelled, but that the entire state is being bullied into a standstill until the Carnival is over is hard to take. The revenue to the state over the Spring Carnival via TABcorp is enormous, but it does seem tough that all equestrian sport is at a standstill, with no offer of compensation. It is not a matter of some ‘disgruntled girl’ not being able to take her pony to a show, it is the matter of a great many business seriously going to the wall.


Ian and Pat Mouser’s Tonimbuk Equestrian Park, an hour and a half east of Melbourne is a busy international class competition venue, or at least it was prior to the EI outbreak. “This has seriously affected us, we have had competitions booked in every week and they have all cancelled. If this goes on any longer we will just shut the place as you know it and turn it into an agistment centre. The DPI has genuinely scared people. Werribee Park must be in terrible trouble. We will be conducting four EFA jumping shows and we want to get them up and running as soon as possible. We have the infrastructure necessary, with 100 stables and access to as many yards as we need to satisfy any DPI requirements. We also have four all weather arenas and new arena surrounds and markers and we would be happy to organise dressage competitions if there is the demand”.

Note
During the writing of this article, Horse Deals received a call informing us of the $500,000 compensation package offered by Victorian Premier, John Brumby to not for profit organisations which have lost money (or in fact not made money) as a result of canceling events, "to help reduce the risk of EI entering Victoria". The full press release can be found on the Horse Deals Blog. What affect this will have on the Victorian EFA’s proposed showjumping days on the 4th, and 18th November and 2nd December and the One day Event on the 27th and 28th October at Werribee Park we do not know at this point. Ian Mouser came out with an emphatic, “if we can run the shows at Tonimbuk we will and we will be conducting pre entry all discipline training days on the 20th and 21st October”. For information regarding the Tonimbuk competitions go to-www.tonimbuk.com

EI killed my Briar Baby

This morning betweeen 4am and 5am Byalee Believe, the first palomino and the first colt by Byalee Briar, died of EI complications. He had a temperature on Monday afternoon, lung congestion by yesterday afternoon, appeared bright after being on a drip yesterday evening and then died of massive lung congestion. All the drugs and care in the world weren't enough to stop him from dying.

"Toby" was already sold and was destined for a career in the dressage arena. He was absolutely gorgeous, the strongest foal we had ever had, a good 60kg, and it still killed him. The mare is beside herself, as are we all. He wasn't just one of 20 foals, he was the culmination of 20 years of breeeding and working and dreaming and believing in the dream. He was the reward for going out on a limb and going into more debt and importing a stallion - when he was born I sat and watched him from my computer for two days. I couldn't believe what I had created.

I should have known better. Right now it's really hard to believe. Or to dream. We don't expect 20 live foals every year from 20 mares - but this one shouldn't have died and didn't need to die.

We still have a pregnant broodmare dying of EI, we still have an EI infected 29-day premmie foal that can't stand up on its own after 36 hours, and we just brought in another 7-day-old Romance filly with lung congestion. It's 35 deg and we have had no sleep. We only have one staff left - the other 3 live in and two part time are long sacked due to no income. Maybe if there was an end in sight - but there isn't.

I am posting this thread not to make you all cry but to warn you - when the DPI-appointed vet came to do the autopsy he said lots of TB foals had died. So don't wait for staistics. We are being fed propaganda. And yes, before you suggest it, after crying for three hours I did get angry, and I did go to the media. And it will be run.
But it won't make Toby wake up.

Ann-Maree Lourey

EI National Situation

Equine Influenza in Australia 2007: Victoria Situation Report
Date: Wednesday 3rd October 2007 – 1800 hrs
Issued by the Department of Primary Industries Victoria, as a service to interested parties in the equestrian and related industries.

Background
The first suspected case of Equine Influenza (EI) was detected at Eastern Creek Quarantine Station in New South Wales on 17 August. Further cases were subsequently detected on other properties.

National Situation
NSW and QLD are both affected by EI. All the other states and territories remain EI free.
Vaccination of horses in NSW regional buffer zones around EI restricted areas (red zones) commenced 29/09/2007. All vaccinations will be used for the eradication campaign only, and there is currently no proposal for any general vaccination of horses. Vaccination other than with the approval of the Chief Veterinary Officer remains illegal.

Vaccination of horses in QLD began on 29th September 2007. This will see the establishment of a large "buffer zone" around the known EI infection areas in the South East Qld Red Zone, as well as vaccination of high risk horse populations within the Red Zone.

Owners should note that vaccinated horses may still be infected, may be carrying the virus, and may infect other horses or be a source of contamination. The vaccine simply acts to reduce the severity of infection and the excretion of virus, thus limiting the spread of the disease.
Government payments are available for workers involved in commercial horse-dependent industries and grants for businesses and non-government and not-for-profit equestrian organisations. For details phone the Centrelink EI Hotline on 1800 234 002 or visit www.centrelink.gov.au and go to the EI link.

The QLD state government has announced a $20 million assistance package for Queenslanders whose livelihoods are affected by the EI outbreak.

The ban on importing horses into Tasmania from the mainland has been reinstated.

• $500,000 for grants to not-for-profit recreational horse organisations that have cancelled

PREMIER LAUNCHES SPRING RACING CARNIVAL

Premier John Brumby has announced $2.2 million in programs to reinforce measures to help keep Victoria free of Equine Influenza and protect the Spring Racing Carnival.
Making the announcement while launching the Spring Racing Carnival at Federation Square, Mr Brumby said the Victorian racing industry was worth more than $2 billion to the State’s economy and employed 70,000 people.

“The new measures are extra support for long-term initiatives to protect Victoria from Equine Influenza,” Mr Brumby said.
“The racing industry and the Spring Racing Carnival are important for Victoria and the rest of Australia, so it is important that government and industry do all that we can to guard against Equine Influenza coming to Victoria.”

Mr Brumby said Victoria had secured enough vaccines to inoculate all Victorian horses in training for the Spring Carnival, and an extra 130,000 doses of the vaccine were scheduled to arrive in Australia on Friday.

“Securing the vaccines does not mean we can let up on our vigilance and compliance. The risk of Equine Influenza hitting Victoria is still high. The Government and industry must keep up our efforts to ensure the Spring Carnival proceeds without being affected by Equine Influenza,” he said.

Mr Brumby said today’s $2.2 million package includes:

• $950,000 for an intensive public awareness campaign along the border with NSW, at Melbourne Airport and at Spring Racing Carnival venues;

• $500,000 for grants to not-for-profit recreational horse organisations that have cancelled events to help reduce the risk of EI entering Victoria;

• $350,000 for enhanced surveillance activity involving private practitioners testing for EI;

• $205,000 for improved diagnostic equipment to be used by DPI; and

• $200,000 to assist with improved compliance with border controls.

Mr Brumby said DPI had deployed round-the-clock border patrols at the Victoria/NSW border.
“These measures have helped ensure to date that Victoria remains EI-free despite the outbreak in NSW,” he said.

Mr Brumby said the new measures would also build on the success of existing activities and support the recreational groups that have been affected by the horse flu outbreak.
“Victoria’s recreational horse organisations have been extremely co-operative during the current outbreak, and have voluntarily cancelled all meetings to minimise the risks of spreading Equine Influenza.,” Mr Brumby said.

“This funding recognises the sacrifices these groups have made and guidelines for the grant program will be developed in conjunction with the industry.”

Surrounded by champions past and present, Mr Brumby said this year’s Spring Racing

Carnival, with the Melbourne Cup as the pinnacle, would definitely stop the nation.
“The Spring Racing Carnival is the largest social event on Victoria’s calendar and each year puts Melbourne on the international map, drawing thousands of interstate and overseas visitors,” he said.

“This year promises to be a fantastic spectacle, with strong country racing, a redeveloped Flemington Racecourse and a challenging international and local field of horses ready to take on spring racing in Victoria.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Racing Rob Hulls said the 50 days of Spring Racing were set to attract massive crowds and strong interest across the country and overseas.
“Each year the Spring Racing Carnival delivers what Victorian racing is known for – quality competition and fantastic entertainment across the state,” he said.

“Last year the Spring Racing Carnival attracted a record 770,000 visitors and poured almost $630 million into the Victorian economy. It’s a vital part of the Victorian events landscape.”
Mr Hulls commended Racing Victoria Limited and the broader racing industry for their conscientious work in keeping Victoria equine influenza free.

“Whilst vaccinations are an added insurance to ensure the Carnival goes ahead, the fact is that border controls must continue and we must do everything that’s humanly possible to keep equine influenza out of this state," Mr Hulls said.

Mudgee horses in buffer zone for vaccination

04 Oct 2007

Local horses in the Mudgee district equine influenza (EI) buffer zone are to receive horse flu vaccinations, NSW chief veterinary officer, Bruce Christie, said today.

“Veterinary teams will soon be deployed to target horse properties in the zone and it will take more than seven days to have the buffer vaccinations completed,” Mr Christie said.

“Horse owners in the buffer zone are being contacted to pre-arrange a time for vaccinations to take place.

“We are appealing for local horse owners in the buffer zone to register their horses on-line at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza.

“Alternatively, they can contact the Mudgee EI vaccination centre, 6372 4897, which operates daily from 7am until 9pm, or the EI hotline on 1800 675 888.”

Horse owners can also register their horses using buffer zone survey forms which are available from NSW Department of Primary Industries, Mudgee offices of the Midwestern Regional Council and the Mudgee/Merriwa Rural Lands Protections Board.

Buffer zone survey forms and EI information will also be available from rural suppliers and resellers.

Only horses in the designated buffer area are to be given the vaccination to create a wall of immunity.

Mr Christie said owners have an option to move their horses under permit rather than have them vaccinated.

“Owners will receive an offer of $500 per horse to move their horses into the red zone under permit rather than have them vaccinated.

“The aim is to have all horses moved or vaccinated and create a buffer to stop the spread local of equine influenza.

“Co-operation from horse owners in the buffer zones is vitally important in the success of this campaign.”

Mr Christie said it was important to note that this vaccine is NOT the silver bullet, or the answer to all the problems thrown up by the EI outbreak.

Armidale horses in buffer zone for vaccination

04 Oct 2007

Local horses in the Armidale district equine influenza (EI) buffer zone will receive horse flu vaccinations, NSW chief veterinary officer, Bruce Christie, said today.

“Veterinary teams will soon be deployed to target horse properties in the zone and it will take more than seven days to have the buffer vaccinations completed,” Mr Christie said.

“Horse owners in the buffer zone are being contacted to pre-arrange a time for vaccinations to take place.

“We are appealing for local horse owners in the buffer zone to register their horses on-line at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza.

Talk of shooting horses as money for feed runs out

ANN-MAREE LOUREY is giving around-the-clock care to Byalee Remember. The foal, born 29 days premature, has become sick with equine influenza.

Two weeks ago, five of the 60 horses at Ms Lourey's equestrian stud, Byalee, at Bishops Bridge, west of Maitland, tested positive for equine influenza. Today, they are all infected.

"We have 60 horses here we have to feed but we can't make any income because we can't move them," Ms Lourey said.

"What do I do? Shoot them before they die of starvation?"

Read more.