Compensation Thoughts

Compensation through Willfull denial of Access of Protection

This is a thought that you should absorb.
Apparently there is a law against gaining compensation from the government as far as the disease itself escaping from the useless quarantine station BUT what about the fact that you are willing to PAY for the VACCINATION yourself to protect your horses and DPI won't allow that even though they are vaccinating anyway as a means of protection.RE: Buffer zones.....Racehorses.....

I mean do those horses have to now be vaccinated every year for the rest of their lives? Do you see what I mean. You are not doing anything different to what they are already doing. You are just taking responsibilty of your own horses.

You see it would be different if there was no vaccinating happening but there IS! So how can you be breaking the law if you want to protect your horses at your expense? Your choice. Your decision.

Wouldn't there then be a compensation case if I had registered to vaccinate my horses at my expense and was DENIED that service and then my horse(s) contracted EI, vet bills went through the roof and maybe my horse died.

Surely that is compensation case. You have denied me access to a solution that you know willfully works otherwise you would not have implemented the action yourselves and neither would had the racing Industry. You are willfully denying us from protecting our horse(s).

Its like tying your horse to the train tracks and waiting for the train to come to see if he survives the tragedy. Wouldn't it be easier to just untie him and place him in a safe place. And if you can't be bothered or don't care just leave him on the track. Your decision, your horse.

No No No we are not asking for a national vaccination, we are asking for those of us who are willing to vaccinate our horses at our cost and those who don't want to its their choice. But notice as soon as this subject arises national vaccinating is brought up. No just the ones willing to protect their love ones.

So if you DPI don't let me do what you are doing anyway and my horse(s) get very ill or die, why can't I get compensation.

The disease is here ITS MY CHOICE TO PROTECT MY PRECIOUS MAJESTIC FRIENDS....................DEFINETLY NOT YOURS.

Tracy Stead
Equestrian Services

From Tassie again

Hi I placed a blog earlier today about the shut down in Tassie.

If I have caused any one any upset for my opinions please accept my heart felt apologies!

As to Tassie only having been in lock down for two days this is not strictly true, we have been up and down with lock downs since this has all taken place.

As to those poor buggers employed by the DPI in all states I whole heartedly understand that all personal are doing their job to the best of their resources, however I would like to see a national strategy that gives continuity to solving this problem.

I understand that race horses bring larger revenue to our country but as a horse owner and voter I object to this

Hello all,Further test results from mainland labs have all returned negative results.The negative test results, mild symptoms and absence of further cases provide sufficient confidence to lift the standstill order immediately.However, gatherings of 10 horses or more off their own property will continue to be prohibited, apart from racing (subject to strict biosecurity conditions). Horses are still prohibited from entering Tasmania.Investigations of horses showing mild symptoms are continuing and any new horses showing symptoms should be reported to the hotline: 1800 675 888.Fiona De JerseySenior Policy OfficerAnimal Health and WelfareDepartment of Primary Industries and Water13 St Johns AvenueNEWTOWN TASMANIA 7008Phone: (03) 6233 2586Fax: (03) 6278 1875

As I have stated I understand that the race horse industry is and does provide a huge amount of revenue to our economy, but as an individual I feel that I am being discriminated against, even though I too pay my fair share of taxes.

Having said that my local home town thrives on the race horse industry as one of it's main employers and I do not begrudge people their lively hoods.

I would still dearly love for representatives from all states and horse disciplines to unite and develope a national strategy that protect, help and acknowledges

ALL OF US
Rebecca.

Its All in the Numbers

It would appear the "accepted" general consensus among pleasure and recreational horse owners is that we are getting a raw deal from both the state and federal governments. So what are we going to do about it?

There has been much "talk" about creating a new unified body to represent us and not much "action". So what "action" are we able undertake as individuals?

Here are a few suggestions about the things we can do individually that may help:

1. Write to your state and federal members as well as their opponents. In your letters write about how EI has affected you in all aspects of your life and what you would like changed. Ask your representative to table your letter at the next parliamentary sitting.

Alternatively, make an appointment with your government representative, tell him/her how you feel and what you want them to do about it. Also hand them your letter and ask that it be read out at the next parliamentary sitting.

Either way, your letter should make it into Hansard and will then need to be addressed. Remember, one letter multiplied by the thousands speaks volumes!

This is how change is effected.

2. Do not bet on anything at any time, or for a period of time. Boycott races and encourage your relatives, friends and associates to do the same.

Alternatively, pick special events on which to boycott.

Remember, loss of government revenue hurts.

3. As someone has already suggested, organise protests particularly at race meets.

Be seen and heard at the same time. Some of the most successful "actions" against government decisions have been campaigned this way.

4. The Federal Election is being held on 24 November - vote for someone who is more sympathetic to our cause.

5. Refuse to pay the $10 Federal Government charge/levy/fee and write and complain about that too (see "1" above on how and what to do).

Don't forget that every little bit counts. We are able to make a difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, so why can't we all do something small to let the government know how we feel on this issue and be heard in a big way!

Naomi

Against $10 fee to pay for vaccination
that I am not eligible to receive

NEWS ON TASSIE

HI EVERYONE

HERE`S A BIT OF NEWS, MY SON HAS A FRIEND IN TASSIE WHO HE IS IN CONTACT WITH,
HE RECEIVED AN EMAIL TODAY INFORMING HIM THAT THE HORSES NEXT DOOR TO THEM
HAVE HAD THE DPI THERE TAKING SWABS ETC A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO , THEY RECEIVED THE POSITIVE TEST BACK AND HAVE BEE QUATANTINED IMMEDIATLY....SO ITS NOT IN
TASSIE HEY.......WATCH OUT VICTORIA ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME, THAT YOU HAVE IT
OR ITS CONFESSION TIME......YOU ALREADY DO AND THERE IS A MUZZLE ON TO PROTECT
THE SPRING RACING CARNIVAL.
CHEERS
HORSE DEAL READER

Thank You Rod

Very informative and much appreciated…

Vaccinating race horses is fair - for some like us!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Vaccinating race horses is fair - for some like us!

My husband and I run a successful harness racing business in QLD. We both left a successful career in mining in northern QLD for our dream job of training our gorgeous, much loved standardbreds. We also have two young children - 2 and 4yrs, the 4yr old has bad asthma and needs much care and medication. Our sole income is derived from our horses earning every week for us so we can pay our bills. Our horses pay for us to live - our groceries, medical expenses, kindy fees, mortgage, general cost of running our 25acre property etc. We live in the 'red zone' and have had our horses vaccinated. We NEEDED our horses vaccinated FIRST and FOREMOST above other 'paddock bashers' because without our horses earning for us we HAVE NO INCOME! It's alright for all you casual riders to get on your high horse and have a go at the racing industry and government etc. for discriminating against pleasure horses, but spare a thought for people such as ourselves who have kids to feed and raise, a property to run, a mortgage to pay off. We need our horses to stay healthy so we can race as soon as possible so we don't slip further and further into debt. You guys are still able to work the 9 to 5, not us. Yes, I know we are eligible for some handouts but they are limited and will not cover all our costs. we are only just getting by - for now.

N Martin from QLD

Get real on EI

I have been in Orange as Industry Liaison Officer with DPI for 7 weeks now, with a day or so off per week. I don't have time to scan or reply to blogs - there is too much to do controlling EI. I offer the following advice and please excuse me being tired and cranky.

If you just want to vent because things are frustrating /slow /bureaucratic / DPI hasn't a clue etc etc just keep blogging.

If you want the best information that we can give you, register on the HECD at http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/.

If you have an ordinary sort of a query or need a permit etc call the Hotline 1300 675 888.

If you are pissed off with racing seeming to get a better deal in just about everything contact the Federal Minister's office (just add another to the many thousands they have received to date).If you want to have to pay $300 per year to have your horse chipped /vaccinated / passported (EFA figures) and have the disease declared endemic straight after the Melbourne Cup continue to act like adisorganised rabble.

If you would like to see the disease contained and eventually eradicated while at the same time getting things back to business try to engender unity and pull behind the people who are trying to help you.If you want to do something positive join the AHIC.If you have a real problem and want to deal with someone who is trying to help, send it to industry.sdchq@dpi.nsw.gov.au.We have 2 people working there 12 hours a day doing their best to help.If you think they are helpful, send thanks - they have volunteered and do not have to put up with abuse.

This disease is harder to contain than Foot and Mouth disease - it is more infectious, spreads just as easily and individual horses move more than cattle.Containment and eradication is still the priority. Considering the spread by the time of 25 August, authorities consider that we have done reallywell keeping it as confined as it is.

Containment is being misunderstood - for horse owners you think this means stopping all spread. Think of it in bushfire-fighting terms. We know the fire is burning well in some areas but the fuel density is too great to beat it there. Containment lines have to be well away from active spread -we have to choose low horse density buffers zones and strengthen them with vaccination will stop property to property spread.

At the Federal level containment means keeping it in NSW and Qld and outof Victoria, SA, TAS etc. We have done a great job in holding an extremely infectious disease. The major problem continues to be people carting infection - it's hard to stop virus spreading at 110 km per hour.

We have had a few spot fires and may well get more - the issue is can we contain them - do we have resources? For buffer zones the MAJOR limitationis availability of vets. NSW is seeking to have canary pox vaccine administered by non vets - that might free up the vets for chipping. Non vets could do follow up shots. If we get spread into a previously clean area we will have to pull back and put in a new buffer.

The canary pox is having excellent effects - seems to be protecting horses in face of spread. Killed vaccines will not do this - takes 6 weeks and doesn't stop infection, just the effects of disease - if used in green zone could hide an outbreak.

Australia has ordered the worldwide available stocks of canary pox vaccine and NSW has sought approval to import large amounts of killed vaccine.

Priority for vaccine stocks must be the use in buffers. Then we need to fill in the uninfected spots in red and purple zones - they represent threats as sources of virus for moving through buffers. The virus stocks were over committed by Federal Minister not leaving enough to cover a possible outbreak - say if one had occurred in Tasmania.

Governments are looking at 2 scenarios - keep going with AUSVETPLAN, be xtending vaccination as appropriate, or declaring endemic and letting the disease go. Second scenario will require more vaccine and time to protect horses in uninfected areas in NSW and other states. Therefore not possible to remove all movement restraints in NSW because horses in other states have no protection. If we go for vaccination of all horses in the medium term we will be paying about $300 for microchipping, vaccination and passports and we will still get outbreaks because the virus mutates.

Therefore anyone who thinks about it realises we will be better off without the disease. The problem is that we can't stop all horse activities or the costs of control will exceed the costs of the disease.We may as well continue to work to eradication during the next few months because restrictions will continue in any case.

Cost benefit studies are being considered - current approach looks very positive, especially if we can get people back to work. Costs to racing in NSW are going to continue whether or not disease control is implemented because most racehorses in training have been sick and will not race until early new year.

The priority is to reduce indirect costs of disease by freeing up movements where possible to return business and events to normal asap. NSWextension of purple zones is the first step towards this.

Vaccination priorities will be buffer zones and then the uninfected horses in purple zone. In time we will protect horses that will need to enter purple zones for competitions etc. It is totally unrealistic to ask for all horses in green zones to be vaccinated - not enough vaccines or vets.

Racing and TB breeding interests will not really mind if the disease is endemic - they will be able to bring racehorses and shuttle stallions in without quarantine. Their valuable horses have been given vaccine by Federal Minister. It is all the other horse owners who will feel the cost and not be in as good a financial position to pay the ongoing costs. The benefits go to racing, the costs go to non racing. It is an equity issue.

We need to be united in our efforts - One Plan and we stick to it.

Rod.

Peter Horobin Dressage Championships

Courage Under Fire.
14th November.

“We can’t just sit by and do nothing and there is not reason why we cannot have competition in Victoria. We do not have EI here and we will continue to make an effort to keep competition going”, commented Annie Lever, event director of the Peter Horobin Dressage Championships and co proprietor of Treehaven Equestrian Centre at Somerville on the Mornington Peninsular.. “We have adhered to every requirement the DPI asked for and sent out Horse Event Participation Forms, which if not presented at the check point, no one is allowed to enter the property”. The system worked very well at the attractive and purpose built show facility. There was only one way in and the check point was manned all day. The horse’s registration was checked to ensure it was the horse entered, the declaration collected and names and addresses of all entering were taken with questions concerning their proximity to horses for the previous 48 hours and for the following 48 hours. Horses that were not entered were not permitted on the ground. Registration upon entry is necessary for all dressage competition; in this situation it was done prior to entering the showground. If the paper work was not up to scratch, the vehicle would have been turned away. This is common practice in Europe and may well be from now on in Australia. The process went smoothly and rather more quickly than one would imagine. This may seem a somewhat like a police state, but responsibility and accountability must become endemic to avoid EI becoming so.

It was a case of “speak up and ride” with all competitors grateful to Annie for “having the courage to conduct the day”. Well-known dressage rider and trainer, Caroline Coleby (pictured left) commented, “people need to get their nerve back, and this has gone on for so long with nothing happening. If EI comes here we will have to deal with it; I would vaccinate, although there are issues with it”. Virtual Tack Shop proprietor Kathryn Eke won the Medium Championship and in her acceptance speech thanked Annie “for having the courage to run the competition and the competitors for being brave enough to come”. FEI Steward, Candidate FEI Technical Delegate and very well known horsewoman, Yvonne Morrison (pictured right), is not a person given to rash irresponsible behaviour. “If we had EI in Victoria, we would not be here, but whilst we do not (and it is to be hoped will not) we should all support responsibly run competition”. Successful amateur rider Debbie Higgs (pictured left) added to the support of the Treehaven competition. “It is good to be able to get back to competition and I was happy to come to Treehaven. I am a regular competitor here, as are all the others here today. I knew this would be a small competition, that I would know everyone and that the organisers would be responsible. Had I not had that degree of confidence, I doubt I would have come”

The Championships were oriented towards the competitors, with spectators discouraged unless they had a direct connection with the riders. Floats and trucks came and went all day, as competitors would come, ride and leave. Presentations for all grades were made immediately following the tests to facilitate a reasonably quick turnaround. Predictably there were far fewer competitors that usually attend the annual Peter Horobin Dressage Championships. Despite that and the fact the Peter’s business has dropped considerably, he was, as always in attendance to make the presentations and as always promote Peter Horobin Saddlery. “I am lucky, as I am not just retail and we have three to four months of orders to produce. But if the situation does not pick up it will be very concerning then. The phone is not ringing as it usually does. I have 13 staff and have cut them down to a four day week. It is not just about me, I am responsible for the staff and cannot afford to loose them. It is the same with the sponsorship here, you have to stick with people through good times and bad and hope they will too. You have to think positively and try to keep things rolling. I have just come back from Europe where amongst other work commitments, I was promoting my Liberty dressage saddle, where it was received well. At the moment I am really concentrating on Australasia and doing quite a lot of saddle fitting”.

Another person making the most of the situation is Para Olympic hopeful, Kate Doughty (pictured left). Pre EI, Kate had expected to be at the National Riding for the Disabled Championships at Werribee Park this weekend. The Championships also incorporated the last international qualifier for the Para Olympics, and included riders from Canada New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. The qualifier has been postponed to January 2008. “The postponement suits me really as I have another three months to work on HP Al Capone. He is going really well, but the horses have to be at a very high standard”. Certainly, ‘it is an ill wind that blows no good’

At this point in time there is no reason not to conduct competition in Victoria, providing all bio-security requirements are met. There are further competitions scheduled at Treehaven, which has taken the lead demonstrating courage and common sense at a time when both are a ‘little thin on the ground’.

EI

Equine Influenza

I have been reading all the stories Horse Deals updates.
I can’t help but feel enraged on what is going on. The race horses seem to get preferential treatment and everyone else nothing. What a load of @#$*.

The racing industry are the only ones that do not use Artificial Breeding why who knows. Everyone else around the world does including Trotting industry.

If these idiots did use AI there would be no need for shuttle stallions and this disease would not be here.

Why should the rich people of racing get special treatment????? I am sick to death of hearing the poor racing industry, after all it is they who introduced it to Australia.

I am a recreational horse owner, I have had to make the very hard decision to castrate my stallion. With the season over before it started what is the point of having a stallion!!!!

WHEN ARE THESE RACING PEOPLE GOING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!!!!!!!

I THINK EVERY HORSE OWNER SHOULD PROTEST AT RACES, WHY SHOULD RACING GO ON AND OUR EVENTS BE CANCELLED.

IT IS A MATTER OF WHEN THE EI VIRUS GETS HERE NOT IF, WEST WYONG IS ONLY 250-300KM AWAY.

ALL HORSES SHOULD BE VACINATED NOT JUST THE RACE HORSES THAT ARE NOT LOVED AND CARED FOR THE WAY WE RECREATIONAL OWNERS LOVE OUR HORSES.

TWO SETS OF RULES NOT FARE IT SUCKS AND VALUABLE HORSES ARE DYING BECAUSE OF THE RACING INDUSTRY. THE NEWS DOESN'T REPORT ON HORSES THAT AREN'T RACE HORSES DYING.

THE RACING INDUSTRY HAS ENOUGH MONEY BEHIND IT TO PAY FOR ALL THE VACINES, THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY. AFTER ALL WE DID NOT BRING IN THE INFECTED STALLION. AND FOR THE SCUMBAG PEOPLE AT THE QUARANTINE SITE HOW DO YOU FEEL BEING MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE HORSES DYING BECAUSE OF COMPLICATIONS. I HOPE TO SEE YOU IN HELL!!!! IF IT WERE MY HORSES THAT CONTRACTED THE DISEASE AND THEY DIED I WOULD WANT YOUR HEAD MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THAT. HOW DARE YOU BE SO CARELESS WITH YOUR HANDLING!

LINDA VERY ANGRY HORSE OWNER

Equine influenza audio download

8th October NSW chief veterinary officer discusses latest EI situation at a press conference in Orange He talks about: New Barmedman EI infection Benefit of prompt reporting sick horses as in case of Barmedman infection How vaccination and buffer zones are designed to work People spreading EI and how that can be avoided through good personal hygiene and decontamination of equipment How new buffer zones in green zone will work Suspected EI infection at Wellington Vaccine availability and distribution Light at the end of the tunnel – examples of Centennial Park, Parkes and Moonbi Hunter area - police assisting by monitoring movements Community meetings http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0009/185193/Bruce-Christie081007.mp3

Walbundrie horse given clean bill of health

14 Oct 2007

Samples taken from a horse at Walbundrie in the Murray region have tested negative for equine influenza (EI).

Results from the NSW Department of Primary Industries' Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute show no sign of the explosively contagious horse flu.

"The horse has been given a clean bill of health,” NSW DPI deputy chief veterinary officer, Steve Dunn, said today.

"Precautionary testing on one horse which had a raised temperature has categorically eliminated EI.

"I thank the horse’s owner for taking the proactive action and contacting his veterinarian and questioning whether his animal was suffering EI.

I call on all horse owners across NSW to exercise the same action should they something different about their animal’s health."

Mr Dunn said clinical signs of EI include a deep dry hacking cough, a watery nasal discharge that may become cloudy or coloured, a sudden increase in temperature, depression, loss of appetite, laboured breathing, muscle pain and muscle stiffness.

No longer parked at Parkes - EI lockdown gates open

14 Oct 2007

The last horse has left the Parkes Showground 51 days after the equine influenza (EI) lock down was put in place, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), said today.

The Parkes Showground was placed in quarantine after animals at Centennial Park, Sydney, were confirmed infected with equine influenza (EI) on August 24.

"Twenty six horses and their owners left the Parkes Showground at daybreak this morning," NSW DPI deputy chief veterinary officer, Steve Dunn, said today.

"It's been a long wait at Parkes to confirm all horses have recovered from the horse flu, introduced unknowingly by horses which had travelled to compete in the Parkes show from Centennial Park before the first case was confirmed.

"We had to make certain that the remaining horses at the showground had developed immunity and were no longer excreting the virus before opening the gates.

"The last thing we want is horses leaving Parkes and infecting other parts of the State.

"We are confident there is no chance of this occurring now, the horses have been tested and given the all clear to return home and present NO risk of spreading disease."

NSW DPI Parkes site supervisor, Greg Glasgow, said there were scenes of jubilation and tears as horses were loaded onto floats and trucks, camping equipment was packed away and owners said their farewells to each other.

"There was definitely a sense of relief and excitement when the owners received their permits from DPI before beginning their homeward bound journey," he said.

"In some cases, people were sad to say goodbye to the new friends they made at Parkes.

"I thank those owners who stayed by their animals' side at Parkes for their co-operation and support for the EI eradication campaign.

"Their inconvenience has prevented the further spread of the disease … the whole horse industry should be thankful for that."

Horse leaving Parkes were destined for Candelo, Cobargo, Bega, Nowra, Peak Hill, Alectown, Tomingley and Goonumbla

NSW DPI Equine influenza daily update - 14 October 2007

Situation update

There are currently 4502 Infected Properties (IPs), 440 Dangerous Contact Properties (DCPs) and 470 Suspect Properties (SPs).

The number of IPs has levelled off to about 80 to 100 per day.

Numbers of new cases in the Dubbo-Wellington and Parkes-Forbes clusters are increasing, the Temora-Barmedman cluster is being monitored closely for any changes in infection numbers. Vaccination buffers in these areas are still being maintained to contain infection.

A key requirement for clearance of IPs, and hence for progression of these Red Zones to Amber, is testing at least 28 days after onset of signs in the last clinical case on the premises.

Some of the more isolated areas and clusters have now been 3-4 weeks since their last known case. Clusters currently under consideration for clearance by 22 October 2007 are Coonamble, Moree and Walcha. Berry, Wauchope, Gloucester and Mudgee are being considered for clearance by 5 November 2007.

EI Purple Zone Expanded

The Minister has announced increases in the Purple Zone - it now extends from Tamworth to Camden. This will free up movement in this zone.
See: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/movements/zoning
Descriptions of the zones and the restrictions applying to movements with the zones can be found on the NSW DPI web site: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/movements

Vaccinations

Vaccination of horses in NSW is well under way and targets are continuing to be met. However due to the limited supplies of vaccine, NSW priorities have been set for which horses should be vaccinated.

For more information on vaccinations see: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/vaccination

11 Local Vaccination Centres have been established or planned to date, new LVCs are planned for Tenterfield and Scone.

Community Meetings

Community Meetings continue to run around the state. To date 13 meetings have been held with over 780 attendees. A successful meeting was held Ourimbah last night. Today’s meeting was held this morning at Galston. Tomorrow’s meeting will be held at Morisset. Information about community meetings and future meeting dates see:

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/meetings

In the news

2 news releases about the great response to community meetings around the state.

• EI public information meetings in Narrabri, Moree and Warialda
• EI public information meetings at Windsor, Cessnock and Albion Park

Available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/news-releases

RE-EI CONSPIRACY THEORY

ANTHONY COULD BE RIGHT.
I TRULY BELIEVE SO.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY BEING MANIPULATED BY THIS GOVERNMENT.

A $10 LEVY HOW INTERESTING, NOT WHEN I PAY MY “TAXES” FROM WAGES, PETROL, OH AND LETS NOT FORGET THE LOVELY 10% GST HOWARD GAVE US ON ALMOST EVERTHING WE BUY SO HE CAN GIVE SUPPORT & “OUR MONEY” TO ANY OTHER COUNTRY WHEN THEY HAVE A CRISIS, WHAT ABOUT HIS OWN COUNTRY & PEOPLE IN CRISIS, NO.. HE’S MORE INTERESTED IN “KISSING-UP” THEIR INTERNATIONAL BACKSIDES!!!

FOR THIS SITUATION TO HAVE GOT TO THE POINT IS HAS IS AMAZING, WHEN THE ANSWER WAS PRETTY SIMPLE TO BEGIN WITH, COMPLETE LOCKDOWN OF ALL HORSES IN AUSTRALIA FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS, EVERYONE I SPEAK TO SAYS THE SAME THING, ARE WE SMARTER THAN THE LEADERS? NO, THEY KNEW WHAT TO DO, BUT THEY USED THIS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.
JOHN HOWARD “IS” THE PRIME MINISTER, AT THE END OF THE DAY HE “IS” IN CHARGE OF THIS COUNTRY, I BLAME HIM, NOT THE LABOUR SEATS, THAT’S WHAT HE WANTS, BECAUSE THE WAY I SEE IT, IT’S ALL PRETTY CONVENIENT FOR HIM IN IS DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO BE VOTED BACK IN.

FOR EI TO JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE JUMPED OVER VICTORIA TO LAND IN TASMANIA, THE MIND BOGGLES,

WOW THE MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL MUST BE AMMUNE TO EI…… BULLS**T,

WE ARE BEING TAKEN AS FOOLS….
THERE IS DEFINITELY MORE TO THIS SITUATION, WE AREN’T GOING TO BE TOLD NOW ARE WE?
THINK ABOUT IT, SERIOUSLY,

AS BIG BROTHER SAYS “ JONNY HOWARD”-IT’S TIME TO GO”

Charmaine

How suspected EI is being dealt with in Tassie

I am the owner of 6 recreational/ show horses here in Tassie. We do not compete at a high level, but all the same it is part of our normal lifestyle.

In Tassie if there are suspected cases of EI the whole state is shut down this includes;

• Race horses living on the track who have been there for ages are not allowed to be worked at the track or taken else where and worked
• Farriers are unable to work, people can't have farriers on their property or near their horses
• I can't take my children and their horses off our property
• ALL horse events are cancelled regardless of the fact that they are no where near the suspected horses
• You are hard pushed to get a Vet to your horse for anything other than suspected EI
  
  Firstly as I understand it, on the Mainland, the suspected horse is quarantined on it's property until the outcome of tests is known and it is life as usual for the rest of the state. So to me it does not make sense that here in Tassie where we have less people and horses and are more likely to account for every movement of our horses and name every horses that they have been near during incubation this locking down the whole state just does not make sense to me!
  
  Another thing that concerns me is why the DPI reacts so strictly to suspected EI when as far as the whole state has been told ABSOLUTELY NO HORSES HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED HERE SINCE THE OUT BREAK! What humans and clothing have they conducted tests on to be able to say it lasts X amount of days on clothing, or that it can live on your shoes or even that humans can carry EI and transmit to horses.
  
  Why is it also that the DPI decides who can have vaccinations for their horses?
  
  This EI outbreak has been handled badly from the start, surely it is time that all state governments got together and came up with a national strategy to address this matter so that every state and territory are on the same page. Surely it must have occurred to the powers that be, that EI could possibly be the equine equivalent of nasty human super bus such as STREP and MARS, these are things that we live with and cope with, we don't lock down night clubs, work, shopping centres and remain imprisoned in our homes because some one that lives 150 km away is suspected of having these! So why do we with horses? Surely using universal precautions and common sense will go along way.
  
  I agree that this is a devastating a serious condition for a horse to contract, also financially devastating to owners of animals contracting this, surely it is time that EI was dealt with at a federal level and strategies to protect all states, all horse activities and lastly all horse owners as we are voters too.

DPI - YOUR DIRTY SECRETS OUT - EI - ANOTHER HORSE DIES

On Friday Morning a 13 year old T/Bred Gelding Died from EI complications in SE QLD. (Within 20 minutes drive of Tamborine).

After several phone calls to the DPI and next to no response besides "We are looking into it", we then went down to the Tamborine Resource Centre.

After finding the horse at 7 am he was finally buried by 5:30 pm.
The DPI phoned at 4pm and said "we would like to take tissue samples but due to the horse being in the sun in 32 degree temperatures we doubt what we would get from it" Making people feel they should have contacted them sooner. (7am not early enough? and Andrew the DPI vet spoken with at 7am Friday morning only finally called back Saturday night well and truly after the fact).

DPI call centre responded the day before when the horse was alive that this was normal EI symptoms.

Now after the fact the DPI claim they never would have said that and questioned me what normal person would take a advisory call centres word for medical treatment. My advice back to Dean the customer representative I spoke with this morning at 7:50 am that his words "Advisory - meaning advice" and if the advisory people don’t know then who does? And you are lucky to get a vet to come out. He said Vets will come out.
One DPI call centre representative in Friday whilst we waiting to get through to customer representative Dale (in charge of disposals), laughed at the fact there was a dead horse in the paddock, and asked didn’t they have a back hoe to dig a hole.

To all you people on here saying we should do more, we haven’t done enough I ask you please tell that to the young girl who walked down her paddock on Friday morning to find the horse she so desperately loved that she could have done more. Please tell her, please with all your wisdom and ability tell her how you would, how she should have done things differently, Fact is where all flying blind here with no parachute, god help us when we finally come crashing down.

We never asked for it, my friend and her deceased horse never asked for it, but the DPI certainly had plenty of time to respond and didn’t.

I can only recall my friends words to the DPI and nothing truer has been spoken... you cant keep hiding us away on our acreage blocks like dirty little secrets.

Regards,

Laura Scott

Email sent to Australian Horse Council

Sir/Madam,

Please tell me how many horses have been registered with your organisation since the EI outbreak? What are you doing about the racing industry getting vaccinations outside the buffer zones, (amber and green)? And what will you do to lobby the fed and state govts to get full vacc available to amber areas so we can get back to normal like they are offering the red and purple zones.

Surly you can see how unequal and discriminatory the treatment of recreational horses is? Surely you are going to use your influence as the 'peak body' for non race horses to pressure the governments as the racing industry are so successfully doing? If not then it seems to me that all recreational horse owners should band together and form their own orginisation and by pass the horse council completely. DO YOU STAND UP FOR US OR NOT?

Penny Lane. Grafton.

Report on EI Public Meeting Ourimbah 13.10.07

Unofficial Report - by Kerry Morgan
(Member public attending - member of local Pony Club and Western Club)
I attended the Ourimbah EI meeting last night 13 Oct at Ourimbah RSL.

Speakers were Peter Tazawa the vet, a local field officer from DPI, and a rep from the Police. Chaired by lady who was recently recruited to DPI from horse industry locally. Brett Warren (vet) also spoke unofficially at the meeting. It went for about 2 hrs. There was a slide/video presentation showing flu symptoms, maps of zones etc. Matters discussed are outlined below.

1) Purple zone - no individual quarantine orders, all previous orders no longer in force, people should still report new infections to DPI but no signs/tape etc being issued. Free movement of all horses - even EI affected - within the zone (Tamworth to NE, Bulahdelah to north, Picton to south) - virus is likely to spread more under these conditions.

People allowed to remove signs and tape, but OK to leave them in place if they wished.

Police said if anyone was pulled over, to ask the officer to contact HQ as they are still informing their guys of the changed requirements, but that the stations had the current info and would confirm.

2) People whose horses have not had EI to continue to practice strict biosecurity - main agents of spread have been people and wind currents (so if property is in a "pocket" that has remained unaffected, it may continue to be EI-free). DPI said flu appears to have "jumped" Galston Gorge by air transfer - no human agency apparent. Birds and flies also can spread flu from horse to horse.

3) The Govt has purchased all available stocks of the live vaccine ProtecFlu TE from Merial, next batch won't be ready for about 3 months (for third round of vaccinations), so it is unlikely that any vaccine will be available for horses in Red and Purple zones. Some killed vaccine has been brought in but availability is limited. May register online with HIC to apply for vaccination (but don't hold your breath.)

4) Horses may be challenged more by having to cope with EI in hotter, dustier conditions - monitor closely. Dry hacking cough OK, suppressed or gurgling cough danger sign, call vet immediately, or if temp goes over 40 degrees. Disease lasts from 3 - 7 days, if horse sick longer, call vet.

5) Competitions and events may again be held as long as all horses come from the Purple Zone - though it is up to individual associations to make the decision. (Dressage Club said they would not be holding comps due to risk of spread, Pony Club is taking it to their meeting but probably won't start official competition till next year's start of season - due to it being unfair re end-of-year awards etc to people whose horses are unable to compete).

6) Zoning changed - without public consultation - main reasons were to allow horse industry people (farriers, trainers etc) to get back to work due to economic concerns, and to allow recovered horses to be worked once they were well. Vet stated some horses at risk due to laminitis from lack of farriers, important to look after feet as this could be bigger danger than flu.

7) Truck wash facilities available at Scone and Raymond Terrace to the north for decontamination of horse vehicles if they needed to be taken out of the zone. No requirement to decontaminate within zone.

8) The "burn itself out" theory is still current, DPI hoping that ring vaccination in the buffer zone will confine all infection to Red and Purple zones and eventually all affected horses in those zones will get over it, and once they are no longer shedding virus, any unaffected horses will no longer be at risk of catching it - should take about 6 months all up. They expect new infections to continue to occur within infected zones, though this is slowing down somewhat due to population numbers.

9) No clear figures available as to number of horses in this zone that have had EI - somewhere between 20 - 50%.

10) Virus has a fat layer around it so any detergent or soap-based cleaner is very effective - Dettol,chlorhexidine, truck wash, household detergent. If decontamination pack not supplied, equivalent items can be purchased from Bunnings, supermarket etc. The virus particle does not survive long out of host in hot, dry conditions, needs moisture.

If anyone has any questions about any other stuff that may have been
discussed at the meeting, please feel to contact me and I can try to answer your questions.

WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US

EI Vaccination!!!!!!

We are small warmblood Breeders, and live in Jimboomba QLD Red Zone,I have a Mare due in 7 weeks,and I worry constantly, that when the EI gets to us how will she cope. I have been reading the Blog every day, and my heart goes out to all the people who suffer ,or lost a horse due to EI. I have never heard so many sad stories in my live. Yesterday I have been told across the road from us the Thoroughbred horses got vaccinated. Where does that leave us. I would gladly pay for my horses to get the Vaccine. It does not go in my head that people can justify who is getting vaccine and who not. ARE WE SCUM. It makes me very angry and sad. I know nothing will change, me writing this letter, but i have to get it of my chest.

Regina Jimboomba QLD

Equine Influenza

WE should protest race meetings from 1.12.07 when racing resumes

I am yet another horse owner, breeder and dressage competitor within the red zone in South East Queensland who has been denied access to vaccinations and left to fend for myself with no help from DPI or our Queensland Government. My beautiful warm blood colt was born yesterday and we hope with everything we have that he remains safe from EI as he cost us thousands of dollars in horse semen and AI costs to achieve.

If I had been given access to the vaccination in the beginning he and his mother would have some form of immunity but the powers to be decided my horses along with everyone else’s horses which were not racehorses were of no importance. Now the Queensland government and I would suspect NSW government will not vaccinate recreational horses other than some within the buffer zones. The reason for this is it is cheaper, easier and quicker for all these non important horses to get the virus and build up immunity this way. They do not care about the consequences in achieving this goal. All they want from us is to practise good bio security in order to slow down the rate of infection reaching the buffer zones. This is another reason the Queensland government is moving toward resuming racing on 1st December. They would have vaccinated, twice, all the thoroughbred and standard bred horses involved in racing from the age of 4 months upward regardless whether they are racing or not. Then they will allow movement within the red zone in order for any remaining horses that have been lucky enough to escape EI, such as mine for the moment, to become infected and achieve a natural immunity, and to hell with any horses be they young or old that happens to lose their fight against EI. DPI will not contest to this as it would create a lot of public anger but this is why recreational horse owners are being treated like mushrooms.

Why is it so difficult to get information of exactly where EI is from DPI? They don’t want us to know. That is why they have also decided that it is no longer required to quarantine or sign infected properties since over a week ago because they don’t want us to know where it is so EI will spread within the red zone and burn itself out.

I feel as recreational horse owners who have been ignored and let high and dry by the Queensland government and NSW government that from 1st December when racing resumes in Queensland we should protest at each and every one of these meeting in very large crowds. But we should protest around the on course TAB and bookies where the betting is happening to interfere with the placing of bets. We should hit the Queensland government where it hurts them most, in their pockets. Let’s hit the government in their pocket at the betting gallery. And in the interim we should all work toward uniting the pleasure/recreational horse front, all of us, dressage, eventing, show jumping, pony club, vaulting, western pleasure, reining, camp drafting, stock horse, endurance, working horses, trail riding, and the little back yard ponies and horses that kids and people just love.

Rosemarie

NO BETTING

TO ALL AND SUNDRY PASS ON THE WORD LETS TURN THE MELBOURNE CUP INTO A NON EVENT .

NO BETTING ON THE MELBOURNE CUP
SPREAD THE WORD I FOR ONE WILL BE SAVING MY PENNIES THIS YEAR!!!

LANI

EI

Hi, I'm just writing about my experience with EI,

On the 31st of September I heard the horse on the property next to mine cough, I listened for a while and there was no more cough. So i moved the horses that I had near them, to the furtherest part of my property.

On Monday morning I called the DPI, and they informed me to keep bute and antibiotics up to my horses, I called my vet, and organised to visit them which is half hour away. On my arrival I was told to move about 40 mtrs from the surgery, and the vet would call me, I waited, spoke to the vet on my mobile while he was in his office, the nurse then brought medication out to the side of the rd, left it there and when she walked away I was able to pick it up. I did feel like a foreigner, but they are covering all quarantine measures, as this clinic has 30+ horses there.

Luckily I spoke to my vet, before I was happy handing out medication as informed by DPI. As there can be complications from certain drugs.

On the way home I called into the local saddlery and the lady that works there, said it's not good that your neighbor across the rd has EI, I said "are you sure".

On my final part of my journey the property directly opposite my house, had a sigh up, QUARANTINE ZONE, I later called my neighbor, whom I had never spoke to, and asked when did she get it and how's the horses. She told me that the 2 properties next to hers got it Friday and Wednesday, I said to her its nice that not one of my neighbors has done a mail box drop or called me, as I got her phone no from the saddlery.

Later that after noon I had 2 horses sick with EI, I was taking 7 horses temperatures twice a day, and by Tuesday night 2 more horses had it, Wednesday another horse came down with it, and on Saturday afternoon the other 2 horses had it. Out of 7 horses that I have for clients, 3 got hit pretty bad and 1 was very sick, didn't eat for 4 days. The other 3 just got it in a mild way.

These signs that they show are high temperature, a heavy cough that I could hear over my home theatre system, yellow mucus discharge, lethargic, sore and aches and loss of appetetite.

These horses are clients and were meant to be home by now in Cairns or Melbourne, but are stuck here till it is all good to travel.

I was concerned about the health of my clients horses, and I was disturbed that my neighbors could not tell me about EI, but at the end of the day all my horses are getting better. I'm better off to get EI now and then get it out of the way, And I feel a lot relieved that I have had it, and I think I was stressed about it at the beginning of the horses sickness. And I felt embarrassed that I had it, but as every one has said, I have done all precautions and it was gonna happen.

I must say that my Vet has been a great help, I’ve called him many of times, and he said any time to call, the DPI has been great, they are not trained vets, and are doing the bets they can, considering it is spreading and spreading each day. The Government has been so supportive toward the equine industry.

Even when traveling over the border there are such tight DPI procedures to cross, or even traveling into Brisbane Royal, you need a Waybill and a travel permit.

Where can this stop, we scrub down before we leave, scrub car, but it can travel from our nose hairs, ear hairs, the under carriage of the car, the posty, the garbo, the racq man that called in across the rd, but it will travel.

Regards

Paul Austin

I give up!

Being in the green zone, there is the slim hope that perhaps we won't get EI. Well that idea blew away with the gusty westerly winds today. We had a big Field Day here and when I went to see what was on offer, I found a place that had horse yards and chatted to the owner. He informed me he was from Maitland and had 40 horses with EI... I asked him if he followed Bio security procedures before coming here and he said "what does it matter, you are going to get it anyway".

When I think that there are over 100 exhibitors from rural areas here, what chance do we have with that attitude... they have all turned up with trucks/sheds/equipment and not an ounce of disinfectant!

Give us 5 days here in the green zone and we will be joining the rest of you guys already going through it. Better get the horse shod now! Watch out Vic its heading your way...

Signed: Over It
Gayle.

Tasmanian Situation 12pm Sunday

Hello all,

Further test results from mainland labs have all returned negative results.

The negative test results, mild symptoms and absence of further cases provide sufficient confidence to lift the standstill order immediately.

However, gatherings of 10 horses or more off their own property will continue to be prohibited, apart from racing (subject to strict biosecurity conditions). Horses are still prohibited from entering Tasmania.

Investigations of horses showing mild symptoms are continuing and any new horses showing symptoms should be reported to the hotline: 1800 675 888.

Fiona De Jersey
Senior Policy Officer
Animal Health and Welfare
Department of Primary Industries and Water
13 St Johns Avenue
NEWTOWN TASMANIA 7008

Phone: (03) 6233 2586
Fax: (03) 6278 1875

The vaccinations COST ME!!!!

I am FURIOUS!!! I am in a Buffer Zone so was told I would have FREE vaccinations. Well, 3 people turned up, donned biosuits - a vet, a scribe, and a DPI paid woman. This woman in a crinkly biosuit, cap, mask and gloves walked up to each of my horses in turn by waving her hand to their eyes, while pulling on their leads, when they pulled back in fright she pulled harder. I told her the horses didn't like it, to no avail.

She just would not listen to me. She was highly condescending to me (I have postgrad qualifications in equine stuff, well known stud, export horses etc etc) and this woman twice told me she would show me how to put a halter on horse!! For the first horse she was most insistent where the horse should be placed in the paddock (!!?) and told me three times in a row that "the vet needs to access the horse's left side" (duh!!) and two of those times actually pushed me into a different position!! (My original possie was fine!!)
Consequently as a direct result of her ghastly lack of horse skills, 10 of my 15 horses needed sedation! EVERY horse I held did NOT, every horse she held DID!!

The last mare they did on Day 1 was an ex-endurance mare, high mileage and now 22 yo, she is super quiet, well this woman had her so riled up that sedation or twitch was stated, I said she doesn't like people yanking on her head and pulling on her lead, that if I held her she would be fine, so I was allowed to hold her, only then this woman came up and leaned with all her weight behind the mare's poll making the mare very tense, and the comments were that the horse was tense!!

The next day the vet informs me that the sedation will be billed to me and that it is expensive!! He said the DPI pays for the vax but not the sedation. I just can't believe it, I am enraged, I am furious. In fact, when I ducked into the house for a moment and came back out, she had my rescue case mare by the EAR!! I said to let go, she replied that she was not hurting the mare and told me to leave the yard!!

I am FURIOUS!!! if the DPi won't pay for sedation, they should not let Big-Noting Self-Opinionated Self-Professed-Experts handle an owner's horses!!!!!

Furious in NSW.

EI

By allowing the purple area to move around and go back to work, the government is saving themselves heaps of money - no more benefit payments need to be made!

I sent an email after reading these following statements:

No mass vaccination of horses is planned at this stage. The EI Control and Eradication response involved a targeted approach to vaccination in locations critical to containment of EI spread, allowing the disease to ‘burn itself out’.

Then why are the race horses at Taree being vaccinaated in secrecy?
The buffer zones and the RAs are predominantly populated by horses in the ‘recreational’ or ‘pleasure’ category, not racing Thoroughbreds. Horses located in these areas are a critical element of the EI Control and Eradication strategy and owners are urged to register the location of their horses through the DPI website to expedite vaccination. Registration may be done on-line via the NSW DPI website or completing a registration form available from NSW DPI.

Taree is in a buffer zone and no recreational horses have been offered vaccination. In fact, vets in the area had no idea that the racehorsese were being vaccinated until a local racehorse stud rang up and asked if they had got his vaccines!

Why are racehorses allowed to travel within our zone to attend races, but i can't take my daughter 8kms to her riding instructor for a lesson? There appears to be two rules operating here.

I am not against the stand still. I do not want any of my horses to catch the virus. there is an inequality going on here. Pleasure horses may not rake in money for the government but we fill a social role with pony club, RDA and supporting country showgrounds.

Everyone deserves a fair go, not just the most powerful voices in our society.

My Reply:

Thank you for your comments. We appreciate that you have taken the time to contact us. Special provision has been made for the Racing industry, due to the high economic value of the racing industry to NSW. I'm sorry that I could not have been more helpful, but again thank you for contacting us. Edwena Mitchell for Rod HoareIndustry LiaisonSDCHQ Orange63913743
There we have it in a nutshell - we are way down the list.

Then there was this statement which really got me going.

Vaccinations
Due to the limited supplies of vaccine, NSW priorities have been set for which horses should be vaccinated. The priority group for vaccination are the horses in Buffer Zones and adjacent higher risk areas. This vaccination is well underway.

The next group under consideration for vaccination are some of the uninfected horses in the Purple Zone. A survey has been developed by the Australian Horse Industry Council to allow people to identify uninfected horses located in the Purple Zone. See:

http://www.surveymaster.com/AHIC/Q1.asp

The next priority, if vaccine numbers allow, would be the high performance horses and special categories such as Olympic horses, Riding for the Disabled, race horses and breeding stallions in the Green, Amber and Red Zones.

Then, again if vaccine numbers allow, other horses in the Green, Amber and Red Zones that will need to enter the purple zone for thoroughbred or harness racing may be offered vaccination. For more information on vaccinations see: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/guidelines/vaccination
so basically, those of us that have pleaseure/performance horses have no hope

valerie