The Hand Brake On.

20th October.

If your business is transporting horses up and down the eastern seaboard of Australia, then you are having a tough time at the moment. Not of course that you would be the only one, but as Jason Joyce of Southern Cross Horse Transport commented; “at the moment a horse transport business doesn’t have a great future; EI could not hit any business harder. When you run an interstate transport company and you can’t take anything in to Victoria, that’s a big problem.

”We bought Southern Cross Horse Transport about 14 months ago, with the idea that it would be something my stepdaughters (Danielle and Greer Butcher) could run in the future to support their showjumping. I’ve worked very hard at the business for the last 12 months and we were looking at expanding, but of course at the moment that’s all on hold. We have two trucks and the way the business was going we were looking at getting another truck. We mainly service the performance horse industry and I have some very good clients in the harness industry. We don’t do much track to track work, as they usually want the horses taken from A to B in the shortest possible time. On the Sydney/Melbourne run we like to stop over at Tarcutta and give the horses a break, and the performance horse people like that. Of course that has all changed now, as the work we get has to go straight through without stopping.

“The various permits required does make the movement of horses more difficult and we have to work out what horses can go where and what protocols you have to follow to move those horses. We’ve been able to do a little work, which has been dependent on the availability of permits. We usually run 60 horses on the Melbourne/Sydney run each week, now we would do between three and seven. Most of what we have been doing is delivering horses that have been bought mainly through Horse Deals magazine and can now go home, and there have been show horses down with trainers in Melbourne for the Royal that are now going back to their owners. It’s really not an economical proposition to run down to Victoria empty, pick up a horse and then follow all the protocols to take it to a certain Zone. In some cases it is just not possible. I like to stay within the Green Zones and work in them to limit the risk. The colours are like a big jigsaw and you have to put your colours together and move within them. I have to know that I am moving EI free horses and that is the worry. But in this business you have to travel full both ways to make money.

“I try and spend as much time on the computer as I can, as you have to be able to follow what’s going on and the NSW DPI have been very helpful. You can’t drive from Green Zone to Green Zone through another colour and that changed the other day and I had to swing out much wider and go west. The paperwork involved is tremendous. Really the only reason I am transporting horses at the moment is that I have clients that expect me to do the job for them and you do not want to let them down. Early on during the standstill and good client offered me a job moving general freight. At that time no horses truck was allowed to go through a border crossing, so I could not do it.

“I would only be doing a fraction of the work at the moment and I can only physically do one run a week. It takes eight to ten hours to clean the truck and you have to be able to eat off the floor if you want to be serious about following the protocols. We have our own gurney and carry virkon spray and other bleach, have changes of clothes and carry masks. If everyone does the right thing, it will make a big difference.

“We are in Pheasants Nest south of Sydney and we don’t have EI. We are just out of the buffer zone, but we have quite a lot of vaccinated horses around us, which should help. We will just keep doing what we can and hope by early in the New Year we will have some idea how to proceed.”

Footnote.

Some movement is possible and as Jason explained the situation changes. Check with your DPI if you want to move horses or pick up one you have bought. It may not be as difficult as you think.

2007 Caulfield Cup

Did any one get to watch the 2007 Caulfield Cup.

For some unknown reason to myself I couldn’t stop watching. Every time a trainer, jockey or anyone associated with T/Bred racing was speaking I couldn’t help myself but shout taunts at them. My only wish is I could have done it face to face on national T.V.

As the horses were going into barriers for the cup race, one launched itself toward the front of the barrier rearing up and cutting its head. Very distressing to watch for any one who has ever owned a horse. What was more heart wrenching was watching the horse lay on the ground under the barrier not attempting to get up.Another 2 horses were also injured.

Now because of there treatment (T/Bred Racing) of everyone we are all watching vigilantly for these displays.

A horse up north Qld got about a 2 line mention in the courier 2 weeks ago when it broke its fetlock during a race and collapsed and had another 4 horses and jockeys come tumbling down. This is what happens when you break in yearlings. This is an all too common scenario for the racing world. (including the Melbourne Cup in 1998 when Three Crowns, broke a fetlock during the race and was put down).This is the very reason the racing industry deserves nothing more then to be kicked while its down.

Anthony.

Finanicial Assistance

The Australian Government has announced further assistance for people and businesses facing additional costs and significant financial hardship, as a direct result of the Equine Influenza quarantine measures currently in place. Here are some links and more information.

Please note, for the grants being administered through Centrelink, we strongly advise that you call the EI Hotline 1800 234 002 and/or visit one of the specialised Centrelink info sessions that are currently on offer, click here for dates. The people at these sessions and on the hotline number have the up-to-date information about the EI crisis funds and will be able to serve you better.

Australian Government Support Services, click here for an outline of services available
Centrelink Fact Sheet, click here
Centrelink website, click here
Tax help available, click here


NSW EI SUPPORT
Commercial Horse Assistance Payment (CHAP)1800 859 611 Click here for more info and the application forms
http://www.nsw.equestrian.org.au/?Page=15507
A Commercial Horse Assistance Payment (CHAP) will be available to primary carers whose racing, harness or professional equestrian competition horses have been unable to undertake their normal activities, and could otherwise have generated an income, if not for the quarantine restrictions in place.

This payment will make sure horses receive adequate care, and remain fit and healthy during the current quarantine restrictions, so that all horse industries can make a swift and full recovery as soon as the standstill is lifted.

It is estimated that up to 10,000 horses in the ACT, NSW and QLD will be eligible for assistance, if as a result of quarantine restrictions, they are not able to engage in activities that could potentially earn an income.
CHAP will be administered by the EFA NSW for the sport and leisure horse (non-racing) industry.

Payments based on a daily rate will be paid to horse carers on a fortnightly basis.
Daily rates are as follows: Please see footnote
NSW Metropolitan Thoroughbreds $60
NSW Provincial/ ACT Thoroughbreds $55
NSW Country Thoroughbreds $50
NSW Metropolitan Harness $20
NSW Provincial/Country Harness $15
QLD Metropolitan (Bris, GC) Thoroughbreds $55
QLD Country Thoroughbreds $50
QLD/ACT Harness $20
Other commercial non-racing horses $20

Footnote re. CHAP Supplement This assistance is offered to provide for the WELFARE and on going maintenance of horses to ensure they remain fit and healthy and be ready to return to normal activity as soon as the standstill is lifted. It is offered as a SUBSIDY to owners and was never designed to cover the full costs of having a horse. It is assumed that the owner will still have to bear some of the costs during the time that a horse is unable to undertake its normal competitive programme.

Obviously a competition horse suffering from and recovering from EI will not be in full work, or any work at all, but will require supervision and maintenance and the figure of $20 PER DAY/PER HORSE (ie. $140 per week) is regarded as “fair” in those circumstances.

CHAP is not intended to reflect "Horse in Training" costs.
This assistance is to enable equestrians to maintain horses which would have been either, in competition, for sale or used for teaching purposes.
The amount given per day for the racing industry recognises that on some tracks horses can still race.

Equestrian horses cannot compete in the present circumstances.

You will find more information on EI Financial Assistance available at;
http://www.nsw.equestrian.org.au/site/equestrian/nsw/downloads/News%20Items/EI%20News/equine-influenza-support-services.pdf

http://www.nsw.equestrian.org.au/?Page=15359

Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant - 1800 234 002...please note, you must ask for this particular assistance by this exact name and it is preferable to call the equine hotline number rather than visit centrelink to ensure you are given the correct information.

A business assistance grant of $5000 is available for businesses which:
derive the majority of their income from the commercial horse industry,
have occurred additional costs to implement the quarantine measure, and
have experienced a significant downturn in income.

The Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant (EIBAG) will provide businesses with flexibility to identify their own financial priorities.
Application forms and further information on the Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant will be available on the Centrelink website or by calling the Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 234 002.

Equine Influenza Recreational Organisation Grants
The Victorian State Government has established a grants program to assist non-government, not-for-profit equine organisations that incur financial losses due to the voluntary cancellation of events in Victoria during the recent Equine Influenza outbreak. Eligible organisations can apply for grants to reduce the burden of losses resulting from the cancellation of events that were scheduled to be held during the period 1 September 2007 to 31 October 2007.
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfa.nsf/LinkView/6333E7EEE559A577CA257370007BEB1F2FCC42C90CB016EECA25734F000AFF44

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Queensland Government is providing an immediate $20 million assistance package including:
$10 million for a small business interest subsidy scheme (with payments up to $5000)
$5 million personal hardship scheme (one-off payments of up to $155 for eligible individuals and a maximum of $725 for families)
$5 million recovery package to assist Queensland horse industry retain skilled employees and get back on its feet
For further details about financial assistance:Telephone:13 25 23

QUEENSLAND COMMERCIAL HORSE
SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE SCHEME
Queensland small businesses that have been impacted by the Equine Influenza outbreak are able to apply for financial assistance from QRAA to meet operating and other essential costs.

Small businesses who derive the majority of their income from being part of the commercial horse industry and have experienced a significant downturn in income as a result of the Equine Influenza outbreak, can apply for this assistance. What assistance is available?

What assistance is available?Assistance under the Queensland Commercial Horse Small Business Emergency Assistance Scheme is in the form of a non-repayable interest subsidy up to $5,000 for the period 1 October 2007 to 31 March 2008 which will contribute towards interest payments on new or existing commercial loans.

http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/productitem.jsp?product=654

QUEENSLAND RACING

The QRL CHAPS Guidelines provide full details of eligibility, payments and application requirements

http://www.queenslandracing.com.au/documents/pdf/EI/QRL_CHAPS_Guidelines.pdf

HARNESS RACING

http://www.harness.org.au/qld/CHAPS/Guidelines.pdf

RACING NSW

EQUINE INFLUENZA BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANT SCHEME
This scheme provides for the payment of one-off grants of up to $5,000 to businesses and self employed persons who derive the majority of their income from racing, are incurring additional costs because of the outbreak and are facing a significant downturn in income.This scheme covers such categories of businesses and persons as trainers, jockeys, farriers, horse transport companies, veterinarians, etc.We urge all eligible self-employed participants to make application for these grants.

Further CHAPS Payments Made to Trainers and Jockeys [28/09/2007]
As previously advised, Racing NSW has negotiated a compensation scheme for trainers with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) to provide funding to trainers according to the number of horses in a trainer's care and the number of days that a horse is unable to earn an income due to the shutdown of racing caused by the Equine Influenza outbreak.DAFF have agreed to pay this compensation for a maximum of 12 weeks for the period 25 August 2007 to 19 November 2007, or the date on which all restrictions on movement of horses in NSW are lifted, whichever is the earlier.

COMMERCIAL HORSE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS SYSTEM
Details relating to this scheme are still under consideration and negotiations are continuing with the Federal Government with a meeting to be held in Canberra on Wednesday 12th September 2007. However the general thrust of the scheme is as follows:The scheme will be administered by Racing NSW and will be based on a per horse per day payment on a sliding scale ($50 - metropolitan: $45 - Provincial: $40 - Country) and will be paid in fortnightly installments to trainers with horses in work which would otherwise be active and earning an income if not for the EI outbreak.
Examples of the scheme are shown below:

• A metropolitan trainer with 40 horses in work would receive $50 per horse per day, i.e. $2,000 per day or $28,000 per fortnight;
• A provincial trainer with 25 horses in work would receive $45 per horse per day, i.e. $1,125 per day or $15,750 per fortnight;
• A country trainer with 15 horses in work would receive $600 per day or $8,400 per fortnight.

The payments will be conditional upon trainers passing of an amount to be determined by Racing NSW to the owners of horses under their care. However it is stressed that a percentage will be retained by the trainer towards his/her costs. Further details of these arrangements will be provided following the completion of negotiations with the Federal Government.In addition to the above, an amount of $10 per horse per day will also be provided under the scheme to allow payments to other industry participants such as jockeys, freelance track riders, farriers, veterinarians, horse dentists, horse transport operators and other persons providing direct and specialized essential services to the industry.Jockeys in receipt of payments under this scheme are to ride track work on a daily basis or as required by trainers and are to attend weekly training courses arranged by Racing NSW, including courses covering OH&S, financial planning and media relations.

EQUINE WORKERS HARDSHIP WAGE SUPPLEMENT
This scheme will be administered by the Federal Government through Centrelink and will provide for the payment of fortnightly allowances to workers who have lost their jobs or most of their income and sole traders whose incomes have effectively ceased because of the EI outbreak.The payments under the scheme will be equivalent to the Government's Newstart Allowance ($424.30 per fortnight for singles) and will not be subject to the normal activity assets tests and other conditions that usually apply to persons applying for unemployment benefits.The payment will be made for up to 12 weeks from the date of declaration of the Equine Influenza outbreak in NSW & QLD - 25 August 2007. Backdating to the date of the original standstill orders will be available if applications are received within 8 weeks from the declaration date.This includes persons unable to attend their workplace because of restrictions imposed by EI quarantine arrangements.For further information and Application Forms please contact Centrelink on http://www.racingnsw.com.au/www.centrelink.gov.au or by calling the Centrelink Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 234 002.

EQUINE INFLUENZA HARDSHIP GRANT SCHEMEIn addition to the above new schemes, participants are reminded that they may also be eligible to receive payments under the Equine Influenza Hardship Grants Scheme.This scheme was established under a $4 million grant from the Federal Government to provide emergency grants to individuals suffering financial difficulty as a result of the Equine Influenza outbreak. Grants of up to $1,500 are available for individuals in New South Wales and Queensland, whose livelihood is dependent on horses.Insofar as NSW is concerned, the Hardship Assistance Fund is being administered by Racing NSW who will assess applications in conjunction with Harness and Leisure horse groups. Applications may be made by participants who derive their major source of income from the Horse Industry, incorporating Thoroughbred Racing, Harness Racing and Leisure Horses, and are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the outbreak of EI in NSW.Further details regarding this scheme can be found on the Racing NSW website (http://www.racingnsw.com.au/) or by calling the Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 670 051.Further details in respect of these schemes will be circulated when they become available.

I think I've got it!

Well, I THINK I've got the dreaded lurgy! There was an official Infected Property declared on the 9th October about 1km from me as the crow flies. The owner of the property across the road from that one spoke to me on 11th October, to say that her horses also had the virus. The wind has been blowing straight to me from these two properties ever since! Since the 9th, I have kept daily records of all 28 horses here.

I got really concerned when an older gelding (15 years) laid down in the middle of feeding time on the 11th October. This was most unusual for him, and I was quite surprised. But he just lay there for about 10 minutes, then he got up again and started eating. Also I noticed on the 11th and the 12th that quite a few of the horses were chewing and swallowing as if they were trying to clear something. Like you do when you've got that ticklish feeling in the back of your throat from a nasal drip.

The biggest finding I have had is that for days and days I wasn't really sure if I had the thing or not! By the 13th October, all the horses except 2 had a little clear moisture in their nostrils. I mean a very small amount... if you didn't know that there was EI around you wouldn't even notice it! Just the tiniest glitter of moisture, in either or both nostrils.

On the 14th October, 5 of the horses had the tiniest little bit of white moisture in their nostrils... again, so small that you'd probably not even notice it if you weren't looking for it. One 4 yr old filly got a little bit colicy, just stamping one hind leg a bit, but after about half an hour she stopped and started eating again.

The next day another 3 horses had the white stuff. But on the 16th October, none of the horses had the white stuff, but all had gone back to just clear moisture, but a little more of it this time. In all of this time, I had one high-ish temperature (38.2) but that was in a heavily-pregnant TB mare on a hot day.... so, again, I wasn't sure if this was a fever.

BTW, I did report to the DPI on 14th October, but they don't want to know me.

On the 17th October 2 horses coughed. On the 18th October 3 horses coughed. I heard these coughs about 2 or 3 times a day.... very mild, the kind of cough you hear when a horse has a bit of hay stuck somewhere and they're trying to clear it. One or two coughs, then nothing more. On the 19th October I heard a few more coughs, and 5 of the horses were obviously a little depressed... off their feed (a little, not much), and just standing around. One 9 yr old gelding did the stamping his hind foot thing for about 20 minutes, then he was fine.

This morning the two horses who had previously not shown any signs have suddenly got the white stuff in their nostrils. So I think I've got it! All are eating today, none seemed depressed, haven't heard any coughing so far, and most of them have got the clear moisture, with about 8 having the white stuff.

I have 20 horses aged from 1 year to 16 years in one 20-acre paddock, and they all come down to be fed twice a day. I have 3 broodmares (one with a foal) in another 10-acre paddock, also being fed twice a day. I have a 2 yr old colt and a 7 yr old gelding together in a third paddock of about 1 acre, with two mares together in a fourth paddock (1/2 acre), and a stallion in his own large yard. All are fed twice a day, and these paddocks are all around the house so are in clear view at all times. The stallion and one of the mares in the small paddock were the last two to succumb to the snotty nose symptom.

The two-week old foal has only had the clear moisture, as has his mum. He has not been depressed at all, and is a bundle of energy. There have been no further temperature spikes in any of the horses.

So, do I have it? I still am not sure. Going on reports from others I really thought the symptoms would be a lot worse. But maybe my horses have a mild case? Honestly, if I didn't know that there was EI so close to me I wouldn't be in the least bit worried. Hopefully it won't get any worse.

I must say that I am very surprised at how long it's been since I first noticed the slight moisture until today when I first really thought that I MUST have it! It is not at all surprising to me now that people could be carrying the virus without even knowing it. If it wasn't for the fact that I have been very careful, and that I have been house-bound since it all started, and that I have banned anyone from coming here since before it started, then it would have been extremely easy to transport the virus BEFORE any horses started really showing any symptoms. So don't automatically think that your horses don't have EI if they're not coughing or have high temps.

But then again, maybe my horses just have a cold, and it's not really EI? I don't know! The DPI won't come and check.... they just assume I've got it because it is confirmed at a property so close to mine.

This is a really confusing virus!
J, Queensland

blogEI@horsedeals.com.au not working

blogEI@horsedeals.com.au is not working. Please for the moment, send your stories, images and thoughts about EI to emily1092@gmail.com . If you have sent something through to the blogEI address Friday evening or Saturday morning, can you please re-send it to emily1092@gmail.com . We will try and fix the problem asap.

QLD Application for vaccination of high performance high risk horses

There is a limited supply of vaccine and not all applications can be approved. Priority will be given to horses where vaccination will significantly assist in reducing the spread and have a major impact on the horse industry, the community and the broader economy. Consideration will be given to horses in the Red Zone which fall into the following categories:

• High performance horses, mounted police and the stock squad
• Businesses where horses are an integral and irreplaceable part of the operation
• Studs and stallions that need to be protected during the breeding season
• Large groups of horses that have contact with many people who could inadvertently bring the virus into a stable complex
  Horses where infection with EI poses a welfare or serious health risk
  Download the application form (DOC, 84 kB)

Microchipping in horses

This link is a training video for veterinarians and others interested in the RFID microchip of horses.
It is a mandatory requirement for horses that are vaccinated for equine influenza are also microchipped at the time of vaccination.

Please view the video on the Animal Health Australia website.

DPI Qld

Saturday 20 October: There are currently 1347 infected properties in Queensland, an increase of 37 from yesterday. New confirmed infections remain restricted to the Beaudesert, Laidley, Esk, Brisbane City, Logan City and Gold Coast City areas Equine influenza is still contained to the Red Zone in the State's South East. Vaccination, as part of DPI&F program of containment and eradication is continuing.

Broader vaccination approach to be adopted for equine influenza

Franz-Josef Venhaus, Friday, 19 October 2007

The National Management Group has released a communique following a recent meeting in Melbourne.

Addressing the socio-economic impacts of equine influenza will require broader application of vaccination, the National Management Group (NMG) overseeing the disease containment and eradication response has agreed.

Meeting in Melbourne to review the disease response and to consider future plans, NMG acknowledged that both the containment and eradication of the disease and mitigation of socio-economic impacts needs to be pursued in parallel.

While there are differences between horse industry groups on the merits of long-term vaccination, all agreed a significantly broader approach to vaccine use is now required.

This approach will be adopted where it is consistent with the current containment and eradication strategy and is to be implemented with other measures including a relaxation of some movement restrictions.

The agreed strategy will involve:

• Vaccination for control and eradication purposes in affected areas including within buffer zones and for infection suppression


• Vaccination to mitigate consequences of equine influenza for sectors and groups in infected areas


• Vaccination as an insurance against possible outbreaks in targeted sectors or groups of horses in unaffected areas to facilitate greater movement and economic activity.

Additional vaccines outside the industry/government cost-sharing deed will be obtained on the basis that costs will be recovered from industry beneficiaries. Proposals will now be sought from national industry bodies and jurisdictions for the allocation of vaccines in line with this new strategy.

NMG is comprised of the Chief Executive Officers of the Commonwealth and State/Territory departments of agriculture/primary industries across Australia and also the heads of the peak bodies representing the horse industry. It is chaired by the Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Conall O’Connell.

Equestrians, drovers just 'poor cousins' in horse flu crisis

For the most part, the media's interest in the drama of the equine influenza break-out has focused on the dramatic impact it has had on horse racing and the threat posed to the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

But less measurable in both monetary and human terms are the horse owners and breeders who make up the huge sport and recreation sectors, from equestrian competitors to drovers.

Now some of them are bitterly complaining that they have been ignored by the big end of the town and are facing financial ruin.

Read more.