ASHS classes at Barastoc

I am rather glad that you are able to confirm that these classes are able to go ahead. Whilst we have not heard much to the contrary, we have sent in our entries for 4 horses to attend along with many of our friends here in the EI free South West of Victoria. We are all very determined that we are able to go on as normal. We are all determined to support Barastoc and in particular, the Stock Horse classes being run there after a hiatus of some years. We are all the more determined because of the letter we received from Scone which told us that we are advised not to participate in stock horse shows until after the end of February 2008. We understand and appreciate their concern but not all states are the same.

We applaud the decision of Barastoc to run the show and to run stock horse classes.

Regards,
Karen Harrison

Sick sick pony

I was wondering if anybody could help me. I have an 8-year-old miniature horse with a pre-existing respiratory condition who is suffering tremendously from the flu. It is breaking my heart to hear him cough continuously day and night. He is currently on steroids for his respiratory problems, as well as bute and antibiotics for the flu. I even have some store bought cough mixture for him, but it doesn’t seem to be making any effect on the voracity of his cough. If you have any ideas, I’d love to know.

Barastoc Horse of the Year 2008 - ASH classes confirmed

Barastoc Horse of the Year Committee have confirmed ASH classes will be going ahead for the 2008 show despite reports that all ASH events have been canceled up until the end of February 2008.
Maxine Books from Grafton will be judging the ASH classes.
Should you have any queries please contact

Allan Bruno 0438 557720
Fiona Mardling fiona@atlasrent.com.au 0403 189177
Fran Cleland 03 9745 2503 jgcleland@bigpond.com


Or see the Barastoc Show website

PIRSA statement

A media article at the weekend may have given people the wrong impression about PIRSA’s efforts to help South Australian horse owners caught up in the equine influenza outbreak interstate.
The story stated that PIRSA was looking for quarantine facilities so that infected horses could be returned the state.

This is not true.

We do not intend to bring horses infected with equine influenza in to South Australia.
The South Australian horses that are currently interstate are very low risk. They would be required to have a comprehensive vet check prior to departure. Only fit horses, free of the virus will be permitted to begin the journey to South Australia.
On arrival here, they would be vet checked and spend up to 14 days in quarantine as an additional safety measure.
We’re appealing for help to find a suitable location that:

· Is isolated with good fencing, water and an exercise area
· Has accommodation for up to 30 horses for a two week period
· Is at least 300 metres away from other horses
· Has shower and toilet facilities for people caring for the horses

We are appealing for help to assist with identification of a suitable site because we’d like to bring these horses home before Christmas.
I hope that people who might know of, or own, such facilities might feel more secure in the knowledge that we have no intention of bring horses infected with equine influenza into South Australia.
Not to mention horse owners across the state!
Anyone who knows of a suitable facility is asked to contact PIRSA on 1800 675 888.

Dr Rob Rahaley
SA Chief Veterinary Officer

CHARITY CAMPDRAFT IN GREEN ZONE

Why it is that racing can be held at Wagga, yet The Rock campdraft is not allowed to proceed. This event is an annual fundraiser for the local community of The Rock and has managed to be held each year even in the worst of drought conditions. This event has raised tens of thousands of dollars to fund the building of and aged care facility in this small rural town, and without it funding for local facilities will fall short. Surely it could be run even if only for residents of the green zone which is quite extensive.
LP

DPI Movement of Horses from NSW to Victoria

A nationally agreed importation protocol was approved by Consultative Committee on
Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) on 27 November 2007 for the movement of
horses from NSW (or Queensland) to Victoria. This revised protocol was developed to
ensure safe movement of horses into Victoria.

Criteria
Before Movement
1. Horses to be moved must originate from a property which is in a NSW Green Zone
which has been subjected to a risk assessment by DPI NSW.
2. Horses must spend a minimum fourteen days on the property in the NSW Green
Zone from which they are to be moved.
3. This property owner/manager must implement all prescribed biosecurity measures;
not allow any movements on or off the property during the fourteen day period;
completely isolate the horse for at least three days prior to movement; and not allow
any non-biosecure contact between the horse to be moved and other horses.
4. Horses will be examined by an authorised veterinarian at the start of the isolation
period and again 10 days later when they are sampled for equine influenza. An
authorised veterinarian will again examine the horse on the day of movement and
supervise loading into government organised transport provided it is fit and healthy.
After Movement
5. Horses will be transported to an approved Victorian isolation facility.
6. Horses will be kept in isolation from other horses for seven days post arrival.
7. Horses will be examined by an authorised veterinarian at the beginning and end of
the seven day period and also tested negative for EI before they are released.
8. Owners are responsible for collecting their horses at the end of the seven day
quarantine period.

General Information
• In the first instance, horses to be moved will be those stranded in NSW at the
commencement of the EI outbreak on 26 August 2007.
• Places permitting, other horses will be considered on a case by case basis.
• The movement of horses from NSW to Victoria by this process is temporary and is
envisaged to conclude by the end of December. Additional arrangements are being
developed for the movement of other horses.
• A permit is required for the movement of horses and appropriate certification attesting
to the health criteria.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Other than via this process, the movement of horses into Victoria from NSW or Queensland is prohibited.

Vic DPI 28 November 2007

Stranded horses set to cross the border

Horse owners with animals stuck in southern New South Wales will soon be able to move them into Victoria under new protocols being finalised by the Victorian Government.
About 200 owners have expressed interest in moving about 400 horses into Victoria, including Victorians with horses stranded interstate, and racing stables on the border unable to race their horses in Victoria.
The president of the Horse Industry Council, Barry Smyth, says the protocols will involve on-farm quarantine in New South Wales and one week in a Victorian-approved centre.
"The Victorian Department of Primary Industries and the Government are looking very closely at all ways of assisting people to get these horses back home," he said.
"It's a very expensive exercise to undergo all the quarantine, but the Government is looking very closely at helping people as much as they can to enable people to get their horses back home early.
"It looks like we're well on the way to successfully eradicating equine influenza from Australia early in the new year, so it's critical that people continue to cooperate, they've done a terrific job so far."

Gwydir Highway east of Moree cleared for horse movements

Horses are now able to move freely between Moree and the Coast via the Gwydir Highway following an extension to the NSW Equine Influenza Protection Plan’s green zone.
The green zone boundary has been adjusted to take in a small section of the Gwydir Highway near Moree that remained in the amber zone when a further 10 million hectares moved from high risk (amber) to lower risk (green) this week.
It includes the township of Moree and extends about 6 km west of Moree and 6 km south of Moree on the Newell Highway.
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Steve Dunn, said the decision to extend the boundary had been taken to facilitate horse movements along the only direct route to Warialda and the coast.
“Each decision to alter the status of a zone is based on proof-of-freedom testing because we have to be certain that there is no disease present,” Mr Dunn said.
“It makes sense to include the Gwydir Highway east in the green zone because it opens up an important transport route to horse owners who have waited a long time to participate in events or move their horse to another location.”
Mr Dunn said a Travelling Horse Statement (THS) is required for each and every movement within the green zone, and must be carried at all times.
However, a permit is needed for movements into the amber, red and purple zones as well as Interstate.
A THS is easy to obtain online by going to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza. It involves filling out a form and printing a copy to take on the journey.
Information supplied on the THS form is stored in the NSW DPI database, and carefully examined to identify any illegal movements that could jeopardise the disease control efforts. THS information will also help trace movements in the unlikely event that EI is detected in the area.
People without internet access can either visit their local library, or ring the disease hotline on 1800 675 888 and the staff will fax their THS to them.
Anyone requiring a permit should contact their local Rural Lands Protection Board.
More information: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza

EI vaccine milestones: NSW reaches 100,000 doses as racing returns to Royal Randwick

Two major milestones have been reached in the battle against Equine Influenza (EI) with racing returning to Royal Randwick for the first time since the outbreak began and the number of vaccination doses dispatched passing the 100,000 mark, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald announced today.
Minister Macdonald said the majority of vials have been allocated to the buffer containment strategy and purple zone vaccination areas, with the remainder being divided amongst horse industry sectors.
“Today marks two major milestones in the Iemma Government’s fight against Equine Influenza with horse racing returning safely to Royal Randwick for the first time in three months and the number of vaccination doses dispatched passing the 100,000 mark,” he said.
“It is due to the success of the Government’s containment strategy – including the vaccinations – that we are able to safely welcome racing back to Randwick today.
“To date, 55,830 doses have been delivered to local vaccination centres for use in buffers and 17,000 for uninfected horses in the purple zone,” he said.
“Horses, ponies, donkeys, mules and other equine animals including zebras and Przewalski horses at Dubbo’s Western Plains Zoo are being strategically vaccinated in buffers at locations where they can help stop horse flu spreading.
“So far more than 27,000 first round buffer shots had been completed, with another 2,000 targeted. More than 7,000 horses have already received their second shot.
“Progress has slowed down over the past week due to the rain, but when in full swing in good weather we have close to 50 teams working throughout the buffers.”
Mr Macdonald said the goal of purple zone vaccination was to help animals that had not contracted EI build up their immunity to speed up the burning out of the EI virus should those horses later become infected.
“We have up to 40 teams targeting isolated pockets with a combination of high horse densities and low infection rates, down to within one kilometre of an infected property if the infection is not active,” he said.
“About 7,500 horses in the purple zone have so far received their first shot. Again, rain has affected progress over the last week.
“Owners of uninfected horses in the purple zone should contact their own vet to apply for vaccination.”
For the latest information on zones and biosecurity advice see www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza or call the EI hotline on 1800 675 888.

NSW Map EI control & eradication plan 1st December 2007

**click to enlarge**

Horse flu fight must go on

THE return of racing to Randwick yesterday was cause for celebration. Three months after the sport of kings was king-hit by the outbreak of equine influenza, the race meeting lifted the spirits of people in a NSW racing industry devastated by the epidemic, and of the racegoing public.
However, the return of racing to Randwick does not mean the EI crisis is over. Far from it. There are 500,000 horses in NSW and, while the Department of Primary Industries has done well to contain the number of infected horses to 41,000, eradication of the disease is still a long way off.
The National Management Group overseeing the fight to control the disease has been encouraged by reports of a reduction in the number of new infected premises and by the continuing roll-out of the vaccination program. But while the management group is confident the battle is being won, it cautions that only strict compliance with biosecurity measures will prevent fresh outbreaks of the disease.
In other words, this is no time for complacency. For many in an industry dependent on movement between racecourses, spelling paddocks, sales and studs, the cure - movement restrictions - has been worse than the disease. Yet zones restricting the movement of horses will remain in force for at least two months. At studs, fewer mares are in foal and the effects of the interruption to the breeding cycle will be felt for years.
Uncertainty about the future can only compound the stress already suffered by people in the racing industry and across the wider equestrian community. So it is to be hoped hard lessons have been learnt in the past three months. To restore confidence in quarantine procedures, security must be stricter and seen to be so, as must biosecurity at racecourses, airports and other points of entry.
Unless such precautions are implemented and there is a continuing vaccination program in all states and territories, as Racing NSW has requested, equine influenza might never go away.

Paradise for punters as racing returns

'We're all really thrilled and we hope it's the beginning of a recovery.' John Messara, Arrowfield Stud
IT WAS a great day for the race. The human race, that is. Yesterday's return to racing at Randwick was a day to remember for all those affected by the equine influenza epidemic - from breeders to punters.
Three months and 100,000 doses of vaccine ago, a week before the Sydney spring carnival was due to start, the outbreak of EI stopped NSW's $4.2 billion racing industry in its tracks.
At its peak 41,000 horses were infected. The financial cost is still being calculated. It is estimated to run into hundreds of millions of dollars, and the toll on hearts and minds may never be known.
Yesterday, however, all that could be forgotten for a while. With colour in the stands, rumble in the ring and thunder on the track, racing was back, and no one was going to let a little rain and mud spoil the party.
"It's a major morale boost for the industry," Racing NSW boss Peter V'Landys said.
"A lot of people have been devastated by EI. They've had their lives turned upside down.
"There are 50,000 people in NSW who earn their living directly or indirectly from racing.
"It's also had an effect on people attending race meetings.
"When you change people's habits it's very hard to change them back again, so our objective in the next 12 months is to get people to see how vibrant and exciting a sport racing is.
Read the entire story

Messara the man to put racing on track

JOHN Messara, the power behind the NSW racing throne, should take over the official role that encompasses the "strong and unencumbered leadership" put forward by NSW Racing Minister Graham West. The new deal is a backdown by West as far as independence is concerned but a move in the right direction. Conflict of interest will get a hearty mention regarding Messara, one of the major breeders and the Aushorse chairman. Messara, though, has been a major playmaker on issues such as the EI epidemic and the World Youth Day debacle. Give him the title and accountability. And there is some light at the end of what has been in many ways a wretched NSW Government period for the industry. On Saturday, West went to the re-opening of Randwick and made a visit to the press room. You've got to admire his style if not his timing. Such an appearance was a first for a minister in the hallowed area. But it was wasted on a race day when horses were back for the first time in three months. Also at Randwick was Ian MacDonald, the NSW Primary Industries Minister. Could this be the first time in decades that state politicians are showing interest in the turf? And is there another change in direction concerning funds, needed and earned by racing, that were going to be channelled elsewhere? Which is all positive to maintain the momentum commenced by the Australian Jockey Club at Randwick, which again had a headquarters feel on Saturday.

Registration vital

SYDNEY - Vaccination of horses is a critical component of the program to eradicate Equine Influenza (EI), the Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) has advised.

“If you are in a Red or Purple control zone you should register your horse. This registration is vital; it provides the vaccination teams with information such as the location of horses within the different zones,” AHIC said in a statement.

This registration can be done online or by contacting the disease hotline.

Visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/information/horse-owners-restricted-areas/form

AHIC advises that in NSW there are currently 5,337 infected Properties, 453 dangerous contact properties, 500 suspect properties, and 41,406 infected horses.

A total of 28,607 horses in buffer zones have received first round vaccinations, and 6,721 have received second round vaccinations.

Nearly 15,000 horses have been vaccinated in the Purple Zone.

The local vaccination centre at Dubbo has finished its second round of vaccinations within the Dubbo vaccination buffer.

They will now initiate second round vaccination in to the red zone to eradicate the disease in that region.

For more information phone the NSW equine influenza hotline on 1800 675 888 or visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza.

Get wheels turning again: EFA

SYDNEY – The current virtual shutdown of the equestrian industry will lead to a permanent loss of events and participants, Equestrian Federal of Australia chief executive Franz Venhaus has warned.

“We are concerned that the current virtual shutdown of the industry will lead to a permanent loss of events and of horse sport participants, including clubs and their committees, who may simply give up and won’t make the effort to return when things get back to normal at some time in the future,” Venhaus said in an EFA newsletter.

“Events are the lifeblood of the sport, the clubs, and also of the commercial sector of the horse industry.

“Riders and owners buy new horse gear and horse services when they want to go to shows or when at shows. Not having events reduces this business considerably. Events and other gatherings are also important to professional riders, horse trainers, coaches and others, who have seen their basis of making a living disappear,” he said.

“I am not advocating an open-slather approach to the holding of events but I have to ask the question why clearly disease-free horses in a clearly disease-free area of the country far removed from infected zones cannot gather without much ado for competition, at least at the local or regional level,” Venhaus said.

“Why are authorities effectively frightening clubs and other organisers with onerous regulations and forecasts of doom so much that organisers don’t even consider holding events?

“We need the authorities to assist clubs and organisers to hold events, not to make them impossible.”

He said many horse organisations had cancelled all events for the remainder of the year in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.

“This has even been happening in disease-free states like Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia (events are still being held in Western Australia),” Venhaus said.

“What seems to be forgotten is the fact that there are hundreds and thousands of people and businesses that rely on events for their income, either directly or indirectly.”

Magic Millions will lobby Rudd Government

GOLD COAST – Magic Millions will seek the assistance of ministers in the new federal government to secure the safe reopening of horse exports between Australia and major Asian countries.

A report in today’s Australian newspaper says the Gold Coast-based sales company hopes Simon Crean, as minister for trade, and Tony Burke, agriculture, fisheries and forestry, can take a proactive stance, along with the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), in establishing protocols to permit horses bought in Australia to be accepted into foreign countries that are presently blocking exports in the wake of the equine influenza crisis.

AQIS has played a role in The Philippines being prepared to receive horses from Australia, but it is felt that top-level communication is required to reconnect an important trade with Asian countries that invest heavily in Australia's thoroughbreds.

"We need to be more proactive in opening up the markets again for countries that have closed their doors on Australia for export," Magic Millions managing director David Chester said in the report.

"The only countries taking horses at the moment are Korea and The Philippines. Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau and even Iran are not.

"Australia is the second-biggest thoroughbred breeding country in the world and we need these international people buying at our sales.

"People who bought from those countries at our sale last week are sweating on getting these horses back home in the next four months.

"We can't have people sitting on their backsides in Canberra, waiting for these countries to come and talk to them. That is not going to happen ... We need leaders to get our international markets open again."

Chester said there was a need to establish sensible working protocols between states regarding the movement of horses.

"Every horse has had two inoculations and EI has been contained and is being eradicated, so at some point we have to get back to some normality," Chester said.

"This is not about Magic Millions, but all participants in the thoroughbred industry."

EI UPDATE - The Sydney Royal Horse Show will go on

Media Release 30 November 2007

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) is pleased to announce that horses will return to the ring in 2008. “Entries for the Show have remained strong throughout the Equine Influenza crisis, and following talks with the NSW Department of Primary Industries we are now in a position to accept them,” RAS President, Mr Rob Vickery, said today. “However, exhibitors will have to meet strict criteria.”

Horses accepted from the purple zone;
• Resolved (had the disease and recovered) OR
• Vaccinated with the Canary Pox Virus
• Blood tested to prove immunity within eight weeks of the Show
• Microchipped

Horses accepted from other zones within NSW and interstate;
• Resolved OR
• Vaccinated with the Canary Pox Virus
• Blood tested to prove immunity within eight weeks of the Show
• Microchipped
• Appropriate NSW DPI travel permits allowing travel by approved route
• Have a travel plan and permit to return home post show
• Have demonstrated quarantine arrangements post show if disease outbreak occurs

Further to these criteria, exhibitors will be required to abide by strict on site bio security measures. All DPI regulations in force at the time of the show must be followed.

It must be stressed that the responsibility for meeting the above conditions rests with the
exhibitor. The RAS will not accept liability under any circumstances. “I urge all exhibitors to refer to the NSW DPI website to ensure they meet the current travel and quarantine arrangements, which may alter between now and the Show,” said RAS Horse Committee Chairman, Mr Graham Davey. “The RAS will not under any circumstances compromise the DPI’s EI eradication process.”

Interstate horses will be subject to their home state arrangements and exhibitors will need to liaise with their local authorities to determine whether they can travel across state boarders and return home.

With a reduction in the number of shows during the period of the EI crisis, the RAS understands it will not have been possible for exhibitors to have gained the level of qualifications which have been required in previous years. “Therefore the requirements for some classes will be eased, however some horses will not qualify.” said Mr Davey.

A telephone information line will be activated on Monday 3 December. The hotline number and further details will be available from midday on Monday at www.sydneyroyal.com.au then follow the link to the Sydney Royal Horse Show.
Exhibitors are also advised to visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au for updates on EI.

Further information; Philippa Lampe - RAS Media & Public Relations Manager
(02) 9704 1453 or 0419 483 407 plampe@rasnsw.com.au

A Fair Go For Recreational Horse Owners

Not least, thanks to the persistent efforts of the Australian Horse Industry Council with the full support of recreational horse owners , the Horse Racing Industry is back in business. And why not. Most horse lovers are glad horse racing is back and movement restrictions for the racing industry horses have been largely removed. Special conditions for the industry have applied all along anyway.

Now, what about the tens of thousands of recreational & sporting horses and their still suffering owners. For example, horses in the Amber Zone can only be exercised and moved around on their home properties. They are not permitted to be taken anywhere outside these properties, even though they still remain within the Amber Zone. This seems absurd, in view of the fact that the movement of horses within their allocated Zone does not increase the risk of EI transmission to other Zones.

With the generous removal of restrictions for the Horse Racing Industry, permitting the movement of race horses virtually across all Zones, it seems reasonable to expect at least some relaxation of the prohibitions still applying to recreational and sporting horses. There is no justification for maintaining a ban on horses being exercised outside their home properties provided they remain within their allocated Zone. Removal of this now unnecessary condition will make a big difference to the lives of thousands of horse owners..

With the Australian Horse Industry Council apparently representing all equine disciplines, there is now a real opportunity for the AHIC to demonstrate its support for the thousands of recreational horse owners who have and will continue to support the racing industry, by lobbying for the removal of the ban on horse movements within the allocated zones.

Erich Raab

Canterbury to act as quarantine centre

RACING NSW has been granted approval to use Canterbury Racecourse as a quarantine centre for horses from outside the purple zone in and around Sydney.

Under current NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) regulations, horses travelling from other zones to race in the purple zone must serve a quarantine period before they are permitted to return home.
The Canterbury facility will accommodate up to five horses travelling from amber and green zones after they race at Randwick.
The Randwick meeting is the first metropolitan program in more than three months following the equine influenza (EI) outbreak in late August.
Canterbury is the only one of the four metropolitan racetracks that is not used as a training centre.
”The Sydney Turf Club constructed a quarantine station here some years ago in the hope they could attract international horses, so it's already set up and ready to be used,'' said steward Steve Railton.

”There is room here for several dozen horses but there's only likely to be four or five horses here from the Randwick races.
”They will stay at Canterbury for seven days before returning to their zones for another seven days at a stable or property approved by the Department of Primary Industries.''
Sydney and the provincial centres to the north such as Gosford, Wyong and Newcastle are in the purple zone and horses from those areas will be able to compete at Randwick and return home without completing a 14-day quarantine period.
Kembla Grange to the south is officially located in an amber zone but Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys said horses from the provincial track would be free to make a same-day return trip to Sydney following negotiations with the DPI.
”We have negotiated to have Kembla classed as a purple zone so horses will be able to come from there,'' V'Landys said.
AAP

Randwick exceeds expectations

SYDNEY racing has taken a major step to put behind it the nightmare of the equine influenza outbreak, with the successful Royal Randwick meeting yesterday.

AJC chief executive, Norman Gillespie said racing was back with a vengeance after an official crowd of 21,085 attended the first Sydney race day in more than three months.

"This has been a great success and the crowd has exceeded our expectations,'' Gillespie said. "When the rain fell most of the morning, I was worried how it would affect our crowd. But we've still got nearly 25,000 people through the gates.

"The atmosphere has been fantastic and to watch the Takeover Target-Dance Hero race capped off a memorable day.''

Racing NSW and the AJC had been criticised in some quarters for fast-tracking a December 1 return to racing.

But those critics were silenced, with Racing NSW chief Peter V'Landys saying the roar of the crowd when the race one barriers opened "sent shivers down my spine.''

Sold on the first day!

Sold on the first day to the first caller
to Victoria, they came and rode him
and we have had 6 calls already and
still ringing! (November Issue Horse
Deals).