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Gundy campdraft, first horse competition for Hunter Valley cancelled due to Anthrax outbreak.

Anthrax claims more Upper Hunter cattle
Another three head of cattle died from anthrax on an Upper Hunter property overnight, despite the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) saying the outbreak is stabilising.
More than 30 head of cattle and one horse have died at Rouchel near Scone since Christmas Eve, and the disease has spread to nine properties, all of which are now in lockdown for 41 days.
About 1,000 cattle have been vaccinated.
Keith Miles has lost 22 head of cattle and is hoping the vaccinations will kick in before he finds more dead stock.
"We're just hoping to stem the deaths," he said.
"To go out this morning and find another three head dead and they have to be burned - and that's the hard part of this - you spend your time vaccinating and then you go out the rest of the day burning carcasses.
"It's not just setting fire to it, it takes about three days because you have to get rid of the bones to ash."

Meanwhile today's Gundy campdraft, the first horse competition to be held in the Hunter Valley since the horse flu outbreak in August, has been postponed because of the anthrax emergency.

Goldmarket Handicap races to go ahead

While the equine influenza outbreak will prevent the staging of the Magic Millions horse racing carnival and yearling sales this summer, the Gold Coast will still have a stand-alone Saturday race meeting.
The Turf Club is gearing up to host this Saturday's Goldmarket Handicap meeting.Chief executive Grant Sheather says there will be almost $500,000 in prize money on offer at the meeting."It's a bit of a silver lining for the Goldmarket, which was originally scheduled to be conducted on New Year's Day before the equine influenza crisis, but now finds itself as a stand-alone race day of metropolitan status, " he said.
"I suppose it's a kudos to the Goldmarket, it's our longest running race, originally known as the Newmarket when it was conducted back in 1963."

Horse flu stops Man From Snowy River festival

Equine influenza has claimed another victim — this time an event worth about $3 million to the North East Victoria.

Corryong's Man from Snowy River Festival organisers have announced the event will not be run next year.
Festival chair, Sandra Beirs, says costly horse flu restrictions and indefinite quarantine schedules mean more than two-thirds of the April event's competitors would not make it across the border from NSW and Queensland.
"It's devastating, we've agonised over this decision for weeks," she said.
"The longer we tried to keep organising without any firm dates from the government departments, the bigger a risk we took with spending all of our funding on overheads and having to cancel closer to the date.
"We chose to go with this decision to enable ourselves to have the funding to kick off in 2009."
Mrs Beirs said despite their frustrations, organisers felt no animosity towards the Department of Primary Industry or other government agencies.
"We just have to accept that the governments are doing what they have to do to get control over equine influenza," she said.
"They're probably just as frustrated as what we are.
"It's understandable; it's just hard to take when we rely on this event so much."
Mrs Beirs said the board had explored other options before deciding to pull the plug.
"We did consider running a smaller festival but we've built it to a standard that's so high, to run anything less I think people would go home disappointed," she said.
Mrs Beirs said the board's decision had nothing to do with September's announcement that major sponsor Telstra would no longer fund the event because it included a rodeo, a sport it said promoted animal cruelty.

SOURCE: The Border Mail
By VICTORIA MACDONALD
14 December 2007

NSW anthrax outbreak spreads - horse dies

An anthrax outbreak in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales has claimed more than 30 head of cattle and a horse, and appears to be getting worse.
Three more deaths were reported over the weekend, with the outbreak now spreading to nine properties.
All have been locked down for 41 days.
The Department of Primary Industries does expect the number of deaths to stabilise, with many local cattle now vaccinated.
Keith Miles has lost 22 cattle, and is hoping the vaccinations kick in soon.
"We're just hoping to stem the deaths," he says.
"To go out this morning and find another three head dead and they have to be burned, and that's the hard part of this, you spend your time vaccinating and then you go out the rest of the day burning carcasses and it's not just a matter of going out and setting fire to it, it takes about three days of burning because you have to get rid of the bones to ash".

Horse flu strikes again

Kelly Robinson 12 December 2007

Terrey Hills veterinary nurse Demia de Tonnerre lost her beloved mare Birdie on Friday from equine influenza.
The riding pony's trachea collapsed after it contracted a secondary infection.
This was the pony's second bout of the flu after she was first diagnosed in September.
Birdie is the second known horse flu death on the peninsula.
Palomino Riding School owner Cheryl Ludlow lost one of her horses earlier this year.
The peninsula remains a special restricted purple zone, which the NSW Department of Primary Industries has labelled an area with a high rate of infection.
High personal, horse vehicle and equipment biosecurity are mandatory to leave purple zones.
Ms de Tonnerre said she was devastated to lose Birdie, who was entered for the Sydney Royal Easter Show next year.
"She was 100 per cent healthy before the second bout of the horse flu,'' she said. "She died from the so-called 'harmless' equine influenza.
"Ironically, the rest of my horses had been vaccinated just a week before she died.
"The fact the races are back on means absolutely nothing. The carnage is still continuing.
"I've spent around $8000 trying to keep her alive and I only had her for a year.
"This flu is killing a lot of horses. They keep saying it's harmless but we know full well it's not.
"They're all getting sick again.
"People need to be aware that the horse flu is still out there and horses are dying from it.''

Anthrax in NSW's Hunter 'a surprise'

Horse Deals has received unconfirmed reports that at least one Horse in the NSW Hunter area has died from Anthrax.

Authorities in NSW are investigating an anthrax outbreak, saying its discovery in the Upper Hunter region is surprising but not suspicious.
The potentially deadly disease has been detected on four farms at Rouchel, near Scone in the Upper Hunter region, since Christmas Eve, and about 10 animals have died.
A Department of Primary Industries (DPI) spokesman said up to six naturally occurring anthrax outbreaks were expected in NSW every year, but they generally occurred within a known area in the state's west.
"We've got veterinary investigations and epidemiologists working on the case ... we are surprised that it turned up in Scone," DPI spokesman Brett Fifield said.
"Traditionally in NSW, there is an anthrax belt where these things occur, so we'll be looking as to how this occurred at Scone, but bear in mind that anthrax can live in the ground ... for many many years, in some cases 100.
"So this could be somewhat of a sleeper from the past."
Mr Fifield said vaccination teams from the state's west had been dispatched to the Rouchel properties and a containment program was being rolled out.
"Around 10 animals have died and our vaccination campaign is now well underway, stopping the spread of the disease," he said.
"We are receiving excellent cooperation from the [farm] owners, and we will continue to work with them to ensure that any more mortalities are minimised."
Anthrax is a bacterial infection that, without treatment, is deadly in animals and humans.
Since 1982, there have been only three reported cases of people in NSW contracting anthrax.
Read the fact sheet on Anthrax

Racing industry welcomes revenue boost

Thoroughbred Racing SA has welcomed an all-clear for wagering tax reforms which will channel millions of dollars into South Australia's racing industry.
Sport and Racing Minister Michael Wright says $3.5 million will be allocated in the initial phase.
The state's racing codes have agreed to adopt key recommendations of the Bentley report and the South Australian Government will start paying money from wagering tax reforms from July 1 next year.
Chief executive of Thoroughbred Racing SA, Ian Hart, says the industry expects to be receiving about $8 million annually from tax receipts by 2013.
"It is affirmation I think that the Government have not only recognised the racing industry's need at this time but also it's an understanding of how important the industry is to the state of South Australia in terms of jobs and economic impact," he said.

Blacks A Fake held in Brisbane horse flu quarantine

THE most famous racehorse in Australia to have had horse flu will be quarantined in Rocklea on Thursday (27th Dec) among a group worth $5 million.

Seven harness racing horses including Blacks A Fake will enter a quarantine station at Rocklea Showgrounds as a final precaution before travelling to Victoria for races.

Blacks A Fake is worth $2 million and won the past two Inter Dominion races before contracting equine influenza.

Two other standardbred horses entering quarantine - dual Miracle Mile winner Be Good Johnny and multiple Grand Circuit winner Slipnslide - are also worth millions.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/

Yearling sales pose a challenge

THERE are very few positives to come out of the equine influenza outbreak that crippled the vast racing and breeding industries of Queensland and New South Wales.
But the Alanbridge Stud at Aberdeen, in the NSW Hunter Valley, highlighted one enforced by the impact of the disease - a real Christmas break.
"We did not have the usual staff that is on the stud for the yearling prep and so, for the first time in history, we had a relaxing time," said Lasca Bowcock, who runs Alanbridge with husband Andrew.
Alanbridge was right in the thick of things when EI took hold in the Hunter Valley in August. Last week, Alanbridge won its "clean" certificate, having undergone a 90-day period of the property being free of EI since the most recent outbreak.
"But we're still in the purple zone, which means no horse movement without special permit, and that leads to confusion," Bowcock said.
"For example, we have been trying to get two horses off to the Gold Coast for a horses-in-training sale next month, but we've virtually given up on that, with all the protocol requirements in the way.
"And we have also decided to withdraw a couple of our yearlings from the Melbourne (Premier) sale in March, after being told it was unlikely we could move them in time." Alanbridge has some 30 yearlings to prepare for the 2008 round of yearling sales - a schedule that has been up-ended due to the EI crisis.
Normally, Alanbridge and other studs would have been putting the finishing touches to the preparation yearlings for the Magic Millions showcase sale on the Gold Coast and the Inglis Classic sale in Sydney.
But Alanbridge is still two weeks away from starting sale procedures on its 2008 yearlings, with eight of its draft listed for the Magic Millions' Gold Coast in late March. They include the first foal, by Fastnet Rock, of Bella Corona, which defeated the high-class Shamekha in a stakes race at Randwick.
The stud also has yearlings entered for the eight-day Inglis autumn season in Sydney, featuring the principal select sale at Easter at which Alanbridge will be offering a Rock Of Gibraltar half-sister to $1m Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas winner In Top Swing.

Be Active Grand Slam Final and Hack Show Sunday 20 January 2008

Metro Show Jumping Grounds
Corner of Warren Ave and Tapleys Hill Road Glenelg North

Judges
Ring 1, EFA Ring - Sue Olsson
Ring 2, Be Active 2006/07 Finals – Elizabeth Chibnall and Elizabeth Hunt
Note : Total Entries STRICTLY limited to 80 participants, in order of receipt.

Click here for the program

$30million centre at Tamworth

December 17, 2007
Construction work on the new Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre has marked another major milestone this month with the lifting of the first roof trusses into place above the main arena.
The latest work on the $30million centre at Tamworth continues to provide some spectacular new skyline shapes as construction work literally goes through the roof.
The pre-fabricated trusses are being stood in pairs on a special construction pad on the ground next to the stadium for final assembly and then lifted by crane in pairs for grouting in the air. They have rollers attached to each end and they’re wheeled down into position where steel columns are then erected and the trusses put on the columns and bolted.
The first pair of 12 trusses that will form the body of the roof for the arena were lifted into place on December 13. They have a clear span of about 60metres and a height of about 14metres. They were later lifted onto their steel columns and bolted into place. A second pair has since joined the first - setting a new skyline sight above the site.
The roofing design is the work of Sydney-based S2 Corporation, a clear span solution specialist responsible for the unique structural design, post-tensioned steel technology and assembly methodology for the stable buildings, dome selling centre and main arena.
Work on the centre is basically on track with its construction schedule with dramatic new backdrops visible along the 22-hectare New England Highway site every few days. Up to 80 workers are on the job there, including sub contractors from the Central Coast, Hunter and Newcastle areas. The centre has been designed by Timothy Court and Co Architects.
The steel works and formwork for concreting of the mezzanine level of the main arena has begun, concreting of the concourse level is complete and so is the structural steel for the selling arena.
The installation of various services like plumbing and electrical continues and civil construction contractors are completing some minor road networks.
Tamworth Regional Council wastewater operators are nearing the end of their $150,000 project to connect the equine centre to the city’s sewer system. The project has taken eight weeks and has involved under- boring of the New England Highway to put the pipeline in place so the centre can be brought online and into line with the sewer system. Until now, the sewer line has only extended along that southern approach as far as Prime Television.
A progress report to a Tamworth Regional Council meeting this week heard that there were currently some budget overruns with blow outs to seating and irrigation costings on the centre that were of concern. General Manager Glenn Inglis said he was confident savings will be made on other contract items and that in the end cost overruns can be minimised.

Press Release: Herald Sun Newspaper wants to hear from Pleasure and Performance Horse Industry owners, business operators and riders.

Rod Nicholson is a journalist with the Herald Sun (Melbourne / news.com.au). He recently broke the story of the movement of Red and Purple zone thoroughbreds being moved across the border into Victoria.
Rod is very interested in hearing your stories about how EI has affected Australian, non racing, horse communities – eg. Hardship, loss of income, the struggle to feed horses, loss of stock due to EI, frustration with the DPI, red tape etc.
In the first instance, please contact Rod with an email including a brief summary of how EI has affected you, plus your contact details, especially contact phone numbers.
If you have friends, family or neighbours, who have a story to tell, but don’t have access to email, ask their permission to send Rod their phone numbers and he will give them a call.
Please pass this one to everyone you know. This is a great opportunity to relate the untold stories of the EI crisis and its impact on our pleasure / performance horse sector in the mainstream media.
Please contact Rod on nicholsonr@heraldsun.com.au
Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year,
Kind regards,
Geraldine

Starting a movement in regards to EI

Hi Everyone,
Myself and some fellow Horse Enthusiasts, (who are not directly attached to the Racing Industry) but would still appreciate their help and input, are trying to start a movement in regards to EI.
We are not anti Thoroughbred in any way, as many of our businesses rely and support the T/B's but the government have made one rule for the T/B industry and one for these rest of the industry.
I would dearly like to arrange a march in either Sydney or Canberra once parliament resumes in 2008.
Would anyone be interested in participating in something like this, and would you be happy to be the coordinator of your or a particulate club, group or organisation.
These are desperate times for the recreational horse owners/breeders and horse related business of whom will be out of Business by mid 2008. Myself included.
Its time to stand up and ask our new elected government to really come to the party.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Kind Regards
Amanda Riordan (Jindalla Park Stud & Australian Equine Exporting Services)
This letter below was sent to our local papers in the Upper Hunter NSW, and also our local government representatives.
DO you feel the same are you suffering in silence?..................................

To Whom It May Concern:
I have pick up another local newspaper and what do I see? The poor thoroughbred industry. Has anyone considered the fact that each thoroughbred stud has received 2 x $200,000 grants from the government, the so called purple zone was then opened for the thoroughbred industry to have a breeding season so along came numerous stallions and mares then on 31 October 2007 the purple zone was closed to the incoming and outgoing of horses but still allowing movement within the purple zone. What did this cause all these numerous stallions and mares are now stuck in the purple zone and cannot leave so I ask you how much is the thoroughbred industry now making out of the agistment of these horses on top of $400,000 worth of grants already received?????
Has anyone considered the other industries that are associated with horses lets start, polocrosse, polo, campdrafting, ponyclub, hack, eventing, show jumping, trotting, equestrian, steer wrestling, barrel racing, calf roping, saddle bronc, bare back just to name a few the list is endless.
What about all the other horse breeders out there stock horse, quarter horse, appaloosa, paint, Arabian again the list goes on and on.
Has anyone given a thought to a local stock horse breeder who relies on the campdraft and polocrosse events to get a good name for the horse he has put all his life into breeding for his yearly sale. Well he has had to cancel his upcoming sale for early next year.
What about the numerous other stock horse breeders who usually sell horses at the ASH Stock Horse sale at White Park in Scone every year, I have a programme in my office from 2006 sale and there are 71 breeders advertised in that catalogue. What recognition have they received.
What about a local Equine Exporter who six months ago business was going so well that the business was winner of the Upper Hunter Exporter of the Year. This business has been a life time in the making and earns export sales in excess of $300,000 per year and since late August this business has not made a cent.
What about me I am a small stockfeeds business in the local area and depend on all the other horse industries apart from the thoroughbreds to make a living. Why not the thoroughbred industry because they all have direct accounts with suppliers and purchase a low percentage of their products from local suppliers.
My business is down over $200,000 dollars since the Equine Influenza started in late August. I have received 2 x $5000 grants, this really makes up the lost income. My business has been put right back to when I first opened the doors I have used up all savings I had trying to pay suppliers. The only difference from now to when I first opened is that customers know I exist.
What about all the other local stockfeed businesses that depend on the equine industry for a living, not to mention the local saddlery they depend on close to 100% of their business from the equine industry.
We are the major sponsors of the ABCRA Hunter Zone, the Muswellbrook Polocrosse Club, numerous horse events and rodeos in the local area and rely on these events and competitors for our business to survive. There have been no events since August and because there are no horses in work we are not selling feed, horse shoes, feed additives, saddlery, shampoos and grooming products. There are normally 13 local campdrafts, approx 10 polocrosse events and numerous rodeos per year not to mention the ponyclub, jump club, equestrian, and all other events that we miss out on sale of products from. It is not just the sales we miss out on but the promotion of our business at these events.
Not just that if the competitors win some money from these events they will come in and spend it on a new rug or saddlery these sales are non existent. I have $7000 worth of summer horse rugs that we have to order pre season to receive discounts on and I have not sold one of those rugs, yet the suppliers expect that these have to be paid for, as soon as the supplier account hits 30 days all supply is stopped.
We thought we may have sold a few products to the show horses going to the Royal Easter Show in Sydney but that too has been cancelled due to the rules associated with the movement of horse because of the Equine Influenza once again we miss out on sales.
We have a customer who looked like she was going to be picked for the Olympic team, but because of the Equine Influenza she can not travel to qualify, she has put ten years of work into her horse and it is just at peak, another four years time is too late for her.
What about all the horse events that raise money for charities such as the Westpac Helicopter and medical research they have all been cancelled. That will have an effect on the normal person off the street.
What about the ambulance service they make money by attending events in case of accidents, they have not made a cent because of all the events that have been cancelled. This in turn may cause a vital piece of equipment they can not afford to carry. Once again this could have an effect the normal person off the street.
It is just not the thoroughbred industry who is suffering. But they are the only industry we hear about. There are many people out there suffering in silence just because they are little and the thoroughbred industry has the money to make a noise. After all it was the horses that came from Japan to run in the Melbourne Cup and a shuttle stallion that brought the disease into the country.
When are we going to be considered?????? We don’t want government handouts we want the government to step up and address everyone apart from the thoroughbred industry.

Copies of this email have been sent to Joel Fitzgibbon, John Anderson and George Souris.

Reactions to EI Vaccine

See posts for 20th December - I believe a family on the NSW south coast had a horse die after being vaccinated. There should be an investigation into this currently taking place, you may be able to get in contact with the owners for advice and information as to the symptoms, possible causes etc.
I am not a vet, I am an informed person, but I understand that the flu injection may cause reactions in several ways.
The horse may be allergic to the substance used as a carrier for the modified virus.
I imagine that a horse already exposed to EI may have a reaction when the vaccine is administered as naturally-acquired antibodies may already be present.
I believe vets are administering anti-tetanus shots as part of the microchipping process, this may be to blame for your horse's adverse reaction rather than the EI vaccine itself.
A horse may develop an unrelated infection due to bacteria being introduced by a poorly-administered injection, this could result in the symptoms you have described.
Another problem with injections is air embolism, but this is usually fatal within a very short time.

Your vet should be able to discuss the various possible causes and determine what is the best treatment under the circumstances.

Even with a vaccine that is regarded as "safe", there will be some individuals who suffer extreme reactions. There are also risks associated with ANY type of veterinary intervention. However, statistics are no comfort if you are the owner of the "one-in-a-thousand" that experiences unlikely negative outcomes.

Best of luck, hope you get some satisfactory answers and that your filly gets better soon,
KM