Travelling horse statement via the web

Hits on the NSW Department of Primary Industries' web site are expected to increase over the coming days and weeks as horse owners in the Equine Influenza purple zone issue their own travelling horse statement (THS).

The user-friendly system allows people to fill out the details of each movement they wish to undertake, and then print a copy of the form which must accompany them on the journey.

Anyone without internet access can phone the disease hotline on 1800 675 888 and the completed form will be faxed or mailed to them.

Local libraries also offer internet access.

The tighter movement restrictions came into effect on January 14, along with compulsory registration of horse events which can be done the same way.

The website address is www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza.

Wishing Greg Smith well -

I just want to wish Greg Smith and partner and family all the best. I have
been reading the updates and feel that I almost know him just from the
letters!! I am sure that Greg will be back in good health soon enough as he
seems to have a great spirit and backup support, I hope all goes well for
you.
cheers
Sharon

NSW may stamp out horse flu by March: Govt

The New South Wales Government says the state could be clear of equine influenza three months earlier than expected.

More than 5,000 properties were affected at the height of the outbreak and many sectors of the horse industry lost millions of dollars.
Acting Primary Industries Minister Verity Firth says the last horse that tested positive for the virus was diagnosed in late December.
Ms Firth says the eradication of the disease across the state depends on there being no new cases of the virus within the next few months.
"Fingers crossed [that] by mid-March, NSW will be able to be declared a green zone, which means no more equine influenza" she said.
"Having said that, a period of time after March will need to pass where there are no new infections in order to ensure that equine influenza has been eradicated once and for all."
She says maintaining vigilance is still important.
"This is definitely still no time for complacency," she said.
"Good biosecurity, reporting of suspect horses and of course, continued sensible movement of animals is now more crucial than ever.
"One undiagnosed, sick horse could bring down the house of cards."

Pony club accepts changed horse flu regulations

As horse owners across the New South Wales Hunter adjust to today's changes to the equine influenza purple zone, one local pony club is urging members to accept that it is the way of the future.
From today, horses can only be moved with a travelling permit and all horse events must be registered with the Department of Primary Industries.

Any horses competing in events must also be vaccinated or recovered from the flu.
Maitland Pony Club secretary Jodi Gelderman says the club believes it is better to accept the changes, rather than whinge about the flu situation.
"Every other industry involving animals, sheep and cattle, are already under some sort of chipping system or identification system," she said.
"If the club works together to make sure all the members are informed it's going to be a little bit easier, it's still going to be painful to go through these regulations and jump through the hoops, we have to, but I think we have to accept that that's the situation."

NSW may get early EI-free declaration

Acting New South Wales Primary Industries Minister Verity Firth says the state could be clear of equine influenza (EI) three months earlier than expected.
Ms Firth says the last horse that tested positive for the virus was diagnosed in late December.

She says the state will be declared a green zone if there are no new cases by March.
"Fingers crossed, by mid-March, NSW will be able to be declared a green zone, which means no more equine influenza," she said.
"Having said that, a period of time after March will need to pass where there are no new infections, in order to ensure that equine influenza has been eradicated once and for all."
Meanwhile, horse owners in the purple zones in Tamworth are reminded that they will need to use a travelling horse statement for every horse movement from today.
All horse events will also have to be registered with the department.

CCEAD Meeting Brings Progress

Tara Madgwick
Monday, 14 January 2008
The Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease (CCEAD) met last week to hear presentations from a number of key industry figures with the result that movement protocols for the racing and breeding industries are now being reviewed to make them less onerous.
Putting forward their case were Mark Webster speaking on behalf of Inglis and Magic Millions, Greg Rudolph from Racing NSW, Paul Brennan from Racing Qld and Henry Plumptre of Darley.
Some of the most important modifications approved by the CCEAD relate to movement of recovered horses from Purple, Red and Amber Zones and the protocols for yearling sales in 2008.
Protocol for movement of Recovered horses from Purple, Red and Amber zones within Australia effective 11 January 2008
Recovered horses:
Movement within Australia will require:
1.A health certificate
2.A positive Elisa test within past six months, unless otherwise required by the CVO in State of destination (Victoria require it within 60 days).
3.Negative PCR within 72 hours of movement
4.Are not from an IP, SP or DCP
5.Decontaminate under supervision onto transport, travel, decontaminate when unload at destination. Bagged, decontaminated equipment may not require decontamination at destination.
6.These conditions are not required for recovered horses from the Green Zone.
“Recovered horses will now be able to move out of the purple zone and into Victoria and the NSW green zone after decontamination by means of a supervised washdown and a nose swab (PCR),” said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.
“We currently have 28 horses in quarantine at Inglis to go to Melbourne this week including 10 racehorses for John Hawkes, a few for John O'Shea and Lee Freedman as well as Dance Hero for Gai Waterhouse, plus several dry Victorian broodmares on their way home.
Next Sunday we have 300 dry and wet Victorian broodmares coming to prepare for the return trip home and this process will now be very simple as they will just come to Newmarket and then Oaklands for a supervised washdown.”
Protocol for horse sales from mid-March 2008 based on maintenance of favourable EI disease situation
1.Only recovered or vaccinated horses accepted for the sale
2. 14 day property quarantine for vendors, including 7 day on-property isolation of sale horses including bio-security measures
3.Booster vaccination prior to entry to on-property isolation
4.PCR testing of sale horses on entry into on-property isolation and again at day 4-5 of on-property isolation
5. Post Sale protocol component:
Recovered horses:
1.Decontaminate onto transport, travel, decontaminate when unload at destination.
Vaccinated horses:
1.Decontaminate onto transport, travel, decontaminate when unload at approved property of destination;
2.On-property isolation and observation for 7 days on approved destination property.
“Movement of yearlings post sale should now be very straight forward and the general view of the CCEAD is that the restricted zones in NSW and QLD will be removed by mid March, as the last new EI case was Dec 22,” Webster added.

Further easing of horse movement restrictions in south east Queensland

Some repeated horse movements by float or truck and 'on hoof' movements within local areas are now allowed in the horse flu Red Zone under special conditions.New 'On Hoof' and 'Multi-Movement by Vehicle Permits' are designed to help horse owners and businesses get back to normal operations.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) Chief Inspector of Stock Dr Allison Crook said horse owners could now walk horses off a property without a permit as long as several conditions were met.
"However, on-hoof movement of horses can only be done during daylight hours and they must be returned to the property of origin the same day," she said.
"Horses cannot be moved if they are sick, and must not be taken from or to, an infected or suspect property.
"The on-hoof movement will allow local movement of horses where, for example, an owner wants to ride to a local showgrounds or pony club grounds to exercise or train a horse."
Dr Crook said overnight or weekend stays at a destination premises were not allowed and such movements still required a DPI&F permit.
"Horses don't have to be vaccinated, microchipped or blood tested for On-Hoof movements.
Two new permit types have also been launched by the DPI&F to assist horse owners with regular normal movements between specified destinations and the home property.
The first permit is for EI susceptible horses or horses of unknown EI status, or those from resolved status property but where a valid blood test has not been completed. Owners of these horses can apply for a Multi-Movement by Vehicle Permit for movement to a single designated destination but with repeated or multi-movements by float or truck to that destination.
The second Multi-Movement Permit is for horses with a known EI status due to vaccination or positive immunity determined by blood tests results. Owners of these horses can apply for a permit for movement from the property of origin, to a maximum of four specified destinations, for repeated regular movements.
Dr Crook said both types of Multi-Movement by Vehicle Permit are for the movement of horses by float or truck within local areas of the red zone only and horses must be returned to the property of origin by midnight the same day commencing the movement," she said.
Special movement conditions are listed on the DPI&F website but these are designed for local area movements only.
Dr Crook said DPI&F inspectors will ascertain the eligibility of the nominated destinations in assessing the permit application.
"As a rough guide movement within metropolitan and fringing areas may be restricted to local suburbs or local districts. In rural areas, movements may be restricted to local districts or local shires.
"This is not a hard and fast rule and will be subject to the inspector's assessment of the application and an assessment of the biosecurity risk.
Dr Crook warned that movements from the Red into the Amber or Green Zones were generally still not allowed, however strict quarantine and event protocols are in place that may allow this to occur with the correct approvals.
DP&F Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ron Glanville said the easing of movement restrictions was an acknowledgement of progress that has been achieved with the disease eradication program.
"This has been due to the horse community's compliance with movement restrictions and good biosecurity measures since the start of the EI outbreak in August last year," he said.
"We know that this easing of movement restrictions may reveal some hidden pockets of infection in some areas."
"We have containment and suppression vaccination plans in place depending on the severity and location of any new outbreak that may result.
"DPI&F can also suspend or revoke all permits until further notice to allow vets to assess and manage any new flair up of the virus."
"It is essential that owners respond quickly if they detect signs of respiratory illness in their horses, by calling the DPI&F on 13 25 23 immediately.
"Good biosecurity and decontamination are still essential. Horse owners must not move sick horses, or allow them to come in contact with other horses."
More information about the new on-hoof and multi-movement permit system is available at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 25 23.

NSW as at 10th January 2008

Recent vs older cases

The graph below shows the changing numbers of recent and older cases over time, as well as the number of infected premises that have been resolved.

• Recent cases (red bars) are ones which have been reported as infected within the last 21 days and are likely to still be actively infected.
• Older cases (blue bars) are ones that have been infected for more than 21 days.
• Resolved cases (green bars) are ones that have been assessed and are no longer considered to be infected.

As can be seen, the number of recent cases reached a peak in late September, started to decline from about the second week of October and is now down to 3. Numbers of older cases has also decreased rapidly since late November, as increasing numbers of IPs are resolved. There are now 264 old cases remaining to be resolved, out of a total of about 5,800 cases for the entire outbreak.

Weekly epidemic curve

The graph below shows the number of new infected premises recorded each week of the outbreak since 25 August, as well as the 3-week rolling average number of new cases (red line). Numbers of new cases increased rapidly in the first few weeks, reaching a peak of about 1,000 cases in the 4th week (late September). Numbers of new cases have declined substantially since about week 7. During weeks 11-14 (early November to early December) the number of new cases averaged about 50 per week and has declined further during December to less than 5 per week.

There have been no new cases since the 24th December 2007.

New infected premises

There have been no new infections confirmed by laboratory tests since 24th December 2007.

New requirements in EI purple zone

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is reminding horse owners in the NSW equine influenza (EI) purple zone that from Monday they will require a Travelling Horse Statement (THS) for every horse movement.
Under recently announced changes that take effect on January 14, movement regulations have been tightened and all horse events have to be registered with the DPI.
NSW deputy chief veterinary officer, Ian Roth, said a concentrated effort was going into restoring disease-free status in the area around Sydney, the Hunter Valley and Tamworth.
“With about 84% of the State now in the green zone and no new infected properties since early December, it is clear that we are making real progress towards our goal of eradicating equine influenza from NSW,” Mr Roth said.
“The purple zone is a special restricted area where free movements were permitted due to the very high presence of the disease in the area at the beginning of the program in early September.
“Our surveillance testing and investigations indicate there is little disease left and now it’s time to tighten the movement restrictions so that we can identify any new outbreaks if they occur.
“These new restrictions will allow us to closely monitor movements and track any spread of the disease, so that we have the capacity to respond quickly to new infections before they go any further.
“However, movements outside of the zone are only allowed under permit, and strict conditions apply.”
He said any new infected property will be quarantined for up to 50 days, and detailed investigation and tracing will be undertaken.
Meanwhile, veterinary teams will continue their surveillance testing and investigations throughout the area to identify remaining infected properties and map those that are free of disease.
Mr Roth said the changes bring movement restrictions in line with those that apply to the green zone where the THS has been very well accepted by other horse owners.
“This means a THS is required for each and every horse movement within the purple zone, other than those within a single property. The form must be carried with you on the journey,” he said.
NSW DPI has developed a simple, self-issuing system to make it easier for people to obtain a THS, which involves logging onto the DPI’s website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza.
People without internet access can phone the disease hotline on 1800 675 888 and have the approved form sent out to them (by fax or mail).
Horse events can also be registered on the website, or alternatively through the disease hotline.

Emma's love of horses pays off

YOUNG South Australian horse rider Emma Plews has used her passion for horses to inspire her to success.

The 21-year-old who has ridden horses for as long as she can remember last night was rewarded at the Equestrian Federation of Australia SA Branch awards.
After enjoying her most successful year to date in 2006, Plews was named the Young Rider Eventing Scholarship winner.
"I am very happy with the year that I have had," Plews said.
"I have been riding against some of Australia's best riders such as Wendy Schaeffer and Megan Jones and I have been able to do quite well against, which has been really pleasing.
"It's nice to be recognised for all of my hard work."
Plews achieved high scores at the state championships and the Mount Gambier Horse Trials, both in April, and the Adelaide Horse Trials in October.
April 2006 was a standout month for Plews as she also placed fourth at the Reynella Horse Trials.
"My horse Alby performed so well in everything I've been in and we were able to work well together," Plews said.
Plews said her love for the sport came from growing up surrounded by horses.
"My grandfather Cecil Plews owned race horses and my dad has always encouraged my sister and myself to ride," she said.
"Basically, it's just the love for the horses and absolutely loving what I do that inspires me to do well. I love that adrenalin rush and getting those rewards for all of that hard work."
Plews, who trains at the States Park Equestrian Centre in the Onkaparinga Hills, gets up at 5am every day to spend at least two hours working the horses.
She is coached by one of Australia's most accomplished riders, dual Olympic gold medallist Gill Rolton.
"Gill has been such a fantastic help and support over the last four years," Plews said.
"It's so good to have someone with those sorts of expertise to work with and be inspired by."
Plews now has her sights on the International Horse Trials in Melbourne in June.

Farm horror 'worst case of cruelty'

ANIMAL-lovers in Britain have been shocked by one of the country's worst ever cases of animal cruelty. RSPCA inspectors found 31 dead horses, ponies and donkeys when they visited Spindles Farm in Buckinghamshire over the weekend, the Daily Mail reported.
The 14 surviving horses, which had been left to die, are now being cared for at various animal sanctuaries. Three more had to be put down immediately.
A spokeswoman from The Horse Trust, which is caring for many of the animals, said the horses were in a “terrible state” when found.
“They were in a really bad condition and a number had to be put down at the scene,” she said.
“They were fully tethered and unable to move, deprived of food and water.”
Lee Hackett from the British Horse Society said: “Mistreatment on this scale is unprecedented in Britain.
The true horror of the situation is only now becoming clear.”
James Gray, 44, has been arrested but police would not confirm his connection to the farm.
Gray was dealing in unwanted horses bought for $2.20 from farms and private homes, the paper reported. It is believed he then sold the animals for $10.20 each.
If charged and found guilty, Gray faces a six month sentence or a $43,000 fine.
It is not illegal to eat horse meat in the UK, but it is not sold in restaurants or shops. Instead, 84 percent is sold to Italy.

Follow up - Horse Stabbed

Horse's stomach torn by concrete block

A horse police believed to have been stabbed actually fell on a piece of concrete, a post-mortem has found.
The distraught owners called police after discovering their pet, a former race horse, with a stab wound to the stomach, in a paddock at Appin, on Sydney's south-western outskirts, at about 10pm yesterday.
"There are some other cuts on the horse but the single stab wound would appear to be the cause of death,'' Superintendent Bryan Doyle said.
However, police this afternoon issued a statement ruling out any suspicious circumstances.
Results from a post-mortem, conducted by a veterinarian this afternoon, indicate the horse sustained the stab wound as a result of falling over and striking a sharp piece of concrete.
"She was part of the family and now a 17-year-old and a 19-year-old have to deal with her death - it's just awful," said Caroline White, 46, the mother of the horse's owners, Samantha, 19, and her sister Courtney, 17.
Samantha and Courtney had fed and watered Kasey, a former racing mare who lived in a paddock behind their property with two other horses, Hoby and Charlie.
After feeding and watering the horses at 3.30pm yesterday the sisters had gone to visit their mother at her house in Bulli.
When the sisters returned with their partners, Courtney went outside and discovered the dead horse.
"When I got there Hoby was standing over her," Courtney said this morning.
"I just ran because I couldn't look at it.
"But when I just went back 10 minutes later, Hoby was just there, nudging her leg.
"I went into shock, I couldn't believe it, I didn't think anybody could do this to such a sweet animal."
Kasey had been owned by the sisters for five years and had only been moved to Courtney's Appin property about six months ago.
Caroline said that Samantha had worked long and hard with Kasey to make her into a family horse, making the mare's death even more distressing for the whole family.
"Kasey was a fiery horse, she was bred to go but Sam trained and worked with her and they got along so well," Caroline said.
"Kasey was like a dog, she used to play with Sam around, [so] it's heartbreaking. She had such a beautiful nature."

Restrictions on horse movement eased

Movement restrictions on racehorses are being eased for those which were infected with equine influenza last year.

However, strict protocols remain in place for vaccinated horses which are deemed as potential carriers and shedders of EI.
The vaccinated horses in NSW are also due for their third inoculations and racing authorities are urging owners and trainers to ensure they are carried out.
"Horses which were infected can now travel within all zones of NSW and the ACT," Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy said.
"But the situation for vaccinated horses remains the same.
"The vaccinated horses must have their third injections in the coming weeks and we are urging people to arrange this with their own vets.
"If it is not done then the whole process of three vaccinations has to start all over again and the horses are not allowed to race until it is completed."
"The lifting of the movement bans on infected horses is another step in freeing things up a bit."
However, there will be stricter controls for non-racehorses within the purple zone from Monday with owners required to obtain a Travelling Horse Statement (THS) and all horse events must be registered with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
NSW deputy chief veterinary officer, Ian Roth, said a concentrated effort was going into restoring disease-free status in the area around Sydney, the Hunter Valley and Tamworth.
"With about 84 per cent of the state now in the green zone and no new infected properties since early December, it is clear that we are making real progress towards our goal of eradicating equine influenza from NSW," Roth said.
"The purple zone is a special restricted area where free movements were permitted due to the very high presence of the disease in the area at the beginning of the program in early September.
"Our surveillance testing and investigations indicate there is little disease left and now its time to tighten the movement restrictions so that we can identify any new outbreaks if they occur.
"These new restrictions will allow us to closely monitor movements and track any spread of the disease, so that we have the capacity to respond quickly to new infections before they go any further."
He said any new infected property will be quarantined for up to 50 days, and detailed investigation and tracing would be undertaken.

NSW, Queensland set for green light on flu

THE Queensland and NSW racing industries are on the verge of going green.

That's green for go in the colour zone scheme in place in both states because of the equine influenza epidemic, which has brought devastation to much of the racing and breeding industries of both states since the initial outbreak in August.
A joint announcement by the Queensland and NSW departments of primary industries is expected this week to the effect that both states will be declared green, or safe, before the Easter period in the second half of March.
The protocols on horse movement within the colour zones may not be lifted in time for the Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale in early March.
The equine influenza zones are expected to be removed in time to allow movement, without permits, to and from the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions principal yearling sale beginning on the evening of Easter Monday, March 24.
It has been three weeks since the latest recorded case of horse flu in either state.
During the epidemic movement was allowed only on a government permit, causing grief and frustration to participants in their efforts to secure the legal certificate.

BEWARE OF HIDDEN COSTS WHEN APPLYING FOR PERMITS

I have some horses that have been sold so I rang the DPI office in Orange NSW regarding permits I told the chap they were due to have the second shot in a few days ,he told me when the vet comes to get a copy of the vaccination certificate and get them to do a nasal swab. If the swab came back negative to send a copy of it and vaccination certificate along the permit form in and they would grant a permit to move the horses.
This same story was also told to a lady buying one of them when she contacted the Orange DPI office herself to see what needed to be done regarding getting a permit
The vet took the swabs then rang me that afternoon to say there was a charge because I asked for it to be done ,he didn't know how much the cost would be and told me to check with the DPI lab which I did and was told the cost was $95.95 each. I then rang the vet back and told him to send them away for testing.
The 3 swab results all came back negative, when the paper work was sent away for the first horse they refused the permit even though everything was done the DPI chap said to do , so it wasn't hard to work out it was a waste of time sending the others away. Both myself and buyers reckon due to the fact that the DPI gave two of us false and miss leading information regarding that the permits would be granted if all the paper work was in place why should the test have to be paid for after all it was just a waste of money doing what the DPI said and feel I was ripped
I rang the DPI over a week ago and told the lady in the liaison office I spoke to what had happened and that I didn't feel I should have to pay for the swabs because of the false and miss leading information given by the DPI , and it was just a waste of money doing what he said as they wouldn't grant a permit , she agreed with me and took my number and said she would see what she could do and ring me back it's been over a week now and she hasn't rang me back so it's not likely I will be getting a phone call now , but you would think they would at least have the manners to ring back
And to make things worse last Friday I got a bill for $455.40 I got not bad since I was told by the DPI people $95.95 per swab for 3 horses which should have been $287.85 when I went to school but no they have charged $345.40 plus $20 for freight plus $90 consultation fee.
I rang the vet and asked how could they charge a $90 consultation fee when they were already at the stables giving the horses their second vaccination shot, he told me it was for paper work because I asked for the swabs to be done.
In saying this why was I told by the DPI people the cost per swab was $95.95 when in fact I was charged $115 per swab and why wasn't I told about the extra charges to start with . As far as myself and other people I have spoke to about this along other things regarding the way the DPI are handling things say it's a joke , only I am not laughing because the joke was at my expense
I along with many other people are P...D of being treated with the way we are by the DPI
I suggest to anyone being told by the DPI to do anything that will cost you money in regard to getting granted a permit to check for hidden costs involved first, or you might be out of pocket more than you expect
A .W