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News & Features
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All foals to be microchipped form 2009 (added 21/3/08)
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All foals born after 1st July 2009 will require microchipping under new EU legislation governing equine identifications.
This legislation, which was recently agreed by EU member states, will provide an essential link between a horse and its passport and strengthen existing horse identification requirements.
It is also hoped that this improved identification of equines will prove useful for disease control and aid in the recovery of lost and stolen horses.
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Equine Influenza outbreak eradicated in Australia (added 3/3/08)
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The Australian horse industry received some welcome news with the anouncement from the New South Wales Government that the devastating equine influenza outbreak has been eradicated.
Since August of last year there has been a state-wide lockdown preventing all horse movements and forcing the cancellation of every horse event in New South Wales. The most heavily infected zone covered the area around Sydney and the Hunter Valley and the Illawarra region.
Ian Macdonald, New South Wales Minister for Primary Industries announced:
"More than 47,000 horses on 6,000 properties have now recovered from equine influenza infection and no longer carry the disease."
As of 28th February, all permit and testing requirements for moving horses within the State have been lifted. This announcement has come at a good time for the NSW racing industry with important race meetings approaching.
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Studbook society no longer able to issue passports (added 3/3/08)
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A studbook society has had its authority to issue passports revoked by the Scottish government in what appears to be the first case of this kind, following complaints that it was not operating efficiently.
The revocation against the Fjord Horse Stud Book Society (FHSS), also known as the Fjord Horse Registry of Scotland, came into force on Friday 29 February.
It was found that a number of complaints regarding passport applications that were not being processed and it was, therefore,declared that the FHSS "no longer meets the criteria".
From 29th February, all passports issued by the FHSS will become invalid and owners must reapply for a new one. This will affect approximately 60 horses.
The FHSS, which was established in 1997 as a breakaway group from the Fjord Horse National Stud Book Association of Great Britain, will remain a breed society but will no longer issue passports.
The Fjord Horse National Stud Book Association of Great Britain is happy to issue passports to FHSS members, however, they will have to pay again.
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Ragwort hits 'epidemic' levels in UK (added 10/9/07)
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The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) has claimed that equine vets should be doing more to warn clients about a ragwort epidemic sweeping the UK. It is feared that the wet weather of the summer has left many fields being left uncut allowing the deadly weed to increase in numbers.
Ragwort poisoning is usually fatal and most animals die after a period of loss of condition, depression, uncoordinated movements or loss of appetite.
Owners are being urged to help eradicate ragwort from fields in the UK where horses graze to prevent suffering to their horses and ponies.
Ragwort, along with five other weeds, is covered by the provisions of weeds act 1959, allowing the secretary of state to enforce the land occupier to take action on pasture that is considered a risk.
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New hope in strangles diagnosis (added 10/9/07)
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A new test is being developed to help diagnose strangles. This new test will be from a blood sample and will allow fast results without being as invasive as previous tests have been. The test will also be able to identify horses that are carriers which will help massively in preventing the further spread of the disease.
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Horse drowns at Appleby Fair (added 20/6/07)
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On Friday, 8 June at Appleby fair in Cumbria a horse drowned after being washed in the river Eden. According to tradition, the animals' heads must be dunked beneath the water before they can be returned to dry land.
The drowned animal is thought to have panicked at the dunking, possibly breaking a leg in the process. Witnesses report that the horse's rider repeatedly dunked the animal's head until it failed to submerge causing the rider to flee the scene. A chain of bystanders formed to rescue the animal but their attempts were not successful.
The RSCPA and the police are currently investigating the incident and The British Horse Society is calling for changes to be introduced at Appleby Horse Fair to prevent further tragedies.
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Equine grass sickness cases increase (added 18/6/07)
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There are growing fears that equine dysautonomia, more commonly known as equine grass sickness, is becoming more common as anecdotal cases rise. The disease is invariably fatal and affects the nervous system of horses, ponies and donkeys causing colic signs, rapid weight loss and trouble swallowing.
Vets are being urged to spread awareness of the condition as it is felt that very few horse owners know exactly what grass sickness is as it has always been relatively uncommon.
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Deadly horse disease may come to UK
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There are growing fears that african horse sickness, a viral disease transmitted by midges (Culicoides) may strike the UK in the next few years. It is believed current weather conditions and the increased number of midges make this country susceptible to the disease which is notifiable. One other problem is that current vaccines are inefficient and don't have a license for use in Europe.
African horse sickness causes severe respiratory disease and is fatal in 95% of horses. Signs will usually develop from 1 to 2 weeks after infection, however, in some cases horses can die within hours. Owners are being advised to use good quality fly repellants to repel the midges and to contact their vet and isolate the affected animal if severe respiratory signs, fever and swelling of the eyes or head are seen.
At present this disease is only be seen as a possible threat and has not been seen in Europe since it was diagnosed in Spain and Portugal in the late eighties so there is no need to worry about your horse contracting the disease at present. Plans are currently being drawn up to further assess the spread of the disease and potential methods to deal with it if an outbreak ever occurs.
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10-year plan for horse health and welfare launched
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A health and welfare strategy for horses has been launched to ensure good health and humane treatment of all horses, donkeys and ponies in the UK. The plan is aimed at all people involved in horses form owners, riders, and trainers to vets, farriers, insurers and feed merchants and hopes to help people to understand their responsibilities and, by supplying relevant information, to be able to act upon them.
The 10-year plan has been created by 14 horse organisations and has been seen as necessary due to the increased number of horse owners in the UK and the potential risk that climate change brings in the spread of more exotic diseases to these shores.
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Livery yard licensing delayed
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Many people had been appealing for horse liveries to require licenses as with catteries and kennels, however, it has been decided that the 10,000 livery yards in the UK need not be put under such obligation at present. The introduction of licensing is hoped to bring to an end bad practice and sub-standard conditions and may still come into force at a later date.
At present there is a British horse society list of approved yards which was introduced in 2002, however, only a few owners use this list when finding a suitable yard.
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Stomach ulcer month
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A gastric (stomach) ulcer awareness month (GUAM) is to take place in May and aims to increase awareness and understanding of the condition. GUAM is sponsored by Merial Equine Health, a drugs company that manufactures Gastroguard a treatment for stomach ulcers, to educate vets and horse owners on what is one of the most under-diagnosed conditions.
The signs of ulceration include ill thrift, weight loss, reduced performance, reduced appetite and colic.
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Nottingham vet school official opening
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The new vet school at the University of Nottingham was officially opened on 3rd April by HRH The Princess Royal. The school took their first intake of students in September and offers the traditional five year course and a six year one with a foundation year for students who have achieved high standards in non-science subjects.
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Vet struck-off for false entry on vaccination cards
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A prominent equine vet has been removed from the register of veterinary surgeons and is, therefore, unable to practice in the UK for falsely entering vaccinations for two horses. Despite admitting the charge and showing deep regret for his actions the RCVS Disciplinary Committee came to the decision in January. An appeal against the harshness of the punishment is being launched and many equine vets around the country are showing their support.
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Lameness
