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Equine Herpes Virus. Sensible Advice ...
EQUINE HERPES VIRUS. Sensible advice from Animal Health Trust. March 2013
Go to: www.aht.org.uk - Email: info@aht.org.uk for more information
The following general advice is designed to help horse owners and competitors reduce the risk both to their own horses and importantly to other horses, of acquiring and spreading infections through attending equine events. It should be noted that this advice applies not only to EHV-1 but also to other infections that might be encountered through attending any equine event and should be applied irrespective of whether there is heightened risk of EHV-1 infection in the country at the present time.
Actions to take at home before attending an event
It is good practice to routinely take the rectal temperature of all horses twice daily and record these in a diary, along with any other abnormal health signs (e.g. coughing, nasal discharge, reduced appetite, swellings etc). It is important that rectal temperatures are taken using appropriate technique, which can be demonstrated on request by attending veterinary surgeons:
• It should then be obvious when an animal ‘spikes’ an abnormally increased rectal temperature
(usually ≥38.5°C/101.3°C)
• A horse ‘with a temperature’ (also referred to as fever or pyrexia) should be promptly isolated away from other animals and a veterinary examination requested
Veterinary surgeons may not know the precise cause of the fever when they examine the horse but can take samples at that time. These samples can be tested in a laboratory to pinpoint the infectious agent (usually a virus or bacteria) that is responsible:
Knowing the infectious agent involved will help the vet to provide the most appropriate advice for treating the horse, controlling the infection and assessing the risk of spread to other horses
It is an important responsibility not to move horses off premises where infectious disease has been recently diagnosed as it is possible that seemingly healthy animals may be incubating the disease. If these horses are taken to events, they could spread infection to other horses:
• Even if a specific infection has not been identified, where there is evidence of possible spread through a group of animals, horses from that premises or those that have been recently exposed to other horses with an infection should absolutely not be taken to events.
Actions to be taken whilst attending the event
Infections such as EHV-1 spread most easily through close direct contact between horses, or through indirect contact arising from sharing of feed/water buckets and tack such as bits/bridles or humans going between horses without applying appropriate hand hygiene measures
Unlike equine influenza, EHV-1 does not spread readily through the air between horses that are physically separated by more than 5-10m
With these two considerations in mind, the risk of transmission of EHV-1 whilst at an event can be greatly reduced by horse owners and competitors ‘keeping themselves and their horses to themselves’ and avoiding direct and indirect contact with others.
Actions to be taken after returning home after the event
It is good practice to routinely isolate or ‘quarantine’ horses returning to home premises after attending equine events, where they may have acquired an infection and might act as a source of that infection for resident horses
Quarantine periods of at least two-three weeks are required for horses returning from equine events in order to allow infections acquired at events to show as clinical disease
The shorter the quarantine period, and the poorer the biosecurity standards applied, the greater the risk that an infectious horse may be re-introduced and that the infection will transfer to resident horses
The main features of a ‘quarantine’ of returning competitors should include:
• Physical separation from resident animals, ideally at distances of greater than 10-20m order to reduce possibility of airborne spread of infections such as EHV-1 (although this would probably be insufficient to prevent spread of equine influenza virus). In many cases existing arrangements can be adapted so that part of a premises effectively becomes a quarantine area – e.g. the end of a block of stables with several empty boxes between quarantined and
resident horses
• Use of separate dedicated staff and equipment for quarantined and resident horses to avoid indirect transmission between the groups:
If this is not possible, then quarantined horses should always be dealt with after all resident horses to avoid indirect spread from quarantine to resident animals
• Routine collection and recording of rectal temperatures and clinical signs as outlined above in order to identify signs of infection as early as possible
• Requests made for veterinary examinations of any horses in quarantine showing clinical signs such as fever, nasal discharge, cough, inco-ordination etc. Ideally laboratory tests should also be undertaken to determine specific infectious causes:
Swabs from the nose and throat can be tested for presence of infectious agents using a specialist laboratory method called PCR. Depending when samples are received by specialist laboratories, such as the AHT, results may be available within only a few hours of sample receipt by the laboratory
Blood samples taken by veterinary surgeons during the early stages of quarantine or ideally prior to attending the event (first sample), and again near the end of two-three weeks quarantine (second sample) are especially useful for demonstrating significantly rising antibody levels against specific infections. This rise in antibody level indicates an immune response by the horse to an infection acquired around the time of the first sample
• Event organisers should be notified if an infectious disease is diagnosed in horses returning from an event as this will help heighten awareness and in some circumstances may help prevent further onward transmission from other infected premises.
(2013-03-31-15-25-16.txt)
Intermediate Status
INTERMEDIATE STATUS
WOULD ALL OPEN COMPETITORS PLEASE CHECK THEIR DRIVING STATUS ON THE POINTS LEAGUE TABLE.
TO SAVE CONFUSION - IF YOU THINK YOU ARE/SHOULD BE LISTED AS INTERMEDIATE PLEASE CONTACT ME by Email ASAP
rita@ihdt.co.uk
THANK YOU
(2013-02-03-15-33-00.txt)
Extra Young Drivers.
EXTRA YOUNG DRIVERS.
MUST be covered by own independent liability insurance.
Age group: Must have attained 8th birthday, ( a child who’s 8th birthday is during the winter Indoor season may compete after that date) but under the age of 11 years as of 1st October of the current season.
At least one person on the vehicle must be a competent adult aged 18 years or over
DUAL REINS.
Dual Reins are NOT compulsory but may be attached, if required, either to bit or under head collar to provide assistance ONLY if the need arises. Accompanying person must not have a contact on the bit and the reins should be relaxed with contact only being taken up if the whole turnout is in danger.
Dual reins are like a lead rein on a ridden pony – only there for emergency use. Remember this section of the Junior classes is to introduce very young drivers to the sport, and it is the child that should do the driving not the person with them or how will they ever learn.
LARGE CLASSES & QUALIFICATION
In some areas there are some very large classes making qualification far more difficult. Therefore we have introduced an amendment to the qualification rules.
In an area that consistently has a class of an average of 10 or more competitors the TWO highest points scores in the qualification Points League will qualify for the Championships (Finals).
(2013-01-25-07-57-34.txt)
North Yorkshire Area
NORTH YORKSHIRE AREA
Regretfully ALL the remaining events at Askham College have been cancelled.
Entries have been poor and the area is not viable.
We will try to obtain someone/Club to run qualifying events in the area next season.
(2013-01-03-17-13-49.txt)
Well This Is Christmas.
Well this is Christmas.
The Indoor season is half way through, and what a season!
Many areas have some very close competition, just take a look at the Points League Table. Only 1 point separates some classes so far in some areas. The Novice classes have improved this year with many more competitors, especially Novice Horse which is great, although the Multiple Class is a bit thin.
If it carries on this way the Championships (Finals) at Keysoe will be terrific.
Make sure you get your entries in early to guarantee you can compete at in your chosen area.
We look forward to seeing you in 2013.
Enjoy Indoors.
(2012-12-26-07-24-02.txt)
Horse Driving Trials - Your Say - Yo
Horse Driving Trials - Your Say - Your Future
Click here then SWOT for the opportunity to have your say in the future of the sport of Carriage Driving. It couldn’t be simpler – just go to www.horsedrivingtrials.co.uk and click on the SWOT link on the front page. Closing date 15th December. (2012-12-04-13-53-51.txt)The Rules.
THE RULES.
The Indoor HDT runs under the BHDTA Rules that are then adapted for the indoor environment.
Indoor Rules are revised during the summer. The new revised Indoor Rules will be in place for the start of the 2012 -2013 Winter Indoor HDT season.
Therefore the current rules will not apply.
(2012-04-18-21-36-34.txt)
2011-12 Was Our Biggest Season Yet, ...
2011-12 was our biggest season yet, with over 2300 entries and 113 events.
See results, totals
Huge thanks to our sponsors, all who helped and all who took part! (2012-04-11-09-29-58.txt)
Results Of Keysoe Saturday Night ...
Results of Keysoe Saturday night Challenge March 31 2012:
1st Ellen Littlechild 102.84
2nd Susan Skeggs 106.02
3rd David Whitfield 108.75
4th Harriet Bradford 112.22
5th Judy Hilditch 113.12
6th Emily Ham 114.40
(2012-04-11-09-21-00.txt)
British Indoor Horse Driving ...
BRITISH INDOOR HORSE DRIVING TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIPS.
30 March – 1 April 2012
Sponsored by Carriagehouse Insurance.
Thank you for your entry for this Championship. We have a fantastic entry that will mean some very long days during the weekend. Full details of the weekend will be in your competitor’s folder, which you will receive, upon arrival, when you declare your intention to compete.
The management at The College EC impose some very strict rules, the ones that provoke the most complaints from them are: litter – horse and dog manure and dogs off leads. So PLEASE do not let your dog off the lead and pick up all droppings and do not drop litter.
Competitors who are NOT using Keysoe stabling and are staying the weekend in the parking field, (NO pony/horse allowed to stay in lorry/trailer over night) PLEASE ring The College on: 01234 708400 to book and pay for your place or take a dose of Patsy, (venue owner) which believe me, is not to be recommended!
The restaurant will be open for the whole weekend, including Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings, food is good. There are showers and toilets on site. Several Trade Stands will be on site for those bits you have forgotten! (including Jack in a Box & Bennington)
You may arrive after 1pm. and collect your paperwork after 4pm. Hopefully the restaurant will be open around then. You must check in at the Arena Office before entering the stable yard, also if you have booked a caravan hook up to establish its location.
Below is a VERY PROVISIONAL programme, it is almost certain that the times will change a little and is given only as a guide. Presentation of Rosettes will be on the completion of each class.
PROVISIONAL TIMES.
Pony Pair 08.30
Horse Pair 09.30
Tandem 09.55
Team 10.50
Open Horse 11.05
Open Pony 12.15
Arena 2
Intermediate Horse 08.30
Intermediate Pony 08.55
Small Pony Single 09.40
Veterans 10.45
Small Pony Pair 11.50
OBSTACLES 1 & 2 will be driven during the afternoon, course walking around 2am. ONLY Driver and Backsteppers allowed to walk the obstacles. Class running order for obstacles will be as Arena 2 followed by Arena 1.
SATURDAY - P&P.
Arena 1
Senior Young Driver 08.30
Young Driver 09.50
Extra Young Driver 10.25
Arena 2
Novice Horse 08.30
Novice Pony 09.30
OBSTACLES ALL OPEN CLASSES will drive 3 & 4 during the afternoon, course walking around 2pm. ONLY Driver and Backsteppers allowed to walk the obstacles. Class running order for obstacles will be as Arena 2 followed by Arena 1.
AREA KNOCKOUT CHALLENGE
7.30pm In the Arena 1.
Presentation of SUPREME CHAMPIONSHIP –RESERVE & Highly Commended (3rd) and other Awards will take place mid evening. Raffle.
All proceeds of the evening will go to GB Young Drivers.
Admittance £5 per person, children under 14 years free.
SUNDAY
OBSTACLES
9 am: All Obstacles to be driven.
Class running order for obstacles will be as Arena 1 followed by Arena 2.
The weather forecast is good but could be frosty at night.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at Keysoe.
(2012-03-25-13-59-07.txt)
Championships Tests The Paces
Championships Tests The Paces and Precision tests for the 2012 championships are now on this site here (2012-02-19-19-59-01.txt)
Best Wishes To Everyone This Chri
BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE THIS CHRISTMAS AND FOR THE COMING NEW YEAR OF 2012
We are now half way through the season with over 1000 entries so far.
The Championships, sponsored again this year by CARRIAGEHOUSE INSURANCE are just a mere 13 weeks away.
Many areas are closing entries well before the event closing date of ten days before the event! So get your entries in to avoid disappointment.
Saturday evening at Keysoe is Area Knockout Challenge night. Each area will send just one competitor to represent the area. The challenge is run on the World Cup format, cones and obstacles driven at speed over three knockout rounds with the best only going on to the final round.So show your very best and the area organiser may well invite you to represent your area.
We look forward to seeing you at the BRITISH INDOOR HDT CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Enjoy the remaing events of the 2011-2012 winter season.
(2011-12-25-11-37-37.txt)