NPS Welfare & Education Committee & Berkshire College of Agriculture
present
"An event for all ages!"
The Equine Education, Careers & Wefare Day
@ BCA - http://www.bca.ac.uk/
Tuesday 21st Febuary from 09:30am - 4pm
National Society representatives, lots of varied practical and business Equine Careers stands, Mini Careers lectures, Breed Speakers, Lunch time interactive Veterinary session hosted by top Equine Vet Jane Nixon. Everyone welcome - Free Parking - Easy access from M4 & M40
Email equestrian@bca.ac.uk to register for your free place
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Equine Infectious Anaemia detected in a horse in Devon
Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) has been detected in a horse in Devon after the owner requested a private vet to examine a sick horse, Defra confirmed today.
The premise is currently under restriction and the infected horse will be humanely destroyed in line with existing regulations. The other two horses on the premises are currently being tested for evidence of infection. The horse has been in this country for two years and only became ill very recently. The investigation into the origin of this case is ongoing.
Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said: "The risk of notifiable exotic disease is ever present. This case demonstrates the importance of owners being vigilant and identifying illness in their animals and consulting their vet who should then report any signs of exotic disease to the Animal Health Agency."
Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) has been detected in a horse in Northumberland following importation from the Netherlands, Defra confirmed today.
The premises is currently under restriction and the infected horse will be humanely destroyed in line with existing regulations. The other horses on the premises are currently subject to epidemiological investigation.
The horse arrived in a group of six horses originating in the Netherlands and all have been tested for EIA as part of routine post-import testing. The other five horses in the group have all tested negative.
Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said: "This again shows the success of our post import testing regime. These were apparently healthy horses carrying a notifiable disease that we are keen to keep out of Great Britain. After considering the risk I have decided to take appropriate action and humanely destroy this horse."
- Equine Infectious Anaemia is a virus disease of horses causing intermittent fever, anaemia, emaciation and death. It can be transmitted by the exchange of blood by biting insects and occurs typically in low-lying swampy areas.
HORSE TAX - There is much debate about the proposed implementation of a tax on horses to cover costs associated with disease control. Click here to view an article on this topic from the British Horse Industry Confederation.
While many of us feel we already adhere to good equine practise the new law allows for greater scrutiny of our husbandry. In particular the duty of care we have to show to our animals to ensure they have the 5 freedoms:
A suitable environment
A suitable diet
To be able to behave normally
To be housed with or apart from other animals (whatever is best for that particular animal )
To be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
This means that welfare organisations have greater facility to tackle cruelty and abuse.
NPS helps local RDA Group
Following a recent tidy up in the Alton office the NPS was able to provide a bag of redundant rosettes to their local Riding for the Disabled group.
The Broadlands RDA group is run by Suzanne Stratford and situated at Medstead just outside Alton. Suzanne can be seen in the picture below receiving the rosettes. She is skilled at adapting rosettes for use as awards for the kids who ride with her.
Broadlands is a very active RDA group with seven ponies of various sizes all well trained and willing to do all they can to help people to both enjoy and benefit from riding.
Many individuals, both adults and children, with all sorts of disabilities ride regularly at Broadlands. Also the center has close links with the Lord Mayor Treloars School in Alton and Shepherds Down Special School near Winchester. Groups of kids from these schools come to ride each week during term time and benefit in very different ways from their riding. The group is well supported by a willing band of helpers who are essential because three per pony can be required for these sessions, one leading and one walking each side.
As well as the regular riding Suzanne organises a variety of other events such as riding in the New Forest, Pony Club days, riding holidays in Wales and fund raising events. If you would like to know more about this group please go to www.broadlands-riding.co.uk.
Articles
The NPS Welfare & Education web pages feature a number of articles on topical health issues. These articles are available to download. If members have topics they would like featured or researched for the website please do contact the office.
Education
Education is another area in which the NPS intends to focus on its charitable aim and with this in mind greater training opportunities are being developed for 2008 and beyond. It is hoped to include a fun but educational training programme for our younger members.
What next
All members are invited to contact us with suggestions for projects, concerns and topics that they feel the Welfare and Education Committee should be addressing.
On a final note would all show organisers and competitors please read the welfare recommendations in the NPS Rules Book as additions and amendments have been made for 2011.
DEFRA Website NFU-Chinese Lanterns