MARCH/APRIL 2013 THE RIDER /39 Neurotropic Equine Herpes Virus -1 Found in Quebec


Ottawa, Ontario, February 28, 2013 —- Equine Canada’s Health and Welfare Committee is notifying horse owners that Neurotropic Equine Herpes Virus-1 (nEHV-1) has been reported in a horse in the province of Quebec. This is the neurological strain of Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV 1). Out- breaks of nEHV-1 are conta- gious and have a significant risk of mortality.


On February 20, a Quarter Horse stable in Chicoutimi, QC,


noticed one of its top mares was exhibiting some neurological health abnormalities. The mare was referred to the Large Ani- mal clinic at the University of Montreal Veterinary Hospital in Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, on Febru- ary 23 and was admitted directly to the isolation unit and was not in contact with any other ani- mals at the hospital. Within a few hours, the mare rapidly deteriorated and was humanly euthanized. Subsequent tests determined that she had nEHV-


1.


The stable in Chicoutimi has been put on full quarantine and all 53 horses are being care- fully monitored for symptoms. Strict biosecurity procedures have been put in place to pre- vent spread of this disease from this farm.


Updates from HITS Ocala and Wellington Equestrian Festi- val


There is still only one con- firmed nEHV-1 case at HITS Ocala, FL, and the horse was


Decisions Down The Road


Just down the road is a field, with two brown horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop, you will eventually discover that one is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but instead has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.


If you are listening, you will hear the sound of a soft bell. Looking around for the source of this sound, you will see that it comes from a small bell attached to the bridle of the smaller horse in the field. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you’ll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occa- sionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn’t too far


behind to hear the bell.


Dealing with an ill or aging horse can be very traumatic, and their death is even more devas- tating. Whether the death is sud- den, slow or as a planned euthanasia, the next question is what to do afterwards. You may have had your horse for many years, or just a few days, but the loss can be made a little easier by knowing that with the option of cremation, you can have a private home burial or a special keepsake to remember your friend. Arrangements can be made for a private cremation and a personalized cremation certificate is given for a lasting memorial.


When two beloved mem- bers of the Toronto Mounted Police Unit died - Brigadier in 2006, and Royal Sun in 2012 - Ontario Equine Cremations arranged their cremations and the return of the ashes in time for the memorial services. The tragic loss of these special ani- mals brought to public attention


that the deaths of large animals are as emotional a losing small pets.


Ontario Equine Crema- tions, near London, Ontario, is a family owned and operated facility. Barry Hunter, his wife Mary, and sons Craig and Pre- ston, work together to offer a compassionate and efficient ser- vice. The company is fully licensed and guarantees that the ashes you receive are those that belong to you. With service Ontario - wide, a government licensed truck will collect your horse. Their fully bonded com- pany will arrange a private cre- mation using the unique Sani- flame system.


Saniflame Inc. has devel- oped a highly efficient process that was carefully engineered to excel in areas where other incin- eration systems fall short and can be used to cremate one sin- gle horse. www.ontarioe- quinecremationservices.ca, 1- 888-668-2989.


Retired Racehorses Are In Need Of Forever Homes By Andrea Cascone


Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society faces new challenges when Ontario Slots at Racetracks Program ends March 31


The Ontario government’s decision to end the Ontario Slots at Racetracks Program continues to have adverse effects on the equine industry. Since last year’s decision to end the pro- gram was made the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS) has been faced with an influx of forcibly retired horses. These horses are a variety of breeds and ages yet the one thing that they all have in com- mon is the urgent need for a per- manent home.


The OSAS event coordina- tor, Joanne Colville, acknowl- edges that, “right now it is an uphill battle. We are being faced with a flood of horses from every breed that need forever homes.” Colville recognizes that the adoption process can be a very slow process and she asserts that proper procedure cannot be compromised despite the urgency of the situation: “We still go through all of the paperwork thoroughly and fol- low up with those who have adopted the horses; we do not cut any corners.” Colville states that the OSAS was a successful partner with the government. “One of the biggest misconcep-


Colville feels that this was a rash decision made by the Ontario government: “It would have been better had the govern- ment done a study to measure the economic impact that this ruling would have on Ontario prior to making the decision.” Not only does the future of the 50,000 people whose jobs depend on the racetracks need to be taken into consideration but the welfare of the horses also needs to be addressed. “A transi- tion period is not what we need right now. What we need is for Kathleen Wynne to do some- thing quickly,” Colville implores. There is much hope that the newly elected Premier will address the impending demise of the Ontario Slots at Racetracks Program which is scheduled for March 31st. Colville recognizes that the ini- tial ruling has already damaged the equine industry a great deal but she is also confident that an immediate response from the government can help prevent any further damage to the indus- try and to the horses.


tions out there is that we were fully subsidized by the govern- ment. That is not accurate; we were partners with the govern- ment.”


support: “Social media has been just amazing. We’ve received so much support and so many great fundraising ideas.” Colville also acknowledges that the support and dedication of her colleague and adoptions coordinator, Anita TenBruggencate, has helped OSAS tremendously. Ten- Bruggencate’s primary role is to oversee the transition of the horses out to foster farms and then into suitable and permanent homes. Colville hopes that with warmer spring and summer weather around the corner and the continued support of her co- workers and of the equine com- munity, that every horse in need will find their forever home. To those who are unaware of the struggles that OSAS is currently facing, Colville urges: “Call us or visit the website to learn more.” March 31st is fast approaching but Colville and her co-workers are prepared to do whatever they can to ensure that these horses are well looked after. “Every little bit helps. If everyone can pitch in maybe we can get through this as unscathed as possible. These horses have given their best to us and it’s time for us to give back to them,” she says.


Despite the challenges that the OSAS has been faced with, Colville acknowledges that they have received tremendous public


For more information on horse adoption, please visit the OSAS website at www.osas.ca or email them at osasadmin@bellnet.ca.


isolated at that time and is still recovering and in stable condi- tion at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, FL. On the evening of Feb. 26, 2013, a horse who had shown on the HITS Post Time Farm show grounds in Ocala tested posi- tive for EHV-1 (not the neuro- logical strain). As a result of another case of EHV-1, the entire HITS Ocala show grounds are under quarantine as of the afternoon of Feb. 27, but the horse show continues to run as usual. For additional infor- mation on the status of the situ- ation at HITS Ocala, please visit www.hitsshows.com/ocala .


At the FTI Consulting Wellington Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, Equestrian Sport Productions announced that the two horses who were tested for EHV-1 after coming in contact with a horse that had tested positive for EHV-1 (not the neurological strain) and were in Federation Equestre International (FEI) stabling at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center were found negative. The quarantine on FEI stabling, which was set by the State of Florida Department of Agriculture in collaboration with Equestrian Sport Produc- tions, has been lifted. Competi- tion will continue as scheduled for the all CSIO classes. The previous biosecurity protocols that were enacted on February 22 are still in place and will remain until further notice. Additional information regard- ing the circumstances at FTI Consulting Wellington Eques-


trian Festival are found at www.equestriansport.com.


Additional EHV Information EHV is a disease that is State controlled in Florida and State and local veterinarians are monitoring all potentially exposed horses and have put biosecurity procedures in place and are supervising the quaran- tined premises. The Florida boarder remains open at this time.


trol of this infectious disease: Government of Alberta Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian - nEHV-1 - http://bit.ly/jqjiDg, and The American Association of Equine Practitioners


Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) is not a federally con- trolled disease in Canada. Sub- sequently, in accordance with international guidelines, Cana- dian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has no authority for requesting certification related to this disease from the United States Department of Agricul- ture when importing horses from the United States (US). Import conditions for all horses entering Canada from the US will not be changed in relation to the EHV cases in the US. However, as always, imported horses need to comply with all current Canadian import condi- tions. In addition, arrival of unwell horses at the border can affect the import process. Any new information and status updates regarding the outbreak of nEHV-1 will be posted on the Equine Canada website at www.equinecana- da.ca.


Outbreak control of EHV- 1 is dependent on proper biose- curity or containment strate- gies. Equine Canada strongly urges owners to cosult the fol- lowing resources to better understand the nature and con-


Please visit the Division of Animal Industry of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, www.freshfromflorida.com for updates on the cases in Florida and www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ani- mal_health/equine_biosecuri- ty.html for a Biosecurity Toolkit for Equine Events.


Owners are encouraged to speak with their veterinarian if they have additional concerns or questions.


About Equine Canada Equine Canada is the lead- ing national sport and equine organization in the country. It fulfills a broad range of gover- nance, advocacy and develop- ment functions, all of which focus, in one way or another, on the horse and draw on the enthusiasm it arouses. As a result of our efforts, Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada and the Féderation Equestre Internationale (FEI) as the national governing body for equestrian sport and recre- ation in Canada. It is the indus- try sector leader and as such is recognized and supported by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. In particular, its lead- ership in improving both the quality and condition of horses is lauded at home and abroad.


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