equine news editor’s intro
What a difference good weather makes - to all sorts of things, not least because it has meant we have all been able to get on with the myriad of maintenance, repairs and other outside tasks that endless wet weather over the last two years have made impossible. Riding in the early morning has been the sensible option, but who minds getting up to another gorgeous day?
If you were waiting to make hay, no doubt you’ve done it now and hopefully, your barn is as full of lovely, sweet- smelling hay as ours is. No winter forage worries this year!
Hard ground has become a problem again however, so if you’re competing on grass, take care and look after your horse’s legs and feet. If you drive a smaller-sized horsebox to competitions and training, do make sure you’re not overweight - there are some worrying statistics in our horseboxes report.
There’s an interesting vet update on tendon and ligament injuries in this issue and our team of testers has been reviewing a number of Supplements for Competition, so check out what might help your horse.
We’ve also been testing some great Yard Tools ‘n’ Stable Equipment and there are some innovative new ideas you might like! There’s also seasonal advice for your stables, yard and paddocks and expert advice on cleaning and storing tack and equipment.
When we asked our facebook friends earlier this month, whether their horses were turned out regularly and for how long, we didn’t know what to expect, but everyone of you who posted, does turn out and thinks long periods out of the stable are important - we loved your pics too and have a selection in this issue with your comments.
However careful you are though, accidents and injuries can still happen, at any time, even in the stable and having the security of good insurance can make all the difference. We’ve got practical advice on choosing a policy that will help you get it right.
We’ve also got our popular round up of competition news and the British Showjumping Regional Leagues and are looking forward to this year’s Championships that are coming up. The Champions can all look forward to one of our luxurious Hoodies as part of their prize and we’re planning some diary blogs to share in the their preparation.
Until next month..... Pam Equine Page 4
New Chairman steps up to Equine Grass Sickness Fund
Retired vet Keith Mason BVMS, more commonly seen stewarding at Ayr and Hamilton races, has been appointed Chairman of the Equine Grass Sickness Fund (EGSF). Keith spent much of his career as Senior Veterinary Surgeon for the Hong Kong Jockey Club and was instrumental in founding its veterinary department at the beginning of the professional racing era, helping bring the first ever UK bred racehorses to Hong Kong. Closer to home, Keith was also heavily involved in setting up the Weipers Equine Centre project at Glasgow University. Keith was invited to join the EGSF Committee by the late Sir John Gilmour, who sought Keith’s breadth of experience and strategic expertise to help the Fund meet the challenge of raising the funds to conduct a nationwide vaccine field trial for the control of grass sickness. If successful, this project will mark an historic turning point in the prevention of this disease and perhaps make one of the most significant breakthroughs in equine veterinary medicine of our times. Keith succeeds Sir John Gilmour, who sadly and unexpectedly passed away in February 2013. Kate Thomson, spokesperson for the Fund said; “We are absolutely delighted to welcome our new Chairman. Keith is quietly spoken, resourceful and very determined, and we are sure will lead us to a successful conclusion of the vaccine trial.”
To findout more please visit
www.grasssickness.org.uk or telephone 0131 445 6257. More about the EGSF and the vaccine trial.....
EGSF is the only UK charity specifically raising funds into Equine Grass Sickness (EGS) EGS affects an estimated 1 in 50 horses in high risk areas, effectively paralysing the digestive system. The disease is predominantly fatal. A number of horses with the milder chronic form of EGS do recover and return to a full working life.
Horses most at risk are aged between 2 and 9 years and there is a strong seasonal bias, the majority of cases occurring in spring/early summer and early autumn. There are a number of ways of reducing the risk, including feeding hay all year round. In 2012 a vaccine trial pilot study of 100 horses in Scotland was undertaken, the results of which are being used to inform the design of a full UK wide trial of 1200 horses and ponies. The full vaccine trial is expected to start in early 2014 and the EGSF are co- coordinating a national appeal. The vaccine trial is being led by the Animal Health Trust and the Universities of Edinburgh and Liverpool.
Trustees elected to lead The British Horse Society into new era
The recent election for five Trustees to join the Board of The British Horse Society saw the re-election of Marjory Norrie for a further term of three years and the election of David Sheerin BHSI, Christine Worthington, Lotta von der Heyde and Heather Hardy. David Sheerin is head coach at Wellington Riding in Hampshire, a BE accredited coach, an assessor for the BHS and organiser of advanced horse trials. Christine Worthington has been a member of the Society for some 30 years, having served on county and regional committees in various roles, including that of chairman. She has received an award of merit and last year received the status of Chairman Emeritus for her work as Regional Chairman and on the BHS Lancashire committee. Lotta von der Heyde is a sales professional who is passionate about horse welfare and is a qualified equine behaviourist, while Heather Hardy is a BHS Life Member who has been involved with horses since childhood. She is involved in eventing with her own horses and enjoys competing in BHS TREC. Heather has been a BHS committee member in Lancashire for five years and is a local bridleways group member. Marjory Norrie, re-elected to the Board for a further spell of three years, takes special interest in equine matters in her native Scotland, regularly attending BHS Scotland regional committee meetings, as well as Tayside county meetings. She was British Riding Clubs Area 22 chairman for four years and Scottish representative on the BRC National Executive for eight years. She is currently chairman of BRC Tayside Dressage Group and is qualified as a BRC List One judge for Style Jumping, Riding Test and a Level 3 assessor for Horse Welfare and Equitation. Those successful were elected from a nomination list of eleven, the largest number of candidates for many years, indicating a fully engaged membership keen to help drive the Society in its process of change and improvement. Claire Aldridge, Chairman of the BHS, said: “I’m delighted to welcome four new Trustees onto the Board. The new make up of our Board of Trustees gives us a good spread of interests and heralds a new era in the history of the Society, with fresh skills, ideas and enthusiasm.”
www.farmnequine.co.uk
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