University of Bristol to give series of talks on Horses

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Talking horses

Horse lovers in and around North Somerset are in for a treat with the launch next month of a series of talks by leading experts on key aspects of horse welfare.

The series will open on February 18 2008 with a talk by Dr Alistair Barr on fractures in horses’ legs. The next event, on March 4, will deal with dietary issues and will be given by Kate Lugsden of Bailey’s Horse Feeds, who are sponsoring the series. Equine artificial insemination will be the subject of a talk on March 25 by surgeon Tim Randle, while on April 8 Professor Christine Nicol will discuss the prevention of abnormal behaviour in horses. Clinician Geoff Lane will focus on the care of horses’ teeth on April 15, and equine rehabilitation will be the subject of the final talk on April 29 by Dr Cathy Fuller and Sam Franklin.

All six events are being organised by the University of Bristol’s renowned School of Veterinary Science at Langford. The School incorporates the Bristol Equine Centre, which the University has been developing over the past decade into one of the world’s foremost facilities of its kind.

Professor Avril Waterman-Pearson, Head of the Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, said: “The Equine Centre is of national and international importance for its teaching, research and clinical work, but it’s also part of the local equine community.

“We’re keen to develop our relationship with all those who care for and work with horses. These talks will be a great way of opening up the Equine Centre to more people who share our enthusiasm and want to learn more.”

Professor Waterman-Pearson added that money raised from the events would be put towards the development of a new equine surgery suite and intensive care unit at Langford. This will complement the diagnostic facilities, equine sports medicine unit and clinical stables that already form parts of the Equine Centre.

All the events will take place at the School of Veterinary Science at Langford, starting at 7pm with welcome drinks. Tickets cost £8 and can be booked in advance by telephoning Bristol 928 9502.

Article from: www.bristol.ac.uk 

Campaign to eradicate strangles – International strangles conference

On May 28th 2008, The Royal School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh will be hosting an international strangles conference. The event will be attended by veterinary specialists from around the world, to discuss the recent advancements in research of the prevention of strangles.  The conference is the result of a partnership between The British Horse Society and The Animal Health Trust.

Further information about the conference and booking forms can be found here Animal Health Trust 

What is Strangles?

Strangles (Streptococcus equi) is a highly contagious disease. It is
treatable, but can be fatal. Younger horses are generally more at
risk, but any horse can develop the disease. The incubation period of
Strangles is around 2 weeks, but outbreaks can occur up to 3 weeks or
more after an initial outbreak. New rescued horses should be closely
monitored and swabbed for signs of the disease.

What to look out for: nasal discharge, a high temperature depression,
lack of appetite, cough and swollen glands on the head and neck, these
can develop into abcesses. Once abcesses have formed, they will need
to be lanced by a veterinary surgeon. If you suspect strangles,
contact your vet immediately. Strangles can be transmitted not just
through one horses contact with another, but also through contact via
humans, tack, equipment and feed. So all tack and stable equipment
will need to be disinfected and a strict disinfection routine will
need to be carried out by anyone who has contact with the horse who
then has contact with other equines. ie disinfection of hands, boots
etc. Also people from other areas outside
the infected yard should stay away from the infected area. Any
vehicles leaving the yard should also be disinfected. Strangles is
known to survive longer in water, and outbreaks often occur as a
result of a shared water source.

Treatment is possible with antibiotics but vets generally do not
recommend this due to the fact that antibiotics kill off good bacteria
in the system.Horses kept comfortable and with a good supply of feed
and water will generally fight off the disease with their own immune
system but will need to be monitored carefully, and you will need to
keep in close contact with your vet.

Vaccination: You will need to discuss a vaccination programme with
your vet to see if he thinks vaccination is necessary. Horses at high
risk, ie rescued horses of unknown origin will need to have two
initial vaccinations four weeks apart, followed by a re-vaccination
with a single dose four times a year at three month intervals. If no
outbreak occurs, no additional vaccinations after this are required.

Strangles is also known as ‘bastard’ strangles. It’s not hard to see why!

Puffa, The AHT, & The British Horse Society – Serious About Strangles Campaign

“The AHT and The British Horse Society have joined forces to launch a campaign to increase awareness of Strangles and raise vital funds. Together they plan to raise £250,000 to accelerate research into the development of diagnosis and prevention – ultimately to eliminate the disease. Your donation can help us reach this crucial target.” (from www.seriousaboutstrangles.com) Visit Serious About Strangles for further information.

Book recommendation – On track and barefoot – keeping horses, naturally

Anyone who has their own horse knows the value of keeping their horse in the most natural way possible. The domesticated horse is forced to live very unnaturally compared to his wild cousins and ancestors, who will spend their days continuously on the move.

If you would like to learn about keeping your horses in a more natural way, read Paddock Paradise – a guide to natural horse boarding by Jaime Jackson.

“The barefoot grazing idea outlined in his book is very simple, but very clever. He suggests making a track around the perimeter of your field for your horses to live on all year long.

Food, water, shelter etc are positioned around it, in different places, so encouraging the horses to remain on the move all the time. The idea is quite amazing, so simple but yet unique in the horse world today.

Paddock Paradise is well worth reading in order to gain greater understanding of this barefoot grazing concept. The theory is all there, it is then just a matter of transfering that theory into practice, in your own particular situation.”

From successful-natural-horsecare.com

Neglected foal showing recovery

Taken from news.bbc.co.uk
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7180326.stm
Neglected foal ’showing recovery’

RSPCA workers found 32 horses dead and put down three more

A two-month-old foal saved from a site where 32 horses were found dead amongst dozens of neglected ponies and donkeys is recovering, rescuers have said.

The foal, named Esther, was taken to Norfolk-based Redwings Animal Sanctuary for urgent care after it was found at a farm in Amersham, Bucks, by the RSPCA.

About 80 animals were found living in a squalid state alongside the dead horses last week, the charity said.

Despite a poor start in life Esther has done well, a Redwings spokeswoman said.

“She is playful today and that is a really good sign.

“We think she must be the youngest one they found,” the spokeswoman at Redwings dedicated horse-hospital in Hapton said.

Mistreatment on this scale is unprecedented in Britain
Lee Hackett, British Horse Society

Esther and her mother were taken to the centre, along with 21 horses, ponies and donkeys rescued from the Amersham farm.

RSPCA officers described how dozens of dead horses had been piled up against fences at the farm, with workers describing the scene as the worst they had encountered.

Three horses were put down at the farm, and the emaciated animals which were rescued were taken to sanctuaries across the country.

“Some of them just won’t let anyone near them at all,” the Redwings spokeswoman said.

“We have to put those through a gradual handling programme and let them recover before we eventually release them into a herd.

“Redwings Horse Sanctuary had travelled to rescues on many occasions but rarely sees cruelty so far advanced that equines are seemingly forgotten and literally left to die.”

Man charged

Lee Hackett, the British Horse Society’s welfare senior executive, said: “Mistreatment on this scale is unprecedented in Britain – the true horror of the situation is only now becoming clear.”

James Gray, 44, of Amersham, was arrested after the animals were found at the farm.

He has been charged with criminal damage and assaulting a police officer and is due before Aylesbury Magistrates court on Monday.

Police would not confirm how he was connected to the operation.

Petition for horse traders and dealers to be licenced

Please sign this petition for horse traders and dealers to be required by law to be licenced- it will only take a minute! Thank you voicesforhorses.co.uk

When you get to the site, click on ‘online surveys’ on the left hand side of the home page, and it will take you to the petition. It doesn’t appear to be possible to post a direct link to the petition page.

Horses help youngsters get ‘back on track’

The following information is taken from The British Horse Society website:

‘The British Horse Society rides in to help young people with difficulties

The British Horse Society has pioneered a Back on Track scheme to help young people with difficulties to cope better through riding.

The BHS in Somerset responded to a call for help from the county’s Activity and Sports Partnership.

BHS Somerset chairman Sally Whittaker and retired teacher Bridget Chalfont-Griffin, BHS Somerset’s Road Safety Representative, saw how troubled young people could build up their confidence through working with horses.

They were successful in their application for a grant from the Somerset Community Foundation and Local Network fund and picked two riding schools for the mission.

Sally said: “Groups of children aged eight to 14, from Frome and Bridgwater in Somerset, began a 10-week course, kitted out by British Horse Society members, riding at Alstone Court, Highbridge, and Longhorn Western Riding, Corsley.

“The lessons improved their motivation and social skills, and all of them are showing more confidence in school. We saw them handle their anger more effectively and show understanding and empathy for their ponies.”

Bridget Chalfont-Griffin said that, as a teacher, she noticed a remarkable transformation in the children when they were with the horses.

She said: “They worked together as a group when they had had issues doing so before. Their self-esteem was improved and they were fully accepting of each other. It is helping to put them back on a positive track for their future lives.”

Bridget said that one 10-year-old boy, who had dropped out of school after experiencing great difficulties, was now planning to go back to school as a result of working with horses. “It has made a big difference to him,” she added.

For further information and pictures, please contact: Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, The British Horse Society, 01926 707738 or o.wilson@bhs.org.uk’