SW News Equine Influenza positive moves going forward he Showing Council, competitors and owners it must and/or reduce the spread of There are various discussions together with Dr be remembered that the BEF disease that these are to be around vaccination Jane Nixon Board does not take the threat of incorporated into the rules of harmonization however we do Director of the BEF, equine influenza lightly. The BEF all Full and Associate Member need to stay in line with the Trecently organised a meeting works together with all other Bodies of the BEF. FEI and Racing for the first 3 with members of the Council equestrian bodies to ensure a vaccinations and thereafter and other interested parties, safer future for all equine sport. At present some MB’s have horses can receive the required including show organisers requirements for Equine relevant booster regime to allow to discuss equine influenza Although equine influenza Influenza (EI) vaccination them access to Racecourses or and a positive way forward might not be life threatening however the UK Equine FEI competitions. to implement a manageable an unvaccinated horse or population as a whole is vaccination rule across all pony can become very ill and significantly under vaccinated If there are changes agreed showing societies and shows. their recovery very slow. A therefore the required level within the Equine Industry to vaccinated horse that contracts to reduce the spread of vaccination harmonization Speaking after the meeting the virus, and these are very disease by having a vaccinated in the future the BEF will David Ingle chair of the Showing few and far between, will have a “pool” of horses has not yet communicate these with an Council said; much quicker recovery period. been achieved. appropriate lead in time. “Showing would not be able to “We have all been witness go ahead without horses and All involved in the Equine FYI the BEF member bodies to shows that have had to ponies. If we are passionate Industry would suffer if there are :- implement vaccination rules about competing we should be was a significant outbreak of Association of British this year and sadly some shows passionate about the welfare of EI – from saddle fitters, farriers, Riding Schools have been lost due to the our animals.” coaches, riding schools to the British Carriage driving misunderstanding of vaccination Cheltenham Festival. British Dressage requirements, why horses and Showing World will bring you British Equestrian Trade ponies should be vaccinated any updates as and when any The BEF is also in receipt of Association and the consequences of un- follow up meetings happen, but significant funding in order British Equestrian Vaulting vaccinated animals. in the meantime as a competitor to achieve Olympic medals British Eventing if you have concerns you should therefore we need to focus British Grooms Association “Although new rules and contact your show society or efforts on ensuring the best British Horseball Association regulations are often met the Showing Council. standards of Equine Welfare British Reining with some negativity, as an and care in order for those British Showjumping equestrian discipline a wider Your Showing Council held an horses to continue to be trained Endurance GB understanding of equine invited meeting for all major and competed in this country Horse Scotland influenza should be welcomed showing society members, O& and to reduce their risk of Mounted Games Association and the long term welfare other attendees expressing exposure to disease. It is also of Great Britain of society members’ horses interest were : SSADL & Assoc important to the FEI disciplines Riding for the Disabled and ponies should be at the of Shows & Agric Orgs that GBR remains a country Association forefront of everyone’s minds. that continues to be utilised as The British Horse Society The proposal below was a base for other Nations who The Pony Club “The following proposal has debated & accepted to be taken wish to train their performance The Showing Council been sent to all Showing forward to all relevant Boards to horses here. UK Polocrosse Association Council member societies seek approval in your 2020 Rule World Horse Welfare along with other relevant Books We propose that Equine organisations. The meeting is Influenza and Tetanus a very positive move, so that BEF Equine Influenza vaccinations are a compulsory E I Vaccine FACTS all competitors know that Requirement Proposal requirement for all MB’s who regardless of which society they have horses, competitions, July 2019 belong to, everyone is working The BEF, British Dressage, training, events or premises 40% UK Equines towards a safer environment for British Eventing and British registered or regulated by them vaccinated against EI all to enjoy, with limited health Showjumping have all identified from 1st January 2020 risks to our equine partners.” how an outbreak of Equine The suggestion is to follow the 80% required to decrease Disease could affect 3 key areas. current FEI requirements for the load EI /disease The proposal was widely first 3 vaccinations (the first 2 welcomed by all that attended Equine Welfare vaccinations 21 – 92 days apart, Undeniable scientific evidence the meeting and they will now Equine Industry/Business risk third booster between 150-215 for 6 monthly boosters report back to their relevant Performance/Team horses days) and whilst it is strongly boards for further discussion. and UK Championships advised at present that horses 5/10,000 doses vac sold It is worth stressing that this is should have 6 month boosters cause adverse reaction very much a proposal at this We strongly believe that where the proposed requirement is for stage and not the final decision. there are proven vaccinations annual vaccination. {VMD July 2019} Dr. Nixon added; “As that prevent Equine suffering 6 showingworldonline.co.uk.