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register NOW to join a major REVIEW OF equine industry Standards  A major consultation of the standards required for jobs in the equine industry will be launched later this year, giving employers the opportunity to play their part in ensuring their ways of working are accurately reflected. So now is the time to register your interest to be part of this consultation. Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, is spearheading the UK wide project, which will lead to a new “shopping list” of skills needed for staff in equine roles to be able to do their job properly. Lantra is seeking those with a keen involvement in the equine industry to register their interest to participate in meetings and help ensure that National Occupational Standards fit modern business needs. Amy Cosgrove, Partnership Manager at Lantra, said: “The standards are a great tool to use in the workplace as they can be used to identify the skills needed, highlight best practice, develop training and recruitment plans, develop job descriptions and they also form the basis of equine qualifications. Our consultation is a critical process for the sector as it will determine what qualifications will look like for the next three years so we want as many people as possible to take part.” The first meetings are due to take place in March/April, with further meetings and an online consultation planned for the summer. To register your interest to attend future meetings, contact Lantra by Thursday 1 April 2010. Amy concluded: “Standards cannot be developed without your help. Only by working together can we ensure that the new National Occupational Standards will take into account any new business practices and make them fit for purpose and valued by employers.” To take part in the review and help industry get the most out of the skills system register your interest by emailing standardsandquals@lantra.co.uk, or calling Lantra on 02476 858 424.

BHS advises horse owners not to panic over outbreak of EIA in UK  20 Jan, 2010 

The British Horse Society is urging horse owners not to panic after Equine Infectious Anaemia is detected in two horses in Wiltshire.

Defra has confirmed that Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), otherwise known as Swamp Fever, was found in two horses imported from the continent. The infected animals, which arrived in a group of ten originating from Romania and Belgium, have been humanely destroyed.

EIA has not been imported into Great Britain since 1976, so the news will be a shock to the horse industry. However, the BHS is advising horse owners that there is no need to be overly concerned by this news.

Lee Hackett, Head of Welfare at the BHS, said: “Obviously any outbreak of an exotic disease is very worrying and this is news that we did not want to hear. However, there is no reason to panic and every reason to hope that these cases will form an isolated incident and be successfully contained. Defra have acted incredibly quickly and taken every possible precaution to ensure this outbreak is suppressed. Furthermore, EIA is spread by biting insects rather than horse to horse contact, so the recent weather will have improved the chances of containment. Few biting insects will have survived the cold snap meaning that transmission of the disease to other horses is extremely unlikely.”

For more information about Equine Infectious Anaemia please visit the following links:

Defra

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/eia/index.htm

BEF

http://www.bef.co.uk/Content.asp?PageID=552

BHS Rescue Pony needs a new Home! 12 Jan, 2010 

One of The British Horse Society’s rescue ponies, Dai, is looking for a new home with a knowledgeable and caring person. Dai is approximately 12hh and around 16 years of age. His early history is not clear, but when he arrived at the BHS Rescue Centre in 2001 he was a very nervous pony. However, his confidence has grown and he is now a loveable pony who enjoys lots of attention. 

He is being re-homed through no fault of his own but due to unforeseen circumstances for his current keeper. He has been living in Oxfordshire for the last six months and the BHS would ideally like him to be re-homed not too far away. The most important thing, however, is that Dai goes to live with the right people so consideration will be given to all applications. 

Dai has been ridden regularly by a variety of children and his confidence has greatly improved. He really enjoys going out for a hack and jumping. He has also been to some Pony Club camps and fun rides where he behaved very well. Dai would be most suitable as a second pony for a competent rider.

It would be preferable to keep Dai with geldings as he can become a little excitable around mares. It is important to introduce him to new horses gradually when he arrives at his new home.     

Dai has lived both in and out but he does have trouble keeping his weight down, so he is likely to need stabling when the grass is good or to be put on restricted grazing. Because horses are social animals the BHS wouldn’t want Dai to go somewhere where there were no other horses or ponies.

The BHS doesn’t sell any of its rescue horses and ponies so it is looking for someone to take Dai on loan. Anybody wishing to take him on will need to be approved by one of the Society’s welfare team, who will pay regular visits to check on his well-being.

If you are interested in looking after Dai and would like to know more, please get in touch with Emmeline Hannelly (Welfare Executive) on 01926 707791, e.hannelly@bhs.org.uk; or Lee Hackett (Welfare Senior Executive), 01926 707804 or l.hackett@bhs.org.uk

 

Increase in Welfare Calls During Big Freeze 11 Jan, 2010

The British Horse Society has seen an increase in the number of welfare cases reported over the last few days and is urging owners to take a few simple steps to keep their horses happy and healthy during the current cold snap.

BHS Senior Executive (Welfare) Lee Hackett said: “We have received huge numbers of calls to our welfare line reporting horses in distress. Although well meaning, quite a number of them have turned out to be unfounded, as horses generally cope quite well with cold weather even though they may look quite miserable! However, there are some steps that owners can take to ensure that their horses don’t become genuine welfare concerns.”

Horses generate a lot of heat from fibre digestion which is one of the key reasons that they can handle cold weather. The BHS recommends that a constant supply of forage (for example hay) is available to all horses, even those turned out in snow covered fields. Horses that are confined to their stables should have their hard feed reduced and forage levels increased in order to keep them warm and prevent them from putting on weight.

A constant supply of water is essential but buckets and troughs will freeze over very quickly in such cold weather so they need to be checked, and the ice broken, as regularly as possible throughout the day. The BHS has received reports that some vets have seen an increase in the number of colic cases as thirsty horses drink large quantities of freezing cold water. To prevent this, make sure that the horse has access to water at all times so he doesn’t feel the need to drink large amounts in one go, and add a little warm water to their buckets where possible.

Shelter is paramount, and not just from the snow. Wind chill makes a big difference so there should always be somewhere for a horse to escape the gales. Rugs should not be seen as an alternative to shelter but they are important, particularly for older and finer horses. Unclipped, healthy native bred ponies will often manage fine without a rug as long as adequate shelter and forage is available.

The BHS Welfare Department is happy to talk to any horse owners concerned about how best to manage their horses in the cold weather and they can be reached on 01926 707804 or at welfare@bhs.org.uk

Horse Stolen 11 Jan, 2010

A Bank End equine rescue horse was stolen today whilst on loan to a girl named Jacque Roose of Chapel Haddlesey, Selby.  Any information regarding the whereabouts of this horse please contact Toni on O7513 626282. 

Old Tino

15.1hh dapple-grey Thoroughbred gelding, aged 4 years.  Has slight scarring on near fore cannon bone due to an operation to remove a bone chip.  Please see the ex racers page on www.bankendequinerescue.com for photos

Happy New Year to all our readers and contributors

We look forward to all of your equestrian and horse related news during 2010