The Equestrian Blog

Be Aware – Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA)

DEFRA has confirmed, Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) has been detected in two horses in Wiltshire following importation from Romania via Belgium.

The British Horse Society is urging horse owners not to panic.

EIA is a notifiable disease.. If you suspect the disease, you must immediately notify the duty vet in your local Animal Health Office.

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."

About Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA)

Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) is an exotic viral disease that affects horses, mules and donkeys. It is caused by a lentivirus and is spread via biting insects.

It does not commonly occur in Great Britain although the last confirmed outbreak here was in 1976. It is however, still present in other parts of the world.

Horses are most likely to become infected when travelling abroad to countries, or areas of countries, where the disease is endemic, or from the use of biological products infected with the EIA virus.

EIA is often fatal to horses. If the affected animal recovers it remains a lifelong carrier of the disease and will thereby be infectious to other animals, therefore all infected animals must be humanely destroyed to control the spread of disease.

The EIA virus causes intermittent fever, anaemia and emaciation, and can result in death. It can be transmitted by the exchange of blood by biting insects and through large biting flies such as horseflies (tabanid species) or stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans).

For More Information and Updates Visit - Equine Infectious Anaemia on the DEFRA site

Be warned – Horsetail, Mares Tail or Scouring Rush

Just a quick question... As horse owners we're mostly all familiar with the battle against ragwort and how it has spread into every field, central reservation and grass verge in the country, but how many of us know anything about mares tail?

Horse or Mares Tail, (scientific name Equisetum Palustre), is toxic to horses and should in my opinion be equestrian enemy number one. It looks like it belongs in Jurassic Park and spreads like wildfire. From a few small patches last year my paddock is now covered in it and it looks as if it's spreading fast and here to stay.

I've been researching this plant and what I've discovered doesn't make for pleasant reading.. more at Mares Tail - Toxic To Horses

The Top Ten Ways To Becoming A Better Equestrian

A little light horse relief...

Drop a heavy steel weight on your foot. But don't pick it up straight away. Instead Shout, "Get off, Stupid, GET OFF!"

Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "relaxing into the fall", Simply roll softly into a ball and then spring to your feet..... TA DA!!

Practice pulling your cheque-book out of your pocket or purse and writing out £100 cheques without looking down.

Jog long distances carrying a headcollar and a carrot. Then tell the neighbours what you are doing... they might as well know you've lost it now.

Attach a set of reins to a moving bus and practice pulling it to a stop. Smile... so they think you're having fun.

Finely tune your fibbing skills, repeat: "See Darling, moving hay bales is FUN!" or "No, really, I'm glad your lucky performance and multi-million dollar horse won the red ribbon. I'm just happy that he went well and all my hard work and actual ability won me second place."... BIG SMILE!!

Practice calling your vet from your mobile with both arms paralysed at the shoulder and one foot holding the lead rope of your frisky horse.

Borrow the US Army slogan: Be All You Can Be -- bitten, thrown, kicked, dragged, slimed, trampled, drowned, frozen...

Lie face down in a puddle of mud in your most expensive riding clothes and repeat to yourself, "This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience, this is..."

And the single best way to become a better equestrian.... MARRY MONEY.

Toxic to Horses

Just a quick question...

As horse owners we're mostly all familiar with the battle against ragwort and how it has spread into every field, central reservation and grass verge, but do you know what else is toxic to your horse?

If you don't you should do. Have a read of our Toxic to Horses section, some things may surprise you.