Latest news with #equinehealth
ABC News
08-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Queensland racing, campdrafting events to continue after Hendra detection
Queensland's first case of the deadly Hendra virus in three years has reignited calls to lift vaccination rates as the state moves into its peak horse sport season. An unvaccinated horse in the state's south-east died last week after contracting the virus, which is spread from flying foxes to horses and can then pass to humans and dogs. It comes as the two biggest equestrian sports — racing and campdrafting — enter their peak seasons, with many flagship events during winter. Equine vets are urging horse owners to vaccinate their animals. Hendra virus has a high mortality rate. Health authorities estimate 80 per cent of horses and 70 per cent of people with Hendra virus die. But while deadly, it is does not spread quickly. It can only be caught through direct close contact and is easily killed by soap or detergent. In 2012, a vaccine for horses was released, but some horse owners reported negative side effects, culminating in a class action lawsuit against manufacturer Zoetis that ultimately failed. "It is a rare disease, but the consequences are very high," Equine Veterinarians Australia president Laura Hardefeldt said. "We strongly encourage horse owners to speak with their veterinarians about the risks of Hendra and the benefits of vaccination." The case confirmed by Biosecurity Queensland on July 4 is the first in the state since 2022 and only the second in almost a decade. But it comes at a peak time for the equine community as country shows, races and campdrafts attract horses from all over the country. The Australian Bushmen's Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) has 7,000 members, making it the largest non-profit equine sporting organisation. Executive officer Craig Young said the latest case was unlikely to disrupt events. Horse owners have a legal obligation to report suspected cases to their veterinarian immediately, to isolate any sick horses and to avoid close contact while awaiting test results. Symptoms in horses typically include: Symptoms in humans include: If a horse tests positive, animals from that property and neighbouring properties may be quarantined, but there are no movement restrictions for the general horse population. Horse events are not required to mandate vaccination but must adhere to biosecurity regulations and have a plan to mitigate the risk. "The ABCRA has never mandated vaccination for Hendra," Mr Young said. "The lack of Hendra outbreaks is probably the reason behind that. Vaccination is not compulsory and event requirements vary across the equestrian industry. Brisbane's Ekka requires all horses entering the showgrounds be vaccinated against Hendra, but many other competitions leave the decision to owners. A spokesperson from Biosecurity Queensland said it would not release the specific location of the latest detection for safety and privacy reasons. In a statement, Racing Queensland said it joined Biosecurity Queensland in encouraging owners to vaccinate their horses. In north-west Queensland more than 1,500km away from the detection, one of the circuit's major events, the Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge, is going ahead as planned. President Vince Wall said organisers were confident of their disease prevention protocols. "We have a traceability system in place for the movement of livestock, so we feel pretty confident that we'll be right," he said. "It's a pretty long bow to draw. Mr Wall said animal welfare remained a priority. "These horses are worth a lot of money, and they are their [owners'] mates," he said. "They're part of their family, so they like to look after them and ensure that everything is going to be right." Veterinarians like Dr Hardefeldt urged horse owners to be proactive. She said while vaccine uptake is highest in Queensland and New South Wales vaccination rates were inconsistent across the country. "The anti-vax sentiment is a problem," she said. Since it was first identified in 1994, Hendra virus has killed four people and more than 90 horses.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Heart monitors for horses, shaded pens for bulls part of rodeo safety at Calgary Stampede
Tents are being set up to provide shade for bulls and broncs and some chuckwagon horses are to be fitted with tiny electrocardiograms at the upcoming Calgary Stampede. After scorching heat at the rodeo last summer, Ed Pajor, a professor of animal behaviour and welfare in the University of Calgary's faculty of veterinary medicine, says the animals could use a break. "We saw things like increased respiration rate in some of the bulls. We saw some bulls drooling. These are signs that the animals might be experiencing some discomfort due to the heat," Pajor said at a news conference Tuesday. The university is working with the Stampede to study some of the animals this year. They'll specifically look at whether bucking bulls and broncos will be happier and healthier if they have a shady place to hang out right before the competition. "It seems like a pretty straightforward question," said Pajor, adding if shade is beneficial, the Stampede would have to decide whether to invest in more tent coverings in the future. Additional research at the rodeo is to focus on the heart health of horses in the chuckwagon races. Dr. Renaud Léguillette, with the university's veterinary school, specializes in equine health and performance, and works closely with chuckwagon horses during the Stampede. His research includes identifying in equine blood a baseline for troponin — a protein released when the heart muscle is damaged — to track underlying cardiovascular or other health issues. "The goal of our research is to prevent cardiac accidents during the chuckwagon racing due to a cardiac problem," said Léguillette. "There are some horses who have more electrical activity issues when they race or have a harder time to recover from the races." At the Stampede, outrider horses and horses pulling the wagons are to be fitted with electrocardiograms before and during the races. Léguillette said the devices and the blood tests can show what horses are at a higher risk of cardiac arrest and that information is passed on to chuckwagon drivers. "I call it like a green light, an orange light and a red light. The red light horses, I will definitely have a discussion with the drivers ... they are very responsive, concerned and will make the right decisions." An official with the Stampede said research in this area could benefit an entire industry. "We know there is an element of risk in all sport. Our goal is to create the safest conditions possible. That's why all of this research takes place ... to remove all of those elements of risk," said Kristina Barnes, the Stampede's director of agriculture and western events. "Can we remove completely that element of risk? No. But anything that we can control we certainly will." The 10-day celebration of western culture, which runs from July 4 to 13, has long been a target of animal rights groups. The Vancouver Humane Society wants the rodeo portion of the Stampede eliminated. "We're seeing deaths at the Calgary Stampede almost every single year. It's really not a matter of if another animal will die at the Stampede ... it's when," said Chantelle Archambault with the group. "Last year, there were four animal deaths. It also marks at least 109 animal deaths at the Stampede since we began tracking fatalities in 1986."
CBC
25-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Heart monitors for horses, shaded pens for bulls part of rodeo safety at Calgary Stampede
Tents are being set up to provide shade for bulls and broncs and some chuckwagon horses are to be fitted with tiny electrocardiograms at the upcoming Calgary Stampede. After scorching heat at the rodeo last summer, Ed Pajor, a professor of animal behaviour and welfare in the University of Calgary's faculty of veterinary medicine, says the animals could use a break. "We saw things like increased respiration rate in some of the bulls. We saw some bulls drooling. These are signs that the animals might be experiencing some discomfort due to the heat," Pajor said at a news conference Tuesday. The university is working with the Stampede to study some of the animals this year. They'll specifically look at whether bucking bulls and broncos will be happier and healthier if they have a shady place to hang out right before the competition. "It seems like a pretty straightforward question," said Pajor, adding if shade is beneficial, the Stampede would have to decide whether to invest in more tent coverings in the future. Additional research at the rodeo is to focus on the heart health of horses in the chuckwagon races. Dr. Renaud Léguillette, with the university's veterinary school, specializes in equine health and performance, and works closely with chuckwagon horses during the Stampede. His research includes identifying in equine blood a baseline for troponin — a protein released when the heart muscle is damaged — to track underlying cardiovascular or other health issues. "The goal of our research is to prevent cardiac accidents during the chuckwagon racing due to a cardiac problem," said Léguillette. "There are some horses who have more electrical activity issues when they race or have a harder time to recover from the races." At the Stampede, outrider horses and horses pulling the wagons are to be fitted with electrocardiograms before and during the races. Léguillette said the devices and the blood tests can show what horses are at a higher risk of cardiac arrest and that information is passed on to chuckwagon drivers. "I call it like a green light, an orange light and a red light. The red light horses, I will definitely have a discussion with the drivers ... they are very responsive, concerned and will make the right decisions." An official with the Stampede said research in this area could benefit an entire industry. "We know there is an element of risk in all sport. Our goal is to create the safest conditions possible. That's why all of this research takes place ... to remove all of those elements of risk," said Kristina Barnes, the Stampede's director of agriculture and western events. "Can we remove completely that element of risk? No. But anything that we can control we certainly will." The 10-day celebration of western culture, which runs from July 4 to 13, has long been a target of animal rights groups. The Vancouver Humane Society wants the rodeo portion of the Stampede eliminated. "We're seeing deaths at the Calgary Stampede almost every single year. It's really not a matter of if another animal will die at the Stampede ... it's when," said Chantelle Archambault with the group. "Last year, there were four animal deaths. It also marks at least 109 animal deaths at the Stampede since we began tracking fatalities in 1986."
