**UPDATED** Equine Flu Advice To Shows 08/03/19
The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) continues to strongly recommend to competition and event organisers that they check the Equine ID Passports of all attending horses to make sure that they comply with vaccination rules.
The BEF reminds organisers that it is vital that unvaccinated horses do not mix with other equines due to the increased risk of such an infectious disease spreading. There are also potentially serious consequences for unvaccinated horses, especially youngstock, if they contract the disease.
The BEF appreciates how hard responsible organisers and owners are working to prevent the spread of equine flu. For those who would like further information, there is a Q&A on the BEF website and Your Horse magazine has produced a simple guide to the symptoms of equine flu and the steps you can take.
If you believe your horse is showing signs of the symptoms of equine flu, the BEF continues to urge you to seek the advice of your veterinary surgeon.
The BEF welcomes the fact that the majority of showing societies are mandating our recommendations at their larger shows and advising their regional shows to follow local veterinary risk assessments.
BEF guidelines are based on advice from global experts in EI and epidemiology with experience of managing previous outbreaks.
**UPDATED 14TH FEBRUARY**
Veterinary experts and the BEF have continued to advise that it is not necessary to cancel equine events at this time, but they will continue to monitor and advise on the situation.
WE REQUIRE THAT PASSPORTS ACCOMPANY ALL HORSES TO OUR EVENTS/ CLINICS and recommend that all owners follow the guidelines below as a precaution and ensure that all vaccinations are fully up to date. If your horse is currently vaccinated, we recommend a booster if it has been longer than 6 months since your horse’s last vaccination.
We will also accept 2nd jab plus 7 days. Any vaccination even it is booster needs to be 7 days prior to the event/clinic.
Actions for owners to take: It is crucial for all horse and pony owners to be vigilant and follow recommended guidelines on how to detect and prevent the spread of this infectious disease.
Look out for signs of disease which can include high temperature, cough, snotty nose, enlarged glands (under the lower jaw), swollen or sore eyes, depression, loss of appetite and swelling in the lower legs.
If you see any of these signs, isolate the horse and call your vet immediately.
It is essential that any horses showing signs of possible equine flu, or horses that might have been in contact with possibly infected horses, do not travel to competitions or other events where there will be groups of horses. If your horse has been in contact with an infected horse we suggest that you should take veterinary advice.
Due to the recent outbreaks of equine flu, any horses that wish to compete at Sykehouse Arena must produce an up to date passport. Please bring your horse passport with you as they will be checked to ensure flu vaccinations are upto date. Please do not unload any horses/ponies till they have been checked. We are currently accepting annual jabs, with the recommendation of 6 month booster. Should the advice from BEF change we will publish a statement.
Please allow extra time for this and appreciate that it is in our horses best interest.
NO PASSPORT = you will be turned away!