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Our Saskatchewan horse population remains relatively healthy although the world continues to get smaller. Equine Piroplasmosis, normally not a North American disease was diagnosed on a large Texas ranch, resulting in trace-outs to at least 11 States, ongoing import restrictions to Canada, and limiting travel to these States by horses returning to Canada. A single horse traced to Canada from Texas tested positive for EP and has been ordered destroyed. A single trace-in was identified in Saskatchewan, examined, tested, found to be healthy, tick free and free of EP. The ECEHWC has responded by letter and teleconference to a request from CFIA for our input to policy currently under consideration. “An Equine Piroplasmosis Primer” was recently published in “Show Trail”.
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Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM). (Kentucky- December, 2008), remains under the watchful eye of APHIS and the CFIA. There were fifty-one (51) trace-outs to western Canada from horses exposed in the USA, either by being in the same facility as positive horses, or exposed by natural cover or by AI to an infected stallion, one of these a mare (2008) from Saskatchewan, quarantined, treated, tested negative and released from quarantine. A second case in Saskatchewan involved a stallion, since gelded, that was on-site with an infected USA stallion. Quarantined, treated, tested negative, and now released from quarantine. Import permits and/or certification continue in place. Import restrictions on fresh equine semen remain in place for the 2010 breeding season. An additional annex is required for horses travelling to the USA and returning to Canada to cover risks of introduction of CEM.
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Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA). The first positives in Saskatchewan since 2004 were detected in November, 2009. One clinical case was identified, with 9 other horses on the premises, as well as 11 fence line contacts. The sick animal was ordered destroyed with compensation, and the other animals tested. The fence-line contacts all tested negative. Three reactors were found on the quarantined premises, retested (positive), and ordered destroyed with compensation. The remaining six (6) horses were retested more than forty (40) days later, all remained negative and the quarantine released. Canada wide, of 50,000 horses tested to the last reporting period there were 73 positive cases of EIA.
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West Nile Virus (WNV). While there is a much reduced incidence in birds and people in Saskatchewan, and no equine cases reported, the mosquito vector is widely present, and given the right conditions transmission can occur. Vaccination is still recommended. A non-adjuvant one-shot WNV vaccine purportedly with less/no side effects is on the market.
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Rabies. There were no reported cases of equine rabies in Canada this past year, although a few cases in Saskatchewan were tested as suspects. AAEP Guidelines for vaccination www.aaep.org now include rabies as a core vaccine for horses. The CFIA Rabies Control Program does not recognize vaccination status of livestock in determining quarantine provisions at this time.
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WEE/EEE. Several cases of EEE occurred in Nova Scotia this past year (Dr. Rob Kerr).We have not had positive cases reported in Saskatchewan for the past two (2) decades. Recall that WEE has been a devastating disease in Saskatchewan in the past, but with much reduced incidence with the development of a vaccine in the late 1930’s.Many horse owners now use a combined vaccine annually.
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EHV -1. Although there were no known reports of EHV-1 in Saskatchewan over the past year, discussion (HWAC, ECEHWC, CFIA) involving the placing of EHV-1 (neurological) in the “Immediately Notifiable” category continue.
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Veterinarians are still seeing strangles, respiratory problems including heaves, dental problems, laminitis (founder), loss of condition and altitude disease/manger fever. Climate change, movement patterns, feed selection and practices, technological changes along with many other factors affecting disease occurrence need be kept in mind. Management, when not up to par, is still an issue where horses are kept. Mr. Lloyd Howden, Acting Manager, Animal Protection Services with the SSPCA has provided an appended report.
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Dr. Katharina Lohmann remains hopeful that a research surveillance project to nasal swab horses at sales, shows etc. for the presence of latent respiratory infection can take place. Conducting a survey of Equine Management Practices in Western Canada also remains in the wings. If and when, the SHF can be supportive in getting the message out once these projects are ready for launch. Dr. Lohmann is very busy preparing for the delivery of an Equine Medicine Elective course, premiering this spring as part of the new curriculum at WCVM.
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Bill 606, a private member’s bill introduced in November, 2009, passed with flying colours, offering protection under law for the ponies in Bronson Forest and other wild horse bands in Saskatchewan. Concurrently the Animal Protection Act(s) in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and NL are under review, all looking at tougher measures for those found guilty of animal abuse or neglect, thereby believed to be in the best interests of the horse.
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Several groups with a focus on equine welfare and husbandry in Canada and the USA are working hand-in-hand to provide knowledgeable, factual information to horse owners, governments and the general public respecting the care and oftentimes plight of the horse. A brochure produced by the American Horse Council has recently been adapted for Canadian application. “A Caregiver’s Guide to Rehabilitating Neglected Horses” can be downloaded at the Horse Welfare Alliance Canada www.horsewelfare.ca/images/stories/pdf/10rehabneglectedhorse.pdf. HWAC is also moving forward with a program “Trailering and Handling for Recreational Horse Owners” this spring.
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The National Certified Livestock Transport (CLT) training initiative is moving forward with further committee meetings now scheduled. First developed by AFAC and funded by ALMA, the course has been delivered in Saskatchewan on a few occasions courtesy of FACS to the benefit of transporters here.
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“Humane Handling Guidelines for Horses - Standards for the Care of Unfit Animals” o/o AFAC – available for distribution in Saskatchewan, also available on the HWAC and SHF websites.
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Review of “Recommended Code of Practice – Horses”. This initiative is now in the hands of the NFACC were process is being developed, funding secured and science and industry committees being populated.
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The Equine Information Document (EID) Many questions, and few answers, with much work to be done, however hopefully we will all be better informed with SHF Convention speaker presentations. This is a big issue, recently hastily driven by an EU dictum, intended to preserve Canada’s processing market. Although handed to Equine Canada in 2003, the Equine I/D file has only casually and peripherally been discussed at the grass roots level until now. Owners are encouraged to keep complete medical and health records to maintain options into the future.
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Ports of Entry. Responding to horse industry concerns, the CFIA has evaluated and is in the process of updating several Canadian Land Ports of Entry to facilitate enhanced ability to offload, inspect and reload commercial shipments of livestock, including equine.
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Efforts continue to keep committee members, the SHF, EC Provinces Division, ECEHWC, HWAC and our provincial partners informed with current news / commentary / happenings.
We acknowledge with thanks invited contributions to this report including those of Dr. Betty Althouse CFIA, Dr. Jewel Parry CFIA, Mr. Lloyd Howden SSPCA, Dr. Rob Kerr NS Agr., Mr. Bill des Barres HWAC, Dr. Mary Bell ECEHWC and Dr. Katharina Lohmann WCVM. We value the interest and support of the SHF Board of Directors, and SHF Members for the important work of this committee, and on behalf of committee members, Dr. Christine Ewert-Hill, Jillian MacDonald, Dr. Grant Royan, Shirley Brodsky, Jim Graham, Dr. Jim Sawatsky, Sharon Butt and Mae Smith, we thank you and welcome your continued input.
Respectfully submitted, B.W.R. (Byrnne) Rothwell, D.V.M.
Appendix A:
Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
2010 Annual Report for SHF
Thus far this year the number of ‘Horse in distress’ complaints received by the Sask. SPCA is on par with last year, however the over- all trend is on the increase.
The number of complaints remain constant, but the number of horses involved per case is on the increase.
In the year 2007/2008 the SSPCA received 131 complaints involving 1146 horses. In the year 2009/2010 we received 130 complaints, but the number of horses involved is 1576 to date, and there are still 5 weeks until year-end.
Recently the SSPCA was involved in a situation where there were 50 horses suffering from malnutrition, these horses were removed from the owner. The nature of the complaints is consistent, the major issues being the lack of adequate feed, water, and shelter, and the lack of hoof care. This year there has been an increase in the numbers of reports of stray horses running at large.
There are numerous factors that are causing the increase in all complaints. The general public is better educated, and society will no longer tolerate animal neglect and abuse, and they are demanding intervention. The weather is a huge factor. The mild weather in November allowed a longer grazing season, however the lack of snow did result in numerous complaints regarding the lack of water and or snow for the horses. January was also mild, and that allowed the marginally conditioned horses a better chance of survival. Many horse owners believe that horses will survive on their own all winter, and this is sadly untrue.
The Sask SPCA insists that all horses be provided with adequate care, this means feed sufficient to maintain a good body condition, protection from the wind, and we also recommend a water source be provided, rather then relying on eating snow.
The economy is probably the deciding factor. Horse prices are on the steady decline while feed, care, and transportation costs are on the incline. These conditions have made the horse virtually worthless. History has shown that the quickest way to make an animal a candidate for neglect, is to make the animal worthless.
The Sask. SPCA understands that the economy is a major problem, however we maintain it is not the horse’s fault, and the horse must not be allowed to suffer because of a situation created by man. The Sask. SPCA fears the new (CFIA) Equine Information Document, COULD create a land slide of the numbers of unwanted, worthless horses, and thus increase the numbers of horses being neglected.
Going ahead, the Sask. SPCA will continue to work diligently to ensure all animals are receiving adequate care. In the long term, funding permitting, the SSPCA is planning to become more pro-active, putting more emphasis on education and routine inspections, which could address some of these situations before they become a disaster.
Submitted by Lloyd Howden, SSPCA