Penbode Equine Vets Summer 2019 Newsletter

Equine News Summer 2019

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Vets

1840

equine@penbodevets.co.uk

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In Focus Equine ‘flu in Cornwall

By Kieran O’Brien MA MVB(Hons) PhD MRCVS At Penbode Vets we are currently on high alert for equine flu arriving in our area (66 outbreaks so far in 2019). When one of our vets Kieran O’Brien imported some ponies from Ireland in February, little did he expect that they would be responsible for, so far, Cornwall’s only flu outbreak. Here he tells his story.

As the two unvaccinated ponies I had purchased in Connemara four days before were unloaded at my yard, I noticed one of them had a runny nose and seemed a little quiet for an unbroken two year old entire colt. Once it was put in a stable it started coughing and alarm bells started to ring. It had an elevated temperature (40°C – normal in around 38°C) and wasn’t too keen on food. As is my normal practice both ponies were quarantined in my enclosed barn, well away from all my other ponies which fortunately were two fields away. The following morning the second one was also coughing. Throat swabs were sent urgently to the Animal Health Trust at Newmarket and after 24 hours my fears were confirmed – equine flu and the same strain as the current epidemic strain.

As they were not vaccinated they were fully Symptoms of equine ‘flu susceptible to flu, and my strong suspicion is that they acquired the infection on their • A very high temperature of 39-41°C four day journey from Ireland. Some hauliers (103-106°F) which lasts for one to use communal lairage yards to house three days. horses and ponies overnight when they have a large consignment to be delivered • A frequent harsh, dry cough that to multiple destinations. Here animals from can last for several weeks. multiple sources mix and the potential for • A clear, watery nasal discharge that the spread of infection is great - hence why may become thick and yellow or green. I always quarantine new arrivals for four weeks. I wonder where else the infection • Enlarged glands under the lower jaw. spread to, as there would have been multiple animals in the same 20-horse lorry.

Their appetite remained reduced for a few days, they developed a nasal discharge, and they coughed – and coughed. Because my job takes me every day to multiple horse premises, I kept completely away from the barn for two weeks, delegating the task of caring from them to my long-suffering wife Emma. But my overriding memory will be lying in bed listening to the seemingly endless coughing coming from the barn.

Equine flu in Cornwall (continued) After about ten days the coughing started to diminish and at two weeks they were swabbed again, with negative results. At last they could go out and have their first taste of English grass (they said it was nowhere near as good).

The incubation period of ‘flu is very short (around one to two days in many cases). In the present UK outbreak vaccinated horses have shown much less severe signs, and some have shown no signs at all. There is no carrier state in flu. Horses clear themselves completely of the virus in around ten days.

I am pleased to report that my two ponies – now christened Johnny and Conor – are now thriving at the grass. My other ponies have shown no signs of infection, so Cornwall’s only flu outbreak is over. My advice? – vaccinate!! Flu could arrive again at any time.

Johnny and Conor at grass

If you are worried about your horse’s health always call your vet

But I don’t go anywhere?

Do I really need to be vaccinated?

Remember, prevention is better than cure and vaccination is a key element in the fight against infectious disease.

Contact your local Penbode Equine Vets branch today

Spotlight on...

Lakefield Equestrian Centre Becky Monk and her partner Mark Cunliffe run Lakefield Equestrian Centre near Camelford. Here Becky tells us about the role the centre plays in the South West equine Tell us a bit about you and Lakefield “I’ve always been involved with horses. I have evented to intermediate and showjumped to foxhunter and in more recent years compete in dressage up to advanced medium. My husband Mark competes in dressage up to Grand Prix. I set up Lakefield Equestrian Centre in 1994 with my two business partners, starting with just 10 horses. Lakefield is well known for being the North Cornwall Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) centre, but it isn’t just about the RDA, although it does play a big part in Becky Monk and Mark Cunliffe our day to day work. We also host apprenticeships, career training and some of the highest dressage coaching in the area.

Mark and I are both BHSI Coaches, but you are more likely to find Mark in the dressage arena whilst I focus on all the important admin. We also provide the new BHS challenge awards and are a recognised ‘Where to Train Centre’ running training up to and including Stage 4 exam preparation.”

Why would someone choose Lakefield?

“Apart from the excellent relationship we have with our Mark competing livery owners and the RDA riders and team, we have great indoor and outdoor facilities. A horse walker and horse treatments such as a hot wash and a solarium. If your horse is at full livery here, they will have a dedicated groom, which means continuity of care and that horse and groom understand, know and trust each other. As far as location is concerned we’re equidistant between the beach and the moor - with Trebarwith Strand to the north and Rough Tor to the south and with a local bridleway on our doorstep.”

Horses at livery

How did you get involved with the RDA? “North Cornwall RDA was founded by Margaret Harrison at the nearby Tall Trees Riding School and worked there until they closed. In 1998 I discovered that North Cornwall RDA were searching for a new venue to host their activities and offered our facilities.

We started with 20 riders a week and now cater for 140 riders with additional needs per week. We can now offer them an indoor and an outdoor school and all the necessary platforms and tools to help increase participation. The People’s Postcode Lottery The mounting ramp paid for by Tesco have been keen supporters of the national RDA charity and North Cornwall RDA have been successful in applying for some of the money they have raised for the charity, to invest in facilities for the participants. Along with Tesco’s Bags of Help initiative the group has been able to build important infrastructure such as ramps, hoists, disabled toilet facilities and to contribute towards trips to national events.”

What does success look like?

“One rider comes all the way down from Chard in Somerset to train. Jason has been with Lakefield since 2013. He works full time in Chard and to fit in with his shifts he comes down for short spells to train here. Six months ago her purchased his own horse. He hopes to compete this year at RA Nationals with his new horse ’Rubin Ryella’ and then progress into the world of Para. The riding provides therapy in many different forms for our participants and they all have very personal stories to tell.It’s about the therapeutic nature of being around horses and riding. Not just physical but mental therapy as well. There is no minimum or maximum age limit to those who wish to ride. They just need to apply to the group they want to ride with, there are four in Cornwall, and some groups do currently have waiting lists.

We don’t personally run a waiting list and try where possible to accommodate all applicants.”

“I have been told by some of our riders’ physiotherapists Jason Inchley that they have seen huge improvement in patients who have been referred to RDA. Some children who were due to have surgery no longer need it, such was the benefit of riding twice a week - it strengthens the muscles and improves balance.”

What’s your vision?

“My vision is to continue to create a good equestrian centre prioritising quality training, quality livery and quality support for horse owners. I want to be able to continue to educate those involved with horses and to inspire them to really enjoy the equine industry.”

Spotlight on...

Lakefield Equestrian Centre Why Penbode?

We like the fact that the vets are highly skilled, mobile and on our doorstep! Penbode’s vets can come to Lakefield with their diagnostic tools which works very well with our livery owners.

I’m fortunate in that my owners really trust me and will come to me with any concerns.

If it’s something I can’t fix then they know that as I trust Penbode, so they will too.

We’ve had the vets over for lameness workups and just recently Hermione diagnosed kissing spine on one of our livery horses and so this has been up to Holsworthy for operation with Brian (the visiting surgeon). We’ve also had a horse which severely overreached in the field which needed x-rays, nerve blocks and scans and we’ve been working closely with Penbode to treat this particular horse.

Celebrating 50 years of the RDA The Riding for the Disabled Association celebrates 50 years of therapy this year with their 50 Faces of RDA. They are encouraging local groups to submit photos and stories of volunteers, riders and coaches with the aim of increasing the recognition of the benefit of volunteering as a therapy. Then the weekend of 12-14 July all the groups will gather at the National Championships in Hartpury for the celebration and someone from each activity (riding, driving and vaulting) will be nominated to represent their region in the main ring.

“I’ve been so inspired and driven by the benefits I’ve seen the RDA has achieved for people across the board” Plans for the future Becky and the North Cornwall RDA group have got ambitious plans for Lakefield and want to build a facility where all the stables are under one roof on one level so that horses are accessible whatever your disability. They will then be able to offer work placements to those with additional needs. The plan is to include a café, a veterinarian and farrier box and other opportunities for additional therapies. Even the planning application will cost over £30,000 so North Cornwall RDA are frantically fundraising to make this RDA dream facility come true.

squirtingyour high pressure water in vet 24 hours with horse between your horse’s teeth. It quite

often splashes back at you - leaving you Name: David Rowlands covered in wet, slimy, grassy gunk. I Hometown: Bude, Cornwall - just two to miles from have been known sit in my the wethouse where I grew up. clothes for the rest of the day. Note to How do you usually yourtoday? self start - remember take a spare set of

clothes with me!emptying the dishwasher, walking the My alarm goesAshton off at 6am and, after Name: Justine

dog and bolting down a quick breakfast, I’ll run, swim or ride my bike for

What do you do in your spare time?

Age: about25 an hour before grabbing a cup ofspending tea and heading I like walking and time withto work!

new husband up our In my mid-lifePutford crisis andmy despite having Ross donedoing very little exercise since we had Hometown: house. our two young children (now aged 7 and 5 years), I’ve entered the Barcelona but now living in Stibb Cross Ironman triathlon in October (2.4m swim, 112m bike ride, 26.3m marathon)!!

What are your next holiday plans?

We are off to Antigua for our What does a day? typical day involve?

How do you usually start your honeymoon in September for two I get woken up by the cat demanding weeks. Can’t My typical day is really variable - as await! clinical director and equine lead, I juggle food. I then feed William and Harry (the clinical and managerial work.

Although I’m always happiest when I’m stood guinea pigs!) and Tess the dog before over toThe myvariability parents’ farm inpopping front ofher a horse. adds to the fun - there’s never a dull moment. Having grown forina the fun area day. and worked at Penbode for over 14 years, I’ve known many of the clients since I up

was a small boy. What does a typical

involve? aspects of the job?

What are yourday favourite I spend most of my

Helping make a diff erence.

Working day working with with local people and their horses. owners who need their

Anything you’re notteeth so rasped, fond of? horses’

vaccinations done and neglect of animals. It’s tough.

Occasionally in our job you see serious picking up emergency

What do you do spare time? callsin foryour colic and

for example.

Justine and Ross on their I enjoy spendingwounds time with Ben and Emma my wedding day (image courtesy of Emily Fleur Photography) children and training.

What are your aspects of What is your greatest What are yourfavourite next holiday plans? the job? achievement?

I love driving around I’m Barcelona to compete in the Ironman!

Tessoff theto sprocker Becoming a vet. I have wanted to be a the countryside,

vet for as long as I can remember.

What isour your greatest achievement? meeting clients and discussing their Before I graduated, I worked for a spay horses.

Convincing Sally to marry me and having our clinic charity in Romania. and neuter two children.

Anything you’re not so fond of?

We have to carry out a procedure called How do you finish your day? flushing diastema which involves

Describe yourself in three words.

Happy. Dedicated. Laid back.

Shattered! I try to be home in time to bath the Nextand issue wethem will be interviewing Clinical kids read a bedtime story.

Then IDirector do an David Rowlands hour or so of paperwork before heading to bed.

Describe yourself in three words.

Never gives up.

Next issue we will be interviewing Emily Tillett

In his happy place!

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2019 Country Shows Where to find us and what we’ll be doing.

Date

Show

Penbode Equine Vets Role

Saturday 13 July

Liskeard Show

Sponsors of all equine showing

Thursday 25 July

Launceston Show

Official equine vets

Monday 29 July

Woolsery Show

Official equine vets

Wednesday 7 August

North Devon Show

Sponsors of in hand sport horse

Thursday 8 August

Okehampton Show

Sponsors of ridden hunters

Wednesday 14 August

Camelford Show

Sponsors of equine young handlers and official equine vets

Thursday 22 August

Holsworthy & Stratton Show

Sponsors of equine local hunter class and official vets

Come along to our stand and join us for a cup of tea and a chat.

www.penbodevets.co.uk Holsworthy 01409 255549 | Tavistock 01822 613838 | Okehampton 01837 506070