Message from WA State Vet

Seven Washington mares exposed to contagious equine metritis

Horse owners and breeders in Washington should be aware that seven mares have been exposed to contagious equine metritis (CEM), a potentially devastating disease for our breeding population. While the mares have not yet tested positive for this venereal disease, in accordance with USDA protocols the exposed mares remain under quarantine until confirmed negative.
Last December, a Quarter Horse stallion on a Kentucky farm tested positive for CEM during routine testing for international semen shipment. A total of eight stallions have now been confirmed as positive for CEM by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories. Four of the infected stallions are located in Kentucky , three are in Indiana , and one is in Wisconsin . The exposures were primarily through co-location at breeding facilities during either the 2008 or 2007 breeding season.

At least 350 exposed horses in 38 states have been identified during the course of this USDA investigation. Other exposed stallions were found in Alabama , Florida , Georgia , Indiana , Kentucky , Louisiana , Ohio , Tennessee , Texas and Wisconsin . An additional 94 exposed horses are still being traced.

An exposed mare is one that was bred to a CEM-positive stallion, either naturally or via artificial insemination, or an exposed stallion is one that has naturally serviced an exposed or infected mare. Other possible avenues of exposure are still under investigation. Testing and treatment protocols are being put into action for all located horses. All CEM exposed horses in Washington are currently under quarantine or hold order. There is no danger to the equine population in Washington and there is no human health risk.

For more information, see the USDA APHIS at www.aphis.usda. gov and search “CEM” under Hot Topics.

Horse Estrays

I am still hearing concerns about the number of abandoned horses and the cost to WSDA’s Brand Inspection program for managing this problem. With the closure of U.S. horse slaughter facilities, many believed that we would see an increase in at-large horses in Washington . So far, the department has not experienced an increase of at-large horse impounds. In fact, WSDA handled only 24 estray horses in 2008, down from 33 handled in 2007. And year after year, the sale of estrays is covering program costs.

We are, however, experiencing some new challenges. Sales of impounded horses are bringing less revenue due to declining market prices. A shrinking number of public livestock markets are willing to stable and sell at-large animals. Impound expenses are increasing. As we move into 2009, WSDA will continue to improve coordination with local authorities, identify additional impound sites and seek to reduce impound costs.

While the vast majority of horse owners love and respect their animals, we also need to remind folks it is against the law to abandon their unwanted animals. Under state law, abandoning a horse, or any other animal, is a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor. The Washington Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act ( RCW 16.52) defines “abandons” as “the knowing or reckless desertion of an animal by its owner or the causing of the animal to be deserted by its owner, in any place, without making provisions for the animal's adequate care.” The law provides that economic distress of the owner can be a defense to some animal cruelty crimes, but not for abandonment.

As with all crimes, the investigation is under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement and cases are prosecuted by the county prosecutor. The maximum punishment for a misdemeanor is 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. The maximum punishment for a gross misdemeanor is one year in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

Dr Leonard Eldridge, DVM
State Veterinarian
Washington State Department of Agriculture
360-902-1881

BCHW Public Lands Committee Blog

Lots of good information is being posted on this blog. Take a look and take action!

http://bchwpubliclands.blogspot.com/

Horses for Clean Water Events - January

HORSES FOR CLEAN WATER EVENTS FOR JANUARY 2009

Don’t let the Winter Blues put a damper on your horse activities! January is a great time to busy yourself with plans & ideas for the coming warmer months. Come horse around with Horses for Clean Water at the following events:

IN JANUARY:

MAPLE VALLEY, WA
January 28th to February 11th
Wednesday evenings, 6:30pm to 9:00pm
CLASS SERIES: Green Horsekeeping: Mud, Manure & Pasture Management for Horses
Tired of seeing your horses slosh around in mud? Wondering what to do with all the flies and the manure behind the barn? Are you new to horsekeeping on small acreage? Then join HCW for Green Horsekeeping! There are many great ways to banish mud on horse properties. Learn about French drains, footing options, geotextile fabrics & other great ideas for managing horse paddocks. Find out how to compost horse manure, see different compost bin designs and get tips for reducing stall waste in the barn. Study basic techniques for good pasture management including how grasses grow, creating a winter paddock, liming, spreading compost, rotational grazing, weed control, fencing options & small farm equipment. Learn how to make your horse property chore-efficient, horse healthy, more productive during the growing season and a healthy place for the environment!
Tahoma School District’s Tahoma Learning Community, Maple Valley, WA, exact location & cost TBD, Wednesday evenings, January 28th to February 11th, 6:30pm to 9:00pm. For details & registration contact Joanne Werner at 425-413-3405.


MAPLE VALLEY, WA
January 31st
Saturday, 9am to 5pm
WORKSHOP: Caring for Your Horse and His Home Are you new to horse ownership or do you have children who want a horse? Do you know what the regular health, dental and shoeing needs are for horses? Would you like to learn about shelter requirements and horse-safe fencing? Join Alayne Blickle & her horses on her Maple Valley, WA demonstration farm for an all day, hands-on workshop geared towards novice horse owners. Topics include horse behavior, horse & handler safety, planning your horse facility, how to buy a horse, nutrition & feeding, vet & farrier care, and pasture, manure & mud management. Cost is $80/person. Contact for special pricing for families & more course details. 9am to 5pm, Saturday, January 31st. To register or for more information contact Alayne@horsesforcle anwater.com or 425-432-6116.


IN FEBRUARY:

VASHON, WA
February 7th
Saturday, 10am to noon
Farm Tour: Paxhia Farm Tour a 12 acre Vashon commercial horse property that works hard to maintain the heath of it’s natural features as well the health of as it’s Dutch Warmbloods. See beautiful cedar and fir trees as well as pastures, mud-free sacrifice areas, winter turnouts and a covered arena. An ecology block bin collects stall waste for give-away to Island growers. Learn about chore efficient horse management techniques that make horse life easier and reduce environmental impacts. BONUS: See & hear about a plug-in electric neighborhood car! Vashon, WA. Saturday, February 7th, 10 to noon, FREE! Register and receive directions with the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581 ext. 122, or paul.borne@kingcd. org.


HOBART, WA
February 19th to March 12th
Thursdays, 6:30-9pm
Workshops for Horse & Small Farm Owners Hands-on workshops on livestock management practices. See a variety of options & work with technicians to discover ways you can have less mud, better pastures, manage manure and care for your streams, wetlands and drinking water sources. Issaquah-Hobart area, WA. Thursday evenings, February 19 & 26 March 5 & 12, 6:30-9pm, FREE! To register and receive directions contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581 ext. 122, or paul.borne@kingcd. org.
TOPICS:
Streams and Wetlands: Living with Livestock near Water. February 19th
Mud Management: Record Rainfall / Record Mud. February 26th with Alayne Blickle as a guest speaker
Manure Management: Got Livestock? Got Manure. March 5th with Alayne Blickle as a guest speaker
Pasture Management: Becoming a Grass Farmer. March 12th


ENUMCLAW, WA
February 21st
Saturday, 10am to noon
Farm Tour: Alpacas Galore! Stay tuned for details about this beautiful alpca farm. Enumclaw, WA. Saturday, February 21st, 10 to noon, FREE! Register and receive directions with the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581 ext. 122, or paul.borne@kingcd. org.


New events added regularly at www.HorsesforCleanW ater.com.