EQUINE | News
EQUINE | News
if on cue a beautiful rainbow capped the spectacular scenery of Table Bay .
The Veterinary delegates of the ITBF held their meeting and disease reporting session as the start of a two day Veterinary Open Forum as arranged by ITBF Veterinary Chairman Dr Des Leadon from Ireland .
The disease reports highlighted the fact that in most countries the Thoroughbred Industry greatly assisted their governments in disease reporting and monitoring of disease . South Africa had made great strides in assisting and collaborating with the State Body . During the Open Sessions attention was given to the worldwide shortage of essential vaccines . A large manufacturer described the current situation as challenging . South Africa presented a clear and concise proposed safe export protocol based on the latest developments . The conclusion was that African Horse Sickness was not insurmountable .
The session on Genomics and Performance tests highlighted that it could become a useful tool for breeders in the future , but due to the complexity of the traits , the current tests are not conclusive enough . Estimated Breeding Value ( EBV ) will remain relevant and a good indicator is Black Type .
Genomics and Disease made a comparison of simple versus complex traits and recent studies on Hydrocephaly Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage ( EIPH ) and OCD . It illustrated the need for Industry driven projects . Under the heading of Breeding Racing and the Wider World , delegates learnt and discussed issues such as the need for better statistics which leads to more effective monitoring and lobbying . The horse industry worldwide is declining despite massive contributions to welfare and charity such as in Hong Kong . There most certainly needs to be formal forms of dialogue between racing and breeding .
Recent developments in Veterinary expertise included the fields of Endometritis , Oxidative Stress , Orthopaedics and Diagnostic Imaging .
A new topic of Breeding , Racing , Sociology , Psychology , Sustainability and Welfare was introduced to the audience . They heard the results of a fascinating survey done and funded by racing and others in Australia . It became clear that the issues are of paramount importance and not just a PR issue . They are to be dealt with in a meaningful way as not enough is being done to promote the way public perceive racing . People are unaware of the near idyllic existence of horses on stud farms as an example . The session on insurance highlighted the structures of Equine Insurance . It was apparent that mutual trust between the horse owner , their veterinarian and the insurer was key to a sustainable industry . Horse Welfare comes first .
The AGM of the ITBF saw the structure improved and formalised . The ITBF was divided into geographic regions to create an Executive Committee ( ExCom ) for continuity . The regions are North America , South America , Europe and Oceania or Asia Pacific , which includes Australia , New Zealand and South Africa . Ms Kirsten Rausing of Great Britain was elected Chair of the ITBF by the new ExCom . Delegates described the 2017 ITBF Congress and AGM in Cape Town South Africa as a resounding success and heaped praise and thanks on their hosts and organisers . The next ITBF Congress and AGM will be held in Lexington , Kentucky , USA in October 2018 . Conference Coordinator : Vetlink Conferences www . vetlink . co . za
Enquiries : Susan Rowett , TBA South Africa susan @ varsfontein . co . za + 27 ( 0 ) 21 869 8238 Dr Bennie van der Merwe namaquas @ intekom . co . za + 27 ( 0 ) 83 460 4066
• Volume 19 no 1 • February 2017 • 43