Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2010 | Page 68

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EQUESTRIAN - Sponsored by Brickfields and Froghill Tack

February/March 2010

GARDENING TIPS WITH URSULA THOMPSON

Spring into action...
During the severe
weather with snow and
icy days your garden may not be top
of your agenda .It may be cold outside but
there is plenty to do in the
garden and greenhouse.Planning for the
year ahead includes buying both your
vegetable and
flower seeds,seed
trays and compost.
Check the
greenhouse is
clean and tidy
ready for the new
season. Select and
buy your seed
potatoes there are
many new varieties
available also
choose
onion sets, garlic and asparagus crowns.
These are then ready to plant from March
onwards when soil conditions are
favourable and hard frosts are over.
Harvest winter vegetables broccoli, brussel
sprouts, leeks and parsnips.
Jerusalem artichokes and turnips can still be
enjoyed fresh from the garden.

Planning for Summer colour. now available
are a large selection of dahlia
tubers and Summer flowering bulbs
including begonias, gladiolus ,canna and
regale lillies and nerines.
Other essential jobs for late February early
March include pruning late
Summer flowering
shrubs and roses,
cutting back perennials
and ornamental
grasses.During March if
dry it may be possible
to do the first cut of
your lawn with blades
set high. Spring lawn
feed and weed will
boost growth and
colour.
Now is a good time to add colour to pots,
hanging baskets and window boxes with
primroses and pot grown Spring bulbs.
These are great value for brightening up
your garden and a cheerful Spring look.
But most importantly don't forget to feed
the birds.

Equine Infectious Anaemia
The British Horse Society is urging horse owners not to panic after Equine
Infectious Anaemia is detected in two horses in Wiltshire.
Defra has confirmed that Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA),
otherwise known as Swamp Fever, was found in two horses
imported from the continent. The infected animals, which
arrived in a group of ten originating from Romania and Belgium,
have been humanely destroyed. EIA has not been imported in to
Great Britain since 1976, so the news will be a shock to the
horse industry.

What is Equine Infectious Anaemia?
Equine infectious anaemia (Swamp Fever) is an infectious
viral disease. The equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV) is
categorised as a lentivirus, and is related to the virus that
causes HIV in humans. However, EIA affects horses, mules and
donkeys only and cannot affect humans in any way. EIA occurs
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worldwide, with outbreaks regularly reported in the Americas,
Asia, Africa, Australia and parts of Europe. Previous outbreaks
have also occurred in Ireland and France.

Clinical Signs
The incubation period of EIA varies greatly, ranging from as
short as three days for an acute infection to as long as three
months. Typically, the incubation period is between one to three
weeks.
Acute infection results in full clinical signs of the disease
being displayed including:
• High fever (40-42oC) • Increased heart and respiratory rate
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