Motion from February 2012 Board Meeting
Members using electronic technology to defame either the Australian Stock Horse Society, its Judges, Officials, Volunteers or fellow Members will be referred to the Disciplinary Committee.

Visit the News page for more details.

Horse Confirmed with Lyssavirus
Biosecurity Queensland is quarantining a property on the Southern Downs after a horse tested positive to Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV).

Chief Biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson said the horse was euthanased on 11 May after falling ill.

 “The site will remain under quarantine while further testing is conducted on the remaining horses.

“ABLV is carried by bats and flying foxes.”

Staff from the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Public Health Unit will visit this property to assess the situation and identify any human potentially exposed to this horse.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said it is important to remember that human cases of Lyssavirus are incredibly rare.

“There have only been three recorded cases in Australia, all in Queensland, and sadly, all three people passed away,” Dr Young said.

“We do however have a preventative treatment that is effective in any person not displaying symptoms of the virus.

“Warwick and Toowoomba Hospitals will provide a free course of this preventative treatment to anyone who public health staff determine was in close contact with this dead horse resulting in a risk of exposure to the virus. Simply patting a horse would not constitute exposure.”

People who have had a potential exposure to ABLV require an injection of rabies immunoglobulin and a series of four rabies vaccine injections.

Any Darling Downs local who believes they have been in direct contact with, or in close proximity to this horse, can also contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice.

To view the full media release please visit our News page.

Hendra Virus Research Project (HHALTER) - Second Survey Now Available
The HHALTER project (Horse owners and Hendra Virus: A Longitudinal cohort study To Evaluate Risk) is funded through the National Hendra Virus Research Program and is focused on people involved with horses. The aim is to ensure that they are at the centre of Hendra virus-related policy and research.
  
Over 1,100 people took part in our first survey, and around 70% gave us their contact details. We are going directly to those people with a personalised link to the second survey – this allows us to match up their first and second survey responses. However, we are very keen to have new people join the project now that the second survey is available.
  
A link to the second survey for NEW participants is included below:
 
HHALTER Survey 2 for new participants

In this second survey we have a continued focus on VACCINATION as this is an area of ongoing interest. We also have a focus on PERSONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY and on FLYING FOX MANAGEMENT. Finally, we have added some questions about the recent case of lyssavirus in a horse in Queensland.
 
We are able to send out paper copy questionnaires to those who do not have email/internet access. If you have members who might prefer to respond using this method they can leave their mailing details on our phone line (02) 9685 9591.  We would like to encourage people from ALL States and Territories (not only those in high Hendra virus risk areas) to take part in the project.

Hendra vaccination mandatory for 2013 Royal Queensland Show horses
The RNA has announced that all horses attending or competing at the 2013 Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) require mandatory Hendra virus vaccination.

Please click here to download the RNA Media Release.

The Australian Stock Horse Society announces partnership with Scone Equine Hospital
The Board of The Australian Stock Horse Society (ASHS) is pleased to announce its partnership with the largest equine veterinary practice in Australia, Scone Equine Hospital (SEH).

SEH will provide ASHS with educational and question & answer articles for the Society’s magazine, development and delivery of the veterinary component of the Society’s judging clinics, attendance at the Society’s annual National Show, and discounted rates for ASHS Members attending SEH’s Pleasure and Performance Seminars.

Ms Maree Sankey, General Manager of the ASHS said this is an exciting opportunity for the Society to have Scone Equine Hospital as its education partner.

Visit the News page to download the Official Media Release.

2013 dates for Level 1 Accredited Judges Workshops
Dates for Level 1 Accredited Judges Workshops have been set for 2013 to assist Members' ability to participate. The workshops are open to ALL Members and it is just a matter of picking one that suits you best.

Visit the Judges page for more details.

EOI - National Show 2015, 2016 & 2017
The Board is seeking nominations from interested Branches or Management Councils to host the 2015, 2016 & 2017 National Shows. Event to include the National Futurity, National Maturity, ABBEY Open Challenge and the Maiden Campdraft Series Final. For more information, contact General Manager, Maree Sankey.