Horse arriving from Czech

B

bobbysox123

New User
Joined
16 March 2011
Messages
6
Location
worcestershire
Visit site
I have a Czech girl who helps out on my yard. She is desperate to bring her horse over to the UK. I have agreed to it living at my yard. She has worked for me for 6 mths and I have no worries about her knowledge and genuine love of horses. So, no concerns there.
However, I have never had a horse arrive from abroad, this 1 will travel via Hungry. We don't have a dedicated isolation box away from the other horses. She assures me that all its vaccinations are up to date.
My concern is more that it may arrive with a virus possibly even picked up from the transporters lorry.
I have 3 golden oldies ponies who are very aged, and won't put them at any risk.
I am considering insisting on a blood test, before it is turned out anywhere near my horses. But, if it has picked anything up en route, then how soon would it show up in the blood.
I don't think I am over reacting, I have to protect my own horses first. Any ideas or tips for precautions I can take when welcoming the new arrival?
 
Do you have a field separate from your others? Do you know of anyone whom she can rent a paddock from for 3wks prior to entering your yard? Those are probably the best options.

I bought my youngster over from Ireland - unvaccinated - and she did pick up a virus en route. No other horses in the yard were affected. No isolation was carried out (though it was individual turnout and was probably 10days before she managed to nose with any of the other hrses).

I recently vaccinated a client's horse that was imported from Hungary last year - he was vaccinated for everything under the sun. So I probably wouldnt worry too much on that score.
As far as blood tests go, most viruses arent picked up on routine tests and bloods for specific viruses can be expensive and take a coupleof wks to run.
 
Thank You for your reply. I am sure this horse is fully covered for everything under the sun, as you said.
But, you have helped me make up my mind to restrict this horse to grazing alone in the one paddock that we have which is away from from my other paddocks. I will insist on this for 3 weeks.
I think i was worried that I might have appeared harsh, but you have confirmed my concerns regarding picking up "nasties" from the transport. Many Thanks
 
If coming from Hungary I think the export regulations there are very strict (among the strictest in the EU) -- hopefully this concerns "vias" as well as horses originating in Hungary. Maybe call defra?
 
Definitely take advice from DEFRA.... Google EVA, one of the more serious infections. There been 2 cases in the UK and the yards involved were put into quarantine, with blood tests at 30 & 60 days I think.
 
I shipped my mare from Cyprus and there was no quarantine required by anyone, not even the livery yard. I did keep her away from all others for two weeks as a precaution anyway. 1st week was stabled so I could worm her while keeping her off the paddocks. I think you're just being sensible protecting the other horses.
 
You are being entirely reasonable. Even the babies who came over from Ireland were stuck away from everything else in the yard for 10 days. They were also put on the winter grazing so that if they did have anything, by the time the field came to be used it would have been topped, cleared and rested. Ours actualy were out 24/7 to start with. Once they had proven to not be carrying anything, then they came onto the yard.
 
I *think* the horse has to be tested for Equine Infectious Anemia (swamp fever) as its coming through areas that have it (Coggins test). Other than that I don't know.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top