I'm in a quandry

[Cazzah]

This could be a bit long, so please bear with me

My previous yard has strangles. This has been ongoing now for 3 months and the YO's are doing naff all to manage it, i.e. no separation, no separate equipment. Over 15 horses have been infected now. I know that two weeks ago a horse has been tested and is positive. This was 6 weeks after the last diagnosed case and was after the YO's announced that it was all clear. The owner of the recently infected horse lives abroad and the horse is on full livery. My friend helps at the weekend and confronted the YO after she noticed her washing out the abcesses on his neck. YO confirmed it was strangles but threatened her to keep quiet as they didn't want anymore 'hysteria' on the yard. As before there is no management of the issue and this horse is kept next to others.

I organised shows at the yard last year which were very popular with people from miles around. I have just been told today that they are planning to run a show in two weeks which is well within the period for the strangles to still be infectious. Everyone bar my friend at the yard thinks that the strangles are all over and done with. I'm concerned that people will come to this show from other yards and may well be putting their horses at risk but I'm not sure what I can do>

What are the options?

Do you think I should just walk away from it?
Or tell everyone I know that strangles is still on the yard? (and be seen as trouble causing?)
Is there some other action I can take? I know strangles aren't notifiable to DEFRA but the YO's are clueless and I feel something needs to be done.....

As I said, I'm in a quandry......suggestions welcome!!

 

[trojanpony]

I'd tell the YO your concerns and that if they do go ahead with the show you will start telling people what you know.

It's in their interest, if someone came to that show and picked up strangles (they can die from it) they could well be sueing the YO in a few weeks - or the YO of the next yard to get it might!

That's very irresponsible. Also if you know their vet, perhaps you might mention it to him/her and they can 'remind' the YO how dangerous and infectious strangles is?

 

[indiat]

Is it possible to notify DEFRA annoymously and perhaps they could issue a notice about it or pay a visit? Sorry if this doesn't help. Is there anyway of tipping people off locally without getting your name invloved - a local bulletin board, FB group, that kind of thing?

 

[Cazzah]

[ QUOTE ]
Also if you know their vet, perhaps you might mention it to him/her and they can 'remind' the YO how dangerous and infectious strangles is?

[/ QUOTE ]

The yard uses two vetinary practices - a good one, and one that I have different opinions of. The good one advised the YO about the correct management techniques and even produced a factsheet. This was ignored. They advised the YO to have all swabs done for all horses at a cost of £140 per horse. The YO asked the other vet what he thought and was told to 'give it a couple of weeks - it'll be ok!!'

The YO's are completely oblivious and clueless (the main reason I left!!)

 

[Kat]

Speak to the local BHS welfare officer.