thoughts on equine flu?

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littlefluffball

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I know there are a few threads running but just wondering the views of others? I personally won't be risking any of mine going anywhere for the foreseeable future (easy enough for me as we don't hunt or do any serious competing) It's just too much of a risk IMO. other folks don't seem too worried - in fact my insta feed is full of horses out and about, being transported etc etc....
 
The current outbreak has been contained according to reports today. I think it’s important to remember that flu is endemic, it’s about all the time, not just this year Vaccinations mean that the symtoms are much less severe (some of the horses tested positive showed no symptoms).

Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is best. If you don’t want to risk it, don’t, but make sure your decision is based on facts.

Mine don’t go anywhere anyway so I haven’t thought about changing anything (and we are many miles away from recent cases).
 
I think making the decision to move horses needs to be based on fact for sure but making a decision to stay put isn't so vital. If someone is doing that on over caution then thats up to them and isn't affecting anyone else. I think though mixing with other horses where there may potentially be a risk (and I am far from clued up enough to know that - I am sitting safely in my over cautious camp) should be done with only certainty that you won't be putting your own, or someone else's animal in danger. Can horses be carriers without showing symptoms? i really don't know enough about it and am certainly not about to make judgements on folk. Also do we have certainty over numbers yet? i am seeing various figures and it seems more and more instances are coming out - whether or not it is the same strain i am unaware.
 
If you really are that worried that your horse might be exposed to flu then the only real answer is never to take them anywhere ever again. There isn’t going to be a magic day somewhere in the future where the uk will be declared flu free so you will never know who might have it and who won’t. I know I am in the minority on here for thinking there is a lot of paranoia about but so far I have read nothing to make me change my mind.
 
It’s an endemic virus it with us all the time .
Sure it seems that the virus is ‘breaking through ‘ in vaccinated horses a bit more but who knows .
I am having all mine jabbed today three are only an little early the other two well it will do them no harm .
Now they are back to racing I am continuing as normal .
 
There's nothing wrong with being cautious, and it's great that you are thinking of your neighbours too.

Everyone's situation is likely to be slightly different depending upon your location, type of horses both in your yard and surrounding it, and their vaccination status.
I have a vulnerable old pony here so I am being cautious but not yet completely locked-down. That could easily change depending upon how things progress. If I was near a stud I would be even more cautious.

As for information on the flu and what to do, some websites I've found useful - Animal Health Trust, BEF and BHS and a very interesting article on how vaccinations work by Lingfield Equine Vets.

There will always be some people who will use emotive words such as 'hysterical' if they don't quite understand or agree with you - ignore them - you, and you alone know your full situation and your risk assessment should be done on your situation not other peoples.
 
It also depends if you are on a yard that locksdown and hence so do you.

I wonder how many non vaccinated horses will become vaccinated? Is anyone now considering this option?
 
Thanks catkin. I definitely don't feel in any way hysterical or panicking. As I say we don't venture far anyway so it isn't a particularly difficult choice for me to decide to stay put. That said I do feel I wouldn't want to take the risk. I am sure those who actively do mix regularly hunting etc need to make a more informed decision. i am genuinely interested in others views. I think I will do some reading up on it :) I would hate to think of mixing somewhere and bringing it back to the yard where there are some vulnerable horses. but as I say I don't know enough about it to even know if that is possible!
 
I’ve just had my youngster done today! Would have got her done soon for BS/BE but hadn’t got round to it. All the competition centres want to see a passport now so thinking we won’t be doing anything for a month.

I asked the vet and he thought it was a ‘storm in a teacup’.
 
The-Bookworm said:
It also depends if you are on a yard that locksdown and hence so do you.

I wonder how many non vaccinated horses will become vaccinated? Is anyone now considering this option?
Click to expand...

My yard isn't on lockdown and it isn't really a yard where people go away alot. mainly leisure riders and some small local shows. some go to other yards for lessons but I don't know what the protocol is for that for now
 
My vets have put a risk assessment questionnaire on Facebook, it's really useful and my yard....2 horses at home...came out at very low risk. Until any cases are confirmed nearby I'm not changing anything.
 
Ambers Echo said:
Are you vaccinated LFB? If not, getting vaccinated will protect you far more than restricting movements, so I would start there.
Click to expand...

Yes all vaccinated. But I was under the impression even vaccinated horses were catching it. To be honest I have nowhere I really need to be anyway as I said above we don't go far and anywhere we do go isn't really that big a deal if we miss it. I was more interested in what other peoples thoughts were on it
 
A small number of vaccinated horses have got it. Those are either completely symptom free or showing far fewer effects. They will also be shedding much, much less virus into the air for others to catch. So vaccination is still the best protection for both your own horses and the general horse population.

That is why the official guidance is all about vaccination and not about restricting movements. At the moment anyway.

Obviously vaccinated AND restricting movement is going to be the lowest risk possible short of shipping them into a remote area where they are not in contact with any other horses! But we all have to decide for ourselves where we draw the line in terms of risk reduction. Flu is still rare and mine are all vaccinated so I am carrying on as normal for now but keeping an eye on where outbreaks are and making plans accordingly.
 
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