SA Updates for today

**Horse Flu Information Sessions:

1.  Aldinga Community Centre, Thurs 4th Oct 7pm  (see media notice below) 2.  Leigh Creek Community Club, Black Oak Ave, Oct 2nd  1pm 3.  Port Augusta Community Club, Oct 3rd 1pm

**Innovative ways to enjoy your horse club

http://www.onlinehorseshow.net/   An online horse show..

Excerpts from a recent media release:

The Come-By-Chance (near Coonamble) committee, is having novelty races such as wheelbarrow sprints.

Mungery Picnics near Dubbo also hope to entertain the crowd at their race day on Sunday with local “two-legged” entrants, who will compete for the ‘Equine Flu Mungery Cup’.

Any more ideas, please email them in to share. It is important to support your local club and keep up with social networks.

** School of the Air

This morning Julie Fiedler from Horse SA spoke on School of the Air. Children from the remote areas of the state caught up on information about Horse Flu and what to watch out for. Some of the questions were

a. Do Unicorns get horse flu? (with a flashing smiley face showing on the interactive whiteboard screen!)

b. Do poddy calves get horse flu? c.

Can horse flu travel on cattle trucks?

d. My paddock fence is next to Queensland, what do I have to watch out for?

e. Are our pet donkeys able to get horse flu?

f. Do the zebras at the zoo get horse flu?

Hopefully all of the horse owners on this email list can easily answer all of these questions! (including the Unicorn one!)

****

HORSE FLU PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting to discuss horse flu will be held at the Aldinga Community Centre - Symonds Reserve on Thursday 4 October (6.30pm for 7pm start).

Everyone involved in the horse industry is invited to attend, according to South Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rob Rahaley.

“The aim is to provide an overview of the current situation interstate and how this impacts on South Australia, the decisions that have been made and why and allow people to ask questions,” he said.

“We are currently asking people in the industry to cancel or postpone events if they can to ensure that SA remains free of horse flu.

“While we don’t have horse flu in this state, we remain on high alert.”

Horse SA Executive Officer Julie Fiedler said while there had been no cases of equine influenza in South Australia, limiting horse movements was a sensible move.

“We need to keep the level of awareness high among horse owners and direct information is the best way,” she said.

Dr Rahaley said he understood that many clubs and individuals were keen to resume their respective equestrian activities.

“However, those organisations or individual organising gatherings under permit will need to consider the possible implications of a horse becoming infected with horse flu on site and whether or not they are prepared for a lock down that could last several months.

“It’s really about short-term pain for long term gain if we can continue to keep horse flu out of South Australia.”

People wanting more information about horse flu and equestrian activities in SA can contact:

·       Their equestrian clubs and associations

·       Horse SA 0402 488306

·       PIRSA website - www.pir.sa.gov.au <http://www.pir.sa.gov.au>