EQUINE HEALTH, WELFARE AND RESEARCH PORTFOLIO
EMERGENCY HORSE HAVENS - ONGOING LISTING UPDATED 20.2.12
With the heat hitting city and regional areas of WA this year we have already seen our state ravaged by bushfires. Homes have been lost in the Margaret River area and fires have affected many other areas. Horse owners are offering temporary refuges for those who need to evacuate their horses from these areas.
Download Emergency Evacuation Venues pdf and email to bennit@iinet.net.au to have your property included on the emergency temporary refuge list.
HORSES AND BUSHFIRES April 2011
The key to survival is forward planning and self reliance. BE PREPARED
EMERGENCY HORSE HAVENS- fires February2011
BUSHFIRE ASSISTANCE UPDATE (WAHC)- Final notification- 8th February 2011
THE COUNCIL FEELS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT OFFERS OF HELP IN THESE UPDATES AND WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO EVERYBODY WHO HAS OFFERED ASSISTANCE TO THOSE PEOPLE AND HORSES WHO SUFFERED IN THE BUSHFIRES – THIS WILL BE THE FINAL UPDATE – HOWEVER, ANY FURTHER OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE - WILL BE KEPT IN CASE IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO PASS THEM ON - IF ANYONE REQUIRES HELP AT A LATER DATE – PLEASE CONTACT DIANE BENNIT, CHAIR WAHC 92910202 0409083617
EMERGENCY EQUINE HAVENS
Response from Councils, Sept 09.
For details click title above.
BUSHFIRE PREPAREDNESS
Started April 2009.
For details click title above.
TEXAN TIPS TO PROTECT HORSES FROM WILDFIRE
August 21 2009
For details click title above.
EMERGENCY EQUINE HAVENS - March 2009
Started March 2009.
For details click title above.
THE WA HORSE EMERGENCY DATABASE
Started Feb 2008 - completed March 2009.
For details click title above.
BIO-SECURITY CONTINGENCY PLAN. Procedures for horse events
Started Sept 2007 - completed Nov 2007.
For details click title above.
AWARENESS PROGRAM - developing plans to prepare for disease.
For details click title above.
EMERGENCY HORSE HAVENS- ONGOING LISTING UPDATED 20.2.12
With the heat hitting city and regional areas of WA this week we have already seen our first bushfires. Homes have been lost in the Margaret River area and fires are currently happening in Gosnells and Rockingham. Horse owners are offering temporary refuges for those who need to evacuate their horses from these areas.
ROWAN PRITCHARD - EAST OF MANJIMUP
I would like to list my property as being available for emergency agistment for horses ( and possibly other livestock if necessary). The property is 30 km east of Manjimpu. Contact number is 0409108277 or 0411477598
KRISTIE HOLLOWAY - TORBAY
43 Pulse Road Torbay WA 6330 Mobile: 0408 094 674
PRIME FIELD PARK - BALDIVIS
We might be a bit of a distance away but we can offer 2 paddocks and 1 stallion paddock here at Prime Field Park if someone had people to stay up here with.
W
e are in Baldivis just off the Saftey Bay Road exit, on St Albans Road . Ttelephone 0406457801 mobile is glued to me 100% of the time.
MYFANWY ELLIOTT - COLLIE
The paddock is situated cnr Collie Williams Rd and Salvation Rd, 14 kms from Collie.I have only a single float but could come to help pick up horse if necessary.
My email is: myf@wn.com.au my mob: 0429016445
AREE-AYCUR FRIESIAN WARHORSES - MANJIMUP
Just to let you know that I have Stallion Quarters not being used at the moment. My Friesian Warmblood Boy is away. High electric fence away from all other boundaries ..... can house a 17 hh boy easily and I know these boys are hard to accommodate .... I also have other stables but the big boys are important. Please don't hesitate to call me if I can help 0428 465 777
Reena Harwood 73 Hind Road Manjimup .... runs directly off Graphite Road ..... Land line 9777 2242 mob 0428 465 777
WA HORSE TREKKING CLUB (WAHTC) - BYFORD
I am able to offer a paddock for a couple of horses if needed at 161 Racy Prince Court Byford.Available are two irrigated paddocks with electric fencing, lots of trees but no stables. I will also circulate this to our members! Email: shekinah@iinet.net.au
Happy Trekking, Anna Sheehan,0412 926 932 WAHTC Secretary
SIETSKE NOBEL- BRIDGETOWN
We have safe horse paddocks available in Bridgetown for whoever needs a safe place. We can have larger number of horses down here.
Sietske NobelPhone 08 9761 9210 Mobile: 0429139655 South Western Highway,Yornup ( about 10Km south of Bridgetown)
Equi Balance For better Performance and Happier, Healthier Horses
JENNY SCAHILL - WILLIAMS
We are in Williams on Albany Hwy we have paddocks available large, small, no yards though. We are 20km north of Williams.
10983 Albany Hway. mobile 0408095325 Jenny Scahill
BEVERLEY ERRINGTON - UDUC ( HARVEY)
In light of the current bush fires in the Margaret River area, I would like you to add my details to your Emergency Assistance list.
I have limited space (only 5 acres) but have 11 electric fenced paddocks and 2 additional stables. I am located near the Harvey Golf Course at the following address: (We are located 12kms west of Harvey and about 8 kms from Myalup. 45kms North of Bunbury)
No 48 (Lot 8) Thornton Drive, UDUCHome Tel (08) 9729 3305 Work Tel (08) 9724 9503 Mobile 0409 209 043 Alt Mobile 0439 174 857
SUE JACOBSEN- Accommodation and Bowen Therapy for people and horses - GIDGEGANNUP
I have a 5 acre property in Gidgegannup with space for about 2 horses and a spare bedroom for about 2 people for emergency accommodation. Preferably not dogs though. I also do Bowen therapy for horses and people and can offer this service free of charge.
On Behalf of the Institute of Biochemic Medicine WA Branch I can offer assistance to help with minor burns, cuts scratches and trauma by using the Schuessler Tissue Salts as used by Vets in Germany. Flower Essences for trauma I can also do for free.
Sue Jacobsen Ph: 9574 6947 Mob: 0409 042 813 Clinic address: 15 Brompton Heights Gidgegannup W.A 6083
W.A State Representative for the Institute of Biochemic Medicine
CR JOHN ALLERT - BODDINGTON
I have 40 acres and a block of three stables. My property is at 127 Twin Bridges Place, Crossman (10km from Boddington) I am also a member fo the Crossman Bush Fire Brigade so have some training in this area. I'd be only to happy to help any horse owners should the need arise. Mob. 0427 103 478
Cr John Allert President Shire of Boddington
Download the PDF brochure prepared by the WA Horse council on being prepared for bushfires
HORSES AND BUSHFIRES.pdf (164 kb)
Further Sources of Information on Fire Preparedness
www.fesa.wa.gov.au
www.dpi.vic.gov.au
EMERGENCY HORSE HAVENS- fires February2011
BUSHFIRE ASSISTANCE UPDATE (WAHC)- Final notification- 8th February 2011
THE COUNCIL FEELS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT OFFERS OF HELP IN THESE UPDATES AND WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO EVERYBODY WHO HAS OFFERED ASSISTANCE TO THOSE PEOPLE AND HORSES WHO SUFFERED IN THE BUSHFIRES – THIS WILL BE THE FINAL UPDATE – HOWEVER, ANY FURTHER OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE - WILL BE KEPT IN CASE IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO PASS THEM ON - IF ANYONE REQUIRES HELP AT A LATER DATE – PLEASE CONTACT DIANE BENNIT, CHAIR WAHC 92910202 0409083617
FINAL UPDATE
Midnight Tuesday 8th February
Dolly van Zaane, Chittering - can take up to 12 horses and has accommodation for several people 95714525
Brigit Bachs, Darling Downs – one small paddock for 2 horses and can feed hay for the short term –also has a double horse float and can pick up if required. 0407154739
Tony Sprlyan, Mariginup - paddock, round yard for 2 horses, has a float – they are happy to take dogs 0408937054
Alison Hume, Wanneroo - 2 large grassed paddocks, would suit up to 15 horses that could be kept together – 2 stables, 1 yard 0410545104 - Janelle 0411755201
Greg Johnson, West Swan - can take up to 10 horses and float up to 12 whenever required 0418948855
Wendy Reid, Mandurah – can take 2 horses 95821100
REGISTER ON THE WAHC FREE EMERGENCY DATA BASE – THERE ARE REGULAR UPDATES ON ALL WA EMERGENCY OR BIO SECURITY SITUATIONS - LOG ON TO WWW.WAHORSEEMERGENCY.COM.AU
PREVIOUS UPDATE
9.30am. Tuesday 8th February
James Berry West Swan - up to 6 horses, accommodation and a 3 horse float, can pick up 0409298092
Louise Atkinson Bullsbrook – 2 paddocks, yards, short term self contained accommodation – one room, 3 beds, kitchen bathroom 95712575
The offer of a house, yards and stables is available – situated 30 minutes north east of Midland – ring the WAHC 92910202 for details.
PREVIOUS UPDATE
4.30pm Monday 7th February 2011
The WAHC has been requested by the Dept of Emergency Management to provide the WAHC contact details to the Dept of Environment and Conservation – who will pass the information on to the FESA Bushfire Communications Centre to give out to people who need assistance.
Toni Leahy-Fripp Kenwick – paddock space for 3 to 4 horses 0435690303
Claire, Santora Arabians 5 minutes from Armadale, on Southwest Highway – large paddock, all new fencing 0419545476
Sandra Button, Mundaring – up to 3 horses and a spare double room 95722367 0419947870
Robyn Cottman Henley Brook – can accommodate 4 horses has a double horse float and is prepared to transport horses if required 0422808776
Pineview Stables, Wanneroo - can take up to 10 horses and have 2 double horses floats 0408005378
Carol, Mundaring – 2 secure bare paddocks available, can provide hay short term 92953889
Nic Easton, Goosebery Hill – double horse float available Wk 94545479 0415183544
PREVIOUS UPDATE
9.30pm Sunday 6th February 6, 2011
Janice Keelan at Cardup – has accommodation for two people and one horse 95254277
Sharon Joyce in West Swan – has yards available 0417964689
Suzi Dickson – has a large aviary available for birds and accommodation for pets 0457088980
Kelly Webb, Henley Brook – up to 10 horses, 2 and 3 horse float can pick up if required 0414508420
Cherilyn Wright, Bullsbrook – 0437679206
PREVIOUS UPDATE
SUNDAY 6TH FEBRUARY
Alison Logan – Academy Equestrian Wanneroo has stables and yards available 0418681529
Tim and Debbie Wright –Bullsbrook have already rescued 4 horses – they have two floats and are ready to assist in more rescues – they also have yards and paddocks available 0418880331
Nikki Brooks – Brookleigh Equestrian Estate, Brigadoon – yards and bunkhouse accommodation available 0412777377
EMERGENCY EQUINE HAVENS - Response from Councils as at September 09
Letters relating to the Western Australian Horse Council developing a statewide emergency register for people willing to assist owners, either with the evacuation of horses or by providing agistment, paddocks or stables for various categories of horses, in the event of an emergency evacuation, were forwarded to 140 Local Government Shires across Western Australia.
The Council was seeking information from Local Government Shires on the current revision of their Emergency Management Plan, to cover this type of crisis and identifying a safe haven or havens, for those horse owners within their Shires Suitable emergency evacuation venues could be sale yards, football or show grounds etc.
As more information becomes available the WAHC will formulate a register.
The following shires have responded:
Shire Of Beverley - identified one venue;
Shire of Boyup Brook - three locations identified as emergency evacuation points and a fouth with limited facilities;
Shire Of Brookton - matter to go to next Local Emergency Management Committee meeting in September;
Shire Of Capel - well positioned to look after animals in an emergency;
Shire Of Donnybrook - request ed copy of Emergency register on completeion by the WAHC;
Shire Of Goomalling - revising EMP to include horses. One safe haven nominated;
Shire Of Katanning - reviewing its Emergency Management Plan (EMP) and will take horses into consideration;
Shire Of Lake Grace - revising EMP to include horses;
Mayanup Progress Association - nominated one venue;
Shire Of Menzies - nominated venue for horse evacuation;
Shire Of Murray - Emergency Risk Management Plans being developed and safe havens and evacuation points will be
considered during review;
Shire Of Northam - 5 venues identified ;
Shire Of Northampton - identified options for potential venues but would determine what is best at time of emergency;
Shire Of Perenjorie - revising EMP to include horses. Two safe havens nominated.
Shire OF Rockingham - will put request in their newsletter;
Shire Of Wandering - a joint initiative with Pingelly who will be administering the EM Plan;
Shire Of Waroona - forwarded their Emergency Animal Welfare Plan and nominated one venue with options for moving
animals to another venue outside the shire if deemed necessary.
Bushfire Preparedness for Horses - April 2009
As current information available on Bush Fire Preparedness was not specific to horse owners, relating more to the property rather than the horses, committee member Tracy Talbot coordinated the production of a pamphlet on minimising the fire risk for horse owners and developing a Bushfire Action Plan.
The pamphlets draft format has been presented to Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) and once completed will be uploaded to the web along with an Action Plan Checklist that can be downloaded. The aim is to have this pamphlet circulated to an many horse owners as possible in high risk areas by working with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA), State Emergency services (SES) and local shires.
Texan Tips to Protect Horses from Wildfire - August 21 2009
by: Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Article # 14762
Horse owners and ranchers can take precautions to reduce the risk and spread of wildfire and protect their animals from injury or death by fire, said Texas AgriLife agents.
"The most important thing to remember is to have a fire plan in place," said Rick Machen, Texas AgriLife Extension Service livestock specialist in Uvalde. "You'll have a limited time to react when a wildfire hits, so you'll need to be prepared and practiced for it."
The plan should include how to access and transport livestock that might be in danger, he said.
"Make sure you have keys to padlocks and can get easy access to every gate on the perimeter fence," Machen said.
If there's a wildfire, farmers and horse owners need to know in advance what their priorities are, he noted.
"Sometimes firefighters will ask which they should save first--a structure, livestock, machinery or feed," he said.
If you have time to evacuate livestock, proceed with caution, he said, as some animals might refuse to leave and others might run back into a burning barn or building.
"Close gates that give livestock access to dangerous or soon-to-be dangerous areas," Machen said. "When evacuating the animals, be sure to keep them from going into areas where they might become trapped or have a limited chance of escape."
Livestock are frequently injured or killed by running into fences, barriers, and other obstructions while trying to flee, he added. Having the right equipment and experienced handlers to move livestock is important, but if time is of the essence it might be necessary to release the animals and recapture them later.
All farm and ranch family members and workers should be on the lookout for potential fire hazards and know how to respond in case of a fire, added Bruce Lesikar, AgriLife Extension agricultural engineer.
Lesikar said some basic safety precautions should include installing and maintaining smoke detectors in barns and buildings, placing fire extinguishers in barns, vehicles, and tractors, and posting emergency numbers in a central location near a telephone.
"To help prevent or feed a fire, store fuels, pesticides, and other chemicals away from heat sources and combustible materials," he said. "If there's a wildfire, these should be removed from the premises."
He added that trash, hay, lumber, empty feed sacks, and other flammable materials should be kept away from barns and buildings.
Firebreaks or fireguards are another useful tool in helping prevent the spread of wildfire, noted Wayne Hanselka, an AgriLife Extension program leader for rangeland ecology management based in Corpus Christi.
"As their names indicate, these are designed to keep fire in or out of a pasture," Hanselka said. "Cleared firebreaks must extend to bare ground or mineral soil with no line of continuous dead fuel that allows the fire to creep across the fire line."
He added there are a variety of firebreaks and method for creating them, and they "should be constructed to meet the needs of the individual landowner while offering protection to rangelands and pastures."
Wildfires travel quickly, especially when there's a high wind, so being proactive rather than reactive is the best approach, added Charles "Butch" Taylor, a Texas AgriLife Research expert in grazing management and fire ecology based in Sonora.
Taylor said another preparatory method for wildfire control is green-stripping.
"Green-stripping is a technique that can be used on rangeland and improved pasture and involves burning a strip around the perimeter of a pasture under safe, prescribed conditions, including high relative humidity and low wind speed," he said.
Taylor said the strip or firebreak is typically from 100 feet to 1000 feet wide and needs to be burned down prior to the major wildfire season.
"Most wildfires in Texas occur from February through March and usually come with high winds," he said. "If you live in an area characterized by high winds during this period, you may need a wider fire-guard."
Taylor said the term green-stripping comes from the response of the vegetation after a prescribed burn.
"Once the grass starts to green up, livestock will be attracted to the restored area," he said. "Research has shown that for up to two years livestock will spend most of their grazing time in these areas."
He added that since the potential wildfire "fuel loads" will be lower in these areas, two purposes are served--a wildfire might be prevented from crossing the green area, and, if one does, there's a high probability livestock will be on these strips and better protected from the fire.
More information on wildfire and protecting livestock from it can be found at the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network Web site <http://texashelp.tamu.edu/004-natural/fires.php>
EMERGENCY EQUINE HAVENS - March 2009
Committee member Robert Hawes was able to ascertain that the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA), RSPCA and the WA Rangers Association are in the process of reviewing a memorandum of understanding for 'Authorising the Use of the Animal Emergency Group'. The objectives of the MOU include :- provide the basis for the provision and coordination of animal welfare resources during emergencies and at the time of minor incidences not declared emergencies. The MOU is understood to have arisen from the Emergency Management Act 2005 and all local governments have been invited to review their arrangements under the Act.
The Horse Council has discovered that provision for horses in the Act needs to be enlarged and, recognising the validity of the original enquiry, has taken the initiative to offer our help in rectifying this matter. We have been invited to send a representative to the next meeting where we will be making a submission to include larger animals than are normally dealt with by the RSPCA, and to widen the range of venues where horses could safely be held for the duration of the emergency.
Information will be uploaded as and when any progress has been made.
March 2009
Letter from Jill Davies - Busselton WA
Bush Fire Horse Register for WA
Since I moved down to Boyup Brook in the spring of 2007, one thing concerned me, what would happen to my horses if there was a bush fire? Where could we go?
I only arrived to Australia in 2004 and do not know many people in my area who also have horses that could help me. After the bush fires in Bridgetown and Victoria I began to ask questions to find out if the EFA WA or the RSPA or Horse Council or the FESA had any plan in place for evacuating horses.
After doing my research it became apparent there is nothing to help horse owners in a time of crisis. The last thing you would be wanting to do in an emergency would be to either try and get a phone signal (very poor in the best of times) or to try and find this info on the web!! This problem could be easily solved if there was a plan already in place for horse owners.
I have been on Stockyard and seen that some other horse owners are willing to offer paddocks and stables, but there was nothing concrete and the last thing when a bush fire is coming is wondering, where can I take my horses?
The Plan:
To organize for WA a bush fire register of people willing to assist horse owners either with the evacuation of horses or with adjustment/paddocks/stables for various categories of horses. E.g. not every one would have the fencing or would want to have a stallion on their property if the only horse facilities they had were for mares and foals.
I fully appreciate that Perth has the State Equestrian Centre as an evacuation centre but I am sure that I am not the only other horse owner in rural WA and we would not have that luxury.
My suggestion is that people could register either on line or via telephone or by mail to state where they lived and in what capacity they could assist other horse owners. The WA Horse Council already has in place the Emergency web site, this could be used for the Bush Fire Register where horse owners could log on well before an emergency occurred to find out where they could go and know the location and have it a print out readily available with the address details.
The register could also be used by the local fire authorities if they have to evacuate horses when the owners where not on the property. The fire authorities would have a place to take the horses to and the owners would know where their horses went to as well.
To start off with, the bush fire register could be publicised by the horse magazine Hoofbeats and also via the web sites such as WA Horse Council, the EFA WA branch, Stockyard and Cavalletti web sites.
Memos could go out to all Pony and Riding Clubs, the WA Ag Department regional offices, Murdoch and Curtin (Muresk) Universities. Farriers‚ horse dentists etc. could all be contacted to let their clients know of the register. If it was possible, adverts could also go up in Horseland, Europa and Saddleworld and all other Stock feeders in regional WA.
The horse owners would be able to access the information for their area and have a Horse preparation plan in place as well as their own bush fire evacuation plan.
Many thanks for putting this to the committee,
I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Kind Regards
Jill Davies, Boyup Brook
The WA HORSE EMERGENCY DATABASE
The WA Horse Emergency website http://www.wahorseemergency.com.au/ has been developed by the WA Horse Council following the 2007 Equine Influenza outbreak which highlighted the difficulties the equine industry had in communicating information in the case of an emergency in the horse industry.
The website has been developed by the WA Horse Council with funding coming from the State Governments response to Equine Influenza and the clear need for the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) to be able to communicate with the equestrian sector of the horse industry in a manner similar to the capability that Racing and Wagering WA can communicate with the Thoroughbred and harness racing sectors.
The website allows for clubs and associations, horse owners, horse related businesses and other people involved in providing services to the horse industry to register their contact details on-line to ensure that in the event of an emergency they receive up-to-date information on the situation. All those registered will be asked to pass the information on to their members, friends, clients or associates.
The information is confidential and will only be used in the event of a genuine emergency. The Council will not allow the information to be used for marketing purposes. The website will be activated by the administrator as necessary throught the year to ensure that the website data is accurate and current.
As at June 2009 there are over10,000 Western Australians registered either as individuals or under the umberella of their club or association however, this is only a percentage of the horse community so the data base is continually growing as more people involved with horses register so it is an ongoing project.
If you haven’t already done so go to our Horse Emergency information webpage and register NOW for this free service.
BIO-SECURITY CONTINGENCY PLAN. Procedures for horse events
Started Sept 2007 - completed Nov 2007 For details, download the PDF here.
AWARENESS PROGRAM
The August 2007 outbreak of Equine Influenza in Australia identified a requirement for the provision of information and training in managing a horse disease emergency.
In an emergency, speedy action will be needed to stop the movement of horses, people and vehicles, and initiate disease control procedures.
At the request of the WA Equine Industry Consultative Group, the WA Horse Council co–ordinated an Awareness Program working party, which included representation from Equestrian Western Australia and Racing and Wagering Western Australia.
Six Awareness workshops were held throughout the state and were attended by representatives from all the major key equestrian communicators. Each attendee received practical tools to assist them through the planning and training process, in developing specific plans on how to prepare for a suspect disease case at an event, and what to do in the event of a state equine standstill.
A folder or DVD containing the information covered at the workshops is available FREE and is an essential requirement for all Event Organisers. Contact Diane Bennit 9291 0202 or email bennit@optusnet.com.au
AERIAL CULLING
The Western Australian Horse Council (WAHC) is asking for your organisation to support us in our protest regarding the aerial culling of horses in WA. The recent cull took place on Fraser Downs Station, south of Broome. It has been reported that photos of the slaughter are devastating, with very obvious shoulder and back shots and neck shots in foals. WAHC Committee person veterinarian Dr Kathy Klein sayes “its hard enough to effectively put down a horse with one shot at point blank range, let alone at 60 kms per hour from a moving helicopter”
One survivor was a young colt foal who wandered into the station community and first alerted people to what had occurred. Unfortunately “Jimminy” who was being hand reared, contracted a sudden and serious infection, probably due to a lowered immune system after everything he had been through. After losing the use of his back legs, he was euthanased by the local veterinarian.
Aerial culling is banned in New South Wales and South Australia, and the WAHC with the support of the Horse Industry hopes to establish a state-wide ban on aerial culling of all equines (including donkeys).
We are asking your organisation to write a letter protesting this type of culling to the RSPCA and any other outlets you feel relevant. See attached copy of WAHC letter which has been sent to the RSPCA, DAFF, newspapers, media and radio outlets, politicians, clubs, breeds, organisations etc.
The only way that a state-wide ban will be introduced, is if enough people and organisations
make themselves heard.
