How do 'owners'handle stable viruses?

After speaking to one of my trainers he confirmed that his horses are running below par and that his got a virus in the yard,his re action is how does he get rid of it as this could set him back a few months,afterblood tests have been done and confirmed he has to lay off and start building up slowly,what do you guys as owners feel about this???????

In one word "terrible" but not sure what can be done, its like an athlete getting sick or injured. It just takes time and put in as much checks, balances and medication to minimise?

zoro:

The time when I was a broiler foreman with Rainbow Chickens (circa 1971/2), there were very strict health & hygiene security measures, such as-

1. A pan of disinfectant for boots at the outside entrance to the broiler house;

2. Once inside, first shower;

3. Then, change into a clean set of overalls and gum boots and a face mask on;

4. No touching or handling of the chickens unless for inspection, such as whether any signs of avian 'flu (sniffing / running nose, bleary eyes, etc), unusual swellings, injury, etc.

5. The feed was also checked (immediately after delivery) and there was a strict procedure to ensure that the previous feed was used first.

We also had to check the feed for mould, foreign objects, etc; sometimes a mouse would end up or birds droppings in the feed!


I note that horseracing establishment sites overall do not adhere to such basic precautions.

Maybe, I am wrong- doesn't apply to horses!

Umlilo... you're right, not a lot of stables adhere to these guidelines. But, most of the viruses are respiratory tract viruses, whoch are mostly airborne, so the above recommendations would not help. Most stables are too lax in their hygiene regime, but with all the horses living so close in the training centres, it is difficult to manage outbreaks. It occurs worldwide, and is not unique to SA. And even if one trainer diligently adheres to good hygiene practices, trust me his neighbour in the ring next door won't...

I would send my horses spelling for a month or two so that he is removed from the infected environment, while the yard recovers... The sad thing is that viruses cannot be treated, so you have to let them run their course. But with the horses living so close together,they often get re-infected with another virus soon after recovering from the first, as their immune system is so low! But if the horse is spelling, he is at least getting a holiday (which is mostly much cheaper), and will come back fresh and hopefully ready to win again!

Who is the trainer?

unfortunately some trainers not all use this as their scape goat as an owner you just have to ride the wave and if no improvement move your horses thats business

Oscar i actually spoke to 2 trainers and they both had a touch of the virus in their yards,both at different centres,which after years of experience i now find it normal,at this time of the year,all i can add is that it gets worse as it gets closer to the national yearling sales,shortly you will see about the horse epidemic and quarantines taking place at various centres,and to answer your question yes you also have horses at one of the stables.

The problem I have.....and I dearly hope this does not happen, is that we (as punters) only find out after the horse has run dismally that the "stable" is suffering from a virus.

How many owners only find out afterwards that their horses did not run to expectations due to a virus?

Hope these virusses are not too serious

Zoro, Joburg or KZN?

Johburg

Thanks appreciate it

Hi guys,
There is a company called Twydil in Switzerland, www.twydil.com that has just released a prodct called " Mucoprotect" .France had a severe Virus problem early last year and this product helped.This product is now available in SA,and some of the trainers here have used it with big advantages.It is a 10 day course.Their products are all Scientifically proven and scientific evidence of the efficacy of its products.Twydil is represented in SA by a company called Performance Equine Products 011 791 4279.These Twydil range of products are used by most of the successful trainers in the world.Check the web site out.
Hope this helps