August 2015
Chairperson: Vice Chairperson:
WAHC: Diane Bennit Ph: 9293 3577
email: bennit@iinet.net.au
Alan Parker email: alan.parker53@bigpond.com
7/98 Canning Rd, Kalamunda WA 6076
web: www.wahorsecouncil.com.au visit us on facebook for updates
WAHC and Perth Regional NRM Workshop at
Murdoch University- Veterinary Section.
The last two Sundays in June have seen the continuation of
workshops for those with Equine pursuits improving their
knowledge and skills on property / pasture management /
horse health.
Perth Region NRM (PRNRM) works with WAHC to deliver
hands on workshops using the nationally recognised ‘Horse
Land & Water’(HLW) property management guidelines to
up skill land managers with equine interests.
Independent specialists are employed for the field days to
bring best practice decision making to land managers in
varied localities.
Workshops in 2014 were held at three country (Albany,
Dardanup and Northam), and 1 city venue (Brookleigh)
with 2015 Field days at Boddington then Murdoch
Veterinary hospital.
The workshop agenda generally follows guidance on using
the HLW Guidelines to develop a sound management
strategy on your property, followed by a session on weeds
identification and control and then pasture selection and
management according to local requirements.
Based on feedback from each event subsequent events are
tailored with WAHC using what participants say they’d
like info on.
As a result veterinary specialists have been included at the
last two events. Dr Brad Hampton spoke at Boddington on
nutrition and dispelled quite a few myths with the group.
Participants were hosted at the Murdoch Veterinary
Hospital for the most recent event by Dr Anne Barnes who
manages the hospital. Ann detailed how the unit operated
and what services it supplied and gave us a tour of the
facility and its awesome animal anatomy museum.
Participants then looked at Murdoch’s horse spelling yards
and Belinda Taylor (Property Management specialist) took
them through pasturecover, grazing levels, pasture spelling
and annual and perennial pasture options.
For further information please contact Graham McAlpine
at PRNRM email: graham.mcalpine@perthregionnrm.
com or mobile 0417 042 818.
WAHC thanks Dr Anne Barnes for the escorted tour of the
Murdoch University veterinary facilities.
At Murdoch Belinda Taylor (farrier and property
management specialist) took participants through the
HLW Guidelines then discussed tracking systems
to manage pasture in paddocks on small acreages
using a couple of case studies.
Right: Attendees networked
with like-minded people prior to the event.
Pasture and livestock specialist Phil BarrettLennard presented on pasture options using case
studies and then he and Belinda discussed weed
examples and their controls with participants.
The
Veterinary
section tour
included
the very
interesting
animal
anatomy
Problem areas identified
section.
were sand rolling spots
and compacted areas
where horses were fed.
Below: Belinda Taylor
discusses the pasture.
Boddington
Landcare Workshop
A total of 19 attended the field day with Dr Anna Erickson
the DAFWA Vet from Narrogin and Boddington based Mel
Durack, Natural Resource Management Officer HothamWilliams for Peel Harvey NRM included in the group.
This was another initiative of Perth Region NRM
(PRNRM) and the
WAHC, working together to
present information to the WA equestrian community.
Presenters and topics included:
Belinda Taylor (Bare foot farrier and Property Management consultant):
• property management guidance based on the Horse,
Land and Water guidelines with practical examples;
• interpreting local government regulation for properties carrying or to carry horses;
• dealing with fire threat using practical examples.
Phil Barrett-Lennard (Agronomist / Pasture
consultant):
• weed identification, risk status and control examples;
• pasture types, perennial and annual with site / soil suitability using regional examples;
• grazing management for pasture sustainability using examples;
Dr Brad Hampton (Vet and equine nutrition
specialist);
• horse nutrition – understanding horse digestion;
• supplements with some myths dispelled;
• checking with your vet if you are not sure.
Properties used for the landcare workshops and field days are ‘hosted’ by clubs and
organisations. The WAHC thanks all those who have offered their facilities for past and
future events.
Industry Advisory Committee
The Australian Horse Industry Council’s Industry Advisory
Committee meeting was on Friday 31st July at Racing
Victoria in Flemington,VIC. The meeting is sponsored by
Zoetis.
The committee is compiled of representatives from equine
groups across Australia. The WAHC representatives were
Diane Bennit, who is also a Director of AHIC, and Robert
Hawes (Legislation and Policy Portfolio WAHC).
Robert has highlighted some points from the meeting:
• Standardbred horses are now being accepted for Mounted
Police.
­­• Victoria has released new regulations defining Animal
Cruelty – parts of that will reach WA eventually!
• Close (line) breeding is well known for perpetuating
abnormalities in ponies – recent work is identifying the
relevant responsible DNA sequences. Will this lead to
debates on GM ponies eating GM food?
• The Australian team took out 1st place at the World
Mounted Games in the USA.
• Horse Rider Fall Safety Presentation by a retired Olympic
standard gymnast. Serious injuries will be reduced when
riders learn, through training, to instinctively let go of the
reins, put their arms up then tuck and roll.
• A horse owner’s experience with Hendra Virus. Horses
need a 28 day quarantine period but humans need only 21
days to build up antibodies. Horses die of hypothermia. An
emotional video describing the loss of a 31yo horse.
• Paul Davenport from Affinity Insurance Brokers (AIB)
Robert Hawes with Larry
Cutler representing the
Aust.Stock Horse Society.
discussed
the
changes to the OH&S
harmonization
laws,
industry codes and
SafeWork
Australia
guidelines that have
been
developed
specifically targeting the equine industry. In regards to
voluntary workers, there are now stringent guidelines and
obligations for all associations running equine events. This
has increased their duty of care in regards to their members
and in particular, volunteers. AIB has developed an on-line
safety induction training for volunteers at equine events.
• National Safety System Requirements is looking at safety
concerns in all equine areas. Training courses for drivers of
floats and caravans may become mandatory. ‘D’ shackles
on safety chains now have to comply with AS2741 in the
eastern states but not yet in WA.
• New Australian Quarantine Station – Mickleham, Victoria.
Replacing all other facilities, only $400m, is nearing
completion. 75% is for horses. New fees and charges
include a high upfront fee with low daily charges. Horses
cost $1.7m/p.a. even after government ‘rent’ assistance.
There is now available a CD from Animal Health Australia
describing ‘Personal Decontamination Procedures’
presumably aimed at those with reduced immunity to all
manner of health threats in today’s lifestyle.
• National Campdraft Council of Australia claims 14,000
members
Educational Opportunity
The WAHC has received an invitation from the Australasian
Society of Association Executives of a unique event for NFP
Professionals in New Zealand from October 20 – October 25
2015.
On offer is an educational opportunity to attend the 2015
AuSAE Leadership Symposium in Wellington (Oct 2122) and continue on to visit another popular New Zealand
destination for the remainder of the trip.
Valued at more than $5,000 per person this program
will be available FREE of charge to 15 carefully selected
professionals. This means that all costs including flights,
accommodation, professional development sessions and
adventure activities will be covered.
Applications for the 15 free places are now open. To be
considered all you have to do is apply before COB on August
28. They are specifically looking for professionals who share
a commonality of interests and wish to visit New Zealand for
potential event research to create a cohesive group.
To apply go to <http://ausae.org.au/event-2016538> .
Tips for horse safety during fires
The WAHC has been invited by the WA Department of Fire
and Emergency Service (DFES) to submit material for an
article that it is currently compiling about how to look after
your animals during a bushfire. This is for their upcoming
‘Are You Ready?’ public safety campaign. The campaign is
to encourage people to be prepared ahead of the bushfire
season.
If you have any advise for other horse owners you can
send details to the WAHC for possible inclusion in their
submission.
The article, along with several others, will be published on
the DFES website, tweeted to their followers, and will also
be pitched to WA news media for coverage during ‘Are You
Ready?’ week in October.
A few questions are listed below- but if you have other
comments then just include those in your response.
• How important is it to have an emergency plan for your
horses?
• What can you do to ensure your horses are kept safe
during a bushfire threat?
• What can you do to reduce the risk of injury or death
of your horses?
• What should you do if you become separated/have to
leave your horses behind during a bushfire?
• What is the best way to care for your horses after a
bushfire?
• Is there anywhere you can take your horses to get them
away from bushfire threat?
We know that the safety of people’s horses is a major
concern to everyone during bushfires so your comments are
welcomed. To be considered for inclusion they will need to
be with the WAHC by the 28th of August.
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LARGE ANIMAL RESCUE WORKSHOPS
Report by Mel Cooper - the DFES District Officer and is
a member of the WAHC TLAER Group. Mel was also the
Safety and Logistics Officer for the LAR workshops.
In early June the WAHC hosted three days of Large Animal
Rescue (LAR) Workshops, two half day information only
workshops and two full day workshops, which required
the participants to contribute in practical activities. The
enthusiasm and work put in by Diane Bennit, Chair of the
WAHC and the Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue
Group (TLAER), the WAHC LAR subcommittee, made
the first LAR workshops an outstanding success.
Held at the excellent
Brookleigh
Estate
and
utilising
the
recently acquired horse
mannequin “LAR’ry”,
the workshops attracted
99 participants ranging
from emergency service
units
and
groups,
local
governments,
equine sporting bodies/
associations,
equine
businesses/industries,
equine colleges and a pet cemetery. Some of the participants
drove hours and others flew to Perth just to attend what was
unanimously voted as well worth the effort.
The workshops were delivered by MaryAnne Leighton,
QLD Horse Council director, subject matter expert and
author of the book “Equine Emergency Rescue”.
Delivered in Brookleigh’s stable loft conference room,
the spacious round yard was perfect for the practical
application and the limestone stables and surrounds were
ideal for conducting vertical and hobbled lifts plus a lovely
setting for morning tea and lunch.
MaryAnne delivered a well balanced mix of theory
knowledge and practical application, her presentation
consisted of powerful and attention grabbing photos and
video recordings that illustrated not only how to perform
rescues safely and humanely but also what not to do and
what can go wrong. They were also used to present the horse
as a hazard to responders and willing untrained rescuers. In
essence, horses are to be treated like a ‘Hazardous Material
– a dangerous object that will explode without warning.
Whilst the rescue of horses is an infrequent event, it is a
highly dangerous emergency that is often mishandled.
The WAHC recognised that there was no organisation
currently providing training in Large Animal Rescue in WA
and that there is a need to raise the awareness of safe rescue
techniques and the skill level for those who may be involved
in a large animal rescue. The workshops are not just
recommended for emergency responders (Fire & Rescue,
SES, Local Rangers) but are also highly recommended for
veterinarians, horse event officials, horse associations and
HORSE OWNERS.
There is currently no recognised Large Animal Rescue
group or cache of equipment available for responding to a
large animal rescue incident in WA, so just by having some
awareness in the rescue techniques and systems will help
to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Furthermore,
having an understanding of the rescue methods is beneficial
Above: MaryAnne Leightonpresenter of the workshopsleads LAR’ry and friend out to
the arena.
Left: Demonstration of
positioning a horse on the slide
to facilitate movement to a safe
area.
Right: Some of the
equipment used in
large animal rescues.
Below: One of the
attending groups.
for all horse owners and could provide the know-how to
improvise when the exact equipment is not available. All of
which will contribute to ensuring that the incident remains
a rescue and does not become a recovery.
The WAHC and TLAER committee are to be commended
for undertaking this initiative. A special thanks to Diane
Bennit for her many hours of driving this initiative and for
jointly purchasing ‘LAR’ry’ the rescue mannequin with her
sister Christina Slater . The addition of this very special
piece of training equipment, and the associated rescue
equipment is an asset to the equine community of WA.
Thanks to Chris Horvath for providing his time and support
for ensuring “LAR’ry” was transported and assembled
safely, and for obtaining and maintaining the cache of
equipment.
A huge thank you goes to MaryAnne Leighton for her
tireless work in promoting and developing Large Animal
Rescue in Australia.
Representing a united horse community in Western Australia.
WA HORSE COUNCIL
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
At ‘THE BUNKHOUSE’
Brookleigh Equestrian Estate
235 Great Northern Highway, Upper Swan
Thursday 27th AUGUST
7.15PM
GUEST SPEAKERS ON THE
FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:
• Dr David Cook - THE STABLE FLY
COME ALONG AND
MEET PEOPLE
FROM OTHER HORSE
ORGANISATIONS.
ENQUIRIES:
Diane- 9293 3577
Mobile:0409 083 617
A forensic and livestock entomologist based at the
Centre for Forensic Science at the University of WA, Dr
Cook is currently the consultant entomologist supporting
the Department of Agriculture and Food WA’s (DAFWA)
Stable Fly Project. Dr Cook has worked on numerous
flies that affect livestock and humans, but none so
devastating and adaptable as the stable fly.
• Emma Carlisle - changes to existing
Accountancy laws and how they impact on
the horse industry. This will also cover whether
it is more advantageous to keep your activities as a
hobby or becoming a business. Emma is the Manager of
leading Accountancy firm “Pascoe Partners” and is one
of the most successful showjumpers in WA. There will
be plenty of time for questions.
Everyone Welcome
PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR CONTACTS
Free Wine and
Cheese Tasting
Sponsored by
Neilsons Winery
FROM 6PM
Contact details:
Email: bennit@iinet.net.au
7/ 98 Canning Road,
KALAMUNDA. WA. 6076