September 2008 COMMITTEE President: Sandy English – 347 6230 Vice President: Jacinta Calland – 359 2940 Treasurer & Property Manager: Sue Benseman – 358 4023 Secretary & Newsletter: Jennifer Douglas – 021 232 0252, jendouglasnz@hotmail.com Show Secretary: Miranda Trezise – 349 6115 Rally Co-ordinator: Amanda Stevenson General Committee: Jacqui Corkran Carolyn Houston Rebecca Patterson Kim Woods NEXT MEETING Committee Meeting: 8pm Tuesday 2nd October 2008 at Kim’s house, 410 Weedons Ross Rd. CLUB POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 16205, Hornby WEBSITE: www.canterburyridingclub.org.nz President’s Report Hi all Well, after the disappointment of the Olympics, thank Goodness spring is here at last, and what wonderful weather we had for the first day of spring. Show season is just around the corner and in no time at all it will be Show week. Yahoo, definitely my favourite time of the year. We had a very successful rally with Sally Field Dodgson, at the RDA in August. Thanks to those riders who supported this rally to make it such a success. We are hoping to repeat this again soon, although at a different venue, as the RDA is slightly costly. I thoroughly enjoyed my lesson. The arena was lovely and as there was a biting nor’easter blowing that day, it was fantastic to ride inside in the warm with nice dry sand underfoot. This month we have a jumping rally on the 14th of September, at Melton Park, followed by our October 5th Jumping Day. If you haven’t entered yet don’t forget to do so. We are after some helpers for the day, for ring stewarding. If you can help, please give Miranda a call. Of course, spring also means that we also have our In- Hand show coming up, on the first weekend of November. Entry forms in next months newsletter. Unfortunately, Strangles is the big news of the month. I hope this has not affected any of you yet. Some feedback from my request last month as to best products to help heal wounds- Julie Turner recommended Debrisol, as she had a similar injury which healed well with regular use of this. I can say that this has worked very well. Thanks Julie. I am happy to report that we will have some new CRC shirts for sale at the showjumping day. These have been screen printed with our name. We can also now offer the facility of getting your own shirts printed. Details at the show. Hope to see you all at the jumping day. Sandy THIS MONTHS’ HEALTH FEATURE STRANGLES (Reproduced from alphahorse.com by Jeffrey Rolo, downloaded 6/9/08) Strangles is a word that strikes fear into the hearts of many horse owners. Okay… maybe fear is too strong a word, but equine strangles is certainly an occurrence we all dread. While perhaps its reputation is deserved for the mess alone it can create, the good news is strangles is not as ominous as legend would have us believe. What causes horse strangles? Strangles is caused by exposure to the Streptococcus equi bacterium, and in fact Streptococcus is what also causes strep throat in humans. This bacterium is introduced through a horse's nasal passage where it proceeds to attach to the lymph nodes around the pharynx and submandibular regions (the back of the throat and under the jaw areas). The lymph nodes attempt to fight off the invading and reproducing bacteria, eventually causing a possible abscess to form. How is strangles transmitted? Streptococcus equii is passed on through direct exposure to the nasal discharge of afflicted horses as well as the pus that is released from abscesses. It is a highly contagious bacterium, especially among younger horses, but since direct exposure is required for it to be transmitted preventing it from spreading further is actually fairly easy. Once you have confirmed a horse is afflicted with strangles it's vital that you isolate him from all other horses – any box stall will do. Contaminated watering buckets, ponds, bedding, hay and even fence railings can spread the disease to healthy horses, so make sure to sanitize any areas the sick horse had contact with if possible, particularly if other horses are also present in those areas. The bacteria can survive for a few weeks given the right atmosphere. What are the signs? If your horse comes down with equine strangles he may lose his appetite and develop a fever. In addition the lymph nodes around the throat will swell up due to the accumulation of purulent fluid (pus) caused by the nodes fighting off the invading bacteria. As the nodes expand your horse may keep his neck outstretched to relieve the pressure in his throat area. As the disease progresses your horse will develop a very thick, cloudy mucous discharge that is enough to make almost anyone grimace. Depending on the severity of the disease as well as whether it has received any treatment, eventually the pus may collect enough to cause an abscess by which the pus can be drained. A horse will begin developing signs of the disease about 2-6 days after exposure. Usually it will take about a week and a half to two weeks for the disease to run its course, abscesses to rupture and the pus to be drained. How severe is the disease? Normally equine strangles isn't too dangerous; it's just awfully miserable, messy and inconvenient for both you and your horse. That being said, once you realize your horse has developed strangles you should contact your veterinarian and have him diagnose your equine since the severity can vary and complications can arise. Generally unless the lymph nodes swell to levels that affect the horse's ability to breathe, the disease can be allowed to run through its course. Statistics have been shown to suggest fatality rates among completely untreated strangles cases can range in 1% to 3% while another set suggested the rate was as high as 10% to 20%! I believe the latter to be significantly inflated, but in either case such statistics aren't relevant for domesticated horses since the majority of us call a veterinarian and provide care. There is some debate as to whether applying penicillin can actually inhibit a horse's ability to form a natural immunity against strangles, or worse provoke bastard strangles. Unfortunately there really isn't enough scientific proof to connect antibiotics to the increased chance of developing bastard strangles, but I can understand why many veterinarians would rather play it safe for light cases that can be healed naturally. When a couple of my young horses developed strangles my veterinarian recommended allowing the disease to run its course naturally since the cases were not severe. A couple times a day I would clean the horses' nose, ensure they could breath easily, make sure they had plenty of clean water and food, and finally watch for potential worsening or complications. Within about a week the strangles worked its way through and the horses were fine. How should horse strangles be treated? Much will depend on the severity and stage of your horse's case. Penicillin has been shown to be effective against Streptococcus equii, but application of it should be done during the initial stages of strangles or after any abscesses have ruptured. Once the disease has caused abscesses to form, penicillin can actually delay the abscesses from opening and draining the pus. As such, it's usually best to let the abscess work its course (or have the vet cut it open), then apply penicillin after the draining has begun to wipe up the remaining bacteria WORKING BEE TO As so SATURDAY 4TH OCT 1.30 RICCARTON FENDALTON PONY CLUB GROUNDS SET UP SHOW JUMPING COURSE Many Hands make light work so please come along and help if you are able. always, helpers will receive a 50% off Any CRC Show voucher, if you are coming to the In-Hand show this should cover your travel costs. CLASSIFIEDS To sell: “Magic”. Grey Pony, Welsh, 12.2 hands. A lively 2nd pony. Not suitable for a learner. Left to get away with some bad manners but wouldn’t take long to cure. Nice natured. Has done some Dressage. Contact anna.allan@dynx.co.nz Ph 329-5416 Springston If you have any classifieds you would like to put in the next newsletter, please contact Sandy (sandy.english@cdhb.govt.nz 3476 230) JENNY PATTERSON Behaviour and Feed Tuesday 30 Sept 7:30-9pm Ashburton Club & M.S.A 231-243 Burnett St Ashburton UPCOMING RALLIES SHOWJUMPING RALLY Saturday 14 September 2008, Melton Park Instructor: Morgan Chambers $30 per rider (includes ground fee) 3 levels of rider/jumping ability Contact Amanda 03 3492 940, 027 449 0965 or amanda2104@hotmail.com VIDEO EVENING: YOUNG HORSE HANDLING WHY I’M MAD ABOUT HORSES Kim Woods House, 410 Weedons Ross Rd Wednesday 5 November 7pm Phone Kim 021 215 2265 or email savvyup@hotmail.com OTHER EVENTS AROUND AND ABOUT SPRINGSTON PONY CLUB X-COUNTRY TRAINING DAY BURNHAM COURSE 10-2PM $10 PER HORSE Canterbury Riding Club Jumping Day Sunday 5th October 2008 Riccarton/Fendalton Pony Club Start Time 9.30am Entries close 26th September 20 Canterbury 08 Featuring the One Jump High Jump Competition ($50 prize money plus a sash for the winner) Rules and conditions of Entry: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. All entrants must be 12yrs or over on the day of competition. One Jump High Jump must be 17yrs or over on the day of competition. Safe and tidy attire, Jackets optional, No plaiting. Riders ride at their own risk – Canterbury Riding Club / Riccarton Fendalton Pony Club accepts no responsibility for injury, loss or damage to property, horse or pony or spectator. Cancellations 91ZM. Stallions by prior permission of the organising committee. All horses/ponies competing must be 4 years or over on the day. In the event of sickness or injury, 75% of entry fees will be refunded if a Vet or Doctor’s certificate is produced to the Show Secretary within 7 days of the competition. No other refunds will be made. The organising committee reserves the right to combine, alter or delete classes. Competitors will be notified of any class changes. The organising committee reserves the right to ask for the removal from the grounds of any animal, which it considers dangerous. Any competitor found mistreating a horse will be eliminated. Judges decision is final. Approved safety hats to be worn at all times whilst mounted. Medical Armbands compulsory (A limited number of these are available for purchase from the Show Secretary for $10). No Dogs. No phone entries. Late entries and entries on the day will be accepted but with an additional fee (entry fees plus an additional 50% of applicable entry fees). Entries on the day must be with the secretary no later than 9am. Entries will only be accepted if received on a signed official entry form, together with the correct entry fees. ENTRIES NOT RECEIVED IN THIS MANNER WILL BE RETURNED. Competitors who help or supply a helper for the working bee on Saturday 2nd September or competitors who supply a steward on the competition day will receive a voucher for a 50% discount on entry fees at a future Canterbury Riding Club competition of their choice. Ribbons to 6th place. 21. 22. 23. 24. Only horses or ponies entered shall be permitted on the grounds without prior approval from the organising committee (A ground fee is payable in this case). Any Competitor joining Canterbury Riding Club in conjunction with this show gets the $5 joining fee waived. Payment of fees is acceptance of the conditions listed. Enquiries to Miranda 027 228 4069 before 8.30pm GATES OPEN 8.30am SCHEDULE OF CLASSES 10am start AM5 – Instant Jump off (maximum of 2 heights per combination) Class 1 50cm Class 2 65cm Class 3 75cm Class 4 85cm Class 5 95cm Heights above 1metre by request (please request your height and we will hold higher classes if enough numbers) Class 6: 10am – 12 noon ROUND THE RING (one round per combination) Choose your height on the day (Introductory or Pre-Training). Ribbons will be awarded for each height. Class 7 ONE JUMP HIGH JUMP On completion of the Am5 competitions a “One Jump High Jump” will be held. This will be held over one single fence with all competitors jumping the fence. Competitors not faulted in the first round will continue through to the next round. The jump will continue to be raised after each round until one competitor is left. Starting height will be 85cm. $50 prize money and a Sash will go to the winning combination. Canterbury Riding Club Jumping Day Sunday Oct 5th Official Entry Form ENTRIES CLOSE Friday 26th September 2008 ENTRY FEES: $4.00 per class CRC members $5.00 per class non CRC members RIDER HORSE CLASS Ground/Admin fee TOTAL Please make cheques payable to: Post entries to: Canterbury Riding Club Show Secretary 17 William st Prebbleton 7604 Contact Name: Address: Phone Number: Email: Named steward/working bee helper: I hereby sign accepting the rules and conditions of this competition Signature: ENTRY $ 8.00 (must be signed by a parent/ guardian if entrant under 17yrs)