With the recent outbreak of equine influenza, it is important that we do everything possible to protect our youngsters and mares. While influenza is no longer making newspaper headlines, it is showing worrying signs of being on the rise again, with new cases reported all of the time and recently at an increasing rate.
For all Futurity entries, other than foals who are a special case, please remember that our strict requirement is that your horse or pony has either received a booster vaccination within the 6 months leading up to the event or has at least received the first two vaccinations if he or she has not been vaccinated before.
IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR FOALS:
Our veterinarian expert Dr Jane Nixon advises that in order to offer protection to the foals, mare ought to be vaccinated 4-6 weeks prior to foaling. Please note that this is the only way of passing protection on to the foal.
SPECIAL MEASURES FOR FOALS WHOSE DAMS WERE NOT BOOSTED 4-6 WEEKS PRIOR TO FOALING:
We realise that because of the timing of the flu outbreak, not all breeders have been able to follow this advice. We are therefore putting special measures in place to support everyone who would like to attend the futurity, while ensuring the safety of all participants.
At the end of each Futurity day, we will therefore set aside some time for foals from breeders who were unable to meet the 4-6 weeks requirement. This section will start once all fully covered foals have left the venue, and will be closely managed to avoid any contact between participants to manage the risk.
Please note that if you want to enter this section, your mare will need to have either been boosted within the 6 months leading up to the event, or she will need to have received her first 2 flu vaccination if she hasn't been vaccinated before. Your foal will not be protected from the flu virus. You will therefore need to be careful to avoid any contact with other mares and foals. We will do our utmost to assist with this in every way possible.
Please note that because of the intensive management requirements for these entries, spaces for this section may be limited. Be sure to book early and inform us that you wish to be entered into this section.
We realise that every case is different, so if your mare has not been boosted within the 4-6 weeks window, please do not hesitate to contact Eva: 07834194821, horsepowercreative@gmail.com for individual advice. Here is also a short Q&A for the most common questions and issues:
1. What if I boosted my mare 4-6 weeks before she was due to foal, but she ended up foaling late or early, so that I am no longer in that exact window?
We appreciate that it is not possible to predict the exact date a mare will foal. There is a little bit of leeway. Please contact us with the precise dates, and we can advise whether your foal is covered.
2. What if my mare herself is up-to-date on her vaccinations, but I did not boost her before foaling?
In this case you need to make sure that the mare had her last vaccination within 6 months prior to the event. If not, she will need to receive a booster vaccination before she can go. Please leave at least 1 week between boosting the vaccination and attending the event. Please note you will attend the Futurity at the end of the day in a specially managed section designed to keep your foal as safe as possible.
3. What if my mare's vaccinations are not up-to-date?
There is still time for you to vaccinate her now to enable her and her foal to come to the Futurity. Your mare will need to have received her first 2 of three vaccinations, so it would be a good idea to start her as soon as possible. Please talk to your vet for precise advice on timings and the correct gap to leave between each vaccination. As your foal will not be covered, please note you will attend the Futurity at the end of the day in a specially managed section designed to keep him or her as safe as possible.
