Equine disease Codes of Practice published

The Horseracing Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has published its 39th edition of the Codes of Practice on equine disease ahead of the 2017 breeding season.

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association will be issuing printed copies to its members but no printed edition will be produced by the HBLB.

An online version may be accessed as a full document or as separate sections. It may be downloaded in pdf format for printing or viewing offline.

EquiBioSafe is a free app, available on iOS or Android, which contains the HBLB Codes and the National Trainers Federation Code of Practice for Infectious Diseases of Racehorses in Training.

Applying to all breeds of horse and pony, and to both natural mating and AI, the Codes are an essential guide for the prevention and control of equine diseases which represent a potential major threat to equine breeding:

Contagious equine metritis (CEM)

Equine viral arteritis (EVA)

Equine herpesvirus (EHV)

Equine coital exanthema (ECE)

Equine infectious anaemia (EIA)

Dourine

Guidelines on strangles

Guidelines on artificial insemination (AI)

For each disease there are sections that describe transmission and clinical signs, as well as advice on prevention, diagnosis and control of infection. The Codes explain the notification requirements that apply for the four diseases that are notifiable by law: CEM, EVA, EIA and dourine.

The Codes of Practice are reviewed annually by an expert sub committee of HBLB's Veterinary Advisory Committee.

The sub committee includes representatives of thoroughbred breeders in Britain, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy, the non-thoroughbred sector, Defra, equine veterinary practitioners and scientists expert in infectious disease.

Rob van Pelt, chairman of the Codes of Practice sub committee said: "The 2017 version includes a number of detailed changes to the Equine Herpes section. These were developed with the TBA to answer some issues that arose last breeding season and show that the codes are dynamic, representing current best practice.

"I'm glad to see that the vital importance of effective biosecurity for our horses is being appreciated by everyone. It matters to all equines whatever their breeding and use. Infectious diseases have obvious health and welfare consequences, but there may also be significant cost implications. Equestrian activities on both a local and national scale could have major disruption.

"It's in all our interest to work together and comply with the recommendations in the Codes."