It would appear that we are in the early stages of an outbreak of Fungal Dermatitis / Ringworm.

This is a statewide alert, and I urge all members to be vigilant and assess their horses daily for outbreaks. If it is found, you will need to wash and disinfect your horses, their rugs and saddlery.

If this gets away it will be EXTREMELY hard to slow down, let alone stop the spread of this condition, and it will require all members to be diligent in their home biosecurity, along with the transfer of tack from horse to horse, including rugs and the interaction with other horses both on and off the field.

There has been a major outbreak in Queensland polocrosse horses recently, that saw them postpone carnivals and reports of ringworm in polocrosse horses in NSW. I can tell you that managing your horses is possible, but expensive, time consuming and difficult, as it is days or weeks after exposure that horses become affected and in this time gear has been shared widely! Some of the older horses may have built up an immunity and get a far less response but the younger unexposed ones may get hit very hard. At this point we don’t know exactly which horses have been exposed and are now potentially spreading the fungus. At least 2, or potentially 3 different Zones are affected and may have played at various venues around the State in recent weeks.

You are not allowed to play a horse at a carnival in NSW if it is affected and not treated, with any contagious condition be it skin or respiratory. If your horse has been affected and treated for a skin condition and you wish to play your horse, you must obtain and show a veterinary certificate declaring the condition and that the horse has been treated and is no longer contagious.

I urge all NSW members to be on the lookout at their home stable and when at carnivals.

In my experience, there are a number of products available to help with these outbreaks and some will need to be supplied by a veterinary surgeon.

AS ALWAYS, SEEK VETERINARY ADVICE IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE WITH TREATMENT OR A CLEARANCE TO COMPETE ON YOUR HORSE.

Sara Grills, PANSW Horse Welfare Officer