Motorists on the Cradock road last Saturday afternoon were amazed to see a squadron of horses, their riders dressed in red, descending on Grahamstown, where they mustered at the Cathedral for a photo shoot before returning along their route.
Organiser Jenny Copley-Forster said they were riding to raise awareness of African Horse Sickness (AHS).
Some of the riders had lost beloved equine partners in the past and some rode survivors, Copley-Forster said, explaining that Grahamstown was entering the high-risk period for the viral disease and that it was time for annual vaccinations.
Symptoms of African Horse Sickness included swelling above the horse’s eyes, difficulty breathing, a discharge from the nose and a raised temperature.
However, any signs of ill-health in your horse should receive immediate veterinary or other experienced care.
It is important for horse owners to keep a close watch on their horses’ health from now until the onset of winter, she said.
AHS is a controlled disease and all suspected cases must be reported to the Grahamstown State Vet at 046 622 7112. The state vet will arrange for samples to be collected and sent to Onderstepoort for testing. Testing is free of charge and data collected plays an important role in ongoing research.
Visit the Facebook group to monitor, educate and assist owners with AHS queries and cases: https:/www.facebook.com/groups/fight AHS
Motorists on the Cradock road last Saturday afternoon were amazed to see a squadron of horses, their riders dressed in red, descending on Grahamstown, where they mustered at the Cathedral for a photo shoot before returning along their route.
Organiser Jenny Copley-Forster said they were riding to raise awareness of African Horse Sickness (AHS).
Some of the riders had lost beloved equine partners in the past and some rode survivors, Copley-Forster said, explaining that Grahamstown was entering the high-risk period for the viral disease and that it was time for annual vaccinations.
Symptoms of African Horse Sickness included swelling above the horse’s eyes, difficulty breathing, a discharge from the nose and a raised temperature.
However, any signs of ill-health in your horse should receive immediate veterinary or other experienced care.
It is important for horse owners to keep a close watch on their horses’ health from now until the onset of winter, she said.
AHS is a controlled disease and all suspected cases must be reported to the Grahamstown State Vet at 046 622 7112. The state vet will arrange for samples to be collected and sent to Onderstepoort for testing. Testing is free of charge and data collected plays an important role in ongoing research.
Visit the Facebook group to monitor, educate and assist owners with AHS queries and cases: https:/www.facebook.com/groups/fight AHS
