Trainer wants no horsing around

By Chris Brown
NARRE Warren horse breeder Alex Morgan will liaise between owners and authorities if a horse disease outbreak occurs in the area, as part of his role as an industry liaison officer.
“When a disease area is detected, it’s my job to advise on the resources available for the industry,” he said.
Mr Morgan and other liaison officers would work to control an outbreak quickly and minimise its effects.
He would give people within a 20km to 30km radius information about an outbreak.
A disease outbreak may halt the movement of horses to races, shows and pony clubs until it was eradicated or quarantined.
An outbreak would also cause a considerable loss of money, entertainment and enjoyment in the community, Mr Morgan said.
Australia’s quarantine requirements have saved the horse industry so far, he said.
Diseases that could cause an outbreak are equine influenza or a disease that jumps between species.
“One has to be realistic in this day and age with the amount of travel of people, with horses in and out to compete,” he said.
The Hendra virus was transmitted from bats to horses and then to humans in Queensland in 1994, and killed horse trainer Vic Rail.
Quick quarantine actions meant interstate horse industries were not badly affected.
Mr Morgan’s industry experience made him an ideal choice to be an industry liaison officer.
He has bred horses for 50 years and spent his life around horses.
“We are breeding some smaller ponies because we now have grandchildren,” he said.
He has also been involved with the Victorian Horse Council for 25 years.
Mr Morgan encourages horse owners to register on the Horse Council’s emergency horse contact database.
“The very best thing all horse owners can do is register themselves on the emergency database,” he said.
If horses were at risk because of fire, floods, disease outbreaks or seasonal weed problems, those registered would be informed by fax, SMS or email.
Horse owners can register at www.horsecouncil.org.au.
Animal Health Australia aims to have 1000 industry liaison officers by mid-2007.
Federal and State Governments set up Animal Health Australia to make sure the animal health system helps livestock industries.
Industry liaison officers are part of the ‘protect Australian livestock’ campaign, which aims to increase disease risk awareness.
An emergency disease watch hotline is available for livestock producers if they notice animals that are behaving strangely or have unusual disease symptoms.
The hotline number is 1800 675 888.