Horse Health – Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association

March 22, 2022May 14, 2024

EHV Vaccines Approved in Canada

Further to the EHV Vaccination requirement, as announced at the OCTRA Annual General Meeting on February 26, 2022; Dr Arthur King, DVM has provided us with a list of all vaccines licensed for use in Canada for the prevention of Equine Rhinopnemonitis (Equine Herpes Virus – EHV) as of November 22, 2021.

Unless your horse had a health exemption signed by your vet, one of these vaccines needs to be listed on the receipt from your veterinarian as proof your horse is in compliance with the OCTRA EHV Vaccination rule. List of approved vaccines (PDF 51 KB)…

April 15, 2021July 23, 2021

OCTRA Extraordinary Rules and Procedures Related to Equine Herpes Virus for the 2021 Competition Season

In light of the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) outbreaks in Europe and the United States, where outbreaks have already affected equestrian competitions, and subsequent EHV outbreaks in Ontario and Quebec, the OCTRA Vet Committee reviewed bio-security protocols and health and welfare recommendations from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and the University of Guelph regarding this highly contagious and potentially fatal equine disease.

March 6, 2021

HOW TO PROTECT CANADA’S HERD FROM EQUINE HERPESVIRUS

The following article is from Equestrian Canada
March 5, 2021, Equestrian Canada Newsletter

Equestrian Canada (EC) is responding to the Equine Herpesvirus (EVH-1) outbreaks in the United States and Europe in close collaboration with all relevant partners and government authorities.

Future communications are forthcoming regarding EC’s plans to ensure a safe start to the competition season for both human and equine athletes. Meanwhile, EC urges everyone to exercise extreme caution regarding the movement of equines.

What is EVH-1?
EVH-1 is a common DNA disease that causes abortion, respiratory disease and neurological disease in equines. More information on EVH-1 can be found through the American Association of Equine Practitioners and Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

March 18, 2017

PLEASE remit your Lay Judge Clinic Registration Forms ASAP!

To all potential Lay Judge Clinic Attendees; PLEASE remit your Lay Judge Clinic Registration Forms ASAP! “I can’t feed you if I don’t know you will be there!”

I am away on business (no, not somewhere hot, darn!) Mar.26-Apr.4—-but will be available via e-mail. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions/concerns.

Remember, basic understanding of Veterinary issues is essential—not in-depth, detailed knowledge.

See you Apr.8, Dr. Sarah Tiller

March 10, 2017April 16, 2018

Lay Judge Clinic: References

Some study recommendations for Lay Judge Clinic candidates:

OCTRA Rulebook NOTE: some amendments pending from Feb. 2018 AGM
AERC Rulebook and Guidelines for Control Judges,
By Dr. Art King: “Recognition and Management of Fluid and Electrolyte Changes in Equine Athletes”,
CODE OF PRACTICE: for the care and handling of Equines. Gov’t Canada: National Farm Animal Care Council. Available from: Equine Canada, (613) 287-1515 or inquiries@equinecanada.ca,
AAEP Grading system for equine lameness,
Herd behaviour in horses. (The link is a Google search.) Understand how powerful their instincts are. Helps to understand the ‘buddy-horse’ conundrum,
know body condition score, horse health check, ( Code of Practice-an invaluable resource )
recognize early warning signs of :
- Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter (SDF),
- Myopathies–cramps, ‘tying-up’, azoturia, Exertional Rhabdomyolysis,
- Laminitis
Have a BASIC understanding, NOT necessarily a thorough knowledge of :
- Exercise physiology,
- Anaerobic VS Aerobic metabolism,
- Electrolyte balance/imbalance,
- Dehydration,
- Colic (a very general term) in the horse,
- Vision, they see differently than people do.

Remember, the emphasis of the Lay Judge Clinic is to focus on the health and welfare of the competitive distance horse. A good Lay Judge will be able to recognize what is normal and what is NOT normal in the horse, and make the correct referral to the Veterinarian. A complete and thorough knowledge of all rules and regulations for all of the OCTRA disciplines is not the priority of the upcoming Lay Judge Clinic, but certainly something you can strive to learn on your own. Timing and heart rate parameters are, of course, very important to know.

Should anyone attending the Lay Judge Clinic have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me anytime: sarahtiller@live.com I am here to help and if I don’t know the answer I can advise on where to find it.

Please get those registration forms in!

Good Luck to all and see you April 8th,

Dr. Sarah Tiller 🐎

Save