A Selection of Articles from Recent Issues of Welsh Breeds News

• WORMING ADVICE FOR AUTUMN
• Hay Shortage? Spillers' Advice.
• From The Chairman, and Show Secretary SEWPCA
• Laminitis can kill - warns the Blue Cross
• EMWPCA SHOW - Sec A Results. 25th April 2010
• Scurry driver sings praises of SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF®
• Correction Re: Midlands WPCA Foal Show 2009 report in Issue 74.
• Abandoned pony highlights importance of identification
• Be safe and save money with SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF®
• Blue Cross Appeal for homes for lead rein ponies
• Gwynedd Welsh Pony & Cob Breeders Association Results
• DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
• KEEPING YOUR HORSES SAFE IN WINTER. Advice from the Blue Cross.
• Blue Cross FAT HORSE SLIM Campaign.
• SEWPCA 2009 WPCS BRONZE MEDAL SUMMER SHOW RESULTS.
• FAYRE OAKS SALE 2009
• PHOTOGRAPHS
• Gwynedd Welsh Pony & Cob Breeders Association Show Results 25-5-09
• WPCS Spring Sale Prices, 9th May 2009.
• We'd love to hear from you!
• A lovely Poem
• SPILLERS® help reduce the risk of laminitis
• Royal Welsh Cob Sale October 2008 Prices
• FAYRE OAKS SALE PRICES 2008
• Notts/Derby Charity Bonanza Results 29-12-2008
• HAY SALE RESULTS 4th & 5th OCTOBER 2008
• IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!
• Hay Horse and Pony Show Results 27th July 2008. Report and photographs in Issue 66, out in October.
• Lampeter Stallion Show Results 2008. Report and Photographs in Issue 64 of Welsh Breeds News.
• Feet V Fashion
• Feeding Foals
• Ups and Downs at Avonvalley and Beyond
• Diabetes in Horses
• Equine Parasite Control
• Grass Sickness by Rachael Conwell BVetMed CertEM MRCVS
• An Avoidable Tragedy by Jane Lane
• Foal Handling: A feature by John Jones, Horse Listener

An Avoidable Tragedy: Jane Lane

A few years ago I was looking for a suitable Welsh Sec D mare to put to my thoroughbred stallion. (I breed Welsh X TB horses). A lovely bay mare, from impeccable breed lines, was found in Suffolk - already in foal to a smart pure-bred Section C.
The vendor was moving house and her papers were packed away, he promised that she had always been properly vaccinated and wormed and that he would forward everything to me when they had moved. He later sent me her WP& CS registration form - but nothing else.
The mare was wormed and a month before the foal was due she had a "top-up" Flu & Tet jab, with all my other horses.
In the Spring a cracking filly arrived - chestnut with 4 matching white stockings. She was strong and bold and soon began to play with the other youngsters.
Then - the horror began! She was three weeks old and lay asleep in the sun at the top of the paddock when the others came down to breakfast. When I had finished my chores - she was still asleep. I began to feel a little nervous and went to see what she was doing, she raised her head and struggled to her feet when I insisted - but her movement was weak and unsteady.
I called for help and we got the mare and foal into a stable. My Vet understood the alarm in my voice and came quickly - after a series of tests he was mystified as to what was wrong with my lovely filly and decided that we must wait for developments!
It was very distressing to watch her deteriorate. She became stiffer and stiffer, lying on her side with her legs stretched out unable to eat or drink.
By the evening I could bear her suffering no longer and phoned the Vet to ask him to come and put her out of her misery - whatever was wrong with her! When he came - in the final stages - she responded to the test for Tetanus! She was quickly put to sleep.
We have had many foals of a variety of breeds on the farm, and all of them have been fit and strong. The mares have been vaccinated for Tetanus with regular "follow-up" treatment.
The Tetanus "bug" lies in wait in the soil until an unprotected creature has a wound or scratch that it can enter.
Simple Protective Measures Can Prevent Such Pain And Suffering.