Equestrian Canada Vaccination Requirements

It is strongly advised that horses that are going to comingle with other groups be vaccinated properly for Equine Influenza and Equine Herpes Virus (1,4).
In 2020, horses will be required to be vaccinated for these viruses within 6 months and 21 days of attending any EC recognised venue.
 

Equestrian Canada Welfare Award 2017

Dr. Bell is extremely honoured to be the recipient of this award.

OAEP Distinguished Life Member Award - Ontario Association for Equine Practitioners

Dr. Bell has been awarded the OAEP Distinguished Life Member Award in 2016. The Distinguished Life Member Award is presented to members who have made outstanding contributions to the Association.

Volunteer of the Year Award - Equine Canada 2014

Dr. Bell has been awarded the Equine Canada Volunteer of the Year award for 2014. This award acknowledges tireless volunteers who have contributed to the advancement of equine and equestrian interests in Canada. This award is an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of individuals who generously give their time in order to support the goals and vision of Equine Canada.
 

National Biosecurity Standard Canada (CFIA)

September 12, 2014 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recently announced they are now working together with Equestrian Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to produce a farm-level biosecurity standard that will help to protect Canada’s equine industry from disease. Dr. Bell is Co-Chair of the committee responsible for producing this national standard.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/biosecurity/standards-and-principles/eng/1344707905203/1344707981478


April 16, 2015 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, in collaboration with Equestrian Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and other partner organizations worked to develop a farm and facility-level biosecurity standard that will help protect Canada's equine industry from animal diseases.

The biosecurity standard is a tool to assist horse owners and custodians in protecting horse health on farms and facilities by minimizing the risks of the transmission of diseases.  Horse owners and custodians, in consultation with their veterinarian, can use the biosecurity guidelines and best practices in the standard to develop a biosecurity plan to manage the risks on their farms and facilities.

A biosecurity guide will accompany the standard and provide additional information on approaches that can be used to achieve the biosecurity goals. The standard identifies "what" biosecurity goals and practices should be achieved and the guide will identify the "how".  Development and completion of the guide will occur following consultation on the standard.

The equine biosecurity standard will:


Good biosecurity practices limit the exposure to animal diseases. These practices allow the routine movement, transport and assembly of horses to continue, preserving the sustainability of the equine industry.

Your input on the voluntary national standard is requested to ensure the standard reflects the needs of horse owners and custodians on farms and facilities across Canada. 




 

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in Canada


EIA is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Regulations. This means that all suspected cases must be reported to the CFIA. Canada’s control program for EIA which involves voluntary testing by horse owners has made great progress in reducing the prevalence of EIA in Canada. However, confirmed cases of the disease are still being detected in Western Canada. Horse owners should take the necessary precautions to help protect their horses, especially if purchasing or receiving horses from this area.

**Update 01/14/2016 - A working group has been put in place to help determine the best means of controlling Equine Infectious Anemia in Canada. Dr. Bell is included in this working group.

The following links provide maps of the locations with confirmed cases as well as number of horses affected.


Premises Effect by EIA 2016
Premises Effect by EIA 2017
Premises Effected by EIA 2018 - http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/eia/premises-affected-by-eia-in-2018/eng/1517609124579/1517609125105
Premises Effected by EIA 2019 - http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/eia/premises-affected-by-eia-in-2019/eng/1549325435233/1549325435514

 

USEF Vaccination Rule Change

December 1, 2015

USEF has instituted a new vaccination rule requirement for 2016. It is a proactive plan to help protect our horses welfare and increase biosecurity at all USEF-sanctioned competitions.

https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/ANcxoLX1gNs/equine-vaccination-rule-gr845

Equestrian Canada will have a new vaccine rule that you will find proposed for 2019 and forward.