On Friday, December 3, 2021, the board of HRBC discussed the ongoing equine influenza virus that has severely impacted the health and welfare of the Alberta horse population. It was agreed that HRBC needs to take steps in BC to protect the standardbred population as best as we can, so we don’t suffer a similar outcome. With that in mind, the board voted unanimously to move forward with a campaign to fund the administration of the flu & rhino vaccine along with the booster. Once completed please submit the costs of the two shots to the HRBC office for reimbursement of the associated costs.
EQUINE INFLUENZA VIRUS
The virus currently raging through Alberta has been identified as; Equine Influenza Virus (the flu) and a concurrent infection with Equine Herpesvirus 2. This virus has hit very hard and very fast. Although there are no known cases of it in BC at this time, I believe it would be naive to think it will not make its way here. The positive news comes from Dr. Jordan Cook who has been on the front line with this in Alberta and reports that horses which received a Flu & Rhino vaccine have been unaffected or got much lighter cases than non vaccinated horses. HRBC is in constant contact with the professionals dealing with this in Alberta as well as coordinating availability of vaccines and will offer updates as they are received.
Kelly MacMillan. President HRBC.
Adjusted Race Schedule
On Thursday November 25, 2021 the board agreed to cancel the race dates of Wednesday, December 29, and Thursday, December 30, 2021. This decision was supported by the board since the current horse population would make it difficult to fill three cards within a week. The other determining factor is that we have requested to race on Sunday afternoon January 2, 2022 and Monday, January 3, 2022. As soon as we have approval on our 2022 race dates, we will communicate the dates to all members.