EHV Equine Health Self Certification process to be introduced at shows

Friday 19 March 2021

EHV Equine Health Self Certification process to be introduced at shows

 

The recent EHV-1 outbreak in Europe has so far claimed the lives of 17 horses and resulted in the FEI announcing a cancellation of international shows in some countries as a result.

With competition and wider equestrian activities due to get underway shortly, British Equestrian and their member bodies are working with the Equine Infectious Diseases Action Group (EIDAG) to help mitigate the spread of EHV from Europe.

In response to the reports of the disease centring on elite events in the Iberian Peninsula, showjumpers, eventers and dressage horses returning to the UK from these areas have been identified and traced.  Strict quarantine is being imposed on their return with comprehensive protocols in place for biosecurity and testing.

The EIDAG are also advising that all member bodies restrict activities to ‘stay local’ until at least 12 April so no overnight stays or stabling. There are a small number of elite training and competitions which require overnight stays currently scheduled. These gatherings will have enhanced biosecurity and protocols in place which have been prepared by the BEF Director of Equine Sports Science and Medicine, John McEwen.

In a further step to minimise any spread of EHV, the EIDAG also recommend the implementation of a new equine health self-certification process for riders to declare that their horses are healthy and have not been in contact with any others showing signs of infectious disease. 

British Showjumping fully support this recommendation and have agreed to implement the self-certification process and to have it in place from the resumption of sport until and including the 12 April.  This process requirement could extend past the 12 April should the EHV risk level dictate it.

The new self-certification process will require a health declaration form to be submitted to the show organiser for each horse expected to enter the venue.  The form can be completed by either the owner or rider and needs to be with the event organiser 24 hours before arrival.  Should a horse arrive at the venue without the form having been submitted their entry will need to be forfeited and the horse should not be allowed on to the venue grounds.

An electronic copy of the horse health declaration form can be found on the link below and the new process will require show organisers and venue owners to request the form is completed by either the rider or owner and sent back to them 24 hours before the horse arrives at the venue.   Should the form not be received prior to arrival then the horse is to be refused entry to the venue.

We trust that this our members will see this as a positive move and also give them some reassurances that all steps are being taken to ensure the risk is mitigated as much as it can be when they start competing again after this latest period of enforced shut down.

Equine Health Self-Certification Form

 
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