Endurance riders take the electronic path to tackle EI

Endurance riders have been tackling equine influenza (EI) head on by equipping themselves with accurate information from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and spreading the word online.

Vice-president of the Australian Endurance Riders Association (ERA), Kerry Spratt said she arranged to get information and press releases by email from NSW DPI to send directly to the NSW ERA chat line.

"NSW DPI has been an invaluable source of timely and accurate information. Because it was in an electronic format we could put it straight onto our online forum," Ms Spratt said.

"We were getting accurate information about EI from the start which meant we were able to immediately dispel any myths and misinformation we came across."

And the EI message has spread further than the 500-strong ERA chat line.

"Our network has been extended through face-to-face and telephone contact with other horse riders and owners.

"Information on proper decontamination techniques has been particularly useful.

"And we’ve been keen to get the message out to all horse owners in restricted areas that they should register their animals with NSW DPI," she said.

Gosford-based Ms Spratt is currently in Western Australia to attend the Australian ERA Tom Quilty Gold Cup at Mundijong, south-east of Perth.

"I’ve made sure that I thoroughly showered, scrubbed my nails, washed my hair and decontaminated all my clothes including footwear."

Key contacts:
NSW Equine Influenza Hotline 1800 675 888
Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza