AHS

Pardon my ignorance, but if AHS can potentially affect performance, is this not something that should be widely publicised in form guides/racecards/TAB info site/Formgrids?

Would be a start

But there maybe should be a rule to stop them running, in some instances it's like a legal non trier

Hi Bob
I read the subject post - best comment I have learnt about about the impact of AHS on horseracing or other equestrian sports is the following: "AHS kills horses, not events"
Obviously an infected animal would show symptoms and, therefore, would not be asked to compete as would be the case with any other disease.
And, as the vaccine is a live modified type, horses are only lightly worked during this period - normally 6 weeks to allow for both vaccines to be administered. In the Western Cape, AHS vaccines are by law administered during winter months only, July to October, and they are trying to get the rest of the country to follow suit.
So, in conclusion, I am not sure there is justification to include this in form guides.
Hope this clarifies PC's comment.
Regards
Peter

Jul to Oct would surely place KZN at huge risk!

Like any individual and any inoculation, the reaction to the vaccine will vary from horse to horse.

Because we also have different batches of vaccine produced from year to year, the reaction to the vaccine can also vary. Some horses will not show any reaction and some will. And some will react one year and not the next. Obviously individual horses' general health and immune systems will also have an effect.

Recently vets have been administering jab no 2 first followed by jab no 1, because doing it this way seems to cause less side effects. However, out of 4 horses, this year I have had 2 show reactions (off feed, swollen legs and temperatures) - and of the two, one more so than the other. But both have recovered with no ill effects. However, I left all four well alone during the vaccination process, but then I have the luxury of being able to do so.

The AHS vac consists of two injections, administered 3 weeks apart. Often one will also do your flu / tetantus vac at the same time as the first AHS jab as flu needs to be done every six months. The rule of thumb is that you can work your horses as normal in week 1, go 'easy' in week 2 and then resume work in week 3 for each jab. I know that a lot of racing folk tend to work through (although perhaps easing up on the work a little). Before the new rules about vaccinating in the winter months, a lot of competitive horses would be done over the December school holidays and the horses were given a good 6 weeks off.

Basically you are dealing with a live virus, so anything can happen. It's worth exercising caution.

Thanks Suz

Blinkers can affect performance but do not affect all horses the same.
The public is informed and utilize the info as they see fit.
Gelding similarly may or may not affect performance and date of gelding is obviously deemed useful as it is published in computaform!
If form can be affected by innoculations, the information should be treated similarly, surely!
Punters could use that date and align it to the work schedules as advised by Szu , in their analysis!

This is interesting, especially the no justification part from Peter which i wholly disagree with. I can fully understand the comment as it is common from all structures involved in racing, "trying to get the rest of the country to follow suit", sounds concrete enough so don't do anything and maybe someone else will.

Just this week we have had owners not knowing and punters confused as to why a horse would run within a week or two of having AHS vaccinations. Once again when presented with an opportunity to remedy a situation and provide clarity not one formal structure in South African racing steps up and does something. That is how you continuously shoot yourself in the foot......fail to act.

1. AHS & FLU VAC dates of administration should be printed in the official race card.
2. AHS & FLU VAC administration dates should be communicated by the trainer and Vet to the owner (this should be mandatory)
3. A mandatory rest of 3-4 weeks from the last vaccine injection should be given to every horse also noted and certified by a Vet. (The current system of "light" work etc. is absolutely unprofessional and Vets should be held to account to formalise & standardise the parameters)

But i am sure that these suggestions have probably been made many times before and there has simply been absolutely no action.

We cannot practically have the whole country do AHS vaccinations at the same time as there will be no horses to race but i am sure that someone will come up with a viable, workable solution, but I don't know who that will be.