UPDATES and LATE-BREAKING NEWS
Oct/Nov 2006

EVA Conference

Neglectful Trainer Rides Again

EVA CONFERENCE
The 28th Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures is a highly successful equine veterinary education event held by Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA), a professional association which represents 900 equine veterinarians throughout Australia. Held in Coffs Harbour in July this year, the Lectures attracted 220 equine vets from across Australia and around the world who enjoyed a week of lectures, entertainment and socialising with their peers. The Bain Fallon has an international reputation for being one of the major highlights of the equine veterinary continuing education calendar – with an excellent scientific program presented by leading veterinary experts in their fields.

The Bain Fallon welcomed two guest speakers from overseas - Jean Marie Denoix from France and Ric Reddon from Kentucky, USA, - and leading Australian expertJane Axon who are world leaders in their respective fields. Jane Axon, an EVA member, is a world expert in foal medicine and has prepared an article in this Hoofbeats’ edition where Jane shares her expertise and experience in the treatment of certain foal conditions.

The scientific program ‘Diagnostic Imaging, the Equine Foot and Foal Medicine’ was very well received by delegates and offered a comprehensive lecture program and live farrier and ultrasonography demonstrations where delegates had the opportunity to observe our international presenters in action.

BI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR FARRIERS
The Bi-annual conference for farriers took place over the weekend and included live shoeing demonstrations by Ric Reddon. Jean Marie Denoix conducted a live demonstration on ultrasonography for the vets on Saturday and an ultrasonography wet workshop on Sunday.

The week was a great success and reflects the EVA’s commitment to provide world class continuing education for members to assist them in providing the very best service to their horse owning clients. Planning for next year’s Bain Fallon is well underway and will be held in Fremantle from 30 June until 7 July 2007. Leading international speakers have been engaged to present at next year’s conference and it is shaping up to the most successful Bain Fallon to date.

The Bain Fallon coincided with the launch of the new look Equine Veterinarians Australia. The organisation has been given a new name and logo to represent a significant upgrade in the services and resources available to both EVA members and those interested in the care and management of horses. Horse owners now have access to an exciting and much improved website at www.eva.org.au where you can locate articles of interest, resources, links and other relevant information. Horse owners wishing to locate the services of an equine veterinarian are encouraged to use the ‘Find a Vet’ function of the website. This service allows you to identify equine veterinarians and their particular services and expertise throughout Australia.
The EVA is committed to helping vets help horses and assisting horse owners gain the benefits of dealing with veterinarians who have the advantage of accessing up to date professional education and information so as to provide clients with the very best care and management of their horse. Horse owners are welcome to contact Ria Tamone on 02 9431 5082 or by email on admin@eva.org.au should they have any questions about the EVA or wish to know more about the services provided by EVA member veterinarians.

NEGLECTFUL TRAINER RIDES AGAIN
The RSPCA is disappointed a 68 year old Geraldton man is still allowed to be in charge of horses, despite leaving four mares to starve.

A hobby trainer, Donald John MacLeod was sentenced in the Geraldton Magistrates Court today after pleading guilty to four animal cruelty charges of failing to provide proper and sufficient food to four horses.

In sentencing, the Magistrate ordered the accused be prohibited from being in charge of no more than four horses and placed the 68 year old on a 12 month community based order, with 110 hours unpaid work.

RSPCA spokesperson Emma-Jane Morcombe said the organisation is frustrated by the penalty.
“Back in March, when our Inspectors arrived at the property where the accused kept 20 horses, they found four standardbred mares in an emaciated condition,” said Ms Morcombe. “These animals were so badly malnourished, it was sickening. Their hip and rib bones were visibly protruding from their coat. Our Inspectors found paddocks devoid of pasture and insufficient supplementary feed. We also found fully grown foals still feeding from their mothers, adding to the problem.”

“The Inspectors involved in this prosecution are disappointed that the accused will again be able to get his hands on another horse.”