Horse Industry Association of Alberta

OUR MISSION
To provide a unified voice for the Alberta horse industry and strengthen it through advocacy, education and research.

OUR VISION
A growing, profitable, united Alberta horse industry, recognized nationally and internationally.

Industry News 2009

Working Together to Make Rabies History (2009-09-15)

Alberta Veterinary Medical Association Supports World Rabies Day
Monday, September 28, 2009 marked the third annual World Rabies Day. The 2007 & 2008 celebrations were huge successes and were supported in over 70 countries worldwide with nearly 400,000 individual participants.

The origin of World Rabies Day can be traced back to 2006 when a group of researchers formed the global Alliance for Rabies Control (ARC). They were joined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Together they began inviting partners to join them in bringing the World Rabies Day initiative to fruition.

Alberta Breeder Wins Big in Thoroughbred World (2009-08-15)

A lifetime of hard work and dedication has been acknowledged and rewarded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). Alberta Thoroughbred breeder, Ab Brewster of Cool Spring Farm, Bowden, has been recognized by TOBA as one of its “Breeders of the Year” and the only recipient from outside of the US. As accolades go, it doesn’t get much better than this. On Sept. 10, the top breeders in the United States and Brewster will be honoured at Keeneland in Kentucky during a special dinner and reception. Ab will be travelling with his family, who are very much a part of the success of Cool Spring and its horses, wife Michele, daughter Julie and son Donovan.

Restrictions Lifted on Horses Entering Canada from Texas (2009-07-24)

CFIA has been advised by USDA that the last remaining Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) related quarantine in the State of Texas was released on July 24, 2009. Therefore, all current VS related import restrictions for horses from the State of Texas will now be removed. Restrictions in New Mexico, due to VS, and in Missouri, due to an outbreak of equine piroplasmosis (EP), are still in place. Current import requirements for horses entering Canada may be found using the CFIA Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at http://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca.

Restrictions on Horses Entering Canada from Some US States

Import Restrictions In Place for Horses from New Mexico Entering Canada due to Vesicular Stomatitis

Import Restrictions Announced for Horses from Missouri Entering Canada due to Piroplasmosis

Revised Guidelines for U.S. Shipped Semen & Embryo Importers (2009-04-29)

Effective April 29, 2009, an alternative procedure for the importation of fresh equine semen from the United States into Canada is in place following an official United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) mandate to all of its regional offices. Read more...

Matching Gift Program Doubles Impact of Equine Foundation of Canada’s $10,000 Donation (2009-04-24)

A $10,000 gift from the Equine Foundation of Canada (EFC) to support vital horse health research at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine will double in value and impact through a unique matching gift program at the veterinary college. Read more...

Horse Transportation Documentation - New Requirements (2009-04-05)

If you transport your horse in Alberta, outside the province or to the US, you need to be aware of the new transportation document requirements. Read more...

Parasite Control for Today's Horse

Generations of horses have been put on regular rotating deworming schedules by their well-meaning owners and caretakers. Today’s standard deworming practices originated in the 60’s when the first dewormers were available, changing somewhat in the 70s and 80s when new products were introduced and rotation of products was recommended. Unfortunately, equine parasites have risen to the challenge and are becoming resistant to our deworming medications. Read more...

Lifestock Care Conference Builds on 15 Years of AFAC Progress (2009-03-27)

Building on years of industry-driven farm animal welfare
progress in Alberta and beyond was the focus of the Livestock Care Conference, March 27 in Red Deer, Alta, which featured leading speakers on the latest developments, issues and science in livestock care.
Read more...
For articles and presentations from the Alberta Farm Animal Care Livestock Care Conference, click here.

Import Restrictions Lifted for Horses Entering Canada from Florida (2009-02-03)

The Breeds & Industry Division of Equine Canada would like to inform all stakeholders of the Canadian horse industry that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has removed import restrictions on horses from Florida entering Canada that were put in place due to a 2008 outbreak of equine piroplasmosis in the state of Florida.

Current import requirements for horses entering Canada may be found using the CFIA Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at http://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca. To determine specific import requirements for each horse, specific parameters that refer to each horse’s circumstances will need to be entered and customized import requirements will be provided.

Canadian importers can also contact the CFIA area office to request up-to-date requirements for importing horses to Canada. Dr Gary Kruger, Veterinary Program Specialist (403) 292-5825 or krugerg@inspection.gc.ca.

Horse Owners Required to Apply for Premises ID (2009-03-01)

The new Animal Health Act, Alberta’s primary animal disease control legislation, came into effect on January 1, 2009, along with three new regulations. This Act will ensure a rapid and effective response to an animal disease occurrence.

An article was recently published in the Red Deer Advocate which sensationalized the requirements for horse/land owners. The article also misquoted Dr. Darrell Dalton who made a short presentation regarding the new legislation at the recent Horse Breeders & Owners Conference in Red Deer, and also delivered an educational session on biosecurity. For a little "Horse Sense and Premise ID" clarification from the Ag Info Centre, click here.

The Traceability Premises Identification Regulation requires that all those keeping "recordable animals" on their property must have a premises identification number. Horses are included in the list of recordable animals.

For more information on the Animal Health Act, the Traceability Premises Identification Regulation, or to obtain a copy of the premises ID application, click here.

For more information, contact the office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448.

Geoff Hoar Selected for Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers Program (2009-02-03)

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program, spotlighting and promoting young agricultural leaders, selected Geoff Hoar from Innisfail, AB, to represent Alberta at the National Awards Program, to be hosted in Ottawa, Ontario from December 1 to December 6, 2009

Geoff Hoar operates San Emideo Ranch Corp in Innisfail, AB. San Emideo Ranch Corp is a horse training facility operated out of one of Alberta’s largest outdoor riding arenas. Geoff trains working cow horses, cutting horses, roping horses and ranch horses. He also breaks colts and trains jumping horses. For the complete story...

Restrictions on Importation of all Equines, Equine Semen, and Equine Embryos from the USA
(2009-01-15)

CFIA has announced the introduction of import restrictions on horses and equine semen originating from the USA as a result of the current US outbreak of Contagious Equine Metritis. Read more...

Changes to Shipping Manifest Requirements for Horses (2009-01-01)

The Livestock Identification and Commerce General Regulation was proclaimed in force January 1, 2009. For horse owners, this means that livestock manifests are no longer required to transport horses within Alberta unless the horse is being transported for sale or slaughter or to an inspection site. For complete information...

Horses Eligible for AFRP II Funding (2009-01-01)

Although little publicized, horses do qualify for payments from the Alberta Farm Recover Plan II Funding. To be eligible for an AFRP II payment, you must have been actively raising horses in Alberta in 2006 and 2007, and had production in 2006. The first payment will be dispersed immediately and is based on the producer’s 2006 livestock information. Deadline for applications for this first payment is December 31, 2008. The second payment will be issued commencing January 2009, only after producer compliance with the premises identification objectives of The Alberta Livestock and Meat Strategy. The pay-out amount for horses is $23.928/head. Call 1-800-396-0215, or visit the AFSC web site at www.afsc.ca for further information and application forms. You’ll find the AFRP II link under the Risk Management menu.

COMING SOON!

Horse Breeders & Owners Conference