Source: News Release

ESNZ wishes to offer its support to all Members in the Canterbury region affected by the recent earthquake and ongoing aftershocks.

The National Equestrian Centre at McLean’s Island has only suffered minor damage as a result of the quake and the caretaker, Stan Brown and his wife Lorna are well.

The NEC will be made available to any Member who, through damage to his/her property, requires horse accommodation and/or camping for themselves and immediate family. There will be no fees for this service in the short term.

Any Member wishing to use the NEC in this way should contact the Convenor, Kevin Bowden, on 027 273 9363 or via the ESNZ National Office – 04 499 8994.

ESNZ also wishes to offer the following information and advice to Members, especially with regard to horse care issues that they may be experiencing:

Civil Defence Updates - www.civildefence.govt.nz/memwebsite.nsf

Environment Canterbury Updates - http://ecan.govt.nz/pages/home.aspx

Water:
An alternative to boiling water recommended by civil defence is to add ½ teaspoon of bleach to 10 litres of water. If horses find this unpalatable, try adding molasses or apple juice.
www.civildefence.govt.nz/memwebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/For-the-CDEM-Sector...

Horse First Aid:
If you are having difficulty contacting your vet or your vet cannot reach your property, you may need to administer first aid yourself. Some tips are available at the following links or you can google “horse first aid”:

www.horsetalk.co.nz/health/tha-wound.shtml

http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/first_aid/first_aid_wounds...

Feeding:
If you think you may experience difficulty in obtaining feed supplies in the short term, you may need to consider gradually changing your horse’s feed routine. Don’t make sudden changes if they can be avoided. Consider gradually reducing grain if supplies are low and increasing access to hay or pasture. Any horse that is suddenly restricted to stables or yards will need sufficient roughage such as hay or beet pulp.

Tips for feed shortages can be found in documents on drought feeding such as these:

www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex4575

https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/downloads/99-098


If Members have any other requests for specific information please let ESNZ know as quickly as possible and we will endeavour to provide and supply to the wider community.

Finally, ESNZ spoke with Cantabrian Caroline Powell yesterday following her victory at the Burghley Horse Trials; she sent her best wishes and thoughts to all Members in Canterbury currently experiencing difficulties following the quake and hopes her win brought some enjoyment at such a difficult time.