EDMONTON – Toxic feed is suspected after two horses in the draft horse pull competition fell sick during Farmfair International.
The first horse became sick on the evening of Nov. 1 during the first day of competition and the second horse became ill on the morning of Nov. 2.
The owner, from Saskatchewan, took the horse to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. One horse died on the way and the second was euthanized at the clinic.
The contaminated feed did not come from Northlands, which organizes the farm show.
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Worried about the possibility of an infectious disease, such as anthrax or salmonella, show organizers locked down and quarantined Hall B, where 23 draft horse teams and 20 saddle horses were stabled.
“The second we were told about the sick horses, biosecurity measures went into place,” said Darren Krill, senior manager of communications with Northlands.
“We were proactive in case it came back it was airborne or something that was dangerous.”
The hall was sprayed with Virkon, a heavy duty disinfectant and then scrubbed. The stables were broken down and disinfected before cattle were allowed into the barn.
Draft horse pull competitor and organizing committee member Kevin Danyluk said the owner of the team is shaken by his horses’ deaths.
“He’s taking it pretty tough.”
Danyluk said few horse owners at the show believed it was an airborne illness because no other horses in the barn showed signs of sickness. Danyluk said he phoned many of the owners to check.
“It was pretty frustrating. No one knew what to do or how to deal with it. Everyone learned a lesson,” he said.
“I just hope not only Northlands but people trailering horses and bringing them to different events have to make sure they’re up to date on their vaccinations …. Everyone was caught off guard. No one wants to lose a draft pulling horse with all that work and training put into them.”
Prices for draft horses at the show were $1,500 to $50,000.
Bill desBarres with the Alberta Equestrian Federation said it’s clear the sick horses posed no risk to others, but biosecurity is still an important issue, especially with horses because of their movement among pastures, barns and arenas.
