Counting cost of virus at charity riding centre
A riding centre that offers lessons to disabled people is facing losses of £17,000 in cancelled lessons and vet bills after some of its horses had to be quarantined.
Leybourne Grange Riding Centre for the Disabled, which is the Kent Messenger’s charity of the year, has been left counting the cost after 14 animals were struck down with a virus.
They have been out of action for almost a month, leading to large vet bills – the first came in at just under £1,000 – and mass cancellations of lessons.
Natalie Harper, an instructor at the centre in Birling Road, said: “This has been a massive blow at the start of the year. With loss of earnings, extra expense on feed, shaving and vet supplies it is a tough time for the charity.”
The animals are being affected by strangles, a common equine bacterial respiratory infection. It is highly contagious, and can easily be spread by humans.
Staff at the charity, which was set up in 1992 following the closure of the Leybourne Grange Hospital for people with physical and mental disabilities, first called in the vet to two horses in January. They took blood tests and nasal swabs which confirmed the horses had contracted the virus – a further 12 animals later showed signs and also had to be quarantined.
To prevent further infection, the Grange is now restricting access through the yard. Lessons have also been cut due to the number of horses out of action and the risk of overworking the healthy ones.
Staff are working hard to treat those affected, keeping them comfortable and warm and giving them anti-inflammatories if necessary.
Much like human flu, symptoms last three to four days, but horses need to be free of symptoms for 14 days before new tests can be carried out to give them the all-clear.
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