COVID-19
COVID-19
March 23, 2020
Veterinary Care has been listed as an essential service during the COVID-19 Alert level 4 lockdown period over the next 4 weeks. Currently, until further notice, we are working under the guidance of the New Zealand Veterinary Association while essential processes and services are clarified by the Government.
Effective from midnight Wednesday 25/03/20 until midnight Monday 27/04/20:
• All non urgent consults will be cancelled
• Services currently ‘permitted’ include:
o Emergencies: including colic, foalings, severe respiratory distress, fractures, severe or non-weight bearing lameness, choke, severe haemorrhage, acute illness, major injuries/wounds (especially near vital structures/joints), eye injuries, euthanasia.
o Non-emergency services where an absence of veterinary care would compromise animal welfare: including severe respiratory conditions, non-routine dentistry involving inability to eat and weight loss, severe weight loss, neurological conditions, severe skin conditions, wounds and injuries, abortion, ongoing case management, post op checks.
o Access to veterinary medicines (vaccines, anti-parasitics, antibiotics, pain relief, mineral supplements etc.)
o Animal health and welfare consultancy (conducted by phone)
We are going to minimum staffing levels to enable us to provide essential services while managing exposure of staff to COVID-19. A veterinarian will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency services as per our usual out-of-hours service; however, the equine hospital will be shut during this time.
We ask that all enquiries relating to emergencies and medication requirements to be made over the phone 07 888 8193 where further guidance will be provided based on the nature of your call. If you need a visit from a vet, please don’t be upset if we ask if you have been overseas in the last fortnight, have been in close contact with someone who has/or you have had flu/cold symptoms. Please remember to stay over 2m distance from veterinary staff during any visit.
If you need veterinary supplies please phone us ahead of time. A pick up time will be organised for these – please do not drop into the clinic as we will not be open. Please remember that the services we are able to provide may well change over the coming days/weeks. We will continue to update you as we work on the details of these services. We ask for your patience and trust we have the wellbeing of your horses as our top priority. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to call us.
Inter Dominions 2019 at Alexandra Park
December 7, 2019
Matamata Vet Services IDOM Pacing Champs H6 (Mobile Pace) – Race 8, Alexandra Park, 6 December 2019
Winner – Cruz Bromac
“Race Images Photo”
Animal Welfare Matters
October 24, 2018
On 1 October this year new animal welfare regulations come into effect. Check out the information here – www.mpi.govt.nz/animalregs
If you’re already doing it right, you won’t see a lot of change. Most of the regulations reflect existing standards, but a few do set new rules and requirements, such as prohibiting tail docking of cattle and dogs.
Regulations make it easier for MPI and the SPCA to take action against animal mistreatment. New penalties such as fines will be issued for certain actions. We will continue to prosecute the worst offenders under the Animal Welfare Act.
We’re making life better for animals, and you can help others get it right too.
- Check! Are you doing it right? Encourage others to check too – www.mpi.govt.nz/animalregs
- Ask! Email us your questions – animalwelfare@mpi.govt.nz
- Tell! Call us about an animal welfare issue – 0800 00 83 33
Key messages for horse owners: Companion horses
Regulation18: Horses tethered for the purpose of grazing.
Tethering your horse for grazing is not recommended. If you have to tether your horse for grazing, your horse must have constant access to a supply of water, food, shade, and protection from heat and cold. If you don’t provide this to horses tethered for grazing, you can be fined $300.
Check your horses regularly when tethered. Tethering for grazing is not appropriate for long periods of time, as horses need exercise.
Regulation 19: Use of equipment that may injure horses.
Any equipment used on a horse must not cause injuries such as cuts and abrasions that bleed or discharge, or swelling around the head and neck.
Equipment used on a horse must ensure the horse is able to breathe and drink normally. Equipment can include, but is not limited to, halters, bridles, lead ropes, bits, and nosebands. Keep your equipment clean, and ensure saddles and covers are
fitted correctly. Horses that wear equipment need to be checked regularly/daily. If you use equipment that causes injury to horses you can be fined $300.
Regulation 20: Persons must not strike a horse on its head.
Horses must not be struck on the head, with hands or any other object. If you strike a horse on its head you can be fined $500.
Regulation 54: Castrating horses.
Castration is a painful, surgical procedure that must be carried out by a veterinarian using local or general anaesthetic. If a horse is castrated without local or general anaesthetic you could face a criminal conviction and a fine of up to $5000 for an individual or $25,000 for the business.
Key messages for horse owners: Racing and sport horses
Regulation 18: Horses tethered for the purpose of grazing.
Tethering your horse for grazing is not recommended. If you have to tether your horse for grazing, your horse must have constant access to a supply of water, food, shade, and protection from heat and cold. If you don’t provide this to horses tethered for grazing, you can be fined $300.
Check your horses regularly when tethered. Tethering for grazing is not appropriate for long periods of time, as horses need exercise.
If you need to tether your horse, you’ll be fine as long as you ensure that the tether you use
- Is an appropriate length and material to allow for normal breathing and drinking.
- Keeps the animal from being caught up on nearby objects and injured.
Otherwise you can be fined $300.
Regulation 19: Use of equipment that may injure horses.
Any equipment used on a horse must not cause injuries such as cuts and abrasions that bleed or discharge, or swelling around the head and neck. All equipment used on a horse must ensure the horse is able to breathe and drink normally.
Use equipment that is approved for use in your sport. Equipment that is not clean, ill fitted to your horse, or not used appropriately can cause injuries and swelling, or result in the horse experiencing pain or distress.
If you use equipment that causes injury to the horse, or swelling around the head or neck, you can be fined $300.
Regulation 20: Persons must not strike a horse on its head.
If you strike a horse on the head you can be fined $500
Regulation 54: Castrating horses.
Castration is a painful, surgical procedure that must be carried out by a veterinarian using local or general anaesthetic. If a horse is castrated without local or general anaesthetic you could face a criminal conviction and a fine of up to $5000 for an individual or $25,000 for the business.
Regulation 48: Prodding animals in sensitive areas.
You must not strike or prod an animal in sensitive areas with a goad. Failure to comply with this regulation can result in a $500 fine. A goad is any object used to make an animal move. Electric prodders are not recommended for use at all.
MVS Success at the 2018 New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association Conference
June 25, 2018
We are very proud of three of our veterinarians, Barbara Hunter, Jonathan Tam and Therese Ritson, who presented at the New Zealand Veterinary Association conference in the Equine stream.
A massive congratulations also goes to Jonathan who won the award for Best Young Practitioner Presentation at the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association Conference for his presentation on POD (palmar/plantar osteochondral disease).
MVS Success at the 2017 New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association Conference
August 23, 2017
Congratulations to MVS Equine Veterinarians, Cordelia Francis and Andrea Ritmeester, for their outstanding achievements at the 2017 New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association Conference.
Cordelia won the Massey Award for Best Practitioner Presentation, presented by Prof Chris Riley, and Andrea received the Brian Goulden Prize awarded to an Outstanding NZ Equine Veterinarian, presented by Neil Houston, president of the NZEVA.
Andrea has also been chosen to be the next president of the NZEVA, commencing in June 2018.
News all good for Valachi chief
August 2, 2017
Kevin Hickman’s breeding operation has welcomed another highly valuable addition while his prospects for the new racing season also look particularly bright.
In England overnight, the Valachi Downs principal’s former crack race mare Silent Achiever foaled to Galileo’s unbeaten champion son Frankel, already a Group One producer at stud.
“He’s a strong, good-boned colt and just as impressive as his full-sister last year,” Valachi manager Jonathan Scully said. “We’re all absolutely rapt and Silent Achiever loves being a Mum so that’s great.”
Trained throughout her career by Roger James, Silent Achiever won 10 races, including the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby and the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes and in Australia the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes and the Gr.1 BMW.
Meanwhile, last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Ugo Foscolo was a runaway winner at the trials on Tuesday morning as he prepares for a return to racing from the stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
“I’ve been talking to Adrian and they put Blake Shinn on him and it was a nice trial over 1000 metres,” Scully said. “He pulled eight or 10 lengths away from them at the line.
“He was under a good hold throughout so things are looking good. He’ll probably have another trial and then maybe kick off in a Group Two somewhere.
“He will be hanging around Sydney to see just how he does come up and then we’ll decide whether he goes down to Melbourne to have a go at Winx or not.”
Hickman also has high hopes for Ugo Foscolo’s regally-bred stablemate Honfleur, a half-sister by Fastnet Rock to the Group One winners Shamrocker and Rock Diva.
“She’s had a couple of trials and they’ve seen enough in her to send her straight to Melbourne for her first start,” Scully said. “She looks a million dollars, a lovely filly.” – NZ Racing Desk.
Ex-Kiwi on right track for Final
July 3, 2017
Nikita Beriman’s enthusiasm for next week’s Winter Championship Final at Flemington increased on Saturday.
The Group 1-winning jockey saw My Paisann announce himself a genuine contender for the $150,000 Listed event with an impressive win at Caulfield.
The New Zealand recruit, who is prepared by Lisa Enright at Mornington, scored a last-stride win in the $100,000 SECUREcorp Handicap (1400m).
“The Grand Final is next week, so this was an added bonus,” Beriman said.
“I actually went down and galloped this horse on Wednesday and was rewarded with the ride today, so I’m happy to stay on board.”
The son of Roc de Cambes took his record to two wins from seven starts with the victory. Backed from $31 into $19 before starting at $21, he scored by a half-head over Revolving Door ($5) with the heavily-backed favourite Enigman ($4.20 to $3.40) third.
The Caulfield victory followed second placings at Ballarat and Sandown at his first two runs in Australia.
His final two runs before leaving New Zealand were a fifth placing in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and a fifth in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m).
My Paisann’s win atoned for a near-miss for Beriman earlier in the day, the jockey forced to settle for a short-neck second placing aboard Swan Hill on-pacer Don’t Get Excited in the $60,000 Sheen Group Plate (1600m).
Beriman led until the final few strides aboard the Nathan Hobson-trained gelding, who started at $21, before being nabbed by the Beau Mertens-ridden Coldstone.
“I did get a little bit excited at the 100, but I heard Beau coming and he ran tremendous race, so you have to be happy with that,” she said.
– racingnews.co.nz
My Paisann Photo: Darryl Sherer
Gastroscopy Day at MVS Equine – 20 June 2017
June 1, 2017
Does your horse have stomach ulcers? MVS Equine is hosting a ‘gastroscopy day’ on the 20th June 2017 at the clinic to promote diagnosis of stomach ulcers. Please contact the clinic to book an appointment time.
Click on the link below for more information.
Another two-mile chance for accomplished stayer
April 3, 2017
Connections of the proven distance performance Mister Impatience aren’t letting any two mile chances pass by.
They haven’t wasted any time in sending the stayer back to Australia and he will take his place in Saturday’s $A2 million Gr.1 Sydney Cup at Randwick.
“He was always going to end up back there and he was doing so well that the owners and Mike (Moroney) decided to have a go,” Ballymore Stables racing manager Nick Fairweather said.
Although Mister Impatience raced well below expectations in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup for Moroney and his Matamata co-trainer Pam Gerard, his condition can’t be faulted.
“He got into a good position, but he never fired,” Fairweather said. “It was disappointing because we thought he was going as well as ever and his run for third in the Avondale Cup had been very good.
“He’s come through his racing well and he’s a dead-set stayer so it’s worth him having a go at the Sydney Cup.
“As long as he runs well he’ll probably have another crack at the Queensland Cup.”
Mister Impatience won the 3200 metre event in 2015 and success in the Gr.2 Wellington Cup five months later confirmed his distance prowess. He also has a 3000 metre victory at Ballarat to his credit.
Meanwhile, Dreamcrafter returned to the stable last week and she will make one more appearance as a three-year-old.
“She’s going to run in the Valachi Downs Championship Stakes at Ellerslie,” Fairweather said.
Dreamcrafter finished runner-up in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase before the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks distance proved beyond her at Trentham. – NZ Racing Desk.
Mister Impatience Photo: Trish Dunell
Second Stakes Winner for Roc De Cambes
March 20, 2017
Lightly raced four-year-old Consommateur (NZ) (Roc de Cambes) tackled stakes company for the first time in Saturday’s $150,000 Group III Bradford Black Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill, and she came out a winner.
Bought from The Oaks Stud’s draft at the 2014 Select Sale for $30,000, Consommateur came from off the pace in the fillies and mares’ feature and powered through the wet ground to win by two and three-quarter lengths.
The win was Consommateur’s third from six career starts, and she has placed in all of the other three. Her prize-money earnings now stand at A$128,600.
“Her whole aim this preparation was this race,” trainer Mick Kent said. “She is owned up here by a good client of mine, Geoff Evers. We bought her in New Zealand.
“She is out of a Zabeel mare. She has taken her time and is a very big mare. She will be better next year.”
Consommateur was bred by The Oaks Stud and is a half-sister to the stakes placegetter Single Act (NZ) (Bachelor Duke).
Offered by The Oaks stud at the 2014 Select Sale, Consommateur was bought by NZB as agent for $30,000.
Bred in New Zealand by The Oaks Stud, Consommateur was purchased for the Kent stable after an early trial victory. A half-sister to the stakes placed Single Act, she is out of the Zabeel mare Consumer whose dam is a half-sister to the Group I winners Magic Of Sydney (Spring Champion Stakes) and Daney Boy (Karrakatta Plate).
Consommateur becomes the second stakes winner for The Oaks Stud’s Roc De Cambes after Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner He’s Our Rokkii.
story from breednet.com.au (photo – Steve Hart)
