CHIP 'n' RIDE!

EVERY horse and pony in the kingdom is to be micro-chipped as the country endeavours to be internationally-recognised as 'glanders free', writes Stan Szecowka and Anasuya Kesavan.

A professional team is to visit every stable in Bahrain to carry out the procedure and issue each animal with a 'passport' with details of its medical history.

The cost of the exercise is 'significant' but a spokesman for the Ministry of Municipalities & Agriculture Affairs said the government would cover the cost.

The move follows the cancellation of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's (BREEF) show jumping season.

Breef's secretary general Ghalib Al Alawi sent out a circular to the equestrian community urging immediate co-operation warning 'legal proceedings' would be considered against anyone flouting the rules.

"Please do not organise any show jumping events where horses from your club are likely to be mixed with other horses from others clubs or centres," he said.

Since May all equine shows have been cancelled, movement between stables suspended and horse trading banned to prevent the spread of the highly-contagious condition which is incurable and can lead to victims suffering agonising illness and eventual death. Some animals, however, can carry glanders and show no symptoms for months.

The war against the bacterial equine disease in Bahrain - which is believed to have claimed 126 victims - appeared to have been won and riding activities were once more back on the agenda following the recent announcement of an endurance horse riding season calendar.

Also, the staging of the recent successful Bahrain Animal Production Show witnessed visiting show stallions making an appearance.

However, the government is determined not to ease restrictions so that the country can be declared officially 'glanders free' with its status recognised globally.

Dr Nabeel Mohammed Abulfatih, Undersecretary for the Ministry of Municipalities & Agriculture Affairs, left, said: "There is no movement of horses without authorisation. Horses were brought into Bahrain during the animal show and we followed all the correct measures such as isolation of animals soon after they were transported into the country.

"Glanders is under control and we have had no cases reported since May. These restrictions are continuing to be in place to ensure that there is no further spread of the disease. According to international laws if there is an epidemic we have to take precautions for a period of six months because this disease can lay dormant."

He added that the kingdom hoped to receive a 'clean' bill of health from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) later this month and would then seek to receive clearance from the European Union.

"We have started the process of identifying horses using an electronic chip. This is part of collating a digital database of all horses in the country. It will help us track an animal's movement, provide its history and store complete information on it. This is a normal practice in developed countries," said Dr Abulfatih.

The news has been welcomed by stable owners. The Dilmun Stables in Saar has 46 animals and no cases of glanders. As a precaution visitors must step into a disinfectant wash and only staff members are allowed in the stabling area.

Stable manager Lisa Powick said: "We have heard absolutely nothing about the micro-chip plans but would welcome any measure that can help eradicate glanders from Bahrain and keep it that way."

As reported in GulfWeekly, Dr Ulrich Wernery, scientific director of the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) based in Dubai, was called in by the government in mid-May to give his expert opinion about the spread of the disease which had already led to several horses and ponies being destroyed, stables installing special precautions and public demonstrations of anger.

According to an OIE report on the Bahrain outbreak the first two horses of mixed breed which were positive without clinical signs originated from Syria and Kuwait last year.

Glanders is an infectious disease - caused by infection with the bacterium Burkholderia mallei - usually by ingestion of contaminated food or water that occurs primarily in horses and can be easily spread.

All 4,050 horses in Bahrain have been tested.