WA Horse Council

29/10/2026

Thank you for the encouragement and recognition of the WA Horse Council’s efforts!

We hope that one day Western Australia can provide even half the level of emergency response capability and specialised care available to horses in New Zealand and NSW.

New Zealand has set an extraordinary benchmark, with purpose-built horse ambulances attending every thoroughbred and harness race meeting, supported by trained operators, specialist veterinarians and recovery equipment.

We still have a long way to go in WA, but we are determined to get there. Our horses deserve nothing less.

28/10/2026

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES – A HUGE THANK YOU! 🐴❤️

Some more photos from our three days of Large Animal Rescue workshops at Ascot Racecourse, and a chance to thank the wonderful people who made it all possible!

Firstly, our amazing WA Horse Council committee! What a fantastic team effort, from months of planning to running the workshops, setting up, packing away and everything in between. A special thank you to Chris Hovarth, who manages our Large Animal Rescue equipment and puts so much work into keeping it all organised and ready to go.

To our generous sponsors, particularly AEIMN, Thompson & Redwood and Randlab, thank you for helping bring this important education to WA.

To everyone at Perth Racing and Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) — management, veterinary and welfare teams, ground crews, machinery operators, stable and barrier staff, and the wonderful team in the Directors' Lounge who looked after us so beautifully with fantastic food, catering and hospitality. Nothing was too much trouble, and we simply couldn't have done it without you!

We also greatly appreciated the support of local and state government, emergency services and animal welfare organisations.

And most of all, to David and Maureen King! ❤️ You drove across the Nullarbor and gave so generously of your time, knowledge, experience and energy to help improve Large Animal Rescue capability in WA. Your commitment to our community and the welfare of animals is extraordinary, and we cannot thank you enough.

What made these workshops so special was the people. Everyone rolled up their sleeves, worked together and somehow made three very busy days an enormous amount of FUN!

From all of us at the WA Horse Council, THANK YOU! We couldn't have done it without every one of you! 🐴❤️

28/10/2026

Just two weeks after our Large Animal Rescue workshop for Equestrian Sport at Ascot, those skills have already been put into practice!

While we never want to see an equine emergency, it is encouraging to hear that the team at the Swan River Horse Trials responded so professionally.

This is exactly why the WA Horse Council, together with Eventing WA, organised this training — ensuring that veterinarians, officials and volunteers have the knowledge, skills and confidence to respond safely and effectively when incidents occur.

A timely reminder of the importance of practical training, preparedness and teamwork. Well done to everyone involved!

16/10/2026

🐴🐴 📰 A HUGE THANK YOU TO GUAN AND ECHO NEWS!

A magnificent article by Guanhao Cheng (Guan) in Echo News highlighting the WA Horse Council’s recent Large Animal Rescue workshops at Ascot Racecourse and our longstanding advocacy for improved animal emergency response capabilities across Western Australia.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:0b97a6f6-76ac-4a05-9a12-ceb6e3c3a4a0

This is not new territory for the WA Horse Council. Our involvement in Large Animal Rescue training dates back to 2012, with Dr Christine Smith and Anthony Hatch, followed by MaryAnne Leighton, Anton Philips from Hampshire Fire and Rescue (UK), Dr Hayley Squance from New Zealand, and most recently David King ESM from NSW SES and Chair of AEIMN ANZ.

In 2015, following her attendance at BARTA’s first International Large Animal Rescue Conference in Prague, our Life Member, Ms Dianne Bennitt, was instrumental in bringing the second large animal rescue training mannequin in Australia to WA. Our advocacy for better training, equipment and coordinated emergency response has continued ever since.

A particularly moving moment at our first Ascot workshop was hearing from Renee Forrest (Bam Bam), who was driving the truck involved in the Ellenbrook horse float accident in May. Renee shared with emergency services participants the firsthand horror, stress and challenges of that day.

Thank you, Bam Bam, for your courage in sharing your experience. That incident has become a powerful catalyst for change in Animal Welfare in Emergencies across WA, prompting agencies to examine their preparedness, identify gaps and work towards doing better next time.

It has also brought the urgent need for improved large animal rescue capabilities to the attention of local and State Government.

Our three days at Ascot, delivered in collaboration with the Animal Emergency Incident Management Network (AEIMN ANZ), brought together emergency services, local government, animal welfare organisations, veterinarians, equestrian sports and racing personnel.

After more than a decade of education and advocacy, it is time to turn training and collaboration into real operational rescue capability across WA.

Thank you again, Guan and Echo News, for recognising the importance of this work and helping keep animal welfare and emergency responder safety on the public agenda!

🐴 Animal welfare and human safety go hand in hand!

13/10/2026

🐴 TWO HORSES RESCUED IN ONE MORNING! 🐴

David King ESM isn't even home yet from our Large Animal Rescue workshops at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, and here's a fantastic example of what training, equipment and experience can achieve!

👏 Well done to NSW SES Port Macquarie Unit — two successful horse rescues in one morning! One mare trapped in a spa, another stuck in a dam!

In NSW, large animal rescue is part of the SES General Land Rescue capability. Communities can call 000 knowing trained emergency responders have the skills and equipment to assist.

This is the capacity we want to build throughout Western Australia!

Our recent WA Horse Council and AEIMN ANZ workshops demonstrated the value of training, collaboration and networking across emergency services, veterinarians, animal welfare organisations and the equine industry.

Let's keep that momentum going and build the emergency response capability that WA's animals, owners and communities deserve! 🐎

Well done, NSW SES — an inspiring example of training put into practice!

12/10/2026

🐴 ANNUAL RYEGRASS TOXICITY (ARGT) IN WA – WE NEED YOUR INPUT! 🌾

The WA Horse Council is supporting an important new research project by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), investigating the impact of Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (ARGT) on livestock owners and hay producers across Western Australia.

ARGT is a serious and potentially fatal condition affecting horses, cattle, sheep and other grazing animals. It occurs when animals consume pasture or hay containing annual ryegrass infected with a toxin-producing bacterium.

For horse owners, the consequences can be devastating.

⚠️ What should horse owners know?

ARGT can cause muscle tremors, staggering, incoordination, increased sensitivity to stimuli, seizures and, in severe cases, death.

Importantly, infected ryegrass remains toxic even when dried and made into hay. There is no specific antidote, making prevention, feed testing and early recognition particularly important.

Always ask for ARGT testing information when purchasing hay. If you suspect ARGT, remove access to the suspect feed and contact your veterinarian immediately.

🔬 WHY IS DPIRD CONDUCTING THIS RESEARCH?

DPIRD wants to better understand where ARGT is occurring, its impact on livestock owners and hay producers, how people manage the risks, and what additional information, testing and support would be most useful.

📋 WE ENCOURAGE ALL HORSE OWNERS TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY!

Whether you have experienced ARGT firsthand, had concerns about contaminated hay or pasture, or have never encountered the condition, your feedback matters.

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes, responses are anonymous, and a limited number of free ARGT test kits are available.

👉 Complete the survey here:

https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/businesses/pests-weeds-and-diseases/animal-pests-diseases/annual-ryegrass-toxicity/

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST! 🐴

We encourage horse owners, riding clubs, trainers, breeders, veterinarians, hay suppliers and livestock producers throughout WA to participate and share the survey through their networks.

The more information DPIRD receives from the horse community, the better it can understand our experiences and develop practical strategies for prevention, management and future support.

Your experience could help protect horses and other livestock across WA.

WA Horse Council – Advocating for horse welfare and the wider equine community since 1984.

Annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) is a potentially fatal poisoning of livestock after consuming annual ryegrass infected by the bacterium Rathayibacter toxicus (formerly known as Clavibacter toxicus). All grazing animals are susceptible to ARGT, including sheep, cattle, horses and pigs.

11/10/2026

🐴 A BIG thank you to Michelle Maynard MLA, Member for Swan Hills, for opening the final day of our three Large Animal Rescue workshops at Ascot Racecourse!

Michelle has been a wonderful supporter of the WA Horse Council, including leading our Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Ride from the State Equestrian Centre in Brigadoon. She understands the importance of protecting and improving safe tracks, trails and roads for horses and riders, not only in Swan Hills but throughout regional Western Australia.

Michelle also recognised the significance of the horse float rollover accident in Ellenbrook in May, which highlighted the urgent need for better large animal rescue training, equipment and response capability — not just in our region, but across WA.

Our three days of workshops, presented by the WA Horse Council together with the Animal Emergency Incident Management Network (AEIMN ANZ), demonstrated the value of bringing together emergency services, veterinarians, animal welfare organisations and the equine industries to build practical skills and strengthen coordination.

We particularly appreciate Michelle's recognition of AEIMN ANZ as a national network, connecting expertise, training and resources across Australia and New Zealand to improve animal welfare and emergency incident management.

Our final day brought together 28 racing veterinarians, barrier attendants, stewards and racing personnel to develop practical rescue skills, communication and teamwork.

Thank you, Michelle, for supporting our work to improve road and trail safety, animal welfare and large animal rescue capability across Western Australia! 🐴👏

🐴 Building skills that matter in our communities.

It was a pleasure to open the WA Horse Council 's Large Animal Rescue Workshop at Ascot Racecourse.

With strong rural and equestrian communities across Swan Hills, including Bullsbrook, Gidgegannup and the Swan Valley, knowing how to respond safely when large animals are involved in an emergency is incredibly important.

A big thank you to the WA Horse Council, presenter David King ESM and everyone involved in building these specialist skills and keeping both people and animals safe.

11/10/2026

Thank you to ECHO News for your continued support of safer tracks and trails, not just in our local communities but across Western Australia. We also greatly appreciate your coverage of the WA Horse Council’s advocacy for improved road safety and animal emergency incident management throughout the state.

The concerns raised in Mundaring are very real and equally relevant to the Swan Valley, particularly the bridle trail network in Brigadoon.

These trails were established as part of the original planning arrangements with the City of Swan to preserve access for HORSES. With increasing urbanisation, we are seeing growing pressure on these important corridors, including unauthorised motorised vehicles entering bridle trails and adjoining properties.

We all need to share our roads and trails responsibly, but that does not mean every vehicle belongs on every trail. Unauthorised motorised use presents a serious risk to horses, livestock, riders and other legitimate trail users. Frightened animals can bolt, break through fences and suffer serious injuries, with potentially devastating consequences for both animals and people.

Education and signage are important, but so is enforcement. The WA Horse Council has been working with local and State Government representatives in Swan Hills to address these issues, improve trail safety and protect equestrian access. These discussions are ongoing, and we will continue advocating for practical solutions, including better signage, maintenance and cooperation between local government rangers and WA Police.

Importantly, the 2018 Kobelke Review recommended developing a bridle trail strategy for the Swan Valley, while the Swan Valley Planning Act 2020 recognises equestrian activities as a principal land use. These are not simply recreational tracks — they are part of the planning commitments to protect our rural communities, their character and equine heritage.

Those commitments need to be respected and upheld, not gradually lost through urbanisation, neglect and unauthorised use.

Thank you again to ECHO News for helping keep these important issues in the public eye. Protecting safe access for horses, riders and all legitimate trail users is a responsibility we share. 🐴

MUNDARING residents are calling for improved safety along the Railway Reserves Heritage (RRH) Trail following a rise in trail bikes and motorised e-rideables sharing the path with both pedestrians and horse riders.

Read the full story - https://echonewspaper.com.au/news/e-bike-use-concerns-on-mundaring-heritage-trail/