For Immediate Release
January 7, 2009

Statement from the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association Regarding Contagious Equine Metritis

FRANKFORT, Ky. — There has been significant discussion and conjecture within some of the electronic “chat rooms” regarding Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) being uncovered on one premise in Kentucky, and the role that the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association (KyQHA) and/or the KyQHA Breeders’ Incentive Fund (KyQHA BIF) may play as a result. The purpose of this communication is to caution those choosing to read or provide comments within those “chat rooms” that information gleaned from within those venues may not be accurate, or serve the best interests of the horse industry.

This should serve as notice to all that there is an official contagious disease outbreak investigation being conducted by federal and state agencies, including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Kentucky Department of Agriculture as well as several other state departments of agriculture. The investigation has no relationship to any program of the KyQHA. Further, the KyQHA and KyQHA BIF have no official role in this investigation, and programs of the KyQHA, specifically the BIF, are dictated by state law and regulations (see KRS 230.804 and Regulation 811 KAR 2:120).

The KyQHA highly recommends all individuals with a legitimate stake in the CEM investigation cooperate fully with all agencies conducting the investigation. Additionally, the KyQHA recommends reliance on the guidance given by those agencies via official communications from the same and in concert and consultation, if appropriate, with their attending veterinarians.

The KyQHA web site will relay ONLY official communications from investigating agencies in an effort to provide you with accurate information.

The most up-to-date and official information can be found at:

www.aphis.usda.gov
and
www.kyagr.com

If you have a CEM exposed or at-risk mare that is going to return to Kentucky to foal, click here for the official guidance on how that will occur.

If you have additional questions regarding CEM, please contact the office of your state veterinarian.

In Kentucky: Office of State Veterinarian - (502) 564-3956

If you have questions regarding the KyQHA Breeders’ Incentive Fund, call Stephanie in the KyQHA office at (888) 367-5742.