We are all set for the ITBA EXPO 2018 at Goffs tomorrow and Saturday! Delighted to be using our new stand so come see us at Stand 16 in the main Goffs complex. And stay for our Veterinary Biosecurity seminar "Biosecurity: Minimise Disease, Maximise Profit" from 5.00pm - 7.00pm in the main Goffs auditorium. Our expert speakers will discuss how the limits of modern equine medicine means that everyone working with horses needs to look at ways of preventing issues and illnesses rather than relying on medicines to treat them. And our guest speaker is long-term IEC client Nicky Henderson! As Champion NH Trainer in the UK last season, Nicky will chat about how our input and advice on biosecurity has really benefited the racehorses in his yard. And on Saturday at 3.00pm in the EXPO Den, our scientists Alan Creighton and Kerrie Kavanagh will showcase our new autogenous equine probiotic and bacteria storage service. Each probiotic is made exclusively for each individual horse depending on their needs, and can have a dramatic difference in rebalancing the gut flora of a horse, which is key for overall health and performance.

UPDATE - HE HAS BEEN REUNITED WITH HIS OWNERS! HIS MICROCHIP CONFIRMED HE WAS A LOCAL DOG AND HE IS NOW HOME! Thank you to everyone who rang us and shared on social media! ANYONE MISSING A DOG in Johnstown, near Naas? This friendly male dog has been at the IEC today. No name tag but wearing a high quality leather collar and coat. Please us on call 045 866 266 if you recognise him. PLS share so we can get him home!

++++++ WE ARE HIRING! ++++++ LABORATORY AIDE REQUIRED AT THE IEC Applications are invited for the position of a Laboratory Aide in the INAB accredited Microbiology Unit of the Irish Equine Centre. Duties will include supporting laboratory personnel in preparing samples for analysis, maintaining laboratory equipment and performing routine tests. Previous experience is desirable but not essential. Applications and CVs should be sent to Prof. Tom Buckley at the Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare or by email to tbuckley@irishequinecentre.ie. The application deadline is 5.00pm on Friday 2nd February 2018.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS The IEC is closed December 25th & 26th and 1st January. We are open as usual Wednesday 27th - Friday 29th December. The emergency equine on-call service is available at all other times. We wish everyone a Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2018! Emergency On-call Contacts: Microbiology: 087 9959192 Clinical Pathology/Pathology 087 9959195 Virology 087 9959190

NEW SENIOR ROLE AT THE IEC Head of Microbiology – Irish Equine Centre The Irish Equine Centre (IEC) wishes to recruit a senior scientist or experienced veterinary surgeon to lead its Microbiology Unit at its laboratories in Johnstown, Naas, Co Kildare. The IEC is an award winning accredited laboratory which enjoys a world-wide reputation as a leader in veterinary laboratory diagnostics and related services. It is a designated Reference Laboratory for the World Animal Health Organisation, the “OIE”, and its staff have contributed to the acquisition of this reputation by scientific publications, developments in new diagnostic techniques and in presenting their work to many international fora. Reporting to the Chief Executive, the successful candidate will manage the Microbiology Unit which is the largest scientific unit of the IEC and is primarily focussed on equine disease diagnostics, equine forensic testing and research. The Microbiology Unit conducts relevant equine research in conjunction with relevant academic and government bodies. Other activities of the Microbiology Unit include disease diagnostics for food producing animals and quality testing of food and animal feed. The role offers the opportunity to occupy an influential position within the equine industry and the chance to showcase excellent scientific and commercial judgement. The ideal candidate will be a senior scientist or veterinary surgeon with an equine background and a track record of publishing scientific papers. The candidate should also have sound business acumen and must bring a commercial approach to managing the Microbiology Unit. The successful candidate will be expected to identify new business opportunities that capitalise on the IEC’s scientific reputation and expertise. The salary and benefits package is commensurate with relevant experience. Essential Criteria: - Third level scientific degree or qualified veterinary surgeon. - Proven track record in equine health diagnostics and research. - Good working knowledge of veterinary / diagnostic laboratories. - A thorough knowledge of the equine and agricultural sectors. - Commercially astute, a problem solver and results driven. - Excellent staff management and development skills. - Very good interpersonal skills including strong communication ability. - A knowledge of funded scientific research programmes would be an advantage. - Applicants must be eligible to live and work in Ireland and hold a full driving licence. All applications should be sent in the strictest confidence to: Sarah McNicholas Chief Executive Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare Email: smcnicholas@irishequinecentre.ie www.irishequinecentre.ie The deadline for applications is close of business on Friday 12th January 2018. The Irish Equine Centre is an equal opportunities employer.

NEW CONFIRMED CASE OF SYCAMORE POISONING / ATYPICAL MYOPATHY IN NORTHERN IRELAND Please note we are aware of one fatal case in Northern Ireland in the last few days. The horse in question was an older mare - one of several grazing in a paddock with sycamore trees nearby. The mare was the only horse affected. The recent windy and wet weather has resulted in a heavy burden of sycamore seeds in grass paddocks and other rural areas. The sycamore seeds have been shown to contain a toxin called Hypoglycin A and cases of atypical myopathy (ATM) are thought to be associated with ingestion of these toxic seeds. All owners should be vigilant and try and keep your horses away from sycamore seeds wherever possible. However, the presence of sycamore trees does not automatically mean the problem will occur. Factors such as the weather conditions, the health profile of the animal, access to and ingestion of the seeds at the appropriate time of the year and the presence of sufficient levels of hypoglycin A in the seeds are at required for ATM to occur. SYMPTOMS Most frequently reported clinical signs of ATM include: sudden, unexplained onset of muscle stiffness, weakness, altered gait, rapid heart rate, laboured breathing, sweating, bladder distension, pigmenturia (blood in urine), muscle fasciculations, and recumbency - horses lying down unable to get up again. Clinical cases are often initially diagnosed as colic. These signs generally present for 12 to 72 hours, and there is a 75-90% mortality rate. Early diagnosis and treatment can increase the chances of survival. A simple blood test can confirm whether a horse is suffering from ATM. Elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are markers of the muscle damage associated with ATM. The IEC can turn a blood test around in a couple of hours. GET IN TOUCH..... If you have any concerns or questions about ATM please contact Dr. Ursula Fogarty at the Irish Equine Centre on 045 866 266.

NEW ROLE AVAILABLE AT THE IEC Procurement Administrator / Accounts Administrator The Administrator will join the Finance Team. ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY The IEC are looking for a motivated individual to join our Finance department. The successful candidate will be responsible for the procurement function within the department. This is an excellent developmental opportunity for someone with experience and interest in procurement and accounts administration. PACKAGE - Competitive salary - Company Pension Plan - Flexible Working hours - 23 days holiday per annum RESPONSIBILITIES - Managing Suppliers, Cost Database, System updates - Place orders for all goods - Raising/Issuing Purchase Orders - Match delivery dockets to purchase orders and receive on accounting system - Issue Stock received to all relevant departments - Manage issues/queries with Suppliers - Assist with the development of requests for proposals/information - Cost analysis & reporting for supplier reviews - Supplier liaison – follow-up on RFPs/RFIs, quotes, delivery times etc. - Onboarding of department suppliers - Ad hoc administration within the Finance department - Reporting as required ABOUT YOU The successful candidate should have: - Min. 2-3 years’ experience in a similar role - Excellent numerical skills - Advanced knowledge of MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint - Excellent organisational and document control skills - The ability to work on their own initiative Closing Date for Applications – Friday 22nd September 2017 No Agencies Required Applications can be posted to: Patrick Kelly, Head of Finance, Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare Or e-mailed to: pkelly@irishequinecentre.ie

IEC GOLF CLASSIC 2017 - WINNERS A huge thank you to all who supported our annual Sean M. Collins Golf Classic at Carton House on Tuesday 4th September. Special mention to our generous event sponsors Juddmonte and we were delighted to have such a quality bloodstock and racing brand associated with the event. 30 teams battled it out and the weather was dry as we had hoped, but the wind made the course a proper challenge. The quality of the golf was high and the scores were tight for the top teams. Both Mattock Equine and the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association had 89 points, but Mattock Equine were the winners on count back. This meant they successfully defended their winning title from 2016. Perhaps the hat trick in 2018?! Well done to all the winners and participants and we look forward to 2018 and another great day out! OVERALL TEAM WINNERS - MATTOCK EQUINE - 89 PTS (on count back) Rory Matthews John Delaney Brendan Morrin Morton Rennick SECOND PRIZE - Irish Racehorse Trainers Association - 89 pts THIRD PRIZE - Keelings - 87 pts FOURTH PRIZE - Turf Club - 86 pts (on count back) FIFTH PRIZE - Goffs - 86 pts LONGEST DRIVE (MENS) - David Myerscough LONGEST DRIVE (LADIES) - Molly Dowling NEAREST PIN IN TWO (MENS) - Chris Lundy NEAREST PIN IN TWO (LADIES) - Molly Dowling NEAREST PIN (MENS) - Paul Dunne NEAREST PIN (LADIES) - Vonnie Collins