Two horses quarantined at agricultural college

Two horses were quarantined at a farming college in Burchetts Green at the weekend.

Staff at Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) were forced to cancel a showjumping event for 200 pony riders on Sunday and a carriage driving qualifier for 50 competitors on Saturday after the animals fell ill.

A vet attended and diagnosed the horses as suffering from a 'mild cold' type illness.

A spokesman for BCA stressed the illness was of 'little significance' and the animals were quarantined as a precaution.

She said there was no link to the Schmallenberg virus, which has been killing new-born lambs across South-east England, or the more serious equine strangles disease.

BCA, in Hall Place, has since been given the all clear and is back to business as usual.

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