The Queensland Horse Council has developed an emergency Horse Owners’ Signal System, appropriately named HOSS.

The system has been put in place so as all horse owners and carers in Queensland can register on the database and be immediately notified of any emergency which may affect the horses. This may include outbreaks of disease, quarantine issues, fire and flood.  

The Queensland Horse Council is the peak body for the horse industry in Queensland and as works with all horse and pony associations, clubs and societies to promote education on matters relating to the horse industry. It represents the Queensland horse industry to Federal, State and Local Government, liaises with allied industries and educational facilities and is the centre for collection and dissemination of information.

Biosecurity matters have become a central focus for horse people, and since emergence of the Hendra Virus and the Equine Influenza outbreak, the Horse Council has been working with industry and government to develop robust systems and plans to ensure the horse industry is as prepared as possible for future emergencies.

This is where HOSS comes in. Signing upto HOSS is free and open to anyone who owns or cares for horses (including broodmares), ponies, donkeys or mules.

The HOSS database has been designed to work in conjunction with the Horse Council’s Emergency Response Plan, both of which can be accessed on the Council’s website.

The QROA encourages all our members who have horses (thoroughbreds or otherwise) on their properties to sign up for HOSS. You can do this bychecking out the QHC website: www.qldhorsecouncil.com