AT least four thoroughbred horses have died in the Western Cape in the past week of African horse sickness, a development that may cripple South Africa’s thoroughbred export industry. As a result of the outbreak, no horses may be exported from South Africa. According to Onderstepoort head of equine research Professor Alan Guthrie, the European Union Protocol on local equine exports says that South African horse exports must be stopped as soon as any outbreak of African horse sickness starts, and may not resume for two years after the outbreak has been cleared. All horses based in the Wellington, Paarl/, Franschoek, Stellenbosch, Somerset West and Strand areas of the Western Cape have been placed under compulsory quarantine. African Horse Sickness is spread by midges and all owners of horses, mules, donkeys and zebras have been advised to stable their animals from 4pm to 9am and wash them down with instecticides.