Horse Health
AAEP News
AAEP “On Call” Veterinarians to Assist Spring Thoroughbred Racing Telecasts
Media-trained equine veterinarians representing the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ “On Call” program will support another season of live Thoroughbred racing on the major television networks. Now in its 18th year, “On Call” is designed to deliver accurate veterinary information to broadcast and print journalists regarding the health of the equine athlete.
AAEP “On Call” veterinarians will assist the following spring racing telecasts as well as the Triple Crown:
• March 22: Lane’s End Stakes and Rushaway Stakes – Dr. Rhonda Rathgeber at Turfway Park.
• March 29: Florida Derby – Dr. Tom Brokken at Gulfstream Park.
• April 12: Toyota Blue Grass Stakes – Dr. Scott Hopper at Keeneland Racecourse; Arkansas Derby – Dr. Milton McClure at Oaklawn Park; and Holy Bull Stakes – Dr. Tom Brokken at Gulfstream Park.
• April 19: Coolmore Lexington Stakes – Dr. Alan Ruggles at Keeneland Racecourse.
• Triple Crown: Dr. Larry Bramlage.
Since the founding of “On Call” in 1991, more than 30 AAEP members have volunteered their time and expertise to the program. Offered during all live network racing as well as arena events such as the AQHA World Championship Show, over 75 events are supported by an “On Call” veterinarian each year. The program is made possible in part by an annual donation from Oak Tree Racing Association.
”Familiar Faces” (latest blog entry by Dr. Jennifer Selvig)
Follow the journey, with Dr. Jennifer Selvig’s latest entry, “Familiar Faces,” as she experiences the ups, downs and surprises of life as a new equine veterinarian.
And … it’s still winter in Minnesota. I think I’m over this weather. I just have a month and a half left before I head back to the racetrack, which is... Read more.
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In Other News
The Humane Society of the United States Announces $10,000 Reward for Information on Horse Soring
The Humane Society of the United States has announced it will offer a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any violator of Tennessee’s “horse soring” law, which prohibits the deliberate infliction of pain to horses’ feet to produce an artificially high-stepping gait. Ads announcing the reward will appear throughout middle Tennessee, an area still believed to be a hotbed of soring activity.
“Soring - the deliberate infliction of pain upon a horse to increase the animal’s entertainment or monetary value - is incredibly cruel, and must end,” said Keith Dane, director of equine protection at The Humane Society of the United States. The soring of Tennessee Walking Horses and other breeds of gaited show horses is one of the most heinous forms of abuse inflicted upon equines in the U.S. The practice involves the use of caustic chemicals and chains on the legs of the horse, creating severe pain and forcing an exaggerated, high-stepping gait.
Pressure shoeing, another especially egregious form of soring, is the abusive technique of cutting a horse's hoof almost to the bloodline so the shoe puts painful pressure on the horse's sole with each stride. In some instances, foreign objects are placed between the hoof and the shoe to create painful pressure on the sole.
Passage of a federal law (the 1970 Horse Protection Act) has not had the intended effect of eliminating soring. Tennessee also has a state law prohibiting soring, but enforcement of these laws has proven difficult, and this illegal practice continues on a widespread basis. Therefore, The HSUS is offering this reward in order to encourage citizens to come forward and help end this entrenched cruelty.
In 2006, the annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, TN failed to name a World Grand Champion when most of the finalists were disqualified for violations of the federal Horse Protection Act. Constituents, who support HSUS’ efforts and understand the need to end this cruel practice, have generously agreed to supplement the reward amount. In the past, supporters have offered similar backing for increased rewards in particular cases of animal cruelty.
Anyone with information on this cruel practice should call (866) 411-TEAM (8326). The Humane Society of the United States will protect the identity of all callers.
The Jockey Club now offering microchips for Thoroughbreds
The Jockey Club has begun offering microchips for sale to interested owners and breeders for use in Thoroughbreds residing within the United States and all U.S. territories. Microchips are not currently a requirement for Thoroughbred registration and participation is voluntary. Read more.
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From the Archives
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
When an emergency or natural disaster occurs, it is always in the best interest of horses for both the equine practitioner and the horse owner to be prepared. Foreign animal disease outbreaks or other catastrophic events can adversely affect the health and well-being of horses. The preparation must be as thorough as possible knowing that circumstances will highlight the weaknesses rather than the strengths of those involved. Read more.
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Informative Links
Educational Partner Profile: IDEXX Laboratories
IDEXX Laboratories is proud to be an AAEP Educational Partner because it enables the company to further support equine care and the practitioners who provide it. In additional to their commitment to the AAEP and veterinary education, IDEXX provides an extensive range of solutions for equine practitioners including breakthrough diagnostics, expert consulting, innovative therapeutic treatments and advanced patient monitoring technologies. IDEXX is committed to delivering solutions that protect the welfare of the horses and support those who care for them. To learn more about IDEXX laboratories and its extensive line of products and services, click here.
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Quiz Question
Last issue we asked:
My horse is getting saddle sores on her withers. She is a very wide Quarter horse, and it is impossible to find a saddle that fits her correctly. I have tried extra padding, but nothing seems to work. What should I do to make her more comfortable?
The answer is:
If the sores are on the withers, you should look for a cut back saddle. The only other way to take the pressure off of the withers is to use a narrower tree, but that will cause trouble if your horse is wide. Typically, padding will only make the saddle tighter or unleveled. Lyn Simmelink, DVM, Redding, Conn.
This issue we ask:
I have a few horses that get a variety of supplements and I like to pre-measure and put them into containers so that the barn manager doesn’t have to weight them out each time. Is there a rule of thumb regarding which kinds of supplements should or should not be combined and stored together for a period of a week or so?
Look for the answer to this issue’s question during this month’s "Ask the Vet" Forum when Dr. Lydia Gray, of SmartPak Equine, answers questions pertaining to equine nutritional supplements.
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Upcoming Events
April “Ask the Vet" Forum. It's that time of year again to be thinking about both reproduction and dental care. Pose your questions concerning either equine reproduction or dental care for our experts Dr. Ben Espy (reproduction), or Drs. Elizabeth Schilling (dentistry) and Lynn Caldwell (dentistry) during the month of April.
April 1: Monthly Horse Owner Seminar, Bear Creek Animal Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas. The first Tuesday of each month Bear Creek Animal Hospital will host a free horse owner seminar on equine care. Topics may include diseases, dentistry, nutrition, reproduction, safety and much more. For more information, contact Dr. Jerry Parker at bcvhdr@aol.com or call (817) 443-0402. Seminars begin at 6:30 p.m. each month.
April 11-12: FOSH Sound Horse Conference, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, Ohio. This is the first national conference to focus on ending the practice of soring Tennessee Walking horses. The conference will focus on challenges to compliance with the federal law, methods being used for soring, technology available, which could help inspectors, proposed equine research that would help the cause, and how cultural and societal changes could be effective. For more information, click here or call (800) 651-7993.
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