Horse Health
Healthy Horses E-Newsletter: Volume 8; Issue 7
By
May 6, 2008, 13:20

Equine Health News

Prepare For A Reduced Hay Crop in 2008

The USDA has released several crop reports that indicate the number of hay acres will be down in 2008. The department also reported that the existing hay supply is lower than in previous years. This information, combined with higher input costs (fuel, fertilizer, land rent) and higher grain prices (corn, soybean, wheat), will likely lead to increased hay prices.

Information provided courtesy of www.theHorse.com.

2008 AHC National Issues Forum to be Held June 15-18 The American Horse Council’s 2008 National Issues Forum will be held June 15-18, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C.

Monday, June 16th will include various committee meetings and an opening reception, with the National Issues Forum, Awards Luncheon and Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill to be held on Tuesday, June 17. This year’s National Issues Forum will focus on how the horse industry and individual members can be involved in the 2008 federal elections.

The horse industry has many issues including taxes, immigration, gaming, welfare, access to public lands, interstate and international movement of horses, that are considered by Congress. American Horse Council meeting registration information, the tentative meeting agenda and information can be found on the AHC website, www.horsecouncil.org.

In addition, on Wednesday, June 18th, a USDA/AHC all-day public forum entitled “The Unwanted Horse Issue: What Now?” has been added to the schedule. This forum will be held in USDA’s Jefferson Auditorium in Washington, D.C. The one-day Unwanted Horse educational forum is free and open to all. It will focus on the current situation and the next steps that might be taken. The forum will cover a variety of topics including historical, ethical and general perspectives on the unwanted horse issue, transportation issues, and potential solutions and options.

To register for the Unwanted Horse Issues Forum , send your name, affiliation and e-mail address to Marsha Stephens Hurd, 800 9th St. SW, Room 3150 Waterfront Centre, Washington, DC 20250-2220; call (202) 401-5352; fax (202) 401-6156; or e-mail either mhurd@csrees.usda.gov or rreynnells@csrees.usda.gov

If you plan to attend the 2008 National Issues Forum and know your arrival and departure dates, you should make your reservation by contacting the hotel at (202) 737-1234 or you can use the following direct link to the Hyatt Regency Web site: https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=66272. The American Horse Council has negotiated a per night rate of $242 single or $267 double. The cut-off date for guaranteeing a room at the AHC special rate is Tuesday, May 13, so be sure to make your reservations as soon as possible.


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Helpful Tips


“Vetiquette” 101

In an effort to better serve you, the horse owner, and ultimately the horse, AAEP would like to offer some “vetiquette” tips in the upcoming issues of the Healthy Horses E-newsletter. These tips will offer some common courtesy techniques for your veterinarians as well as proper client etiquette toward your veterinarian.

Tip #2

Be sure to always stand on the same side of the horse that your veterinarian is working. This will help both you and your veterinarian by always knowing what he/she is doing in case your horse were to become agitated or frightened.

Also, keep your cell phone turned off while your veterinarian is working on your horse(s). Eliminating the possibility of a loud ring from a phone will help avoid any unforeseen injuries from occurring.

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Informative Links


Own Responsibly
By educating existing and potential owners, breeders, sellers and horse organizations about the long-term responsibilities of owning and caring for horses, and focusing on opportunities available for these horses, such as retirement, retraining, new careers or uses, donation and euthanasia, the coalition hopes to help horses before they become unwanted. The UHC hopes to utilize industry resources to put owners of these horses in touch with individuals and facilities that will welcome them. The coalition hopes teaching people to own responsibly will help lower the number of unwanted horses.

Questions to consider before you buy a horse:

Can I afford to own a horse?
What will I do if my horse gets sick?
How long will I own my horse?
Is my child going to leave home soon?
Am I planning to relocate?

Questions owners should consider:

What are my options if I can no longer take care of my horse?
What will I do if my horse dies?

For more information, visit the Unwanted Horse Coalition Web site at www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org.


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Quiz Question

Last issue we asked:

How often should a horse receive a dental exam?

The answer is:

At the minimum, all horses should receive an annual dental exam. Horses aged 2 to 5 years may require more frequent dental exams than older horses, as there is an extraordinary amount of dental maturation during this period. Senior horses (20 years old or older) are at increased risk for developing periodontal disease and face the additional challenges of advancing age. Twice-a-year examinations are often required to keep their teeth functioning properly into their third and fourth decades of life. Jack Easley, DVM, Shelbyville, Ky.

This issue we ask:

Does clover cause broodmares to possibly experience false pregnancy or exhibit signs of lactating if grazed in early spring?

Look for the answer to this issue’s question in the “Ask the Vet” section of www.aaep.org/horseowner during the month of April when Dr. Ben Espy answered questions regarding equine reproduction.

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Upcoming Events

May 1-31: May "Ask the Vet" Forum. Has your horse recently undergone surgery or a candidate for surgery regarding lameness? Pose your questions during the month of May for Dr. Mark Haugland concerning equine orthopedic surgery.

May 6: 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.

May 14: Free Live Web Presentation from My Horse University – The Unwanted Horse by Dr. Tom Lenz.
This presentation will cover the plight of the unwanted horse in the U.S. It will focus on the types of horse that become unwanted, the reasons they become unwanted and possible solutions to the problem. Euthanasia, carcass disposal, rescue and retirement options, as well as the efforts of the Unwanted Horse Coalition will be included in the discussion. The presentation will start at 7 p.m. EST.


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How You Can Help


Boy Scout Troop Affected by Hurricane Katrina Looking for Donations
The Boy Scout Horseback Riding program of the Pine Burr Area Council was a favorite among Boy Scouts at Camp Tiak, located in Wiggins, Miss. Many Scouts earned Horsemanship merit badge while others enjoyed riding during their free time. Several of these boy scouts were having exposure to horses for the first time in a positive, supervised program. Then came Hurricane Katrina.

Camp Tiak is only 30 minutes north of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Hurricane force winds decimated the camp, no building was without wind or tree damage. Camp Tiak opened again in the summer of 2006 on a limited basis. Each year has seen improvement in facilities and programs including Horsemanship, which will finally return this summer. Six horses have been donated for the month of June, a cowgirl has been hired for instruction of Scouts, care of the horses. Horse pens and the corral have been rebuilt. The only remaining needs are feed, hay and tack. Camp Tiak has no saddles, saddle blankets, bridles, halters or lead ropes.

We encourage anyone wishing to help, contact Dr. Kirk Frazier, a local veterinarian who has taken the lead in rebuilding the horse program at Camp Tiak. Dr. Frazier may be reached at (601) 606-8027 or Bill Taylor, camp director, at (601) 606-6126. Donations may be sent to 24 Homewood Point Hattiesburg, MS 39402. Please keep in mind that all donations are tax deductible when made out to the Pine Burr Council Horse Program.


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