Friday, December 29, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Forest Service to take stock of facilities
Agency faces "tough decisions" to close some sites, add fees to others
By Patrick Hannigan
Beginning in April 2007, the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests will rank all of its 300-plus developed recreation sites spread out across the four-million acre forest.
"Maybe the bottom 10 percent of sites need to be closed," said Jim Archambeault, recreation planner for the forest.
The process, officially known as Recreation Site Facility Master Planning (RSFMP), was initiated by an administrative rule change within the Forest Service in 2002. The directive required that every one of the roughly 15,000 campgrounds, picnic areas, scenic overlooks and trailheads with bathrooms on the 193 million acres under the agency’s authority be evaluated.
Those sites that fail to meet certain criteria will either be upgraded to fee sites, be turned over to private concessionaires for management or be closed.
"The broad goal is to take a close look at what it costs to operate developed sites in the forest, and try to align the facilities with the budget," said Archambeault. "Those ones that fall out of the bottom, we’ll need to make some real tough decisions."
Archambeault said the RSFMP plan for the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests would be completed by September 2007. He said outcomes of the plan might include closing lesser-used recreation sites, imposing new operating fees, or managing existing recreation sites differently.
Currently, the combined Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests have roughly 300 developed recreation sites that will be included in the RSFMP review. That includes campgrounds, trailheads, overlooks, picnic areas, boat launches and interpretive sites.
The closures and new fees will mainly affect simple, remote facilities, wrote Dick Artley. Before retiring from the Forest Service in 2003, Artley spent the last 12 years of his career as a forest planner at the Nez Perce National Forest in central Idaho.
"This seems totally illogical and absurd," wrote Artley in an open letter published on the Internet Sept. 30. "We all know these "simple", "remote" facilities: 1) have very few improvements and 2) are easy to maintain and are maintained at minimum cost."
Crystal Perrow of Winthrop expressed similar concerns.
"A lot of the sites they are going to close are the unimproved sites that are the favorites of locals," said Perrow. "When we’re out camping, we don’t need hot running water and flush toilets – that’s not what we’re about in the Methow."
Perrow said she believes the RSFMP inventory is being conducted so the Forest Service can close down recreation sites that don’t make money. She said it seems to her as if the process is being conducted "on the sly."
"When does the public get a chop on this? Are our comments even going to make a difference?" asked Perrow. "There’s just not much that’s known."
Archambeault said the public eventually would have an opportunity to comment on the process, but conceded that Forest Service had not developed specific plans for public feedback.
"We haven’t really thought about it yet in terms of how to involve the public, but there will be public involvement," said Archambeault. "It could involve some public meetings or an open house. I can’t say right now how we’re going to do that."
Other national forests have already completed their RSFMP plans and have begun implementation with little or no public notice, said Kitty Benzar, co-founder of the Western Slope No Fee Coalition, a Colorado-based group that opposes new user fees on public lands.
"They’ve offered no opportunity for meaningful public comment," said Benzar. "The end result is going to be the privatization of our national forests for operation as for-profit enterprises."
Since the RSFMP process for the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests has not started, it unclear what specific implications the resulting plan will have for recreation opportunities in the national forest surrounding the Methow. Currently in the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, 80 of the approximately 160 campgrounds charge fees, and 102 of roughly 140 (or 73 percent) of the major trailheads charge fees.
Isabelle Spohn of Twisp said she is concerned the RFSMP will result in more new fees and the closure of many free recreation sites that Methow locals have been visiting for decades.
"The irony is that a lot of people have stopped going to the national forests because of all the user fees, so now the Forest Service is going to close down these sites because people use them less," said Spohn. "It’s sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy."
Methow Valley News
By Patrick Hannigan
Beginning in April 2007, the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests will rank all of its 300-plus developed recreation sites spread out across the four-million acre forest.
"Maybe the bottom 10 percent of sites need to be closed," said Jim Archambeault, recreation planner for the forest.
The process, officially known as Recreation Site Facility Master Planning (RSFMP), was initiated by an administrative rule change within the Forest Service in 2002. The directive required that every one of the roughly 15,000 campgrounds, picnic areas, scenic overlooks and trailheads with bathrooms on the 193 million acres under the agency’s authority be evaluated.
Those sites that fail to meet certain criteria will either be upgraded to fee sites, be turned over to private concessionaires for management or be closed.
"The broad goal is to take a close look at what it costs to operate developed sites in the forest, and try to align the facilities with the budget," said Archambeault. "Those ones that fall out of the bottom, we’ll need to make some real tough decisions."
Archambeault said the RSFMP plan for the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests would be completed by September 2007. He said outcomes of the plan might include closing lesser-used recreation sites, imposing new operating fees, or managing existing recreation sites differently.
Currently, the combined Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests have roughly 300 developed recreation sites that will be included in the RSFMP review. That includes campgrounds, trailheads, overlooks, picnic areas, boat launches and interpretive sites.
The closures and new fees will mainly affect simple, remote facilities, wrote Dick Artley. Before retiring from the Forest Service in 2003, Artley spent the last 12 years of his career as a forest planner at the Nez Perce National Forest in central Idaho.
"This seems totally illogical and absurd," wrote Artley in an open letter published on the Internet Sept. 30. "We all know these "simple", "remote" facilities: 1) have very few improvements and 2) are easy to maintain and are maintained at minimum cost."
Crystal Perrow of Winthrop expressed similar concerns.
"A lot of the sites they are going to close are the unimproved sites that are the favorites of locals," said Perrow. "When we’re out camping, we don’t need hot running water and flush toilets – that’s not what we’re about in the Methow."
Perrow said she believes the RSFMP inventory is being conducted so the Forest Service can close down recreation sites that don’t make money. She said it seems to her as if the process is being conducted "on the sly."
"When does the public get a chop on this? Are our comments even going to make a difference?" asked Perrow. "There’s just not much that’s known."
Archambeault said the public eventually would have an opportunity to comment on the process, but conceded that Forest Service had not developed specific plans for public feedback.
"We haven’t really thought about it yet in terms of how to involve the public, but there will be public involvement," said Archambeault. "It could involve some public meetings or an open house. I can’t say right now how we’re going to do that."
Other national forests have already completed their RSFMP plans and have begun implementation with little or no public notice, said Kitty Benzar, co-founder of the Western Slope No Fee Coalition, a Colorado-based group that opposes new user fees on public lands.
"They’ve offered no opportunity for meaningful public comment," said Benzar. "The end result is going to be the privatization of our national forests for operation as for-profit enterprises."
Since the RSFMP process for the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests has not started, it unclear what specific implications the resulting plan will have for recreation opportunities in the national forest surrounding the Methow. Currently in the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, 80 of the approximately 160 campgrounds charge fees, and 102 of roughly 140 (or 73 percent) of the major trailheads charge fees.
Isabelle Spohn of Twisp said she is concerned the RFSMP will result in more new fees and the closure of many free recreation sites that Methow locals have been visiting for decades.
"The irony is that a lot of people have stopped going to the national forests because of all the user fees, so now the Forest Service is going to close down these sites because people use them less," said Spohn. "It’s sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy."
Methow Valley News
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Herpesvirus-Exposed Horses Located in 10 States
Herpesvirus-Exposed Horses Located in 10 States from “The Horse”
by: Erin Ryder, Staff Writer
December 19 2006 Article # 8463
The 14 horses imported and quarantined with the animal believed responsible for the outbreak of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) in Wellington, Fla., have been located, according to Jim Rogers, media coordinator for the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Rogers said the state veterinarians of Massachusetts, New Hamphsire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina have been notified that horses exposed to EHV-1 were shipped to their states. There have been three deaths in Florida and one in California, all of which can be traced back to contact with horses on this shipment.
According to Rogers, no clinical cases of EHV have been reported other than those in Florida and California. As EHV is not considered a reportable disease it is up to state veterinarians---not the USDA--to monitor and control any outbreaks.
The imported horses arrived at the USDA New York Animal Import Center (NYAIC) in Newburgh, N.Y., from Germany on Nov. 24 and left Nov. 27. Rogers said that one horse had a fever while in quarantine, but the horse improved and was not showing any clinical signs at the time it was released.
"The horses were released based on no clinical evidence of disease at the time of release," Rogers said. "They did not have fevers and all appeared healthy."
According to Rogers, no changes to the quarantine procedures at the NYAIC are expected in the wake of this outbreak. The facility remains open.
"Each shipment is quarantined by itself in one barn," Rogers explained. "There were 15 horses in this shipment, and these horses did not come into contact with any other horses. In NYAIC there are multiple barns, and only one shipment of horses goes into a barn at a time. Once the shipment is released, the barn is cleaned and disinfected before the next shipment is placed in that space."
by: Erin Ryder, Staff Writer
December 19 2006 Article # 8463
The 14 horses imported and quarantined with the animal believed responsible for the outbreak of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) in Wellington, Fla., have been located, according to Jim Rogers, media coordinator for the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Rogers said the state veterinarians of Massachusetts, New Hamphsire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina have been notified that horses exposed to EHV-1 were shipped to their states. There have been three deaths in Florida and one in California, all of which can be traced back to contact with horses on this shipment.
According to Rogers, no clinical cases of EHV have been reported other than those in Florida and California. As EHV is not considered a reportable disease it is up to state veterinarians---not the USDA--to monitor and control any outbreaks.
The imported horses arrived at the USDA New York Animal Import Center (NYAIC) in Newburgh, N.Y., from Germany on Nov. 24 and left Nov. 27. Rogers said that one horse had a fever while in quarantine, but the horse improved and was not showing any clinical signs at the time it was released.
"The horses were released based on no clinical evidence of disease at the time of release," Rogers said. "They did not have fevers and all appeared healthy."
According to Rogers, no changes to the quarantine procedures at the NYAIC are expected in the wake of this outbreak. The facility remains open.
"Each shipment is quarantined by itself in one barn," Rogers explained. "There were 15 horses in this shipment, and these horses did not come into contact with any other horses. In NYAIC there are multiple barns, and only one shipment of horses goes into a barn at a time. Once the shipment is released, the barn is cleaned and disinfected before the next shipment is placed in that space."
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
The Twelve Days of Basecamp
On the Twelfth Day of Basecamp, my true love gave to me:
Twelve Port-a-Potties,
Eleven Pipes a-Freezin',
Ten Horses Leaping,
Nine Ladies Dancing, (the pee-pee dance)
Eight Oversleepers,
Seven Generators,
Six LD's Racing,
Five Horses LOOOOOOSE!
Four Falling Turds,
Three trashed pens,
Two Purple Gloves,
I Won't Ride 'Til I Have My Coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
submitted by Bruce Weary
Twelve Port-a-Potties,
Eleven Pipes a-Freezin',
Ten Horses Leaping,
Nine Ladies Dancing, (the pee-pee dance)
Eight Oversleepers,
Seven Generators,
Six LD's Racing,
Five Horses LOOOOOOSE!
Four Falling Turds,
Three trashed pens,
Two Purple Gloves,
I Won't Ride 'Til I Have My Coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
submitted by Bruce Weary
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
FEI ENDURANCE QUESTIONNAIRE – 2006
By Leonard Liesens
Endurance-Belgium.com
[Leonard: In preparation for the FEI Endurance Forum that will take place in Paris in march, the FEI drafted a questionnaire. FEI asks every rider to fill this questionnaire. It seems nevertheless that the action is not completely 'innocent' as the FEI seems to want to dilute strong opinions in the mass. Is the intention of the FEI to cancel the decisions made when the Toulouse Group put a lot of pressure on the FEI? The Toulouse group led by Pierre Cazes and Suzanne Dollinger spontaneously gathered to fight against some bending of the FEI regulations. The 160km distance as the Championship distance was the warhorse of the Group. And now, the question comes again in the spotlights. It is great time for the defenders of the 160Kms to come out of the shade..
Your thoughts?]
For completion by FEI Endurance Registered Riders
The FEI requests the assistance of all FEI Registered Endurance riders by completing this questionnaire. The information provided will give a more complete picture of what is happening within the sport at this time and, further, what is considered important for the development of FEI Endurance in the years to come.
The statistics produced from the questionnaire will be published on the FEI web site and tabled at the 2007 World Endurance Forum in Paris in March.
The FEI would like to thank you for taking the time to complete the document and for returning it by email to : Emilie Leyvraz at e.leyvraz@horsesport.org
Original Endurance-Belgium Report
View The Questionnaire
Endurance-Belgium.com
[Leonard: In preparation for the FEI Endurance Forum that will take place in Paris in march, the FEI drafted a questionnaire. FEI asks every rider to fill this questionnaire. It seems nevertheless that the action is not completely 'innocent' as the FEI seems to want to dilute strong opinions in the mass. Is the intention of the FEI to cancel the decisions made when the Toulouse Group put a lot of pressure on the FEI? The Toulouse group led by Pierre Cazes and Suzanne Dollinger spontaneously gathered to fight against some bending of the FEI regulations. The 160km distance as the Championship distance was the warhorse of the Group. And now, the question comes again in the spotlights. It is great time for the defenders of the 160Kms to come out of the shade..Your thoughts?]
For completion by FEI Endurance Registered Riders
The FEI requests the assistance of all FEI Registered Endurance riders by completing this questionnaire. The information provided will give a more complete picture of what is happening within the sport at this time and, further, what is considered important for the development of FEI Endurance in the years to come.
The statistics produced from the questionnaire will be published on the FEI web site and tabled at the 2007 World Endurance Forum in Paris in March.
The FEI would like to thank you for taking the time to complete the document and for returning it by email to : Emilie Leyvraz at e.leyvraz@horsesport.org
Original Endurance-Belgium Report
View The Questionnaire
Treating Metabolic Problems at Endurance Rides
By Langdon Fielding, DVM, and Gary Magdesian, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM, DACVP (clinical pharmacology)
The following article describes an approach to the treatment of horses presenting for veterinary medical care at an endurance ride. This outline is based on our experiences from the Western States 100 mile trail ride (Tevis Cup) for the 2005 and 2006 year as well as horses referred to our respective hospitals over the last five to 10 years from rides in the northern California area. We have been fortunate to work with a number of experienced veterinarians in this sport who have shared their insight and experience and we offer this article as a collective summary of this knowledge.
Endurance horses are pulled from rides and present for medical treatment for a variety of causes, but they are typically categorized as a metabolic or lameness problem. This article will focus on horses with metabolic problems. It describes a general approach to all of these horses and then adds specific notes for some of the more common conditions.
The treatment of endurance horses with metabolic problems can be summarized: To identify those horses with inadequate perfusion (oxygen delivery to muscle, intestine, etc.) and to restore it as quickly as possible.
[More: AERC Vet Newsletter #2]
The following article describes an approach to the treatment of horses presenting for veterinary medical care at an endurance ride. This outline is based on our experiences from the Western States 100 mile trail ride (Tevis Cup) for the 2005 and 2006 year as well as horses referred to our respective hospitals over the last five to 10 years from rides in the northern California area. We have been fortunate to work with a number of experienced veterinarians in this sport who have shared their insight and experience and we offer this article as a collective summary of this knowledge.
Endurance horses are pulled from rides and present for medical treatment for a variety of causes, but they are typically categorized as a metabolic or lameness problem. This article will focus on horses with metabolic problems. It describes a general approach to all of these horses and then adds specific notes for some of the more common conditions.
General approach
The treatment of endurance horses with metabolic problems can be summarized: To identify those horses with inadequate perfusion (oxygen delivery to muscle, intestine, etc.) and to restore it as quickly as possible.
[More: AERC Vet Newsletter #2]
Statisics on the Use of the CRI at the Tevis Cup
The Western States Trail Ride veterinary staff, led by Greg Fellers, DVM, collected cardiac recovery index (CRI) data on horses at the 2005 Tevis. The data was collected on horses during an exit exam at the first one hour hold at mile 36. The pulse criteria at this check point was 60 bpm. The data was collected in order to determine if an exit CRI was a useful indicator for performance of the horse later in the ride. Following are the results:
These figures point out the positive correlation between a passing CRI and the probability that the horse will complete the ride. This suggests riders and veterinarians should watch horses more closely with a questionable CRI as the statistical odds of completing decreases with a CRI that does not return to resting heart rate.
(Editor's note: It should be noted though the CRI is a very valuable tool in assessing a horse's ability to continue, it should be just one of our tools that we use as part of the whole picture to evaluate the horse's ability to continue and not used solely on its own.)
Source: AERC Vet Newsletter #2
a>
| Total # CRIs performed | 146 | Completion rate - HR up by 4 bpm over resting HR | 58% (33) |
| Total # horses out of check point | 147 | Completion rate - HR up by 8 bpm over resting HR | 43% (23) |
| Overall completion rate | 59% | Completion rate - recovery HR 48 bpm or less | 62% (74) |
| Completion rate - no change in CRI | 63% (90) | Completion rate - recovery HR 60 bpm or greater | 44% (25) |
These figures point out the positive correlation between a passing CRI and the probability that the horse will complete the ride. This suggests riders and veterinarians should watch horses more closely with a questionable CRI as the statistical odds of completing decreases with a CRI that does not return to resting heart rate.
(Editor's note: It should be noted though the CRI is a very valuable tool in assessing a horse's ability to continue, it should be just one of our tools that we use as part of the whole picture to evaluate the horse's ability to continue and not used solely on its own.)
Source: AERC Vet Newsletter #2
a>
Monday, December 11, 2006
FEI Athlete Doping Control Stations
To: Show management, secretaries and organizers of FEI level shows
From: Sara Ike, USADA/WADA liaison
Date: December 11, 2006
Re: Athlete Doping Control Stations
Please be advised that as per the FEI General Regulations Article 145.5, any International competitor may be tested for prohibited substances according to the World Anti-Doping Code in competition with no advance notice.
Therefore it is possible that Doping Control Officers (DCOs) may arrive at your show with no advance notice and you will be asked to provide a venue for athlete drug testing.
Guidelines for a suitable doping control station are:
· reserved solely for doping control
· handicap accessible
· restricted access by authorized personnel only
· secure enough to store drug testing equipment
· private
· ideally comprised of a waiting room, processing room, and male/female bathrooms
· at least two tables for processing
· chairs
· a trash can
· appropriate lighting
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 908-326-1164 or via email sara.ike@usef.org
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Sara Ike
From: Sara Ike, USADA/WADA liaison
Date: December 11, 2006
Re: Athlete Doping Control Stations
Please be advised that as per the FEI General Regulations Article 145.5, any International competitor may be tested for prohibited substances according to the World Anti-Doping Code in competition with no advance notice.
Therefore it is possible that Doping Control Officers (DCOs) may arrive at your show with no advance notice and you will be asked to provide a venue for athlete drug testing.
Guidelines for a suitable doping control station are:
· reserved solely for doping control
· handicap accessible
· restricted access by authorized personnel only
· secure enough to store drug testing equipment
· private
· ideally comprised of a waiting room, processing room, and male/female bathrooms
· at least two tables for processing
· chairs
· a trash can
· appropriate lighting
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 908-326-1164 or via email sara.ike@usef.org
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Sara Ike
Friday, December 08, 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Thoughts on the WEC
Here's a real challenge: there are many in the sport(and in FEI as well) who feel that endurance courses need a greater level of 'technical' challenge. Some of the other disciplines were rather appalled after the Endurance competition in Aachen - the general press was not kind. They described it as 'too demanding, not enough horsemanship, too impersonal (grooms and pit crews), too disorganized, too hard on the horses...etc. There will be an FEI endurance forum sometime in the future where people can talk about issues of concern with each other and with those who are in the position to create or change the rules of the sport. One of the issues of concern (both within and outside of the FEI) is the nature of the sport as it has developed over the past decade. That is, a fast 'race track' course has replaced the traditional (Tevis course) concept of Endurance riding. It takes less horsemanship to jockey a horse over a flat track than over a challenging technical trail.
So, given the fact that some places simply don't have the terrain for the classic technical challenge, how can we, or even 'can we' regulate the sport so that it is more appealing, less demanding on the horses, something greater than a 50% completion rate, a sport requiring more horsemanship?
Can we regulate the amount of 'technical trail' in any given event? i.e. x number of miles of difficulty or natural obstacle(hill, sand, rock, x-country, etc). How about scattering slalom sections along the trail (can those horses turn?).
any ideas??
Steph
So, given the fact that some places simply don't have the terrain for the classic technical challenge, how can we, or even 'can we' regulate the sport so that it is more appealing, less demanding on the horses, something greater than a 50% completion rate, a sport requiring more horsemanship?
Can we regulate the amount of 'technical trail' in any given event? i.e. x number of miles of difficulty or natural obstacle(hill, sand, rock, x-country, etc). How about scattering slalom sections along the trail (can those horses turn?).
any ideas??
Steph
2008 WEC in Malaysia
To Dr Nik Isahak Wan Abdullah
I do not know much at all about endurance in Malaysia, but would like to learn. You said in a recent post:
You say, "We do not know the undercurrent of politics behind this but having the right people saying the right things for Malaysia is not a loss .The PR job has yet to be done internationally otherwise we may find WEC 2008 shifted to Doha or Dubai .PR savvy does not mean we need to expand a lot of money but the right press and endurance people need to be 'invited' ."
What can I do here in Australia to "say the right thing for Malaysia"?
What do you want said in order to convince all endurance riders that the WEC should stay in Malaysia?
How can I help make sure that Australians know about what riding conditions are like where the WEC is scheduled for, and how can I explain to Australians the best conditions in which to train their horses for a ride there? We don't know what the track will be like, and we don't know what the conditions will be like.
I know many Australian endurance riders who are hoping to qualify for this ride, however they would like more detailed information about it. What can I do to help?
I train horses in Queensland, with some measure of success, and am also hoping to have horses qualified for this ride. I am also willing to visit the area in advance in order to get a first-hand view.
Please let me know what I need to know. Please let me know who to contact for this information if you are unable to help.
Best regards
Jay Randle
SPLENDACREST ENDURANCE TRAINING
www.freewebs.com/splendacrest
I do not know much at all about endurance in Malaysia, but would like to learn. You said in a recent post:
You say, "We do not know the undercurrent of politics behind this but having the right people saying the right things for Malaysia is not a loss .The PR job has yet to be done internationally otherwise we may find WEC 2008 shifted to Doha or Dubai .PR savvy does not mean we need to expand a lot of money but the right press and endurance people need to be 'invited' ."
What can I do here in Australia to "say the right thing for Malaysia"?
What do you want said in order to convince all endurance riders that the WEC should stay in Malaysia?
How can I help make sure that Australians know about what riding conditions are like where the WEC is scheduled for, and how can I explain to Australians the best conditions in which to train their horses for a ride there? We don't know what the track will be like, and we don't know what the conditions will be like.
I know many Australian endurance riders who are hoping to qualify for this ride, however they would like more detailed information about it. What can I do to help?
I train horses in Queensland, with some measure of success, and am also hoping to have horses qualified for this ride. I am also willing to visit the area in advance in order to get a first-hand view.
Please let me know what I need to know. Please let me know who to contact for this information if you are unable to help.
Best regards
Jay Randle
SPLENDACREST ENDURANCE TRAINING
www.freewebs.com/splendacrest
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome
by Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Gastric ulcer disease is common in foals and horses and the term Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) has been used to describe this disease because of its many causes and complicated nature. Prevalence estimates have been reported to range from 25% to 50% in foals and 60% to 90% in adult horses, depending on age, performance, and evaluated populations. Gastric ulcers have been identified in the non-glandular stratified squamous mucosa, margo plicatus, glandular mucosa, and pyloric regions of the equine stomach. Two age related clinical syndromes have been described, one in foals (<> 9 months of age). Although ulcers are similar in foals and horses, the syndromes frequently have different inciting causes and may produce different clinical signs. A diagnosis of these clinical syndromes relies on recognition of clinical signs and endoscopic examination of the stomach.
The Horse Stomach
The horse stomach is divided into two distinct regions, the esophageal or non-glandular region and the glandular region. The esophageal region or squamous mucosa covers approximately one-third of the equine stomach, is void of glands, and is covered by stratified squamous epithelium similar to the esophagus. The glandular region covers the remaining two-thirds of the stomach and contains glands that secrete hydrochloric acid, pepsin, bicarbonate, and mucus. A sharp demarcation or margo plicatus (cuticular ridge) separates the squamous mucosa from the glandular mucosa. Gastric ulcers in foals (less than 50 days of age) and adult horses are commonly located in the non-glandular region of the stomach adjacent to the margo plicatus along the greater curvature and lesser curvature. However, foals and adult horses with a concurrent medical disorder or being given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Bute or Banamine) may have gastric ulcers located in the glandular region of the stomach near the pylorus. Foals, and to a lesser extent in adult horses, may have duodenal ulcers, which may lead to gastric and esophageal ulcer, secondary to delayed gastric emptying.
The horse stomach continuously secretes variable amounts of hydrochloric acid throughout the day and night and secretion of acid occurs without the presence of feed material. Foals secrete gastric acid as early as 2-days-of-age and acidity of the gastric fluid is high. High acid in the stomach may predispose foals to EGUS.
The adult horses, the stomach secretes approximately 1.5 liters of gastric juice hourly and acid output ranges from 4 to 60 mmoles hydrochloric acid per hour. The pH of gastric contents ranges from 1.5 to 7.0, depending on region measured. A near neutral pH can be found in the dorsal portion of the esophageal region (saccus cecus) near the lower esophageal sphincter, whereas, more acidic pHs can be found near the margo plicatus (3.0-6.0) and in the glandular region near the pylorus (1.5-4.0). Gastric emptying of a liquid meal occurs within 30 minutes, whereas complete gastric emptying of a roughage hay meal occurs in 24 hours.
Causes of Clinical Syndromes of Gastric Ulceration in Foals and Horses
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in foals and horses results from a disequilibrium between mucosal aggressive factors (hydrochloric acid, pepsin, bile acids, organic acids) and mucosal protective factors (mucus, bicarbonate). Since mucosal protective factors are more developed in the glandular mucosa of the equine stomach when compared to the squamous mucosa, different causative mechanisms may lead to ulceration in these regions. Ulcers in the squamous mucosa are primarily due to prolonged exposure to hydrochloric acid, pepsin, bile acids or organic acids. Ulcers occurring in this region are similar to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Syndrome (GERDS) in humans, since this region lacks well-developed protective factors, similar to the esophagus. The severity of squamous ulcers is probably related to length of time of acid exposure. The squamous mucosa near the margo plicatus is constantly exposed to these acid and this region is where gastric ulcers are frequently found in foals and horses.
Ulcers in the glandular mucosa are primarily due to disruption of blood flow and decreased mucus and bicarbonate secretion, which results in back diffusion of hydrogen ions and damage to the underlying submucosa. Inhibition of prostaglandins may play a major role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers in the glandular region of the equine stomach.
Gastric ulceration in the squamous mucosa is directly related to the degree and severity of gastric acid exposure. Several factors have been implicated in causing ulceration and these include, fasting, gastric acid clearance (gastric motility and emptying), aggressiveness of the gastric juice (acid, pepsin, bile acids, organic acids) and the process of desquamation. Fasting is an important factor in causing ulcers in the squamous mucosa in foals and adult horses. In foals, infrequent or interrupted feeding and recumbency has been shown lead to lower gastric fluid pH in foals. These findings suggest that milk may have a buffering effect on gastric acid and recumbency may increase exposure of the squamous mucosa to acid. Low gastric pH from interrupted or infrequent nursing may play a role in the cause of squamous ulceration in foals.
Feed deprivation has been shown to cause ulcers in the squamous mucosa of horses, which is due to repeated exposure of the squamous mucosa to high acidity. In yearling and adult horses, hay and saliva (rich in sodium bicarbonate), may help buffer gastric hydrochloric acid. The timing of feeding and the type of roughage source may contribute to gastric ulceration in yearling and adult horses. In a study, horses fed hay continuously had less acidity, when compared to horses that were fasted. In another study, horses fed alfalfa hay had significantly less acidity and lower gastric ulcer scores, than horses fed bromegrass hay. High protein (21%) and calcium concentration in alfalfa hay provides buffering of stomach acid up to 5 hours after feeding. Also, high roughage diets stimulate production of bicarbonate rich saliva, which may contribute buffering of gastric acid.
Gastric motility and emptying may play a role in squamous mucosal ulcers in foals and horses. In humans with GERDS, acid clearance time and consequent exposure of the esophageal mucosa to potentially injurious agents is inversely proportional to the rate of gastric esophageal and gastric motility. Delayed gastric emptying or decreased gastric motility could potentially increase exposure of the squamous mucosa to gastric juice and other aggressive factors leading to ulceration. In neonatal foals with concurrent disease or with a gastric outflow obstruction, decreased gastric motility and/or delayed gastric emptying may lead to prolonged acid exposure and ulceration, especially during periods of squamous cell desquamation.
In adult horses, the prevalence of gastric ulcers is high in the performance horse and may be due to prolonged exposure of acid to the squamous mucosa. The mechanical aspects of exercise and the abdominal pressure may be sufficient to provide prolonged exposure of the non-glandular mucosa to aggressive factors. Furthermore, especially in racehorses that perform at near maximal levels, exercise may have an inhibitory effect on gastric emptying. Decreased gastric and esophageal motility and delayed gastric emptying have been implicated in the cause of GERDS in humans during exercise and may lead to gastric ulceration in the performance horses, especially the racehorse. Other organic acid may act synergistically with hydrochloric acid to play a role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer disease in horses. Recently, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), fermentation byproducts of carbohydrates, were found to induce acid injury to the gastroesophageal (squamous) mucosa of horses. The VFAs easily penetrate the squamous mucosa of the stomach when acid concentrations are high. These VFAs enter the stomach tissue causing cell damage, inflammation and ulceration. In a previous report, VFAs were found to be present in the stomach of horses in significant enough quantities to lead to acid injury. Since performance horses are fed diets that are high in fermentable carbohydrates, VFAs, generated by resident bacteria, may cause acid injury and ulceration in the squamous mucosa.
Other gastric aggressive factors such as, Bile salts, from duodenal reflux and pepsin, have been implicated in causing gastric ulcer disease in other species and possibly the horse. Bile acids, in combination with pepsin act to increase the permeability of the esophageal mucosa to hydrogen ions. Furthermore, bile acids have been shown to act synergistically and in a dose-dependent manner with hydrogen ions to cause damage to the squamous mucosa of pigs. These studies suggest that pepsin and bile acids may contribute to the production of squamous ulceration in horses.
In foals, gastric ulceration may be related to desquamation or ?shedding? of the squamous epithelium of the stomach. Desquamation of the squamous mucosa, occurs in 80% of foals up to 35 days of age. In a study of rats, it was found that the loss of epithelial cells along the margo plicatus resulted in the increased susceptibility of this region to acid injury. Also, acid injury to this region resulted in a delay in reepithelialization. Delayed reepithelialization could result in acid injury of the deeper layers from hydrochloric acid and lead to gastric ulceration.
Glandular gastric ulcers occur most frequently in foals, but can occur in adult horses. The cause of glandular gastric ulcers is most likely due to decreased blood flow and decreased mucus and bicarbonate secretion. Decreased prostaglandin synthesis (primarily PGE2, I and A) has been implicated in the cause of glandular gastric ulcers in foals, since non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) administration caused gastric ulcers in foals. Blocking prostaglandin synthesis causes deceased mucosal blood flow, stimulates gastric acid secretion, and inhibits bicarbonate secretion by the glandular mucosa. Prostaglandins may also help maintain the integrity of the squamous and glandular mucosa by stimulating production of surface-active protective phospholipid, stimulating mucosal repair, and preventing cell swelling by stimulating sodium transport. Futhermore, stress of parturition in foals and stress of training and confinement in horses, may also lead to excess release of endogenous corticosteroid, which can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. A decrease in prostaglandins leads to a breakdown in mucosal protective factors and may be the primary cause of glandular gastric ulcers in foals and horses.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of EGUS is based on the presence of clinical signs and confirmation with endoscopic examination. Clinical signs in foals include intermittent colic (after suckling or eating), frequent dorsal recumbency, intermittent nursing (interrupted nursing due to discomfort), diarrhea or history of diarrhea, poor appetite, bruxism (grinding of teeth), and ptyalism (excess salivation). The later two signs are often signs of an outflow obstruction, such as pyloric obstruction.
Clinical signs in other horses include poor appetite or failure to consume a meal, dullness, attitude changes, poor appetite, decreased performance, reluctance to train, poor body condition, rough hair coat, weight loss, excessive recumbency, and low-grade colic. A presumptive diagnosis of EGUS can be made on these typical clinical signs and response to therapy.
A definitive can only be made using a video or fibreoptic endoscope. The endoscope must be at least 7 feet long. A longer endoscope (11 feet) is necessary to observe the duodenum in adult horses. A shorter scope (5-6 feet) is sufficient to see the stomach of foals.
Treatment
Inhibiting gastric acid secretion is the mainstay of gastric ulcer treatment in horses. A number of treatment modalities have been used for treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses and foals. Currently, there is only one FDA approved treatment for gastric ulcers in horses, GastroGard (Omeprazole paste, Merial Limited, Atlanta, GA). However, many treatment modalities have been described in the literature.
GastroGard (Omeprazole) is one of the most studied medication in horses. It is an ?acid pump inhibitor? and inhibits gastric acid secretion regardless of the stimulus. GastroGard is a paste and is given to horses once daily for 28 days to treat EGUS. It is also labeled for prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcers at ½ dose. The medication contained in GastroGard is the same medication found in the ?Purple Pill? Prilosec that is currently sold to humans for treatment of gastric ulcers.
Gastric ulcer disease is common in foals and horses and the term Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) has been used to describe this disease because of its many causes and complicated nature. Prevalence estimates have been reported to range from 25% to 50% in foals and 60% to 90% in adult horses, depending on age, performance, and evaluated populations. Gastric ulcers have been identified in the non-glandular stratified squamous mucosa, margo plicatus, glandular mucosa, and pyloric regions of the equine stomach. Two age related clinical syndromes have been described, one in foals (<> 9 months of age). Although ulcers are similar in foals and horses, the syndromes frequently have different inciting causes and may produce different clinical signs. A diagnosis of these clinical syndromes relies on recognition of clinical signs and endoscopic examination of the stomach.
The Horse Stomach
The horse stomach is divided into two distinct regions, the esophageal or non-glandular region and the glandular region. The esophageal region or squamous mucosa covers approximately one-third of the equine stomach, is void of glands, and is covered by stratified squamous epithelium similar to the esophagus. The glandular region covers the remaining two-thirds of the stomach and contains glands that secrete hydrochloric acid, pepsin, bicarbonate, and mucus. A sharp demarcation or margo plicatus (cuticular ridge) separates the squamous mucosa from the glandular mucosa. Gastric ulcers in foals (less than 50 days of age) and adult horses are commonly located in the non-glandular region of the stomach adjacent to the margo plicatus along the greater curvature and lesser curvature. However, foals and adult horses with a concurrent medical disorder or being given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Bute or Banamine) may have gastric ulcers located in the glandular region of the stomach near the pylorus. Foals, and to a lesser extent in adult horses, may have duodenal ulcers, which may lead to gastric and esophageal ulcer, secondary to delayed gastric emptying.
The horse stomach continuously secretes variable amounts of hydrochloric acid throughout the day and night and secretion of acid occurs without the presence of feed material. Foals secrete gastric acid as early as 2-days-of-age and acidity of the gastric fluid is high. High acid in the stomach may predispose foals to EGUS.
The adult horses, the stomach secretes approximately 1.5 liters of gastric juice hourly and acid output ranges from 4 to 60 mmoles hydrochloric acid per hour. The pH of gastric contents ranges from 1.5 to 7.0, depending on region measured. A near neutral pH can be found in the dorsal portion of the esophageal region (saccus cecus) near the lower esophageal sphincter, whereas, more acidic pHs can be found near the margo plicatus (3.0-6.0) and in the glandular region near the pylorus (1.5-4.0). Gastric emptying of a liquid meal occurs within 30 minutes, whereas complete gastric emptying of a roughage hay meal occurs in 24 hours.
Causes of Clinical Syndromes of Gastric Ulceration in Foals and Horses
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in foals and horses results from a disequilibrium between mucosal aggressive factors (hydrochloric acid, pepsin, bile acids, organic acids) and mucosal protective factors (mucus, bicarbonate). Since mucosal protective factors are more developed in the glandular mucosa of the equine stomach when compared to the squamous mucosa, different causative mechanisms may lead to ulceration in these regions. Ulcers in the squamous mucosa are primarily due to prolonged exposure to hydrochloric acid, pepsin, bile acids or organic acids. Ulcers occurring in this region are similar to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Syndrome (GERDS) in humans, since this region lacks well-developed protective factors, similar to the esophagus. The severity of squamous ulcers is probably related to length of time of acid exposure. The squamous mucosa near the margo plicatus is constantly exposed to these acid and this region is where gastric ulcers are frequently found in foals and horses.
Ulcers in the glandular mucosa are primarily due to disruption of blood flow and decreased mucus and bicarbonate secretion, which results in back diffusion of hydrogen ions and damage to the underlying submucosa. Inhibition of prostaglandins may play a major role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers in the glandular region of the equine stomach.
Gastric ulceration in the squamous mucosa is directly related to the degree and severity of gastric acid exposure. Several factors have been implicated in causing ulceration and these include, fasting, gastric acid clearance (gastric motility and emptying), aggressiveness of the gastric juice (acid, pepsin, bile acids, organic acids) and the process of desquamation. Fasting is an important factor in causing ulcers in the squamous mucosa in foals and adult horses. In foals, infrequent or interrupted feeding and recumbency has been shown lead to lower gastric fluid pH in foals. These findings suggest that milk may have a buffering effect on gastric acid and recumbency may increase exposure of the squamous mucosa to acid. Low gastric pH from interrupted or infrequent nursing may play a role in the cause of squamous ulceration in foals.
Feed deprivation has been shown to cause ulcers in the squamous mucosa of horses, which is due to repeated exposure of the squamous mucosa to high acidity. In yearling and adult horses, hay and saliva (rich in sodium bicarbonate), may help buffer gastric hydrochloric acid. The timing of feeding and the type of roughage source may contribute to gastric ulceration in yearling and adult horses. In a study, horses fed hay continuously had less acidity, when compared to horses that were fasted. In another study, horses fed alfalfa hay had significantly less acidity and lower gastric ulcer scores, than horses fed bromegrass hay. High protein (21%) and calcium concentration in alfalfa hay provides buffering of stomach acid up to 5 hours after feeding. Also, high roughage diets stimulate production of bicarbonate rich saliva, which may contribute buffering of gastric acid.
Gastric motility and emptying may play a role in squamous mucosal ulcers in foals and horses. In humans with GERDS, acid clearance time and consequent exposure of the esophageal mucosa to potentially injurious agents is inversely proportional to the rate of gastric esophageal and gastric motility. Delayed gastric emptying or decreased gastric motility could potentially increase exposure of the squamous mucosa to gastric juice and other aggressive factors leading to ulceration. In neonatal foals with concurrent disease or with a gastric outflow obstruction, decreased gastric motility and/or delayed gastric emptying may lead to prolonged acid exposure and ulceration, especially during periods of squamous cell desquamation.
In adult horses, the prevalence of gastric ulcers is high in the performance horse and may be due to prolonged exposure of acid to the squamous mucosa. The mechanical aspects of exercise and the abdominal pressure may be sufficient to provide prolonged exposure of the non-glandular mucosa to aggressive factors. Furthermore, especially in racehorses that perform at near maximal levels, exercise may have an inhibitory effect on gastric emptying. Decreased gastric and esophageal motility and delayed gastric emptying have been implicated in the cause of GERDS in humans during exercise and may lead to gastric ulceration in the performance horses, especially the racehorse. Other organic acid may act synergistically with hydrochloric acid to play a role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer disease in horses. Recently, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), fermentation byproducts of carbohydrates, were found to induce acid injury to the gastroesophageal (squamous) mucosa of horses. The VFAs easily penetrate the squamous mucosa of the stomach when acid concentrations are high. These VFAs enter the stomach tissue causing cell damage, inflammation and ulceration. In a previous report, VFAs were found to be present in the stomach of horses in significant enough quantities to lead to acid injury. Since performance horses are fed diets that are high in fermentable carbohydrates, VFAs, generated by resident bacteria, may cause acid injury and ulceration in the squamous mucosa.
Other gastric aggressive factors such as, Bile salts, from duodenal reflux and pepsin, have been implicated in causing gastric ulcer disease in other species and possibly the horse. Bile acids, in combination with pepsin act to increase the permeability of the esophageal mucosa to hydrogen ions. Furthermore, bile acids have been shown to act synergistically and in a dose-dependent manner with hydrogen ions to cause damage to the squamous mucosa of pigs. These studies suggest that pepsin and bile acids may contribute to the production of squamous ulceration in horses.
In foals, gastric ulceration may be related to desquamation or ?shedding? of the squamous epithelium of the stomach. Desquamation of the squamous mucosa, occurs in 80% of foals up to 35 days of age. In a study of rats, it was found that the loss of epithelial cells along the margo plicatus resulted in the increased susceptibility of this region to acid injury. Also, acid injury to this region resulted in a delay in reepithelialization. Delayed reepithelialization could result in acid injury of the deeper layers from hydrochloric acid and lead to gastric ulceration.
Glandular gastric ulcers occur most frequently in foals, but can occur in adult horses. The cause of glandular gastric ulcers is most likely due to decreased blood flow and decreased mucus and bicarbonate secretion. Decreased prostaglandin synthesis (primarily PGE2, I and A) has been implicated in the cause of glandular gastric ulcers in foals, since non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) administration caused gastric ulcers in foals. Blocking prostaglandin synthesis causes deceased mucosal blood flow, stimulates gastric acid secretion, and inhibits bicarbonate secretion by the glandular mucosa. Prostaglandins may also help maintain the integrity of the squamous and glandular mucosa by stimulating production of surface-active protective phospholipid, stimulating mucosal repair, and preventing cell swelling by stimulating sodium transport. Futhermore, stress of parturition in foals and stress of training and confinement in horses, may also lead to excess release of endogenous corticosteroid, which can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. A decrease in prostaglandins leads to a breakdown in mucosal protective factors and may be the primary cause of glandular gastric ulcers in foals and horses.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of EGUS is based on the presence of clinical signs and confirmation with endoscopic examination. Clinical signs in foals include intermittent colic (after suckling or eating), frequent dorsal recumbency, intermittent nursing (interrupted nursing due to discomfort), diarrhea or history of diarrhea, poor appetite, bruxism (grinding of teeth), and ptyalism (excess salivation). The later two signs are often signs of an outflow obstruction, such as pyloric obstruction.
Clinical signs in other horses include poor appetite or failure to consume a meal, dullness, attitude changes, poor appetite, decreased performance, reluctance to train, poor body condition, rough hair coat, weight loss, excessive recumbency, and low-grade colic. A presumptive diagnosis of EGUS can be made on these typical clinical signs and response to therapy.
A definitive can only be made using a video or fibreoptic endoscope. The endoscope must be at least 7 feet long. A longer endoscope (11 feet) is necessary to observe the duodenum in adult horses. A shorter scope (5-6 feet) is sufficient to see the stomach of foals.
Treatment
Inhibiting gastric acid secretion is the mainstay of gastric ulcer treatment in horses. A number of treatment modalities have been used for treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses and foals. Currently, there is only one FDA approved treatment for gastric ulcers in horses, GastroGard (Omeprazole paste, Merial Limited, Atlanta, GA). However, many treatment modalities have been described in the literature.
GastroGard (Omeprazole) is one of the most studied medication in horses. It is an ?acid pump inhibitor? and inhibits gastric acid secretion regardless of the stimulus. GastroGard is a paste and is given to horses once daily for 28 days to treat EGUS. It is also labeled for prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcers at ½ dose. The medication contained in GastroGard is the same medication found in the ?Purple Pill? Prilosec that is currently sold to humans for treatment of gastric ulcers.
Monday, November 13, 2006
JUST GET OUT AND RIDE
Hey guys,
I just wanted to say a great big thank you to Tammy Robinson, Charley and everyone else on the RM team that put on the new Git-R-Done elevator ride this past weekend. WHAT A HOOT! The weather was great (at least until the wind started whipping something fierce Saturday night, which probably wasn?t much fun for the 75 and 100 milers), and the trail was perfect for this kind of ride---flat, perfect footing, non-technical---I know, a lot of people would find this boring, or a dumbing-down of endurance, or too conducive to overriding a horse. I wasn?t bored, it was the right venue for an elevator ride to encourage moving up, and no one overrode their horse. No metabolic pulls, one minor banamine-deficiency for a colicky horse that Doc Fred thinks was already a bit colicky before the start, and only a few minor lameness pulls. Quite a few people used the elevate option, and most finished the longer distance successfully.
Speaking only for myself, this ride was just what I wanted---starting a young, inexperienced horse in her first ride, being ridden by an owner (me) that also hasn?t actually ridden a ride in over seven years and still not in shape for anything more than getting down the trail for 25 miles. I finished with a lot of horse left and not much rider, which was fine by me, other than being disappointed to learn I have not gotten any younger in the past seven years. Bummer. I remember thinking on the trail that were this a first-time ride ever for me, I would have been very encouraged to continue on and keep coming to rides. There is definitely a niche in the sport for rides that just convince novice riders that this is a DO-ABLE sport, regardless of what your ambitions are for that day.
Jeremy Reynolds won the 100 in (I think) 8 hours and fifty minutes of actual riding time, and Becky Hart won the 100 mile BC. I saw about a half dozen 100 and 75 milers show for BC on Sunday morning and they all looked GREAT---there wasn?t one I wouldn?t have been happy to hand a BC award to. John Parke and his tough little pony Remington elevated from the 75 to the 100 and finished in good style as always. There were lots of really great accomplishments at all levels, forgive me for not remembering exactly who did what. Everyone was a pleasure to be around all weekend, although some unknown riders ran Heather Hackworth off the trail and need to work on their trail manners a bit more. Fred Cluskey continued his ongoing role of Magnificent Pagan God by helping yank my trailer out of the sand on Sunday when what looked like hardpack sand turned out to be siltier than expected.
As I mentioned, this was my first ride in seven years and I did the LD, which was a good day?s work for *me*. I probably expended a lot of energy all day just giggling at having the opportunity to be out riding with friends in beautiful country. After the awards breakfast, a lot of the 100 mile riders told me congratulations for finishing---what a nice way to finish the weekend, and how nice were all those elite riders to even notice my (relatively speaking) measley 25 miles? I guess my point is that there is a lot of sniping and dialogue about what level of mileage constitutes real endurance, but instead of debating it online, for goodness sake, JUST GET OUT AND RIDE---the proof is in the pudding, and the people in camp actually doing it and riding their horses are the salt of the earth.
Thanks again, Tammy!
Susan ?When Did These Knees Stop Working? Garlinghouse, DVM---(still walking around with a big, cheesey grin?)
(posted to Ridecamp 11/13/06)
I just wanted to say a great big thank you to Tammy Robinson, Charley and everyone else on the RM team that put on the new Git-R-Done elevator ride this past weekend. WHAT A HOOT! The weather was great (at least until the wind started whipping something fierce Saturday night, which probably wasn?t much fun for the 75 and 100 milers), and the trail was perfect for this kind of ride---flat, perfect footing, non-technical---I know, a lot of people would find this boring, or a dumbing-down of endurance, or too conducive to overriding a horse. I wasn?t bored, it was the right venue for an elevator ride to encourage moving up, and no one overrode their horse. No metabolic pulls, one minor banamine-deficiency for a colicky horse that Doc Fred thinks was already a bit colicky before the start, and only a few minor lameness pulls. Quite a few people used the elevate option, and most finished the longer distance successfully.
Speaking only for myself, this ride was just what I wanted---starting a young, inexperienced horse in her first ride, being ridden by an owner (me) that also hasn?t actually ridden a ride in over seven years and still not in shape for anything more than getting down the trail for 25 miles. I finished with a lot of horse left and not much rider, which was fine by me, other than being disappointed to learn I have not gotten any younger in the past seven years. Bummer. I remember thinking on the trail that were this a first-time ride ever for me, I would have been very encouraged to continue on and keep coming to rides. There is definitely a niche in the sport for rides that just convince novice riders that this is a DO-ABLE sport, regardless of what your ambitions are for that day.
Jeremy Reynolds won the 100 in (I think) 8 hours and fifty minutes of actual riding time, and Becky Hart won the 100 mile BC. I saw about a half dozen 100 and 75 milers show for BC on Sunday morning and they all looked GREAT---there wasn?t one I wouldn?t have been happy to hand a BC award to. John Parke and his tough little pony Remington elevated from the 75 to the 100 and finished in good style as always. There were lots of really great accomplishments at all levels, forgive me for not remembering exactly who did what. Everyone was a pleasure to be around all weekend, although some unknown riders ran Heather Hackworth off the trail and need to work on their trail manners a bit more. Fred Cluskey continued his ongoing role of Magnificent Pagan God by helping yank my trailer out of the sand on Sunday when what looked like hardpack sand turned out to be siltier than expected.
As I mentioned, this was my first ride in seven years and I did the LD, which was a good day?s work for *me*. I probably expended a lot of energy all day just giggling at having the opportunity to be out riding with friends in beautiful country. After the awards breakfast, a lot of the 100 mile riders told me congratulations for finishing---what a nice way to finish the weekend, and how nice were all those elite riders to even notice my (relatively speaking) measley 25 miles? I guess my point is that there is a lot of sniping and dialogue about what level of mileage constitutes real endurance, but instead of debating it online, for goodness sake, JUST GET OUT AND RIDE---the proof is in the pudding, and the people in camp actually doing it and riding their horses are the salt of the earth.
Thanks again, Tammy!
Susan ?When Did These Knees Stop Working? Garlinghouse, DVM---(still walking around with a big, cheesey grin?)
(posted to Ridecamp 11/13/06)
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Bare VS Shod: There must be a compromise - Tom Sites
First off let me start by saying i'm not leaning towards any position, yet see the best both have to offer, hense the compromise.
i had a shoe farrier trim Gabriels feet for over a year and it always seemed to me he had too long a toe. With 2 trims by a 'barefoot' trimmer his foot is the shape i always thought it to be. But she said it'll take a few more trimmings and growth to get it where we want to be. I am considering a number of hoof protection boots and i again admit, i'll lean to what seems easier to me to fit and works best for the horse. Any suggetions would be appreciated. And if it works here in the mountains it'll work anywhere, except we don't have too much swamp but there are a few bogs in the wet season.
Why do farriers leave such a long toe? Does that not put stress on the tendons? I *think* farriers compensate the usage of shoes to cover up inadequate trims. Correct me on your perfect farriers, but they won't come and see me and as i look back all my horses had too long a toe. I must admit Jody had a good trimmed foot on all her horses w/ shoes
Perhaps i may be wrong (again) but this lesson late in life will perhaps change me or take me back to where i was w/ long toes and steel shoes. But if i see i ever again go to shoes, i'll keep this barefoot trim program going, hense the compromise.
ts
i had a shoe farrier trim Gabriels feet for over a year and it always seemed to me he had too long a toe. With 2 trims by a 'barefoot' trimmer his foot is the shape i always thought it to be. But she said it'll take a few more trimmings and growth to get it where we want to be. I am considering a number of hoof protection boots and i again admit, i'll lean to what seems easier to me to fit and works best for the horse. Any suggetions would be appreciated. And if it works here in the mountains it'll work anywhere, except we don't have too much swamp but there are a few bogs in the wet season.
Why do farriers leave such a long toe? Does that not put stress on the tendons? I *think* farriers compensate the usage of shoes to cover up inadequate trims. Correct me on your perfect farriers, but they won't come and see me and as i look back all my horses had too long a toe. I must admit Jody had a good trimmed foot on all her horses w/ shoes
Perhaps i may be wrong (again) but this lesson late in life will perhaps change me or take me back to where i was w/ long toes and steel shoes. But if i see i ever again go to shoes, i'll keep this barefoot trim program going, hense the compromise.
ts
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Updated: Hoof Injury Advice?? - Angie and Gunner
An updated collection of images of the injury -
Read/Add Comments on the Injury
Attn. Farriers. I've got some photos I'd love for you to debate. (I've already bothered Jody privately) I went out to saddle Gunner yesterday and was surprised to see a big horizontal split about 1/2 way down the inside heel of his right fore. Lifted it up and it goes all the way across to the frog. I mean a wide separation. I took dental floss and put it in there and can go about 1-1.5" forward with no resistance. He did not mind me doing that. He did not mind hoof testers on it. He trotted fine on gravel. No sign of blood. I walked my entire fence line wondering if he could have hooked his hoof over wire and sawed that in there. No sign of anything. (and there's a good hotwire 6" inside that fence so they never bother it)
This horse was a thin pasture potato until last Feb. He'd been ridden quite a bit several years ago but had at least 2 years of goofing off. He has done 5 50's this year with no lameness. He had really long toes when I got him. He'd been barefoot a couple of years and had tough feet but *long* toes and we've been backing them up each shoeing.
The question is, did some exterior stress cause the crack? Could the change of angles cause it? We're looking at putting a bar shoe and patching material on there. He's sound. Since I have nothing better to think about until the farrier comes out. Anybody want to venture a guess as to how this could happen and tell me about the horses you've seen win Tevis with worse? (please)
If you want to venture a guess write me and I'll happily send photos. [The Photo's are Below - Editor]
Angie (rides2far at juno.com)
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Updated Images (Oct 27)
 Aug 12 2006 |  Aug 27 2006 |
 Aug 27 2006 |  Aug 27 2006 |
 Aug 27 2006 |  Aug 27 2006 |
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Practical Application for Animal ID
"The most important factor in the equine ID controversy is in the interpretation of what is on the National Animal Identification System web page," said Carl C. Heckendorf, DVM, of the Colorado Department of Agriculture. "Horse owners read the word 'bovine' and exchange it to 'horse.' Perhaps the most visceral objections are about new electronic animal health processes and computer-speak in general." MORE...
Researchers Complete 40 Yare Parasite Study
![[]](http://www.thehorse.com/enews/images/smallstrong.gif)
RESEARCHERS COMPLETE 40-YEAR PARASITE STUDY Researchers at the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center recently completed a 40-year investigation of drug-resistant small strongyles in horses. MORE...
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Endurance in Africa
There was a real race to the finish on the 120km ride. Two Young Riders racing off. Not unusual from what I've seen in Namibia and South Africa. These folks call it a race. They don't always try to win, but the one who wins is celebrated by all, and those that try to win, really try to win. Both the 120km and 160km events in Namibia - Walvis Bay - were likewise highly contested - race to the finish.
There are some interesting differences (as well as similarities)between endurance in South Africa and the USA (and other parts of the world). They've been doing some form of Endurance since 1965. The father of Maurius de Swardt (the folks who gave me a horse to ride) actually organized the first 'marathon' for horses 31 years ago. Maurius was just a boy, but remembered it well. The rules have certainly evolved since then, but the riders and horses and spirit have been alive and well in SA for quite some time. Namibia and Botswana are also doing Endurance - both National (club - e.g. AERC) and FEI. These three countries are the only countries currently competing in the southern part of Africa... though Rojan said that Maritius (on the east coast - a major quarantine and export country for horses in Africa) is also thinking of doing a ride. I told him to give them my name :)
There are several siginificant differences.
One - both Namibia and South Africa have a qualification system in place. I think Namibia has stricter qualifications than SA, but basically the horses have to do x number of 60km rides (in Namibia it's 3) and then x number of 80km rides before they can move up to either 120km or 160km rides. Since there aren't that many rides in southern Africa, and folks have to travel fair distances to attend rides, this typically takes 2 seasons. So horses that are entered in 120km or 160km rides usually have a base of 2 years on them.
Two - the rides often have a cut off time. For the 160km, the cutoff was 14 hours ride time. The 80km also had a cutoff - maximum ride time was 8 hours. (Trilby would have to hurry a little over here). They do not polk along like we often do in the USA. Rojan and I rode the 80km ride, this was his horse's first 80km ride and he was 'taking it easy'. Our ride time was 6:45 - maximum would have been 8:00. Still a pretty good clip. I think the winning time was around 4:30 on a fairly flat and easy course.
Three - the National club keeps log books for every horse (at least this was the case in SA - I think it's the same in Namibia). Every ride is recorded, including eliminations for lameness or metabolics. The books also contain vaccination records similar to FEI passports, and horses must be keep current on their vaccinations, just like FEI. (the rider is issued a 'warning' if the vaccinations are out of date, or ID diagram incorrect).
Four - they still run some National rides with an Open Gate system. (though Namibia has almost gone entirely to FEI rules - same as AERC basically). This is more common in South Africa, but some think this will eventually change too. They come into the vetgate - and after they cross the line the horses have 25 minutes to recover. They don't even present to the vet until 25 minutes after they come in. At 25 minutes, they present, (if not recovered they are eliminated) - and then they have another 25 minutes of hold before leaving.
Similarities -
One - like the USA - they have weight division categories in addition to overall placement - light, standard, heavy. Plus Junior/Senior category. They are also very big on Team competitions - typically the clubs from the different regions field a team.
Two - except for the remnants of the Open Gate system in SA, they run the same rules, basically the same as FEI. They also do drug testing. They also have year end awards - sometimes based upon points and rides ridden, as well as judged awards 'most improved', etc.
And finally - they are friendly and supportive and will do anything to help each other out. This is the same the world over I think. It is very much a family sport here, plus a smattering of hired men doing the actual competing (e.g. Franz at Walvis Bay, and Willa at Saldanha). Men or boys who ride for the owners, for the farmers.
It's the same sport - but the most notable difference that I've observered is not beween SA/Namibia/Botswana and the rest of the world, but between the USA and the rest of the world. Certainly we have some very competitive rides - and probably more competitive on the East coast than the West. But we also have a very strong 'recreational' sport in the USA - miles and completions and riding simply for the scenery. This is something that I haven't seen elsewhere, at least not to this degree. (but I think it's a good thing to have this range - this depth - in the sport)
-later
Steph
Thursday, September 07, 2006
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Monday, August 28, 2006
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Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
FEI News: Anti-Doping and Medication Control: Reducing the Risks of Positive Drug Tests in Competition Horses
FEI Press News
19/07/2006
Anti-Doping and Medication Control: Reducing the Risks of Positive Drug Tests in Competition Horses
To make a clear distinction between the use of routine, legitimate medication and deliberate and calculated doping to affect a horse?s performance, the FEI has published Guidelines to assist treating and team veterinarians. The objectives are to protect the welfare of the horse, defend the integrity of the sport and to reassure the public.
The FEI believes that any horse requiring bona fide veterinary treatment should receive it, but recognises that the use of medication to treat illness and injury close to an event carries an inherent risk of incurring a positive drug test if insufficient time has elapsed for the elimination of the drug from the horse. The Medication Advisory Group (MAG) has therefore joined with the European Horseracing Scientific Liaison Committee (EHSLC) to coordinate a series of drug administration studies to produce information for treating and team veterinarians. For FEI purposes, the drugs have been selected in collaboration with the International Treating Veterinarians Association and are collectively known as the FEI ?Medicine Box?. These are all treatments that might reasonably be expected to be used in routine clinical practice in the time running up to an event.
Experience over many years in the FEI has shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are clinically used in the management of injury, are the most common group of drugs reported as prohibited substances. They have therefore been selected by the MAG as the first group for publication of detection time guidelines, along with the mucolytic agent dembrexine. Information is now available on the FEI website on the following: phenylbutazone, flunixin, ketoprofen, dipyrone (metamizole) and dembrexine. Advice on further drugs in the Medicine Box will follow as soon as possible as the data from the administration studies become available.
The Equine Anti-Doping and Medication Control (EAMDC) Rules adopted by the General Assembly at its meeting in Kuala Lumpur (MAS) in May 2006 clarify that there is a strict liability on the Person Responsible with regard to prohibited substances. The MAG wish to point out that individual horses will vary in their responses to the administration of drugs as well as to the effects of training and exercise programs, diet, stable management and state of heath, which can all cause variations in drug elimination. Detection times issued by the FEI are not the same as ?withdrawal times? which must be a matter for the professional judgement of the treating or team veterinarian using an adequate safety margin and/or the FEI Elective Testing procedures. Further information is available on the FEI website: www.horsesport.org, Veterinary section.
Notes for Editors:
1. The Medication Advisory Group: In 2005, the General Assembly of the FEI accepted the recommendation of the Task Force on Medication and Doping to set up a Medication Advisory Group (MAG) to examine detection times of commonly used therapeutic substances, laboratory sensitivity and how best to meet the needs of treating and team veterinarians responsible for horses in international competition. The Group?s members are Jean-Maurice Bonneau (FRA, Chef d?Equipe of the show-jumping team; Dr Bjõrn Nolting (GER, Team Veterinarian), Dr Kent Allen (USA, United States Equestrian Federation); Dr Michael Düe (GER federation) and the Directors of the Paris and Hong Kong forensic laboratories Dr Yves Bonnaire (FRA) and Dr Terry Wan (HKG). The Group is chaired by Veterinary Committee Member, Dr Andrew Higgins (GBR) and the Co-ordinator is Dr Frits Sluyter, Head of the FEI?s Veterinary Department.
2. The ?Medicine Box?: Medicine Box substances comprise the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs flunixin, phenylbutazone and ketoprofen; the intra-articular corticosteroids triamcinolone acetonide and methylprednisolone, and the intravenous corticosteroid dexamethasone sodium phosphate; sedatives detomidine, romifidine and xylazine; local anaesthetics lidocaine and mepivacaine (without epinephrine); respiratory system products clenbuterol; salbutamol (albuterol) and dembrexine; and the colic treatments butorphanol, scopolamine-N-butyl bromide (Buscopan) and metamizole (dipyrone).
FEI Website
19/07/2006
Anti-Doping and Medication Control: Reducing the Risks of Positive Drug Tests in Competition Horses
To make a clear distinction between the use of routine, legitimate medication and deliberate and calculated doping to affect a horse?s performance, the FEI has published Guidelines to assist treating and team veterinarians. The objectives are to protect the welfare of the horse, defend the integrity of the sport and to reassure the public.
The FEI believes that any horse requiring bona fide veterinary treatment should receive it, but recognises that the use of medication to treat illness and injury close to an event carries an inherent risk of incurring a positive drug test if insufficient time has elapsed for the elimination of the drug from the horse. The Medication Advisory Group (MAG) has therefore joined with the European Horseracing Scientific Liaison Committee (EHSLC) to coordinate a series of drug administration studies to produce information for treating and team veterinarians. For FEI purposes, the drugs have been selected in collaboration with the International Treating Veterinarians Association and are collectively known as the FEI ?Medicine Box?. These are all treatments that might reasonably be expected to be used in routine clinical practice in the time running up to an event.
Experience over many years in the FEI has shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are clinically used in the management of injury, are the most common group of drugs reported as prohibited substances. They have therefore been selected by the MAG as the first group for publication of detection time guidelines, along with the mucolytic agent dembrexine. Information is now available on the FEI website on the following: phenylbutazone, flunixin, ketoprofen, dipyrone (metamizole) and dembrexine. Advice on further drugs in the Medicine Box will follow as soon as possible as the data from the administration studies become available.
The Equine Anti-Doping and Medication Control (EAMDC) Rules adopted by the General Assembly at its meeting in Kuala Lumpur (MAS) in May 2006 clarify that there is a strict liability on the Person Responsible with regard to prohibited substances. The MAG wish to point out that individual horses will vary in their responses to the administration of drugs as well as to the effects of training and exercise programs, diet, stable management and state of heath, which can all cause variations in drug elimination. Detection times issued by the FEI are not the same as ?withdrawal times? which must be a matter for the professional judgement of the treating or team veterinarian using an adequate safety margin and/or the FEI Elective Testing procedures. Further information is available on the FEI website: www.horsesport.org, Veterinary section.
Notes for Editors:
1. The Medication Advisory Group: In 2005, the General Assembly of the FEI accepted the recommendation of the Task Force on Medication and Doping to set up a Medication Advisory Group (MAG) to examine detection times of commonly used therapeutic substances, laboratory sensitivity and how best to meet the needs of treating and team veterinarians responsible for horses in international competition. The Group?s members are Jean-Maurice Bonneau (FRA, Chef d?Equipe of the show-jumping team; Dr Bjõrn Nolting (GER, Team Veterinarian), Dr Kent Allen (USA, United States Equestrian Federation); Dr Michael Düe (GER federation) and the Directors of the Paris and Hong Kong forensic laboratories Dr Yves Bonnaire (FRA) and Dr Terry Wan (HKG). The Group is chaired by Veterinary Committee Member, Dr Andrew Higgins (GBR) and the Co-ordinator is Dr Frits Sluyter, Head of the FEI?s Veterinary Department.
2. The ?Medicine Box?: Medicine Box substances comprise the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs flunixin, phenylbutazone and ketoprofen; the intra-articular corticosteroids triamcinolone acetonide and methylprednisolone, and the intravenous corticosteroid dexamethasone sodium phosphate; sedatives detomidine, romifidine and xylazine; local anaesthetics lidocaine and mepivacaine (without epinephrine); respiratory system products clenbuterol; salbutamol (albuterol) and dembrexine; and the colic treatments butorphanol, scopolamine-N-butyl bromide (Buscopan) and metamizole (dipyrone).
FEI Website
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Glycemic Index of Practical Horse Feeds
by Anne Rodiek, Department of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno
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