KER.equinews.com - Full Article
By Dr. Peter Huntington and Scott O'Brien · July 5, 2012
Poor scores at the vet gate during an endurance ride can be the first indication of trouble in some cases. Scoring poorly in any of the parameters should cause you to assess the problem and decide if there’s anything you can do to reverse it. This is especially true for multileg rides during which a rider has the opportunity to avoid elimination after the next leg, but it is also important to remember to address these issues even after completion of the ride.
There are a couple of problems that can be rectified nutritionally if noticed early enough. Generally these are the metabolic scores.
For dehydration, revisit your electrolyte supplement strategy. Consult with your veterinarian as to whether oral electrolytes would be of use (dependant on level of dehydration). Try to encourage the horse to eat a wet slurry-type feed or find some wet green forage and get as much in as possible. Feeding some dry hay can stimulate drinking. Try flavored waters. Slow down and allow more time at water stops for the horse to settle before drinking. Let the horse graze briefly near the water to stimulate thirst...
Read more here:
http://ker.equinews.com/article/feeding-avoid-problems-endurance-ride-checkpoints
Friday, August 31, 2012
Carbohydrates in Equine Nutrition
KER.equinews.com - Full Article
By Dr. Joe Pagan · June 21, 2012
About 75% of all plant matter is comprised of carbohydrates. This fact means that carbohydrates are an extremely important part of a horse’s diet. There are a number of different types of carbohydrates in horse feed, and they vary considerably as to how well horses digest and utilize each one. In nutritional terms, carbohydrates can be divided into two broad categories: nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) and structural carbohydrates (cell wall).
Nonstructural carbohydrates are those that either occur as simple sugars in the horse’s feed, or can be broken down by enzymes produced by the horse. Included in this category are glucose, fructose, lactose, sucrose, and starch. They range from being almost nonexistent in a grass hay diet to comprising a high percentage of the total diet in a high-grain, low-fiber ration.
Structural carbohydrates are those that are resistant to the horse’s digestive enzymes. These carbohydrates occur in the cell wall portion of the plant and must be fermented by bacteria living in the horse’s gut before they can be utilized by the horse. As a group, these carbohydrates are called plant fiber, and they consist primarily of cellulose and hemicellulose...
Read more here:
http://ker.equinews.com/article/carbohydrates-equine-nutrition
By Dr. Joe Pagan · June 21, 2012
About 75% of all plant matter is comprised of carbohydrates. This fact means that carbohydrates are an extremely important part of a horse’s diet. There are a number of different types of carbohydrates in horse feed, and they vary considerably as to how well horses digest and utilize each one. In nutritional terms, carbohydrates can be divided into two broad categories: nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) and structural carbohydrates (cell wall).
Nonstructural carbohydrates are those that either occur as simple sugars in the horse’s feed, or can be broken down by enzymes produced by the horse. Included in this category are glucose, fructose, lactose, sucrose, and starch. They range from being almost nonexistent in a grass hay diet to comprising a high percentage of the total diet in a high-grain, low-fiber ration.
Structural carbohydrates are those that are resistant to the horse’s digestive enzymes. These carbohydrates occur in the cell wall portion of the plant and must be fermented by bacteria living in the horse’s gut before they can be utilized by the horse. As a group, these carbohydrates are called plant fiber, and they consist primarily of cellulose and hemicellulose...
Read more here:
http://ker.equinews.com/article/carbohydrates-equine-nutrition
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
How the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships 2012 was Won (or lost)
How the Longines FEI World Endurance
Championships 2012 was Won (or lost)
by David Marlin
How did 2 HH Sh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum know how fast to go to win the FEI World Endurance
Championships at Euston Park yesterday (25th August 2012)?
Having ridden around similar courses in competitions run from Euston
Park in the past 3-4 years would definitely have helped. Although the
course would not have been exactly the same as any used previously,
there are a limited number of tracks that could be used. The fact
that the area is essentially flat means that the time should be
similar to 160km courses used before. Another factor that of course
need to be considered would be the environmental conditions. The
hotter, more humid, less cloud and less wind there is, the slower the
speed. Watching what other riders do is also a factor that needs to
be considered when setting out a strategy. You need to be up with the
front runners to stand a chance of winning, but running with the
front runners increases your chance of elimination.
No two endurance races will be run
exactly the same, but if you don’t like leaving things to chance
and like statistics and numbers, then looking back at previous times
for 160km races rides at Euston Park would seem obvious. And I
suspect that this is what many teams would have done in their
preparation for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championships this
weekend. But, even the strong evidence of previous times for 160km
race rides at Euston as an indicator of race strategy would not give
the whole picture. The missing factor? This was a World Championship,
and they don’t necessarily have to follow the rules. In a World
Championship you have a very high number of horses and riders, and a
larger proportion of these than normal would be in with a chance of
winning. This usually means that speeds would be expected to be a
little faster than normal for such a course. The difficulty we have
with endurance is that due to the distances involved, environmental
conditions, going (footing), terrain and technical difficulty (e.g.
number and frequency of turns) all have a major impact on the speed a
160km can be won at.
So what should we have expected from
previous 160km race rides at Euston Park over the past 3 seasons and
how did this match up to the race pattern and winning speed for the
Longines FEI World Endurance Championships 2012?
The ride data for 2010, 2011 and 2012
for 160km senior rides at Euston Park was analysed. Each Summer for
the past three years the rides have been held regularly and over
similar terrain.
So the first question I had is “have
the 160km race rides at Euston Park (4 in 2010, 4 in 2011 and 3 in
2012 [there was a 4th 160km race ride in 2012 but it was
slow by Euston Park normal standards, only had 4 starters and 2
finishers and so I decided not to include it]) been getting faster
over the past 3 seasons?”. The answer to this one is a simple “no”.
The fastest time for a 160km at Euston Park over the past 3 years
was on the 25th July 2010 (22.2 kmh), followed by 21.6 kmh
on 9th June 2010. That said, the last two race rides this
season at Euston before the Longines FEI World Endurance
Championships both posted winning speeds of 21.3 kmh! So over the
past 3 seasons at Euston, the average winning speed for 11, 160km
race rides was 20.8 kmh, with the fastest being 22.2kmh and the
slowest being 18.9kmh.
Thus, with “normal” August
conditions this weekend and with good going (i.e. not too soft), I
would have to be expecting the winner to complete in a time of
22.2kmh + a little extra to allow for the fact that this is a
championship. In fact, 2 HH Sh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
finished with an average speed of 22.8kmh. At this stage I am not
clear whether the thunder and torrential rain slowed down the riders
on course significantly, so it is conceivable that he would have
completed with an even faster time. But the point I think is made.
The fact that it was a championship lead to a winning time slightly
faster than would be typical for Non-World Championship race rides
over 160km at Euston Park. What’s more, using this approach,
presumably most teams would have known what speeds they should have
been targeting on each loop to keep in contention. Or alternatively,
they would have simply tried to keep up with those setting the pace.
So, in conclusion, when it comes to the
average speed over 160km for the winner, there are no real surprises.
But what about the pattern of the race on a loop by loop basis?
Again, this information is freely available and lends itself to
analysis to look for patterns based on previous race rides over 160km
at Euston Park.
What is clear from this analysis, is
that the first loop was extremely fast compared with the average for
loop 1 for all the winners of 160km race rides at Euston. Actually,
whilst I have used the term “average” , I actually used the
median, which reduces the influence of loops that were slower or
faster than the “norm”. It can also be seen from the graph that
winners at Euston typically have a faster 3rd loop than
the 2nd loop, but this did not happen for HH Sh Mohammed.
This was probably a consequence of the very fast first loop.
At the time of writing, the times for
the 5th and 6th loops are no available –
there was a power loss during the thunderstorms which resulted in a
disruption to the timing. (I have to say I’m not sure why given
that August is a peak month for thunderstorms that there were not
uninterruptable power supplies and surge protectors that would have
kept the timing systems up and running in the event of a loss in
mains power). As soon as the times for the 5th and 6th
loops are posted I’ll finish the analysis. My predictions are that
HH Sh Mohammed would have completed the 5th Loop at 21.2
kmh and the final loop at 23 kmh. We shall see!
Conditioning Young Horses
Thehorse.com - Full Article
by: Christa Lesté-Lasserre
June 01 2012, Article # 20329
Research shows that appropriate amounts of exercise during the first three years of a horse's life can benefit the musculoskeletal system
Before your equine athlete begins full-scale training, he can benefit greatly from preparatory physical conditioning. Yes, it's true that he's still growing, that sensitive structures such as his joints and tendons are still developing, and that, generally speaking, he's immature. But veterinary researchers agree: A fair amount of exercise will do him a significant amount of good, not only now but for his entire life. So, it's important to get your youngster out of the stall and into shape.
Muscles, Tendons, and Bones
The first three years of a horse's life--particularly the first two--are a time of great change and development in his locomotor system, particularly the muscles, tendons, and bones (including joints). These structures are the ones you keep in mind most as your prospect matures.
Researchers note that growing muscles adapt to the discipline for which the horse is preparing. That’s especially true for how these structures metabolize energy, meaning how they store oxygen and use fat as an energy source. So developing equine muscles properly via exercise is primordial in preparing the young athlete.
Tendons accumulate collagen during growth, which plays a role in their stretchiness and resistance, so safeguarding these structures is critical as well.
As bones grow, they not only increase in length and width but also in density. The mix of minerals in the bones changes, and the bones' inner and outer membranes and outer shells thicken. All these parameters affect bone strength, so, once again, promoting optimal bone growth is essential...
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=20329
by: Christa Lesté-Lasserre
June 01 2012, Article # 20329
Research shows that appropriate amounts of exercise during the first three years of a horse's life can benefit the musculoskeletal system
Before your equine athlete begins full-scale training, he can benefit greatly from preparatory physical conditioning. Yes, it's true that he's still growing, that sensitive structures such as his joints and tendons are still developing, and that, generally speaking, he's immature. But veterinary researchers agree: A fair amount of exercise will do him a significant amount of good, not only now but for his entire life. So, it's important to get your youngster out of the stall and into shape.
Muscles, Tendons, and Bones
The first three years of a horse's life--particularly the first two--are a time of great change and development in his locomotor system, particularly the muscles, tendons, and bones (including joints). These structures are the ones you keep in mind most as your prospect matures.
Researchers note that growing muscles adapt to the discipline for which the horse is preparing. That’s especially true for how these structures metabolize energy, meaning how they store oxygen and use fat as an energy source. So developing equine muscles properly via exercise is primordial in preparing the young athlete.
Tendons accumulate collagen during growth, which plays a role in their stretchiness and resistance, so safeguarding these structures is critical as well.
As bones grow, they not only increase in length and width but also in density. The mix of minerals in the bones changes, and the bones' inner and outer membranes and outer shells thicken. All these parameters affect bone strength, so, once again, promoting optimal bone growth is essential...
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=20329
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
At Last! A Scientific University Study of the Horses Hoof!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
At Last! A Scientific University Study of the Horses Hoof!
In the last decade, thousands of veterinarians, farriers and horse owners have come to realize that better nutrition, trimming, correct movement, environment, and improved protective devices can cause dramatic and positive changes to the equine foot--not only externally, as previously recognized, but internally as well. “The internal foot can become larger, stronger and better,” says Joe Camp from The Soul of a Horse (http://thesoulofahorse.com). “These changes give significant resistance to hoof problems and can provide cure to pre-existing problems as well. Many of us take this concept of internal hoof development for granted--we present it as fact, because we have seen the changes with our own eyes. All the proof we need is in our own back yard.”
“But we are still a minority,” Camp continues. “Most equine veterinarians, farriers and horse owners are either unaware, or are actually combative toward any notion that the internal foot can be ‘grown’ or developed into something better because no scientific research has tracked this development in live horses. But that is about to change.”
Debra R. Taylor DVM, DACVIM and John Schumacher, DVM, DACVIM (Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine) have taken on a monumental project. They plan to use MRI and CT imaging to track the foot development of live adult horses over time. Additionally, the horses used in the project will be divided into groups that will live very different lifestyles. Does exercise in padded hoof boots and barefoot turnout on variable terrain develop a larger, stronger digital cushion and lateral cartilage? Or can a horse grow his best possible foot while living in a stall with some turnout available? Which lifestyle is safer for the horse? These questions will be answered by a peer-reviewed, controlled study.
Renowned hoof specialist Pete Ramey (http://www.hoofrehab.com) who has worked with Dr. Taylor for several years says, “These studies will happen now, IF they can get the necessary funding and support for the project. Most scientific studies can be done in a relatively short time. A small grant and a few months of hard work yields a new published paper--new information--proof or disproof of a hypothesis. A study like this, however, will take at least two years.”
The only way to produce a solid controlled study is to have all of the horses in each control group living in the same exact environment and under the same care--at the same facility. This means the horses must be purchased for the study. They must all be cared for and exercised the exact same way. Full veterinary evaluation, the MRIs and CTs, and interpretation of the results must be done for each horse before, during, and after the study period. This will all be very expensive--this is why we have so little research on the effects of anything over time. As important as these studies would obviously be, they are horrifically cumbersome and impractical to perform.
“This project needs private financial backing--a lot of it--or it can't be completed,” Camp said. “I beg anyone who cares about the health and happiness of horses to donate. Even the smallest amount can help.”
Please click here: Donate to the Study and then proceed through four drop down menus as follows:
Donation type: Gift
Campus: Auburn-Main Campus
Area of Interest: College of Veterinary Medicine Gift
Designation: Dr. Debra Taylors Hoof Development and Rehabilitation
Description of Dr. Taylor's hoof program for 4th-year vet students and how bone, lateral cartilage and digital cushion volumes will be tracked during the study period: Hoof Rehabilitation Program Brochure
Brand New, All New Website!
Check It Out - http://thesoulofahorse.com
THE SOUL OF A HORSE Blog
Read about our new mustang and her brand new baby
Videos:
Here We Go Again! (Another pregnant mustang :)
Relationship First!
Our Paddock Paradise - What We Did, How We Did It, and Why?
Books:
National Best Seller
The Soul of a Horse - Life Lessons from the Herd
The Highly Acclaimed Continuation
The Soul of a Horse Blogged - The Journey Continues
Live Video Links in Kindle, Nook, and iBooks versions
eBook Nuggets from the Soul of a Horse... $0.99 each
Six info-packed books covering everything we've learned about Relationship, Ground Work, Diet, Pastures, Lifestyle, and Why Our Horses are Barefoot
The Soul of a Horse Fan Page on Facebook
http://thesoulofahorse.com
http://www.benji.com
At Last! A Scientific University Study of the Horses Hoof!
In the last decade, thousands of veterinarians, farriers and horse owners have come to realize that better nutrition, trimming, correct movement, environment, and improved protective devices can cause dramatic and positive changes to the equine foot--not only externally, as previously recognized, but internally as well. “The internal foot can become larger, stronger and better,” says Joe Camp from The Soul of a Horse (http://thesoulofahorse.com). “These changes give significant resistance to hoof problems and can provide cure to pre-existing problems as well. Many of us take this concept of internal hoof development for granted--we present it as fact, because we have seen the changes with our own eyes. All the proof we need is in our own back yard.”
“But we are still a minority,” Camp continues. “Most equine veterinarians, farriers and horse owners are either unaware, or are actually combative toward any notion that the internal foot can be ‘grown’ or developed into something better because no scientific research has tracked this development in live horses. But that is about to change.”
Debra R. Taylor DVM, DACVIM and John Schumacher, DVM, DACVIM (Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine) have taken on a monumental project. They plan to use MRI and CT imaging to track the foot development of live adult horses over time. Additionally, the horses used in the project will be divided into groups that will live very different lifestyles. Does exercise in padded hoof boots and barefoot turnout on variable terrain develop a larger, stronger digital cushion and lateral cartilage? Or can a horse grow his best possible foot while living in a stall with some turnout available? Which lifestyle is safer for the horse? These questions will be answered by a peer-reviewed, controlled study.
Renowned hoof specialist Pete Ramey (http://www.hoofrehab.com) who has worked with Dr. Taylor for several years says, “These studies will happen now, IF they can get the necessary funding and support for the project. Most scientific studies can be done in a relatively short time. A small grant and a few months of hard work yields a new published paper--new information--proof or disproof of a hypothesis. A study like this, however, will take at least two years.”
The only way to produce a solid controlled study is to have all of the horses in each control group living in the same exact environment and under the same care--at the same facility. This means the horses must be purchased for the study. They must all be cared for and exercised the exact same way. Full veterinary evaluation, the MRIs and CTs, and interpretation of the results must be done for each horse before, during, and after the study period. This will all be very expensive--this is why we have so little research on the effects of anything over time. As important as these studies would obviously be, they are horrifically cumbersome and impractical to perform.
“This project needs private financial backing--a lot of it--or it can't be completed,” Camp said. “I beg anyone who cares about the health and happiness of horses to donate. Even the smallest amount can help.”
Please click here: Donate to the Study and then proceed through four drop down menus as follows:
Donation type: Gift
Campus: Auburn-Main Campus
Area of Interest: College of Veterinary Medicine Gift
Designation: Dr. Debra Taylors Hoof Development and Rehabilitation
Description of Dr. Taylor's hoof program for 4th-year vet students and how bone, lateral cartilage and digital cushion volumes will be tracked during the study period: Hoof Rehabilitation Program Brochure
Brand New, All New Website!
Check It Out - http://thesoulofahorse.com
THE SOUL OF A HORSE Blog
Read about our new mustang and her brand new baby
Videos:
Here We Go Again! (Another pregnant mustang :)
Relationship First!
Our Paddock Paradise - What We Did, How We Did It, and Why?
Books:
National Best Seller
The Soul of a Horse - Life Lessons from the Herd
The Highly Acclaimed Continuation
The Soul of a Horse Blogged - The Journey Continues
Live Video Links in Kindle, Nook, and iBooks versions
eBook Nuggets from the Soul of a Horse... $0.99 each
Six info-packed books covering everything we've learned about Relationship, Ground Work, Diet, Pastures, Lifestyle, and Why Our Horses are Barefoot
The Soul of a Horse Fan Page on Facebook
http://thesoulofahorse.com
http://www.benji.com
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Floor-Level Feeding
Equisearch.com - Full Article
By the Editors of EQUUS magazine
Feeding at floor level is in your horse's best interest.
You can reduce your horse's risk of choke, colic and respiratory disorders and increase the amount of nutrients he gets from his ration by doing nothing more than eliminating chest- or head-high feed tubs and hay racks.
Floor-level feeding of both hay and feed mimics the natural heads-down grazing posture, which brings with it several health benefits:
Slowed rate of consumption--The horse must be more meticulous in his chewing to hold onto the hay and grain he's processing. Compared to chest-high intake, each mouthful of floor-fed feed is smaller, more thoroughly chewed and better mixed with saliva, lowering the horse's choke and colic risks.
Improved processing--Increased chew time and greater salivation prepare each bite for more complete nutrient extraction down the line, increasing the nutritional benefits from each bite...
Read more here:
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/nutrition/feeds/eqfeed31003/?utm_source=EQUUSNL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter
By the Editors of EQUUS magazine
Feeding at floor level is in your horse's best interest.
You can reduce your horse's risk of choke, colic and respiratory disorders and increase the amount of nutrients he gets from his ration by doing nothing more than eliminating chest- or head-high feed tubs and hay racks.
Floor-level feeding of both hay and feed mimics the natural heads-down grazing posture, which brings with it several health benefits:
Slowed rate of consumption--The horse must be more meticulous in his chewing to hold onto the hay and grain he's processing. Compared to chest-high intake, each mouthful of floor-fed feed is smaller, more thoroughly chewed and better mixed with saliva, lowering the horse's choke and colic risks.
Improved processing--Increased chew time and greater salivation prepare each bite for more complete nutrient extraction down the line, increasing the nutritional benefits from each bite...
Read more here:
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/nutrition/feeds/eqfeed31003/?utm_source=EQUUSNL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Five Cases of Equine WNV Reported in Colorado in 2012
Thehorse.com
by: Edited Press Release
August 16 2012, Article # 20494
From the Colorado State Veterinarian's Office:
Five equine cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been diagnosed in Colorado as of Aug. 14. The WNV positive horses are from Fremont, Weld, Montrose (2), and Larimer counties.
The incidence of the disease varies from year to year and depends on a number of factors, including mosquito numbers. WNV can be carried by infected birds and then spread locally by mosquitoes that bite those birds. The mosquitoes can then pass the virus to humans and animals.
Infected horses can display clinical signs including head tilt, muscle tremors, stumbling, lack of coordination, weakness of the limbs, or partial paralysis. If horses exhibit clinical signs consistent with WNV, it is very important for horse owners to contact their veterinarian in order to confirm the diagnosis through laboratory testing.
Horse owners should consult their private practicing veterinarian to determine an appropriate prevention strategy for their horses. Vaccines have proven to be a very effective prevention tool. The veterinary staff at the State Veterinarian's Office has done a very limited and informal survey of WNV vaccine sales in Colorado; it indicates a significant drop in vaccine sales over the past years. If this small survey is indicative of the overall sales, it is a disturbing trend.
Of the five horses that have been WNV-positive, we have not been able to confirm that any of the horses have been vaccinated for WNV.
In addition to vaccinations, horse owners also need to reduce the mosquito populations and their possible breeding areas. Recommendations include removing stagnant water sources, keeping animals inside during the bugs' feeding times, which are typically early in the morning and evening, and using mosquito repellents.
"It is important to protect your horse through WNV vaccination and good management practices," said State Veterinarian Keith Roehr, DVM. "West Nile virus is a disease that threatens the health of humans, horses, and other animals. This is the time of year when we are most likely to see WNV cases reported in horses
"It is difficult to project how many WNV cases we may see in the coming months," he noted.
by: Edited Press Release
August 16 2012, Article # 20494
From the Colorado State Veterinarian's Office:
Five equine cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been diagnosed in Colorado as of Aug. 14. The WNV positive horses are from Fremont, Weld, Montrose (2), and Larimer counties.
The incidence of the disease varies from year to year and depends on a number of factors, including mosquito numbers. WNV can be carried by infected birds and then spread locally by mosquitoes that bite those birds. The mosquitoes can then pass the virus to humans and animals.
Infected horses can display clinical signs including head tilt, muscle tremors, stumbling, lack of coordination, weakness of the limbs, or partial paralysis. If horses exhibit clinical signs consistent with WNV, it is very important for horse owners to contact their veterinarian in order to confirm the diagnosis through laboratory testing.
Horse owners should consult their private practicing veterinarian to determine an appropriate prevention strategy for their horses. Vaccines have proven to be a very effective prevention tool. The veterinary staff at the State Veterinarian's Office has done a very limited and informal survey of WNV vaccine sales in Colorado; it indicates a significant drop in vaccine sales over the past years. If this small survey is indicative of the overall sales, it is a disturbing trend.
Of the five horses that have been WNV-positive, we have not been able to confirm that any of the horses have been vaccinated for WNV.
In addition to vaccinations, horse owners also need to reduce the mosquito populations and their possible breeding areas. Recommendations include removing stagnant water sources, keeping animals inside during the bugs' feeding times, which are typically early in the morning and evening, and using mosquito repellents.
"It is important to protect your horse through WNV vaccination and good management practices," said State Veterinarian Keith Roehr, DVM. "West Nile virus is a disease that threatens the health of humans, horses, and other animals. This is the time of year when we are most likely to see WNV cases reported in horses
"It is difficult to project how many WNV cases we may see in the coming months," he noted.
Pack that repellent: West Nile virus spiking across the USA
Travel.usatoday.com - Full Article
By Laura Bly, USA TODAY
Texas is being hit the hardest by a surge in mosquito-borne West Nile virus cases, with Dallas' mayor declaring a state of emergency and ordering the city's first aerial spraying of insecticide in nearly five decades.
Yet 32 states have reported cases, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, and there have been at least 693 cases and 28 deaths nationwide, according to the CDC and state numbers released Tuesday. That's up from 390 cases and eight deaths last week.
Most people who are infected with the West Nile virus, 70% to 80%, never know they have it. But 20% to 30% develop West Nile fever, with headaches, fever, joint pains, vomiting or diarrhea and rash.
A mild winter and ample spring rains allowed the mosquito population to build up early, while heat and scant rainfall are creating stagnant water pools ideal for breeding grounds.
And it's going to get worse, David Dausey, a professor of public health at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa., told USA TODAY. He says climate change means warmer winters, milder springs and hotter summers, all of which "create a longer season for mosquitoes to breed and ideal conditions for them to survive." That will mean more West Nile and, public health workers worry, other mosquito-borne diseases such as yellow fever, malaria and dengue fever, Dausey says...
Read more here:
http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2012/08/pack-that-repellent-west-nile-virus-spiking-across-the-usa/825689/1
By Laura Bly, USA TODAY
Texas is being hit the hardest by a surge in mosquito-borne West Nile virus cases, with Dallas' mayor declaring a state of emergency and ordering the city's first aerial spraying of insecticide in nearly five decades.
Yet 32 states have reported cases, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, and there have been at least 693 cases and 28 deaths nationwide, according to the CDC and state numbers released Tuesday. That's up from 390 cases and eight deaths last week.
Most people who are infected with the West Nile virus, 70% to 80%, never know they have it. But 20% to 30% develop West Nile fever, with headaches, fever, joint pains, vomiting or diarrhea and rash.
A mild winter and ample spring rains allowed the mosquito population to build up early, while heat and scant rainfall are creating stagnant water pools ideal for breeding grounds.
And it's going to get worse, David Dausey, a professor of public health at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa., told USA TODAY. He says climate change means warmer winters, milder springs and hotter summers, all of which "create a longer season for mosquitoes to breed and ideal conditions for them to survive." That will mean more West Nile and, public health workers worry, other mosquito-borne diseases such as yellow fever, malaria and dengue fever, Dausey says...
Read more here:
http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2012/08/pack-that-repellent-west-nile-virus-spiking-across-the-usa/825689/1
Alternative Hays for Horses
Equinews.com - Full Article
By Dr. Peter Huntington · May 22, 2012
Common hays fed to horses include various pure grass hays, mixed grass hays, and legume hays such as alfalfa (lucerne) and clover. If these hays are not available, horse owners may have to choose from less traditional hay types. While these other forages are usually suitable for horses, some have associated risks.
Foxtail or German millet can be used for horse forage. If foxtail millet hay is fed to horses, additional calcium supplementation will be required as it is high in oxalates, substances that make it difficult for the horse to absorb the calcium in its diet. Some reports show that horses grazing millet hay may have lameness and joint swelling. Some pearl millet reportedly has an alkaloid buildup that can induce toxicity in cattle. Horses may also react to these alkaloids because they are susceptible to alkaloid toxicity syndromes. All millets can accumulate nitrates, which in grazing or haying millets can reach toxic proportions. Nitrate can be controlled somewhat by reducing the amount of nitrogen per application and increasing the number of applications. German millet can cause oral lesions.
Sorghum grasses include sudangrass, johnsongrass, hybrid forage sorghums, and grain sorghums. Here we consider all classes of forage sudangrasses and associated hybrids the same. In reality, there may be some without toxicity problems...
Read more here:
http://ker.equinews.com/article/alternative-hays-horses
By Dr. Peter Huntington · May 22, 2012
Common hays fed to horses include various pure grass hays, mixed grass hays, and legume hays such as alfalfa (lucerne) and clover. If these hays are not available, horse owners may have to choose from less traditional hay types. While these other forages are usually suitable for horses, some have associated risks.
Foxtail or German millet can be used for horse forage. If foxtail millet hay is fed to horses, additional calcium supplementation will be required as it is high in oxalates, substances that make it difficult for the horse to absorb the calcium in its diet. Some reports show that horses grazing millet hay may have lameness and joint swelling. Some pearl millet reportedly has an alkaloid buildup that can induce toxicity in cattle. Horses may also react to these alkaloids because they are susceptible to alkaloid toxicity syndromes. All millets can accumulate nitrates, which in grazing or haying millets can reach toxic proportions. Nitrate can be controlled somewhat by reducing the amount of nitrogen per application and increasing the number of applications. German millet can cause oral lesions.
Sorghum grasses include sudangrass, johnsongrass, hybrid forage sorghums, and grain sorghums. Here we consider all classes of forage sudangrasses and associated hybrids the same. In reality, there may be some without toxicity problems...
Read more here:
http://ker.equinews.com/article/alternative-hays-horses
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Our 7 Step Strategy to Top Ten at Tevis - 4th Gear Here We Come
Easycare Blog - Full ArticleTuesday, August 14, 2012 by Kevin Myers
We set out with a goal ten months ago, and built the strategy around that goal. The goal was simple: to achieve a top ten placing at Tevis 2012. We thank Garrett Ford for his support and encouragement that we could train our horses to this level. Our reading list was 4th Gear by Dennis Summers.
The essential components were:
1. Impeccable hoof care. It all starts with the hooves - I believe that more and more each day. If the feet aren't right, you can't do well. We used Easyboot Glue-Ons on ride day.
2. Diet: the grass pasture has changed our horses for the better - and so has the space for them to run around and be stupid with each other (they're on 4 acres right now, but were previously on a pasture twice that size). We feed a good quality grass hay mix; a balanced performance feed and a multi-vitamin. If Far began to look too lean, we would add Amplify to his diet. Once the grass got going, it was more a question of how to keep the weight off them. We wanted meat over the ribs, but we wanted to see ribs when they breathed in, and to be able to feel them. Stoner actually went into Tevis at a higher weight than we wanted, but that did not seem to hurt him...
Read more here:
http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/bootlegging/our-6-step-strategy-to-top-ten-at-tevis-4th-gear-here-we-come
Monday, August 13, 2012
Introduction of Competition Floating Boots shoes
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El Raid Blog - Gabriel GamizJuly 5 2012
[google translation]
Our friends Otilio and Florentino, Equestrian Endurance enthusiasts and innovators in sneakers and boots for horses Barefoot System, prepare to present their products at the Equestrian Society Lebrera in Badajoz, where he is going to celebrate this weekend Spain Championship for Young Riders Raid.
Here I put the note you sent me:
"COMUNICACADO OF SHOE Floting SL
Tomorrow, Friday, July 6, 2012, at 12:00 am, there will be a practical demonstration of the Floating Boots racing shoes in the area of the stables of the Equestrian Society Lebrera in Badajoz. Otilio Gonzalez and Florentino Pereira will be available to the stakeholders for resolving queries and doubts.
Fittings Floating Boots have proven their suitability for high competition in the InterautonomÃas Raid of Figarol and the Championship of Spain, winning the Individual Gold in both competitions and the Gold Team in Figarol."
See more here:
http://ggjineteraid.blogspot.com/2012/07/presentacion-de-los-zapatos-de.html
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Equine Leg Wounds: Should You Bandage?
Thehorse.com - Full Article
by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
August 05 2009, Article # 14643
Managing wounds on the lower limbs of horses is expensive, frustrating, time-consuming, and wrought with complications. Various approaches to expedite wound repair and minimize the development of serious complications have been assessed, including extracorporeal shock wave therapy and platelet-rich plasma. Now, even the merits of bandaging on wound healing is questionable, says a group of Australian researchers.
"Wounds on the distal (lower) limb are often left to heal without suturing; however, this often predisposes wounds to form excessive granulation (scar) tissue," said Andrew Dart, MACVSc, Dipl. VetClinSt, ACVS, director of the University of Syndey's Veterinary Centre Camden and Biomedical Research and Clinical Training Unit in Australia.
The formation of excessive granulation tissue is undesirable as it prolongs healing.
"Wound healing in the horse, particularly wounds of the lower limb, differs from healing in ponies and other species," he added...
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14643
by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
August 05 2009, Article # 14643
Managing wounds on the lower limbs of horses is expensive, frustrating, time-consuming, and wrought with complications. Various approaches to expedite wound repair and minimize the development of serious complications have been assessed, including extracorporeal shock wave therapy and platelet-rich plasma. Now, even the merits of bandaging on wound healing is questionable, says a group of Australian researchers.
"Wounds on the distal (lower) limb are often left to heal without suturing; however, this often predisposes wounds to form excessive granulation (scar) tissue," said Andrew Dart, MACVSc, Dipl. VetClinSt, ACVS, director of the University of Syndey's Veterinary Centre Camden and Biomedical Research and Clinical Training Unit in Australia.
The formation of excessive granulation tissue is undesirable as it prolongs healing.
"Wound healing in the horse, particularly wounds of the lower limb, differs from healing in ponies and other species," he added...
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14643
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