Industry Breed and Discipline Organizations Join Forces with Time to Ride Challenge

May 27 2016

Additional incentives offered for members who participate by introducing new people to horses.
 
May 27, 2016, Georgetown, Texas - Several horse industry breed and discipline organizations have joined forces with the 2016 Time to Ride Challenge to introduce new horse enthusiasts to riding. The Challenge will award $100,000 cash and prizes to the stables, clubs, and businesses who can generate the most “newcomer” interactions with horses; and now participants can also win cash and prizes from breed and discipline organizations of which they are a member.
 
In addition to the Marketing Alliance Members and Partners, who fund and support Time to Ride, five American Horse Council-member organizations are offering additional incentives: the Certified Horsemanship Association, Arabian Horse Association, United States Dressage Federation, Appaloosa Horse Club, and Pinto Horse Association of America. Each group will award prizes to the members of their association who do best in the Challenge.
 
Additional prizes offered range from trophy buckles and year-end ceremony recognition, to up to thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, which the Arabian Horse Association is rewarding. These awards are available to members of each organization in addition to the $100,000 cash and prizes they can win as participants in the Time to Ride Challenge.
 
“Support from these groups make the Challenge even more exciting by giving participants yet another way to win. For example, a stable could win $5,000 as a second-place finisher in its division and also win a trophy buckle from the Certified Horsemanship Association as the highest-placing CHA member in the Challenge,” stated Christie Schulte. “We are thrilled that these organizations have joined our cause this year and are encouraging their membership base to grow their own businesses, disciplines, and breeds.”
 
"We're excited to offer American Quarter Horse Association members another reason to participate in this important initiative," said Craig Huffhines, AQHA Executive Vice President. "Our members will not only have the opportunity to win cash and prizes, they'll be growing their own businesses and increasing exposure to the American Quarter Horse."
 
Since 2014, Challenge participants have introduced over 60,000 new people to horses through beginner-friendly events. Stables, clubs and businesses are invited to sign up for the 2016 Challenge by visiting timetoride.com. The Challenge begins June 1st. Upon registration a user can specify which organization he/she is a member of to become eligible for the additional prizes. To learn more visit the website or contact info@timetoride.com.



The American Horse Council’s Marketing Alliance
 
Time to Ride is an initiative of the American Horse Council’s Marketing Alliance, formed to connect people with horses. It is designed to encourage horse-interested consumers to enjoy the benefits of horse activities. The AHC Marketing Alliance is made up of the following organizations: the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Active Interest Media, the American Quarter Horse Association, Dover Saddlery, Farnam, Merck, Merial, Morris Media Network Equine Group, Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, Platinum Performance, United States Equestrian Federation, and Zoetis. Program Partners are Absorbine, the American Paint Horse Association, Equibrand, the National Cutting Horse Association, the National Reining Horse Association, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, and the Texas A&M University Equine Initiative, Lumina Media, Pyranha, the America’s Mustang Campaign, and Colorado State University Equine Sciences Program.
 
About the American Horse Council
 
The American Horse Council is a non-profit organization that includes all segments of the horse industry. While its primary mission is to represent the industry before Congress and the federal regulatory agencies in Washington, DC, it also undertakes national initiatives for the horse industry. Time to Ride, the AHC’s Marketing Alliance to connect horses and people, is such an effort. The American Horse Council hopes that Time to Ride will encourage people and businesses to participate in the industry, enjoy our horses, and support our equine activities and events. The AHC believes a healthy horse industry contributes to the health of Americans and America in many ways.
 

Turmeric for horses: what is all the fuss about?

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Horse & Hound 12:05 - 15 January, 2016

An increasing number of horse owners are turning to turmeric as a supplement for their horses. Lottie Butler finds out what it's used for and the research behind it

What is it about turmeric for horses at the moment? For many of us, it is just that colourful peppery spice added to Asian dishes for colour and flavour. However, an increasing number of horse owners are turning to turmeric as a supplement for their horses; a natural remedy that has been proven to be beneficial for humans and is believed to help ease a whole range of health problems in horses — from joint stiffness to skin irritations. Some owners even swear it helps horses suffering from sarcoids.

Turmeric for horses: what is it used for?

Turmeric has long been prevalent in ancient Indian and Chinese medicines as a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant used by people suffering from a wide range of conditions, including diarrhoea, respiratory infections, dermatitis, and even cancerous tumours. Though more commonly used in the West as a condiment, there is growing awareness of its therapeutic properties...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/benefits-turmeric-for-horses-523592#lxMKQkUWbEj92WQW.99

Understanding Your Horse's 'Engine' During Exercise

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Erica Larson, News Editor
May 19, 2016

The exhilaration of a gallop through a field might make your heart race, but you're not alone: Your horse's heart is working hard to power every stride he takes. Along with his respiratory system, a horse's cardiovascular system serves as the engine he needs to perform everything from day-to-day activities to high-level athletic pursuits. But both systems have limits, and it's important to understand them.

Here, Anna M. Firshman, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVSMR, an associate clinical professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, reviews how the horse's cardiovascular and respiratory systems function during exercise...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/34498/understanding-your-horses-engine-during-exercise?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=lameness&utm_campaign=05-25-2016

Feeding Oil to Horses: Choose Wisely

KER.Equinews.com - Full Article

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · March 23, 2016

Horse owners frequently reach for a jug of vegetable oil when they want to bump up energy consumption for weight gain or wish to add sheen to a coat. Faced with shelves upon shelves of choices, which is the best choice?

“All oils are 100% fat, so there is no difference in the number of calories each provides,” said Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., nutrition advisor for Kentucky Equine Research (KER). “Variations in the amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids exist among oils commonly fed to horses. These fatty acids are of particular interest to researchers because of their effect on inflammation and immunity, and because horses are not able to produce these fatty acids in the body, thereby counting on the diet to provide them.”

Cereal grains generally have far more omega-6s than omega-3s. A typical omega-3 to omega-6 ratio for cereal grains might be 1:10. Horses fed large grain meals, therefore, might have a skewed omega-3 to omega-6 ratio in the total diet, with omega-6s outpacing omega-3s...

Read more here:
http://ker.equinews.com/article/feeding-oil-horses-choose-wisely?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=bc2e43eeba-ker-horse-nutri-kentucky-equine-05_04_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0d95781dfc-bc2e43eeba-11166

Free Webinar - Lyme Disease in Horses: An Introduction

Tune in May 25 at 8 p.m. EST to learn about Lyme from Dr. Joyce Harman
 
Did you know that May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month? Lyme disease is really becoming a household name, especially for those who live on the east coast. Not only are we humans effected, but so are our horses!

Lyme disease (LD) has been recognized for about 40 or 50 years. It is now the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the US and Europe, and is also found in Asia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there have been 20,000 to 30,000 confirmed human cases each year since 2002. The actual numbers are likely much higher as many cases go unreported. 96% of those cases are concentrated in about 15 states, mostly on the east coast from Virginia north. However, it can be found almost everywhere, so have your vet consider Lyme as part of any rule-out list.

Have you or your pet been touched by Lyme? Do you want to know more? Join internationally known integrative veterinarian Dr. Joyce Harman in this educational *FREE* webinar!

Click here to register.

Equine Disease Communication Center Launches Outbreak Alert E-mail Service

May 23 2016
 
Owners, trainers, veterinarians and other equine industry participants can be alerted to infectious disease outbreaks and updates through an e-mail notification system recently implemented by the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), an industry-funded hub for efficient communication of information about equine infectious diseases and disease outbreaks.
 
The EDCC’s Outbreak Alert e-mail service advises subscribers when an infectious disease outbreak is confirmed or an update to a previously reported outbreak is available, such as when a quarantine has been lifted. Each e-mail includes a link to the Disease Outbreak Alerts page of the EDCC website for detailed information about the alert. 
 
The e-mail alerts are available at no charge as a service to the industry; subscribe through the EDCC Mailing List link at www.equinediseasecc.org. Alerts and other information are also posted on the EDCC’s social media platforms. “Like” the EDCC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EquineDiseaseCC and follow @EquineDiseaseCC on Twitter.
 
The EDCC is based in Lexington, Ky., at the AAEP’s headquarters with website and call center hosting provided by the United States Equestrian Federation. The EDCC is funded entirely through the generosity of organizations, industry stakeholders and horse owners. To learn how you can make a tax-deductible contribution to the EDCC, visit www.equinediseasecc.org and click the Sponsors link.

Contact: Bailey McCallum
bmccallum@aaep.org or (859) 705-0360

Treeless Saddles - Parts I, II, III

Horse-canada.com - Full Articles

Saddlefit 4 Life | May 3, 2016
by Jochen Schleese CMS, CSFT, CSE

I just realized that although the whole topic of treeless saddles vs. treed saddles is a pretty controversial one, I have not until now shared my personal thoughts with you on them in this blog space. Please do understand, however, that my thoughts are based on scientific facts and truths – regardless what the manufacturers of these treeless saddles claim. I have had some interesting discourse on the topic with @Barbra Ann King of Relationship Riding in Alberta, and some of these thoughts are based on her point of view. In my blog next week I will present more of my own viewpoint on the topic, but this week I have taken a more conciliatory stance.

The subject of treed and treeless saddles is somewhat contentious and each side will always have its ardent supporters. Since they first showed up on the market, some treeless saddle manufacturers have addressed the spinal issues as well as weight distribution, although there are very few that are doing it properly...

Read the rest of part 1 here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/saddlefit-4-life/treeless-saddles/

Part 2 is here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/saddlefit-4-life/the-ongoing-controversy-treed-or-treeless-saddles-part-ii/

Part 3 is here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/saddlefit-4-life/the-ongoing-controversy-treed-or-treeless-saddles-part-iii/

Electrolyte Supplementation for Working Horses

KER.Equinews.com - Full Article

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · April 18, 2016

As the weather warms in many regions of the world, conscientious riders begin thinking about electrolyte supplementation for their horses. Exactly when to start supplementation depends on many factors, some of which are subjective.

“Horses should have free-choice access to salt year-round. For horses that are not working hard and not sweating on a daily basis, loose or block salt can supply sufficient electrolytes, particularly sodium and chloride, as long as they consume enough of it. This is especially true for horses on all-forage diets, as forage is a good source of potassium, another important electrolyte,” explained Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research (KER)...

Read more here:
http://ker.equinews.com/article/electrolyte-supplementation-working-horses?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=fbfb97b66d-ker-horse-nutri-kentucky-equine-05_18_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0d95781dfc-fbfb97b66d-11166

Tips for Managing Gastric Ulcers in Performance Horses

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Nettie Liburt, PhD, MS
May 9, 2016

It’s not a secret that many performance horses suffer from gastric ulcers. In fact, said Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is present in up to 93% of performance horses. What’s worse, this condition is a real problem for training, nutrition, and overall health. Thus, successfully managing EGUS is key to ensuring horses can perform at their best.

Recently, Andrews, LVMA Equine Committee professor and director of the Equine Health Studies Program at Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine, reviewed advances in treating and managing gastric ulcers in performance horses during the University of Maryland’s Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ 2016 Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference, held March 23-24, in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

Gastric Ulcer Basics...

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/37542/tips-for-managing-gastric-ulcers-in-performance-horses?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=reader-favorites&utm_campaign=05-13-2016

AHC Announces Speakers for 2016 Issues Forum

Horsecouncil.org

May 9 2016

The American Horse Council’s National Issues Forum on June 14, sponsored by Luitpold Animal Health, in Washington, DC will feature several Members of Congress in line with the theme of “Putting More Horsepower in Congress.” Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is confirmed as the leadoff speaker. Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has also been invited.

“We would be very fortunate to have the chairmen of both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees address us,” said AHC president Jay Hickey. “The $102 billion equine industry is an important sector of the agriculture community, not only when horses are in their breeding life, but also when they move into their racing, showing, work, or recreation careers. The equine world is still regulated by the US Department of Agriculture in terms of disease control, import/export, interstate movement, and research. The Congressional agriculture committees are important to the horse industry.”

The Issues Forum will also feature a special panel, which will include representatives of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and The Jockey Club, to update the industry on their plans to require the microchipping of horses beginning in 2017. Speaking will be Mary Babick, Vice President of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, Summer Stoffel, who serves on the USEF Horse Recording & ID Task Force Committee, and Matt Iuliano, Executive Vice President and Executive Director of The Jockey Club. Each has been intimately involved in their organizations move to requiring microchipping. “This should be a real opportunity for attending organizations to learn first-hand about their plans, how they will affect their members, and how they might want to prepare for the new requirements,” said Hickey.

This year’s National Issues Forum will be held on Tuesday, June 14, during the AHC’s annual convention. The convention will run from June 12 to 15 at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, DC.

The AHC convention will also feature the inaugural meeting of executive directors of national equine organizations. Organized by Julie Broadway, the new president of the AHC, and David Foley, executive director of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, this meeting will allow the top staff of horse associations to join together to discuss internal, administrative-type issues that each may face in their day-to-day operations. Such issues might include membership retention, dealing with volunteers, and management. This meeting will feature two speakers from the American Society of Association Executives to talk about their peer group formation experience and benefits

The AHC annual meeting will also include the meetings of all the AHC’s committees. This year each committee will be asked to address how its members can get their organizations more involved in grassroots lobbying on legislation and regulations within their jurisdiction. In other words how AHC committees and horse organizations can “Put More Horsepower in Congress.”

The AHC’s convention will also include the AHC’s Congressional Reception on June 14, the evening of the Issue Forum, and the Congressional Ride-In on Wednesday, June 15, during which the industry can meet with their federal elected officials to discuss issues important to them.

Complete information on these Forums and the entire AHC annual meeting, including registration and hotel information, can be found on the AHC’s website, http://www.horsecouncil.org/ahc-events/ or by contacting the AHC.