The art of Turkmen horse breeding

Tehrantimes.com - Article and Pictures

Sat 25, February
The art of Turkmen horse breeding

Turkmen horses are one of the most beautiful horse breed of Iran dominantly found in Turkmen Sahra, a region located in northeastern Iran bordering Turkmenistan. The Turkmen horse was originally an oriental horse breed from the steppes of Central Asia which is now extinct. Some horses bred in Iran and Turkmenistan today are still referred to as Turkmen, and have similar characteristics. The Turkmen horse is noted for its endurance, bravery and smartness. It has a slender body and the breed is actually one of the toughest in the world. They have a reputation for speed, endurance, intelligence, and a distinctive metallic sheen. Many theories have been formulated to explain why hair of the Turkmen horse and its descendants shines, but none explain why the this breed in particular benefitted from this genetic difference and why other horses would not. Although Turkmen horse breeding is a very popular among the Turkmen people the officials won’t take it very serious. Here are some photos depicting Turkmen horse breeding in Raz and Jargalan, North Khorasan province.

Tehran Times/ Mohsen Rezaee

See photos here:
http://www.tehrantimes.com/photo/411416/The-art-of-Turkmen-horse-breeding

Equine Ulcers – You Really Need To Know More!

DrKerryRidgway.com - Full Article

July 5 2016

Ulcers in the digestive track are more than just the latest “disease du jour.” Thus far, for a problem that has been recognized for about 20 years, we are still seeing and understanding only the tip of a metaphorical iceberg. More than two thirds of the iceberg is still not visible and much is still being discovered about this ulcer “iceberg.” We do know that there are, basically, only two kinds of horses – those who have ulcers and those who will have ulcers!

We should all recognize that gastric and intestinal ulcers are literally a slow or non-healing acid burn – a burn such as if hydrochloric acid was splashed on your face. The horse’s ulcers are a combination of this hydrochloric acid, as well as volatile fatty acids and bile acids. In horses, the acid burns holes into the lining of the stomach, small or large bowel. The acids may burn a crater deeply enough to cause bleeding or even burn through and penetrate the gut. When the acid burn craters do heal they can create scar tissue and strictures, especially in the small intestine that may lead to colic.

Therefore, the real purpose of this paper is three fold.

1. The first purpose is to provide a short synopsis regarding the dangers and sometimes-dire consequences of ulcers.
2. The second is to alert you to the signs and symptoms pointing to the presence of ulcers.
3. The third, and a very important purpose: Empower you to use a simple examination technique that can give a very strong presumptive diagnosis of GI ulcers. This technique can, in many cases, bypass the need for endoscopic examination if, for example, this procedure is not readily available or is not affordable. Confirmation by administration of appropriate medications is often used as a diagnostic tool and confirmation of a “presumptive” diagnosis.

Twelve Good Reasons to Understand GI Ulcers in Horses:

1. Ulcers increase the risk to the horse’s health, safety and welfare
2. Ulcers increase the risk to the rider’s safety and welfare
3. Ulcers cause loss of performance and competitive edge
4. Ulcers can upset or interrupt an entire competition schedule
5. Ulcers are very expensive to treat and to resolve – recurrence is common
6. Ulcers cause many “behavioral” problems
7. Ulcers set up many muscle, myofascial and chiropractic issues
8. Ulcers increase risk of injury and lameness as a result of number seven (Musculo-skeletal problems
9. Ulcers increase the risk of colic and diarrhea problems
10. Ulcer stress may deplete the immune system and make a horse more susceptible to disease
11. Ulcers often create “hard keepers” and cause weight loss. The result – an unthrifty horse. (However, some horses with excellent weight also have ulcers)
12. Toxins released from altered gut flora increase a risk of laminitis/founder

Read more here:
http://drkerryridgway.com/2016/07/05/equine-ulcers/

Outlook: Cinnamon for Equine Health?

KER.Equinews.com - Full Article

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 3, 2017

A recent flurry of research activity pertaining to the medical effects of cinnamon suggests the tasty spice could have benefits for horses.

“Cinnamon supplementation provides yet another example of a traditional herbal medicine making a comeback to benefit modern medical patients,” said Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

Research* in this field revealed many potential health benefits associated with cinnamon, including:

• Antioxidant properties. These specialized molecules protect the body against a variety of degenerative processes caused by exuberant oxygen molecules, such as arthritis, neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders, and cancer.

• Antidiabetic effects. Horses don’t develop type 2 diabetes like humans; however, they certainly suffer from similar glucose and insulin dysregulatory issues that contribute to insulin resistance and equine metabolic syndrome, both of which go hand in hand with laminitis.

• Antimicrobial activity. Cinnamon and other plant-derived products were used years ago to fight infections. In light of the growing population of antibiotic-resistant antibiotic strains, interest in plant products capable of warding off infection has renewed...

Read more here:
http://ker.equinews.com/article/outlook-cinnamon-equine-health?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=2ec0028269-ker-horse-nutri-kentucky-equine-02_15_2017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0d95781dfc-2ec0028269-11166

Save the Date for the AHC’s Annual Meeting & National Issues Forum

Horsecouncil.org

February 13 2017

Theme to be “The Power of Unity”

Where can you find people involved in every segment of the equine world working together to advance our industry?

How can you find out what projects and initiatives are being worked on in every corner of the equine industry?

The answer: the American Horse Council’s (AHC) Annual Meeting & National Issues Forum, sponsored by Luitpold Animal Health! Save the Date on your calendars for June 11-14, 2017 at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, DC.

“Even if you are not a member of the American Horse Council, we encourage anyone involved in the industry to try to attend our Annual Meeting and Issues Forum,” said AHC President Julie Broadway. “This is the only meeting where every segment of the industry gets together to discuss issues of importance to not only their respective fields, but to the industry as a whole.”

Monday, June 12, will see committee meetings for the 5 committees the AHC has: Animal Welfare, Horse Show, Health & Regulatory, Recreation, and Racing. “Anyone is welcome to attend any committee meeting they like until they go into executive session. In fact, we encourage people to attend as many as they can to get an idea of what the AHC is working on within each committee,” said Ms. Broadway.

Monday will also spotlight the Van Ness Award, which is given to a member of a State Horse Council who has shown leadership and service to the horse community in his or her state.

The theme of the National Issues Forum (NIF) on Tuesday, June 13, will be “The Power of Unity,” and will feature keynote speaker Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, which is the national umbrella organization representing all segments of travel in America. “The U.S. Travel Association works to engage, connect and inform the travel industry,” said Mr. Dow, “similar to how the AHC seeks to inform and engage all segments of the equine industry. Although different in the types of businesses we work with, the AHC and the Travel Association are similar in that we both encourage working together to advance the industry.”

Additionally, a panel of researchers from the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, AAEP Foundation, AQHA Foundation, Horses & Humans Research Foundation, and Colorado State University’s Temple Grandin Equine Center will discuss the importance of research for the industry, as well as any research they have done and its significance. Allyn Mann, of Lutipold Animal Health, will be the moderator for the panel.

The Innovation Group will also provide a progress report on the update of the National Economic Impact Study- of which its findings are certainly highly anticipated. The AHC will also present its new strategic plan to give attendees an idea of what the AHC will be undertaking in the years ahead.

At the conclusion of the Issues Forum, breakout sessions will be set up to allow groups to have further discussion about topics they found particularly interesting.

Please check the Events tab on the AHC website where a tentative schedule, room reservation information, and more will be posted there in the upcoming weeks.

If you have any questions, please contact the AHC at info@horsecouncil.org

‘Unbranded’ character responds to accusation of ‘mustang neglect’

HCN.org - Full Article

Ben Masters rebukes a recent opinion piece on his 2015 documentary.

Ben Masters OPINION
Feb. 10, 2017

Ben Masters is a filmmaker, writer, and horse hand who splits his time between Bozeman, Montana, and Austin, Texas. Masters studied wildlife management at Texas A&M University and serves as wildlife management chair for the volunteer BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board. Follow him on Twitter @bencmasters

Last week High Country News released an opinion article by Libby Blanchard that portrayed the film Unbranded, in which I am a character, in a scathing manner that ultimately called for wild horse lovers to “stay away” from the film. I was shocked to hear about the criticism of a film that resulted in hundreds of wild horse adoptions, raised nearly $100,000 for the Mustang Heritage Foundation, and had an entire theatrical release centered around fundraising and press to increase wild horse adoptions.

In addition to calling for a boycott of the film, Blanchard wrote: “As wrong as it was for these young men to treat their mustangs neglectfully, it is also unfortunate for the public to accept this behavior.” While I don’t profess to be a saint by any means, the accusation that we treated our mustangs neglectfully is a remark that stings especially deep, as I spend huge amounts of time and money trying to take care of my horses as properly as possible. Did we make mistakes? Yes. Could we have done better? Yes. But hindsight is 20/20, and I don’t know anyone who’s spent a long time around horses who hasn’t experienced a horse injury, despite their best efforts, of some kind...

Read more here:
http://www.hcn.org/articles/unbranded-documentary-character-responds-to-accusation-of-mustang-neglect?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

Things You Should and Should Not Put on a Horse's Wound

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor
Feb 18, 2016

Horse owners and veterinarians have been treating equine wounds for centuries. After all, horses are unabashedly practiced at the art of sustaining wounds. Over the years we’ve tried many different wound ointments and salves, cleansers and dressings, but not all of them are backed by evidence of safety and/or efficacy.

So Dean Hendrickson, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, professor of equine surgery at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, went back to basics, describing effective and ineffective wound-cleaning agents to an audience of veterinarians at the 2015 Annual American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 5-9, in Las Vegas.

Although our intentions are good, “most wound-cleaning agents and techniques will cause chemical or mechanical trauma to the wound bed,” he said. “Weigh the benefits of cleaning the wound against the trauma that agent will cause.”

In other words, ask yourself: Is that cleaning agent ultimately going to speed up or retard wound-healing?...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/37165/things-you-should-and-should-not-put-on-a-horses-wound?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=reader-favorites&utm_campaign=02-17-2017

How to Tell if Your Saddle Hurts Your Horse

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Erica Larson, News Editor
Feb 14, 2017

In recent years, researchers have conducted several studies that make one thing crystal clear: A properly fitting saddle is key to keeping any ridden horse healthy and performing at its best. But how, exactly, can you tell if your saddle doesn’t fit your horse?

At the 2016 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Convention, held Dec. 3-7 in Orlando, Florida, Scott Anderson, DVM, reviewed how veterinarians and owners can tell if the saddle is causing a horse pain in six easy steps. Anderson is a sport horse practitioner and owner of Woodside Equine Clinic, in Ashland, Virginia.

“The initial examination is performed with the horse standing squarely and without a saddle pad,” Anderson said. Then, he said, place the saddle on the horse’s back so the front of the flaps don’t interfere with the scapulae’s (shoulders) movement when the horse is working. This is usually 3 to 5 centimeters (about 1 to 2 inches) behind the scapulae, he added.

Once your saddle is in place, you’re ready to start your evaluation...

Read more here:
No comments:

When Winter Laminitis Strikes Out Of Nowhere

Americanfarrier.com - Full Article

By Eleanor Kellon VMD posted on February 8, 2017

For the insulin resistant horse, winter laminitis can strike seemingly out of nowhere, with no change in diet or management and some puzzling inconsistencies.

The horse may not necessarily have a prior history of laminitis. The pain is often severe, but the feet aren’t hot as they are in classical acute laminitis cases. The digital pulses may or may not be elevated. Radiographs tend to remain stable in most cases; without major changes with rotation or sinking. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories) like phenylbutazone, which are commonly used any time there is foot pain similar to this, have no positive effect.

It can be confusing when the horse looks like a typical laminitis case, but without the heat and high pulses. Inadequate blood supply is the perfect explanation. The body’s normal response to cold is to constrict blood vessels in the periphery to reduce heat losses, but in IR horses the reaction appears to be exaggerated. This is because of the well-documented role of the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 in IR horses, with the most recent study confirming that endothelin-1 is involved with laminitis because of elevated blood insulin...

- See more at: https://www.americanfarriers.com/articles/8965-when-winter-laminitis-strikes-out-of-nowhere#sthash.64RCx1Xb.dpuf

Author Interview with Endurance Rider Kasey Riley

MarciaWeber Blog - Full Story

by Marcia Weber Martins
12 Feb 2017

Today I welcome Kasey Riley of “Desperate Endurance”, “August Fire” and “The Skeleton Trail”

With over twenty years of horse ownership and Endurance riding to her credit, Kasey Riley (Kim) brings a wealth of knowledge to her novels. Her love of the trail, outdoors, and rural living give color and vibrancy to her books. This realism has drawn many readers to her novels. She strives to make readers see through the eyes of her characters and imagine themselves enmeshed in the plot.

Her first two novels are mysteries with romances building around them and the third is a romance, which uses suspense to draw the couple together as they strive to stay alive. She plans on each book being a stand-alone novel that can be read in any sequence without the reader missing details of the story. Her current work in progress comes from a discussion between Kasey and her husband, Jeff, in one of the several drives between Oklahoma and their new home in Tennessee. Tossing around an idea about a young woman who keeps being involved in mysterious violence. Then coming up with an idea as to why she’s involved and solving the situation kept them occupied for many miles. Kasey’s mind sees every news article as a possible story plot for her characters.

When not writing or riding, she enjoys reading a wide variety of genre novels and sounding out new plots on her husband of 40+ years. Together, they moved two horses, four dogs, two cats and all their assorted belongings from SE Oklahoma to Central Tennessee in 2016. Now able to ride out the back door, Kasey finds less time to write, but has many viable ideas to work from. Soon she will have “Do Not Assume” completed and be able to get back to the young adult work in progress she set aside when the mystery of Do Not Assume kept distracting her.

Since the horrible forest fires in the Gatlinburg, TN area in November, Kasey has committed all of her royalties to the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund to aid the hundreds of victims who have lost everything in the wake of the fires. Details can be found on her website:

www.kaseyriley.com Even those who choose to use their Kindle Unlimited accounts to read her works will help this effort since the royalties all are paid to the Foundation for 2017.

When did you start writing?

I’ve been writing in one form or another for years. Essays, monthly newsletters, and short stories have been submitted and even won contests since my early 20’s. I finally got the chance to really sit down and write after we sold our online catalog back in 2012. My first novel, Desperate Endurance was published in 2013.

What motivated you to start writing?

I got serious about writing after becoming very irritated at another author who completely misrepresented my sport of Endurance Horse Riding/Racing. I knew I could do better and show readers the true nature of the sport. So I did...

Read more here:
https://marciacweber.wordpress.com/2017/02/12/author-interview-12/

The 2017 Time to Ride Challenge: More Winners, More Ways to Win!

The contest’s fourth year will bring significant changes, including more cash prizes than ever before.

Georgetown, TX, February 7, 2017 - The Time to Ride Challenge, a grassroots competition that offers support and incentives to businesses growing the horse industry, will return for its fourth year in 2017. This year’s contest will award more cash than ever before and introduce significant structure changes to help contestants focus on creating new long-term horse enthusiasts.

Since 2014, the Challenge has introduced nearly 100,000 new enthusiasts to horses through more than 2,000 fun, beginner-friendly, hands-on horse events that kick-start a lifelong journey with horses. In 2017, that same structure will comprise Phase I of the Challenge: $40,000 cash plus prizes will be awarded to the hosts who introduce the greatest number of newcomers through these events. New in 2017, Phase II will award an equal amount of cash and prizes to the hosts who encourage the most newcomers to return for a more personal, in-depth horse experience, such as a riding lesson. By doing so, hosts will help newcomers cement newcomers’ connections with horses, while directly building their own businesses.

While competing hosts have always cited the business-building benefits of the Challenge as a main motivation for participating, this structure shift will directly place $40,000 worth of cash and prizes behind the goal of getting newcomers regularly involved in their programs through riding and other equine activities. The 2017 Challenge will now measure not only how many newcomers have a single introductory horse experience, but how many of that population become actively involved thereafter.

“The Challenge is a unique contest that’s constantly evolving to provide the best experience for competing hosts while achieving its mission of growing the horse industry,” said Time to Ride spokesperson Christie Schulte. “It’s evolved to a point where we will be able to measure the number of new participants entering the horse industry and regularly, actively participating as riders, students, volunteers, and eventually owners, competitors, shoppers, and organization members.”

Last year, over 78% of participating businesses and groups reported that their participation in the Challenge resulted in a positive effect on their businesses - new clients, students, or members. In 2016, thirty winners across three divisions took home a cash prize; in 2017, fifty or more will!

Competing in the Challenge is free and registration opens March 1st. Stables, clubs, businesses, instructors, veterinarians, and all other horse professionals are welcome. Upon creating an account, users will receive a point on the Time to Ride map and have access to a marketing toolkit and other supporting resources. For more information, please visit https://www.timetoride.com/time-to-ride-challenge/ 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. Since 2014, Time to Ride programs have introduced nearly 100,000 newcomers to horses and helped grow 78% of the participating horse businesses. 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, Farnam, Merck, Merial, Morris Media Network Equine Group, Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, Platinum Performance, United States Equestrian Federation, The Right Horse Initiative, and Zoetis. Program Partners are Absorbine, the American Paint Horse Association, ASPCA, Equibrand, the National Cutting Horse Association, the National Reining Horse Association, Lumina Media, Pyranha Inc., 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.

Contact: Christie Schulte - info@timetoride.com or 512-591-7811

Positive Hoof Changes

Easycare Blog - Full Article

Tuesday, January 31, 2017 by Guest HCP

Submitted by Sossity Gargiulo, Wild Hearts Hoof Care

I was recently asked by EasyCare to write up a few words about our trimming theory and approach. This always ends up being quite difficult to be succinct with, as there are so many ways depending on the horse. But, at our foundation we believe that the hoof is a highly adaptable “smart structure” as said by Dr. Taylor of Auburn University. The hoof is capable of positive change given the opportunity with supportive trims, diet and lifestyle. We have seen it over and over and over again in our hoof care practice.

We have found that if you help the hoof a little bit with your trim, by setting it up to grow better between cycles, making sure the horse is comfortable to move properly with minimal or no compensative movement, and then get out of their way, they can develop a pretty awesome hoof. It may not be the picture in some people’s mind of The Perfect Hoof, but it can be a pretty awesome, functional, sound and improving hoof for that horse...

- See more at: http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/insights-from-the-inside/positive-changes#sthash.GjxKd2y4.dpuf

The challenge of catastrophic bone fractures in endurance

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

February 3, 2017
Neil Clarkson

The sport of endurance has suffered irreparable harm in recent years over catastrophic leg injuries to horses.

The images we have seen out of the Middle East over the years have been harrowing.

Followers of the sport don’t need me to tell them that the United Arab Emirates has been a hot-spot for such catastrophic failures, no doubt due to the fast desert courses and the speeds that result. The big prizes on offer and the use of jockey-style riders are hardly conducive to horse welfare, either.

I have advocated before for the grading of endurance courses, in which races on tracks that are assessed as “fast” are run under more stringent parameters. However, even that would be only part of the solution.

These leg fractures may be catastrophic, but research suggests there is a common background that sets horses on a path to these leg breaks...

Read more: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2017/02/03/challenge-catastrophic-bone-fractures-endurance/#ixzz4Xdn3BOhR

Australia: Latest Equine Hendra Case 'Unusual,' Veterinarians Say

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Edited Press Release
Jan 6, 2017

Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA), a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association, says the Hendra virus case confirmed in a horse near Casino, New South Wales, last week revealed unusual signs and aspects of the disease.

Ben Poole, BVSc, MANZCVS, EVA spokesman, said that this latest case in northeastern New South Wales makes dealing with Hendra even more complicated and concerning.

“The facts of the case would suggest the horse may have initially received a low infectious dose of the virus that eventually led to the horse succumbing to the disease, after an unusually protracted illness,” he said. “What’s different about this case is that the horse initially tested negative for Hendra virus after losing weight for two weeks and presenting with a sore mouth. It was given medication and the horse started recuperating while in quarantine on the farm.

“A week later the horse deteriorated rapidly and died a few days later,” he continued. “A nasal swab taken from the carcass a week after the horse died returned a positive test for Hendra virus. Further testing of tissue samples indicated that the horse had mounted an immune response to the virus.”

Poole said this demonstrates the difficulty of making an initial diagnosis of Hendra virus infection, and highlights the risk that Hendra virus poses to anyone including horse owners, veterinarians, and those who come in contact with horses displaying vague signs of illness.

“That’s why vaccination of horses against Hendra virus is important for managing the risks involved with the disease,” he said. “The summer timing of this case in the Northern Rivers is unusual and is probably due to food shortages and environmental stress on the bats in the area – so it’s really important to be vigilant all year round...”

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/38641/latest-equine-hendra-case-unusual-veterinarians-say?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=welfare-industry&utm_campaign=01-12-2017