Latest News – The Horse
Update with Pierre St Jacques: 2010 Radio Show Episode 60
Our Spotlight Dressage Rider Pierre St Jacques is back with us this week with a report on his showing at Devon and his thoughts on
Insulin Resistance: Variation in Blood Test Levels
A blood sample is usually a key step in diagnosing a horse as insulin resistant. But a recent study showed that one sample might not give enough information for an accurate diagnosis, because the horse’s blood sugar and insulin fluctuates daily. “Your veterinarian should probably take at least two samples on different days,” recommended Shannon E. Pratt, PhD, of North Carolina State University, wh
Agricultural Act Passes Senate, Moves onto President
On Oct. 8, 2009, the United States Senate passed the final version of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R.2997). The House of Representatives approved the bill the previous day. This bill provides funding for the USDA for fiscal year 2010 and contains two provisions of interest to the horse industry.
GAO
Alltech On The Road Tour Visits Five States to Promote the 2010 WEG
Alltech, a global leader in animal health and nutrition, is pounding the pavement this fall with a series of lectures promoting the swiftly approaching Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010. The 2009 Alltech On The Road tour featuring Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech, will include six presentations over a two-day period–October 26-27.
“With less than one year remaining
Quarantine at Hoosier Park Lifted
A horse quarantine has been lifted at the Hoosier Park racetrack in central Indiana where two Thoroughbreds tested positive for Streptococcus equi (the bacterium that causes the disease strangles).
Racing manager Jeffrey Smith says no other horses have shown signs of the disease. Smith says the quarantined barn is being disinfected and won’t be used again during the track’s
Retired Racehorse Training Symposium a Success
The Retired Racehorse Training Symposium at Maryland Therapeutic Riding in Crownsville, Md., featured 13 horses at various stages of post-race training. Steuart Pittman, a Maryland horse trainer who conceived of and conducted the event, focused the audience’s attention both on the qualities and training of each horse and the skills demonstrated by their riders.
Retired jockey J.K.
Four Horses Die at Jump Meet in England
Four Thoroughbreds have died on the Oct. 14 opening day of Wetherby’s first meet of the jump season in England.
Marrel and Divex were euthanized after they were injured in the feature race, the Bobby Renton Chase. The same happened to Nut Hand following the first race and Miss Giboa broke a leg when falling in the last.
Wetherby was criticized for inconsistent ground last season but
Kentucky Cup Endurance Competitions Start with Challenging Conditions
It was weather fit for neither man nor beast. But, it was not going to stand in the way of the determined horse-and-rider combinations that made their way to the Kentucky Cup Endurance –the official test event for the discipline of endurance riding and the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The day promised two international-level competitions consisting of a 75-mile and a 100-mile
Osteoarthritis: Turmeric Spice Might Provide Natural Remedy
Curcumin, an extract of the spice turmeric, is a natural product with potent anti-inflammatory properties that also exerts beneficial effects on cartilage metabolism. Scientists believe curcumin inhibits degradative enzymes such as metalloproteinases and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and reduces cartilage cell apoptosis (programmed cell death).
To study the effect of curcumin on cartilage
Older Horses: Researcher Awarded Grant for Aging Study
Kristine Urschel, PhD, assistant professor in Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky, has been awarded a two-year $100,000 grant by the Morris Animal Foundation.
Lawsonia Intracellularis Study Started at Gluck
Through a new program for veterinarians interested in a PhD called the Pfizer Animal Health-Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) Veterinary Fellowship for Advanced Study, Allen Page, DVM, will receive a substantial four-year stipend to complete his PhD at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center.
The recipients of the fellowships are practicing veterinarians returning for a PhD.
Sea the Stars Retired
Sea the Stars, who secured his place among Thoroughbred racing’s all-time greats when he powered his way to a thrilling two-length victory over Youmzain in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) Oct. 4, has been retired to stud.
The announcement that the 3-year-old son of Cape Cross will not go for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) was made just before 1 p.m. in Ireland by trainer
TheHorse.com en Español: El Otoño Trae Desafío Para el Diagnóstico y Manejo de la Enfermedad de Cushing
This is one of a series of articles translated as part of our partnership with A Caballo, an equine publication based in Mexico, and Jorge Murga, DVM. Keep an eye on TheHorse.com for more Spanish-language resources coming soon. Read a longer version
Breeders’ Cup Classic Still in Plans for Kentucky Derby Winner Mine That Bird
(Edited Oak Tree notes)
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird will remain at Santa Anita and point to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) at Oak Tree on Nov. 7, trainer Chip Woolley said Monday morning.
“We were disappointed with his race in the Goodwood Stakes (sixth, beaten about four lengths), but now that I’ve had a chance to sleep on
Equine Surgeon Will Examine Better Ways to Treat Lameness with MAF Grant
Jennifer Barrett, DVM, MS, PhD, an assistant professor of equine surgery at Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, was recently awarded a grant from the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) to conduct research that will help determine better ways to treat lameness in horses, as well as other animal species, such as dogs.
Barrett’s research will focus on how to regenerate
Markel Acquires Agri-Risk Services Inc.
According to NU Online News Service, Markel Insurance Company has announced the acquisition of Agri-Risk Services Inc., an equine retail specialty agency in Overland Park, Kan. The announcement noted that financial terms were not disclosed.
Markel is a subsidiary of Markel Corp. in Glen Ellen, Va., that underwrites commercial lines coverage for a variety of niche markets, including