Lighthouse - Watching over our horses & industry

Horse Health ~ Anti-Slaughter Legislation ~ Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse ~ Industry ~ Jockeys ~ Breeding

Horse Health

Horse Feed Could Be Tainted, from WECT, Wilmington, South Carolina 3/25/08

18/23/07 Equine Influenza Mandates Quarantines in Japan and Australia.

While the Japan Racing Association has canceled all race meetings due to 20 horses testing positive for equine influenza, horses remain in quarantine in both Japan and Australia. In Australia, 79 shuttle stallions remain in quarantine for 30 days after 1 positive test, although the horse did not display symptoms of the virus. 21 of the 79 stallions had been shuttled from Japan before the outbreak of EI was known. Some of the stallions remaining in quarantine in Australia include Encosta del Lago, Rock of Gibraltar (RE), Choisir, Danehill Dancer, Oratorio, Ivan Denisovich, Aussie Rules, Antonious Pius, Holy Roman Emperor, Elusive Quality, Bernardini, Exceed and Excel, Mujahid, Red Ransom, Henny Hughes, Librettist, Storming Home, Iffraaj, Ekraar, Cape Cross, Dubawi, E Dubai, Noverre, Refuse To Bend, Tiger Hill, Tobougg, Ad Valorem, Rakti, Golden Snake, Shamardal, Grandera, Black Hawk, Stravinsky, Statue of Liberty, Consolidator, Dubai Destination, Country Reel, Gonski, and Snitzel. In Japan, Delta Blues and Pop Rock, slated to enter quarantine for their return to Australia and contest of the Melbourne Cup, may not be allowed to leave Japan.

Incubation period for EI is 1 to 3 days, with virus shedding occurring for approximately 8 days. Humans are not effected, although they can be carriers of the virus. Equine Influenza is generally not fatal to older horses and runs its course in approximately 10 days. It can cause mortality in foals. Because horses can spike high fevers, it is possible that sperm counts in stallions can be lowered for 1 to 2 months following infection. In related news, 15 horses at a riding school near Randwick race course have exhibited respiratory symptoms which may cause the cancellation of races as a precaution.

8/25/07 Australian horse racing has been stopped in its tracks

Racing comes to a halt in Australia due to EI, as all horse events are canceled. The Australian government has banned the transport of horses for 72 hours upon findings of infected horses in multiple locations. Australia has now instituted Operation Pegasus, an emergency program developed to stem the outbreak and spread of equine virus. There is the possibility that the Melbourne Cup and other racing dates, could be pushed back later in the calendar.

The question now remains. Were any horses imported to the U.S. from Japan before the Japanese officials were aware of the problem, or has the virus been carried by an intermediate host? Now is the time to be alert for any potential development.

9/1/2007

EI spreads bringing the count of infected horses to approximately 500. Shuttle stallions remain in quarantine for uncertain amount of time. Up to the date information may be obtained from Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Australian Horse Industry Council.

9/25/07

All stallions held in quarantine in Sydney's Eastern Creek will be released at 6 a.m. Some of the stallions will go on to stand in the Southern Hemisphere, while others will return to the Northern Hemisphere (see On The Move).

Horse Health

8/5/07 California West Nile Alert

Governor Schwarzenegger declares state of emergency in California counties of Kern, Colusa, and San Joaquin when 4 people have died due to West Nile Virus. Five horses have tested positive, with one new confirmed case last week.

Horse Health

EHV-1

The fall and winter months seem to be prime time for EHV-1. Take precautions.

Most Recent Events

3/22/08 University of Saskatchewan Large Animal Clinic closed to horses in all but emergencies due to outbreak of EHV-1.
3/11/08 Charles Town barn under quarantine pending test results of filly with neurological symptoms. UPDATE: 3/12/08 Results negative, and quarantine has been lifted.
1/23/08 EHV-1 found on Delaware farm. Nasal swaps tested at Cornell confirmed diagnosis. The horse was euthanized on 1/17/08.
1/22/08 Potential problem at Bowie Training Center, MD. Barn 7 quarantined until test results return. Update: 1/24/08 results return negative, barn remains under quarantine and additional samples sent to U of K. Update 1/25/08 Hold order lifted, as no horse are showing symptoms.

Previous Events

11/7/07 Quarantine lifted at Churchill Downs
10/31/07 Quarantine partially lifted at Churchill Downs.
10/26/07 Churchill barn quarantined with positve EHV-1 test.

10/23/06 Monmouth barn quarantined.
10/26/06 NJ Department of Agriculture quarantines Monmouth Park.
11/10/06 Quarantine at Monmouth partially lifted
12/16/06 Conference in Wellington Florida regarding outbreak of EHV-1. Three of six horses exhibiting neurological signs have died.
12/19/06 Calder Race Course implements precautions.
12/21/06 Keeneland issues requirements for January sale horses to guard against EHV-1, as does Ocala Breeders' Sales Company.
12/24/06 Payson Park quarantined after horse dies.
12/29/06 Horses stabled at Payson Park scratched from Calder.
12/30/06 Horse at Golden Gates Fields tested positive for EHV-1.
1/10/07 Voluntary quarantine lifted at Golden Gate Fields.
1/20/07 All quarantines in Florida have been lifted.
1/29/07 Two horses die of EHV-1 at Los Alamitos
2/23/07 Penn National and Charles Town implement shipping restrictions.
4/26/07 Horses stabled at Monmouth for the May 12th meet must be vaccinated for EHV-1.
5/12/07 Emerald Downs taking precautions against EHV-1.

EHV-1 General Information

Information on the virus from the Merck Veterinary Manual.
Information on how to control the spread of the virus.
Additional articles available for download at TheHorse.com
Dr. Catherine Kohn, internal medicine specialist at Ohio State speaks regarding equine herpesvirus.
UC Davis Center for Equine Health on EHV - 1

Video of 12/16/06 Conference in Wellington Florida regarding EHV-1

Outbreak status and measures to take
Question & Answer session

Horse Health

Fran Jurga's "Hoofblog" - News from the Hoofcare & Lameness Journal

Understanding and Treating Laminitis

Equine Laminitis - from Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center
No easy Answers for Laminitis
Laminitis Panel Conclusions - AAEP 2004
Equine Acute Laminitis - Purdue, Winter 2004 Newsletter
Laminitis - Holistic preventative suggestions
Dr. Redden's Notes (articles from Nanric, Inc. equine podiatry)
Laminitis: A Horse's Worst Nightmare (2000 article from Mother Earth News)
The Laminitis Page - a collection of information and videos

Understanding Laminitis On-Demand Webinar from The Horse

To better understand laminitis and other injuries to the equine athlete, FlyingFilly recommends the 2 hour DVD "The Athletic Horse" from The Russell Meerdink Company, Ltd. Drs. Larry Bramlage, Alex Harthill, and Ric Redden explore the cause, treatment, and prognosis for sport horse injuries. At 2 hours in length, this video is easy to understand and provides a broad spectrum of information.

Anti-Slaughter Legislation

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act & Related Legislation to end the slaughter of horses in the U.S.

Federal: H.R. 503, S. 311, H.R. 249

State: Texas & Illinois Legislation

URGENT ACTION REQUESTED!

It just takes a minute, and it means so much!

Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation - Information Portal

Overview of the 2008 Welfare and Safety Summit recommendations

Tracks participating in on-track injury reporting system

Recommendations for the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit

(from October 2006)

House Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce convened on 6/19/08 in a hearing titled
"Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse."
- Questionnaires distributed in advance of the hearing to industry officials.
- Responses to the questionnaires.
National HBPA Summer Convention July 17 - 20, Hershey, PA
Pennsylvania HBPA provides funding for the RACE Fund (Retirement Assistance and Care of Equines).
Dr. Mary Scollay takes on new position as Equine Medical Director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority in July of 2008. She will continue as project coordinator for the Welfare and Safety of the Race Horse Summit's on-track injury reporting system.
Kentucky Horse Racing Authority forms equine safety and welfare committee.
Jockey Club creates Thoroughbred Safety Committee
- 6/17/08 Recommendations
Update on Surface to injury ratios from Dr. Mary Scollay in a report from April 2008.
CHRB Injury Research Update from Dr. Sue Stover (2/2008)
Nuclear Scintigraphy: Enabling diagnosis when results not available with other techniques.
Wearable stress-fracture detection system
Pinfiring/Thermocautery - Long used as a medical procedure in the aid of healing, its current validity comes into question.

While the debate of synthetic surfaces vs. dirt wages on, we should all be mindful of the exclusion of the Bay Meadows surface from the California mandate and consider the effects carefully on the horses that run over these surfaces. From The Handicapper's Edge at Brisnet.com, a summary of charts. While many factors must be considered in facilitating the safest trip possible for both horse and rider, the surface upon which they run is something that we collectively can control.

2001 Australian study provides link between long term steroid use, osteoporosis, and fractures.

Emerald Downs establishes "The Prodigious Fund" where horsemen may voluntarily pledge $1 per start to be designated toward the rescue and retirement of Thoroughbreds in need.

The numbers are in for Golden Gate's Tapeta surface. Racing fatalities have decreased by more than one third.

The move to ban steroids in horse racing is on in multiple racing jurisdictions. The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium has endorsed at 12/31/08 deadline for national adoption of a model rule. In the Mid-Atlantic region, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia have adopted regulations banning the use of steroids.

In the UK, John McCririck, racing's most colorful pundit, backs bid to ban horsewhips.

Jack Van Berg speaks out about drugs in horse racing, from the New York Post.

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation works in cooperation with Texas A & M to identify genes in horses predisposed to bone injuries.

CHRB to webcast meetings.

Queen Elizabeth II has granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment, a mark of excellence, to Martin Collins, the manufacturer of Polytrack.

How Futures Hinge on Finding the Right Track, from Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, January 2008. The industry weighs in on the future of racing surfaces.

CHRB approves the equine retirement fund deduction whereby a 0.3% of the net purse monies to be deposited into the California Retirement Management account. The voluntary donation will allow owners to "opt out" by notifying the paymaster of purses. The rule was approved by a 4 - 2 vote. Those in favor - Shapiro, Amerman, Moss, and Choper. Those opposed - Harris and Andreini. CHRB estimates that approximately $450,000 could be added, per year, to the retirement fund.

Trainer Michael Dickinson will not renew his license in 2008, but will devote his time to the Tapeta synthetic surface.

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium is expected to recommend the regulation of anabolic steroids. Update: Approved 11/2007 by CHRB. In related actions, Pennsylvania bans steriods. Other states to follow suit including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Ban on heel nerving in California is tabled by CHRB on objection by Dr. Rick Arther, equine medical director. Banned in Arizona and Iowa, heel nerving is allowed in 35 racing jurisdictions.

The busy people of California are at it again. Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) proposal to deduct .3% of purses for deposit into the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) has been approved by CHRB. The measure passed by a 6 -1 vote (John Harris opposed).

CHRB weekly Medication Reports

Lawsuit filed against CHRB for refusal to release records of all breakdowns to Thoroughbred owner.

Racing Medication & Testing Consortium Withdrawal Times Database. Licensed horsemen (groom, jockey, owner, racing official, trainer, vet) may sign in to reference information for U.S. and Canada.

Intentional Medication Abuse in Horse Racing is Infrequent

Uniform Equine Injury Reporting beginning June 1 - 30 tracks will join together to build information that will track injuries and lead to further solutions at improving safety and preventing injuries.

Many causes underlie current rise in physical problems; some fixable - July 2006 article from SignOnSandiego.com by Brent Schrotenboer

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation held a workshop regarding safety issues on October 16 & 17 at Keeneland. Recommendations can be found in this .pdf file.

Indiana Horse Racing Commission passes regulations which allow testing samples to be taken from any horse participating in Indiana racing program, and the prohibition of toe grabs exceeding 4 mm on front hooves.

Grayson Jockey Club studies:

Detrimental Effects of Toe Grabs

Racing Surfaces

Tracking Injuries on Track

Participating Race Tracks

2007 Welfare and Safety Summit

At the Adena Springs 2 yo in Training Sales, May/June foals will not breeze, they will gallop. "We feel that it does not serve the 2-year-olds or the buyers to have an immature horse race a furlong in 10 and change." states general manager Mark Roberts.

Study on Turfway track surface 2006 statistics pre and post Polytrack.

3/9/07 A rush to judgment on synthetic surfaces?

1/26/07 Report on Polytrack at Turfway.

2/12/07 Does temperatue effect Polytrack?

Del Mar begins installation of Polytrack surface.

Could changes for the claiming race be on the horizon?

2005 study from UC Davis Racing Against Time

From Horse and Hound, UK, 2004 article regarding research on racing fractures.

October 16 report from Thoroughbred Times.

The Jockey Club establishes Plan of Action following Welfare and Safety Summit.

An overview of the questions regarding toe grabs.

Toe Grabs: Should a ban be considered on toe grabs exceeding a height of 4 millimeters?

2/23/07 CHRB will begin enforcing restriction on front toe grabs exceeding 4 millimeters in length.

Plans are underway to publicize goals and research toward improving the welfare and safety of both the horses and people involved in the sport of racing. The Grayson Jockey Club conducting study into the durability and longevity of breeding stock progeny.

11/19/06 Hollywood Park closes Cushion Track to training after Circle the World breaks down in morning work and jockeys complain about uneven surface previous day. The regular card was run after adjustments. The Cushion Track is manufactured in England and is not the same as the Polytrack installed at Keeneland and Turfway.

Tapeta ^TM, Michael Dickinson's all weather surface, to be installed at Golden Gate Fields, Fair Hill Training Center, and Godolphin's Dubai training track. Fair Hill's Tapeta track opened on November 3o, 2006.

Polytrack to be installed at Del Mar.

Arlington considering synthetic surface. If they opted to do so, they would be the first Churchill Downs Inc. track to have one.

Reflections on problems with spring meet.

Arlington's synthetic track project is under way and expected to complete by April 2007. Although unconfirmed as of 1/31/07, it appears that they have chosen Polytrack.

Delaware Harness Racing Commission takes hard stand against illegal medications, and bans EPO and its derivatives.

Bad Bets from the Orange County Register-damning report on drugs in horses and racing in California.

How veterinary science, synthetic soils and robotics are changing Thoroughbred racing from 2005.

Compare synthetic surfaces:

Cushion Track

Polytrack

Tapeta^TM

^{Woodbine
provides

daily track condition report on
Polytrack maintenance.}

Monthly Did Not Finish Stats by Track

Structure and Movement - the Mechanics of the Horse

From the Royal Veterinary College Structure and Motion Laboratory - Gallery - includes front limb catapult action animation, slow motion video of hoof contact, as well as equine locomotion on treadmill

Virginia Tech's Gait Analysis System

Dynamic Model of a Horse Gallop in 2D by Eddy Boxerman

Andy Beyer "No Lone Cause for Breakdowns"

Industry

Thoroughbred Times Farm Management section is now online.
The Association of Racing Commissioners 2008 Convention addressed model rules regarding steroids, wagering integrity, and trainer licensing, as well as the safety and welfare of horses. Also at the convention, NTRA President Alex Waldrop pushes for uniform rules.
3/11/08: Richie Farmer, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner, and José Manuel Alavez, president of the Mexican Association for Equine Development and Promotion, sign an agreement to establish a public-private equine partnership that is hoped will increase the exchange of knowledge and trade within the racing industry. This move bears watching for unintended consequences of well-intentioned policy, in that one hopes it will not expedite a dumping ground for horses which fail to meet expectations and ultimately land in the hands of the Mexican slaughterhouses.
The 34th annual Symposium on Racing and Gaming met December 3 - 6, 2007 in Tucson, AZ.
University of Arizona Student Newsletters.
Recommendations of the Sales Integrity Task Force re: licensing bloodstock agents and consignors, transparency in ownership in sales arena, transparency in medication in sales arena.
Horse Owners Protection Association expands board of directors. The current board consists of Jess Jackson, Frank Stronach, James McIngvale, Billy Kock, and Debora Hanson.

Jockeys

Jockeys' Guild bankruptcy will stay in Kentucky.
Jockeys seeking insurance face sometimes insurmountable problems. Without riders, horse racing would come to an end. Unification of the industry over this very real concern is much needed.
Health insurance for jockeys through the Guild comes to an end on December 31, 2007.
2007 Jockeys' Guild Assembly meets December 2 - 4 in Louisville, KY. Topics to be addressed include management, bankruptcy, health plan, mount fees, initiatives, and future of the organization.
CHRB creates insurance fund for jockeys to replace health insurance administered by Jockeys' Guild.
After a change in leadership and Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, guild members will be looking for their own insurance as of 12/31/07
Jockeys Guild files Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In an ironic twist, former president Wayne Gertmenian is named as the largest creditor on the creditors' committee reviewing proceedings. Gertmenian has been accused of absconding with Guild funds during his leadership.
Jockey Insurance remains a problem. (from 2006)
Who is going to pay for it?? (from 2006)
4/2007 Delaware Park Jockeys Association institutes $2 million insurance policy, which is the most comprehensive in the nation.
Where? is the Jockey's Guild, and/or supporting organizations, for injured jockeys?
12/4/06 Jockey Guild Annual Assembly met in Las Vegas. Five point plan for 2007 established.
Philadelphia Park Jockeys have joined the International Union of Journeyman Allied Trades Union.

Organizations that benefit jockeys:

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

In the United Kingdom Injured Jockeys Fund

Breeding

The Racing Post takes a look at overproduction and the threat to the breeding industry.
WinStar limits books on stallions (95 -100 for Distorted Humor, 125 for remainder)
Sheikh Hamden limits the books of first year sires (Invasor and Jazil - 85 each)
Three Chimneys limits 2008 stallion books to 110 mares.
Steroid policy adopted by Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton begins in January 2008 for sale weanlings and yearlings.