 |
|
 |
 |
NSAIDS bad for colic?
Veterinary researchers at North Carolina State University are questioning the use of NSAIDS
(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Bute (phenylbutazone) and Banamine (flunixin meglumine) for
colic. In addition to the common gastrointestinal side effects, it’s now recognized that NSAIDS inpede
the repair of damaged tissue, such as the equine gut.
Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, an interim department head and associate professor
of equine surgery at North Carolina State University, says that horses seem to recover faster
with prostaglandin, a substance they make themselves. Synthetic prostaglandin can help the
gut heal more quickly but NSAIDs can block it and slow down healing.
Blikslager further warns, “Drugs like Bute and Banamine are not all bad,
but they should be given by the veterinarian or after consultation with
the veterinarian. They are one-time drugs; don’t just keep giving them to a
horse in the same way that you shouldn’t keep taking Tylenol or ibuprofen
for a severe headache or fever without seeing the doctor." |
|
|
 |
| Making life safer for racehorses
Meanwhile, in other racing news, a special committee is calling for the enforcement
of a rule that will hopefully save the lives of racing Thoroughbreds. The
committee on shoeing and hoof care is calling for enforcement of a 2006 rule
which banned toe grabs with a height of greater than four millimeters on the
front horseshoes of racehorses. Regular and high (or Quarter Horse) toe grabs,
which have a 6.4 and 9.5 millimeter toe grab, respectively, make a Thoroughbred
16 times more likely to suffer a catastrophic injury while racing, according to
research by Dr. Sue Stover of the University of California at Davis.
The California rule will be proposed for adoption nationwide at the Association
of Racing Commissioners International Model Rules Committee meeting this
April. The rule states, “Toe grabs with a height greater than four millimeters
worn on the front shoes of Thoroughbred horses while racing are prohibited.”
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
$8,500 reward offered in shooting deaths of wild horses
After seven wild horses were found shot to death in
Arizona, animal welfare agencies joined forces to offer an
$8,500 reward to anyone with  information that leads to an
arrest and conviction in the crime. The Tucson-based Animal
Defense Council (ADC), Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), In
Defense of Animals (IDA), the International Society for the
Protection of Mustangs & Wild Burros (ISPMB), and other
horse advocates say the bodies of six horses were recently
discovered in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, near
Pinedale, Arizona, while a seventh horse was observed
limping with a wound in his side. In August, a young wild
chestnut stallion also was found dead in the Pinedale area,
having been shot in the head. All evidence indicates that
they were killed deliberately.
To qualify for the reward, anyone with information about
the person(s) responsible for this crime should call or
email attorney Anthony Merrill of Bryan Cave LLP at
(602) 364-7174 or anthony.merrill@bryancave.com. Concerned
citizens who would like to contribute to the
reward fund should send checks to the Animal Welfare
Institute/Heber Wild Horse Reward Fund, P.O. Box 3650,
Washington, DC 20027. |
|
|
Texas takes a stand
Four years after the legal battles started, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th
Circuit has ruled that two horse slaughterhouses in Texas, Beltex Corporation
and Dallas Crown, Inc., can be prosecuted under Texas state law for slaughtering
horses and selling the meat abroad for human consumption.
The 5th Circuit ruled that Texas state law making it illegal to slaughter horses
and sell or transfer horsemeat for human consumption is in effect and “survives
the constitutional challenges raised by the slaughterhouses.”
“This ruling, while significant and just, is bittersweet because it hasn’t
stopped horse slaughter yet,” says Chris Heyde, deputy legislative director of
the Society for Animal Protective Legislation. “That end will come. I foresee
an end to this brutal practice in Texas and elsewhere through the eventual
enforcement of the Texas law and adoption. |
|
|
Some good to come from
Barbaro’s tragedy
After a valiant struggle, Kentucky Derby winner
Barbaro was euthanized in January but perhaps
some good can come out of his tragic circumstances.
Owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson have
donated $3 million to endow a chair in the name
of Barbaro’s veterinarian Dean W. Anderson
at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the
University of Pennsylvania.
The endowed chair is the cornerstone of a major
new Penn Vet initiative to fight laminitis, which
afflicted Barbaro. The laminitis initiative will foster
training programs and studies for new treatments of
equine diseases.
“I am deeply honored by this generous and important gift,” said Richardson. “The
Jacksons’ remarkable philanthropy will translate into better outcomes for injured
and ill horses in the future.”
Let’s hope so. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
| Music to your ears |
 Rippling with power and grace, horses
awaken the creative muse in many artists.
That’s certainly the case with Mary Ann
Kennedy, a Grammy nominated hit songwriter
from Nashville, Tennessee, who composes
music celebrating the horse. A natural
horsemanship student as well as a musician,
Mary Ann has produced two CDs, “The
Road Less Traveled” and the recently released
“Hoofbeats, Heartbeats & Wings”. Portions
of proceeds are donated to various animal
protection organizations.
$20 each CD
www.maryannkennedy.com
|
|
| Currying
gets creative |
 There are curry brushes
and there are curry brushes.
Rapid Scrub saves you time
by allowing you to bathe and
groom your horse at the same
time. Made from durable rubber,
the brush includes a curry/scrubber
and a sponge held in place by a top
cover. The product is designed to dispense
soap and water as you’re currying your equine friend.
The soft rubber fingers on the scrubber effectively
penetrate the hair, enabling you to get right down to
the skin for a thorough cleaning.
$12 for one
www.rapidscrub.com |
|
|
|
| That time of the month? |
 Does your mare get a bit temperamental at times? She may
be suffering from PMS. Women know that herbs can be a very
effective and gentle way to deal with hormonal
tension and mood swings, and the same is true
for horses. Moody Mare from
Wendals Herbs contains a
calming combination of alfalfa,
basil, chamomile, dandelion,
goldenrod, marigold, rosemary
and vervain. Just two to three
scoops a day helps your
horse overcome that monthly
tension and moodiness.
2.2 lbs - $39.99
5.5 lbs - $92.19
11 lbs - $180.59
www.wendalsusa.com |
|
| Gut feeling |
 Poor feeding practices and the improper use of antibiotics, steroids
and other drugs contribute to gastric ulcers in horses. A horse in the
beginning stages may not show signs of illness, but later symptoms can
range from low appetite and poor performance to colic and muscle
problems. Gastromin from Swedish Horse Power is a combination of
vitamins and minerals in lactose powder that neutralizes gastric acid,
heals ulcers, and supports good GI health. Studies show that 99.5% of
horses with ulcer symptoms improved after just a few days of treatment.
2 lbs – $109.95 – 3-month supply per horse
6 lbs – $274.95 – 6-month supply per horse
12 lbs – $499.95 – 1-year supply per horse
www.swedishhorsepower.com |
|
|
| |
|
|
Equine
Wellness Newsletter is sent out by Equine Wellness Magazine
via e-mail monthly.
To discontinue receiving this newsletter, simply submit
your e-mail address to us in the unsubscribe area.
Equine Wellness Magazine
Call Toll Free: 1-866-764-1212 or Contact
Us
USA: PMB 168, 8174 S. Holly Street, Centennial, CO 80122
Canada: 164 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, ON K9H 2L2 |
|
|
