After examining a second set of X rays, it was determined that the leg injury suffered by Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands winner Animal Kingdom was more serious than initially thought and he will not race again this season, Team Valor International president Barry Irwin said June 29.

The left hind leg injury, which is believed to have occurred at the start of the June 11 Belmont Stakes, was initially diagnosed June 15 as a small fissure on the tip of the cannon bone where it joins the lower part of the hock. At the time, Irwin and trainer Graham Motion were hopeful Animal Kingdom would be able to make a return to racing in the fall. But after veterinarians re-examined him earlier this week, a more severe problem was detected.

“A second set of films has revealed a slab fracture just above the small fissure noted in the previous images,” said Irwin, who consulted veterinarians Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, head of surgery at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., and Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, a surgeon and partner at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.

Richardson will insert a screw to compress the fracture June 30, after which Animal Kingdom will do 90 days of rehabilitation at the Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Md., first in Team Valor’s own barn and then on a water treadmill at Bruce Jackson’s equine therapy unit.

Irwin said he was disappointed but not surprised by the news.

“I didn’t believe (the initial diagnosis) and neither did Graham,” said Irwin. “(Animal Kingdom) has been lame every day and it hasn’t gotten any better.”

Rehabilitation plans call for Animal Kingdom to rest for four to six weeks, after which he will walk on the water treadmill until 90 days have elapsed. Irwin said he will be off at least three months before returning to training at Fair Hill.

Though he has fielded offers for Animal Kingdom, Irwin said there have been no serious talks to sell or retire the colt. He still believes the 3-year-old son of Leroidesanimaux has a bright racing future ahead of him.

“This is a very minor thing,” Irwin said. “We don’t even have to do surgery, but the reason to do it is because it will cut the recovery time in half. I’d like to race him at 4 and 5.”

The initial plan is for Animal Kingdom to return to training in early winter at Fair Hill before eventually being sent to Florida. Irwin said his major goal is to have him ready for the Dubai World Cup in March 2012.

At the start of the Belmont Stakes, Animal Kingdom was bumped by Mucho Macho Man, causing him to clip heels with another horse and stumble while nearly unseating jockey John Velazquez. After the poor start, Animal Kingdom finished sixth in the third leg of the Triple Crown.

Out of the Acatenango mare Dalicia, Animal Kingdom is 3-3-0 from seven starts with earnings of $1,938,700. In addition to the Kentucky Derby, he won the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky and was runner-up in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Source Bloodhorse.com

Tags: animal kingdom horse, Horse Health, horse racing news, horse sports medicine boots

Australian authorities confirmed June 28 that a Queensland horse has died after contracting hendra virus, according to a report from the Australia-based news website ABC News.

ABC News reported that the horse’s veterinarian informed Queensland health and biosecurity officials June 28 that the horse, located south of Brisbane near Beaudesert, yielded a positive postmortem hendra virus test. The horse’s home farm has been quarantined and residents in surrounding areas will be contacted, the report stated.

To date, the hendra virus has only been noted in the Australian provinces of Queensland and New South Wales. The zoonotic disease is transmissible to humans and has killed four people since it was first discovered in 1994, including an equine veterinarian who contracted the virus after treating an affected foal in 2009.

Hendra virus (which has killed at least 40 horses since its discovery) has been known to yield numerous clinical signs in horses including respiratory distress, frothy nasal discharge, elevated body temperature (above 40°C, or 104°F), and elevated heart rate; however, authorities caution that hendra infection does not have specific signs.

Researchers believe that flying foxes (a breed of bat native to Queensland and New South Wales) are responsible for spreading the disease to horses; however, the exact mode of transmission remains unclear.

Earlier this year Australian researchers announced that a hendra virus vaccine is nearing completion, and it could be available to consumers within a few years if final testing is successful.

Source thehorse.com

Tags: australia hendra virus, Australian Horse, Equine Health, equine hendra virus, Hendra Virus, Horse Diseases, Horse Health, horse hendra virus, Horse Virus

Increasing Horse Circulation With Nitric Oxide

Nitric Oxide is the master signaling molecule of the body. It regulates the muscle tone of blood vessels allowing them to dilate for improved blood flow to tissues, organs, muscles. By protecting the blood vessels’ from harmful constriction, in essence widening the blood vessels, this allows more blood to circulate throughout the body. Nitric Oxide also inhibits vasoconstriction influences. This molecule helps maintain, defend, and repair every cell in the body, and regulate inflammation. It’s anti inflammatory action includes inhibiting leukocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium (endothelium is the layer of cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels). Endolthelium cells line the entire circulatory system from heart to the smallest capillary.

Nitric Oxide’s recognition in the scientific community includes being named The Molecule of the Year by Science Magazine (1992), and it earned the Nobel Prize for Medicine (1998) for three American scientists (Louis Ignarro, Robert Furchgott and Ferid Murad).

Think of Nitric Oxide as the Big Kahuna of circulation in the body.

To produce nitric oxide the body uses the amino acid Arginine. While Arginine is found in various plants and foods, the common supplement forms of Arginine are made using a method called the Strecker synthesis which combines aldehyde, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide. Whole foods that provide substantial amounts of Arginine are pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, wheat germ, oranges, and brewer’s yeast.

It is interesting that in Nature, Arginine does not exist without an essential amino acid: Lysine. Some foods are high in Lysine, and low in Arginine; while other foods are high in Arginine and low in Lysine. But those two amino acids always exist together in Nature. Lysine plays many important roles in the body including helping to maintain the nitrogen balance, assists in calcium absorption, and the production of hormones, enzymes, and antibodies.

Benefits to horses of increased Nitric Oxide:

The benefits of stimulating and supporting increased Nitric Oxide are accelerated healing, efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients, and increased protein synthesis which results in faster cell renewal. Think of the increase in Nitric Oxide as a kind of internal shockwave therapy. When blood vessels are dilated, increased blood and fluid and nutrients can flow to the injured area. This is especially helpful for horses that have tendon or ligament strain injuries, muscle strains, foot issues including inflammation of the bursa, navicular syndrome, even fractures like coffin bones and common splints. Nitric Oxide stimulation helps in wound healing, in joint support, easing the stiffness that older horses often experience.

Due to the increase in oxygen, Nitric Oxide can help equine athletes recover more quickly from training, and the increased circulation helps to reduce lactic acid accumulation.

Arginine forms Creatine:

Arginine is one of three amino acids that comprises the organic acid Creatine. Creatine helps supply energy to all cells, especially muscle. It is synthesized in the liver and kidneys. There are some equine supplements that contain chemically-created Creatine (Creatine monohydrate, and Creatine citrate). Creatine in it’s chemically created form is popular among body builders.

Other Circulatory Support:

Shockwave therapy, magnetic field therapy, laser therapy, massage, accupuncture, chiropractics, infared heat, ceramic fiber blankets/ bandages all are aids to increase circulation. Herbs like cayenne, siberian ginseng, and ginger are vasodilators, who relax the smooth muscle cells within vessel walls, thus helping blood to flow more easily. Medications like Isoxuprine and Tridenosen are also vasodilators.

Conclusion:

Nitric Oxide is an important signaling molecule for vasodilation, and plays a profound and fundamental role in circulation, and decrease of inflammation. Nitric Oxide is produced from the amino acid Arginine. Specific whole foods provide bioavailable Arginine and it’s companion Lysine. Arginine also plays an important role in the creation of Creatine for energy.

Stimulating Nitric Oxide can help accelerate healing of tissues, bone, muscle; helps increase cell renewal. Increasing circulation delivers more nutrients to the cells that need them, increases oxygen which can reduce fatigue.

Specific whole foods provide bioavailable Arginine and it’s companion Lysine. These whole foods also provide the enzymes, other free amino acids, and vitamins and minerals essential for multitudes of enzymatic actions in the body.

Source dressagedaily.com

Tags: Biostar Nitric Oxide, Horse Circulation, Horse Health, Horse Nitric Oxide, Horse Performance, Nitric Oxide Horse

Weiss Products, Inc. who manufactures and sells Bar-F Horse Boots and Equine Products, is proud to announce that they have teamed up with the All American Cowgirl Chicks.

The Cowgirl Chicks perform across the country in a variety of competitions and charity events. The Cowgirl Chicks Trick Riding and Stunts were nominated for the “Specialty Act of the Year” in 2010 by the PRCA and are sought after by audiences at Western Horse Competitions across the country. The Cowgirl Chicks also offer clinics, and training sessions for their horses and students at their ranch in Weatherford, Texas through out the year.

The Cowgirl Chicks use and stand behind Bar-F products Horse Boots, and Weiss Products, Inc. is proud to announce that it has teamed up with the Cowgirl Chicks by providing Bar-F Horse Boots to help them in their pursuit of the highest level of performance for their Trick Riding shows across the country.

Tags: Cowgirl Chicks, Horse Boots, western horse tack

Equine Herpes Virus Outbreak Continues In Horses

A recent Utah Western Horse Competition did not result in any new cases of Equine Herpes in Horse that were entered in the National Cutting Horse Competition; however, a horse was reported to be infected from a Cutting Horse competition in California.

As reported recently by dressage-news.com, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has reported a new case in a Cutting horse.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture reported 18 confirmed cases of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy that is caused by EHV-1. Two horses that competed only at a cutting horse event in Bakersfield, California, May 13 were confirmed in the latest tally. The other 16 cases were in horses that participated in the Cutting Horse Western Championships in Ogden, Utah, earlier in the month.

No horses in other disciplines are reported to have been affected.

As of Monday, the death toll from the outbreak across several states in the western U.S. and two provinces in Canada remained at eight, according to a check of state governments–Arizona (1), California (1), Colorado (2), Idaho (2), New Mexico (1) and Utah (1).

The latest updates from state government reports show that in addition to the deaths, cases of EHV-1 or EHM by state: California (18 confirmed), Colorado (9 confirmed, 22 suspected); Idaho (1 confirmed, 13 suspected), Montana (1 suspected), Nevada (3 suspected), New Mexico (2 confirmed, 4 suspected), Oklahoma (1 suspected), Oregon (2 confirmed), Texas (1 confirmed, 1 suspected), Utah (7 confirmed, 3 suspected), Washington (3 confirmed, 4 suspected) and Wyoming (1 suspected).

Equine Canada reported another four cases in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, all among horses that competed at the Utah championships.

The virus that is highly contagious but does not affect humans is spread by contact for up to 30 days.

Several horse shows–including dressage competitions–and clinics were cancelled or postponed throughout western states, including clinics for jumpers and reining in Colorado. Three Oregon Dressage Society events were postponed and a fourth was moved. U.S. Equestrian Federation sanctioned competitions Las Vegas Dressage Spring Fling III scheduled for Saturday and Sunday and a one-day competition in Kirkland, Washington, canceled because of the outbreak.

Colorado and Wyoming have imposed restrictions on horses entering the states, but other states with horses affected by EHV have not.

An outbreak of the equine herpes virus in South Florida in December, 2006, just weeks before the start of the winter dressage, hunter-jumper, polo and Thoroughbred racing circuits led to the deaths of six horses.

Tags: Equine Herpes, Equine Herpes California, Horse Health, Horse Herpes

Fetlock Horse Boot: Wrap N Ride

Some very sophisticated engineering and testing went into developing the Wrap N Ride Boot, making them the ultimate in leg protection. Using Bar-F’s PW System on the boot not only ensures a perfect glove-like fit but also keeps dirt and debris from entering.

The Wrap N Ride is lightweight, with a bacteria resistant neoprene with specially woven Conforma Fibers, providing 360-degrees of protection and safeguarding the cannon bone, tendons and soft tissue. The uniquely designed Wrap N Ride stretches upon each impact of the hoof, allowing full ankle movement while eliminating hyperextension of the fetlock. The distinctive design also guarantees proper application, ensuring the boot provides maximum protection.

See the difference in your horse – purchase the Wrap N Ride Horse Fetlock Boot today!

Tags: fetlock horse boot, Horse Boots, Sports Medicine Horse Boots

An Equine Herpes Virus outbreak is currently Underway in 8 Western U.S. States and Canada.

Recently reported by dressage-news.comAn Equine Herpes Virus outbreak is currently Underway in 8 Western U.S. States and Canada.

At least 17 horses in eight western U.S. states and two Canadian provinces have been infected with the highly contagious Equine Herpes Virus-1, and at least three have died, according to state government animal health statements and news reports, leading to cancellation of many horse shows and clinics.

As of Thursday morning, the outbreak has affected horses in Arizona, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, California, New Mexico,Texas and Washington in the U.S. and Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. It has so far been confined to horses that participated in the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western Championships in Ogden, Utah early in May. About 400 horses took part in the competition.

Cutting-horse competitions scheduled for this coming weekend in nine states have been canceled; Washington State and Colorado State universities have quarantined their veterinary teaching hospitals; and clinics for reining and jumping in Colorado have been called off.

EHV in horses imported from Europe triggered an outbreak in South Florida, in December, 2006, leading to the deaths of six horses. Strict quarantine and biosecurity measures were imposed throughout the horse-intense area to stop the virus from spreading.

Ten cases of equine herpes Myeloencephalopathy caused by EHV-1 were confirmed Wednesday by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which said the outbreak has been confined to horses that participated in the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western Championships in Ogden, Utah. About 400 horses took part in the competition.

The CDFA said in its latest report that positive confirmed cases were in Amador(1), Kern (2), Napa (1), Stanislaus(4), and Placer (2) counties.

One positive horse was euthanized after showing severe neurological signs associated with the disease while at the Kern County Cutting Horse Event on May 13 in Bakersfield, California. A second positive horse was transported from the Bakersfield event on May 13 to the University of California at Davis and is undergoing treatment.

It was reported by Health Departments, that all positive Equine Herpes Virus cases will be placed under quarantine.

Washington state veterinarian Leonard Eldridge said a horse that was treated at the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Pullman tested positive for the virus.

“Symptoms in horses can include fever, sneezing, slobbering and other mild symptoms. Serious cases of the disease are rare, but can include staggering, hind-end paralysis and even death of the horse,” the vet said in a news release.

The virus can usually survive for about a week on surfaces, though under the right conditions it could last as long as 30 days, Idaho State Veterinarian Bill Barton said. That makes it particularly tricky to fight, because even the snort of an infected horse could spray nearby equipment or feed with the virus, said Debra Sellon, a veterinarian at Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Generally, fewer than half the animals that get the virus come down with the most serious neurological symptoms, Sellon said.

The National Cutting Horse Association’s website reported that all NCHA-approved shows scheduled have been canceled by the affiliates or show producers putting on the events.
“The NCHA appreciates this proactive move by show producers in a nationwide show of precaution and solidarity,” the group said. “While reported cases of the virus are currently in Western states, the interstate transport of infected horses could cause a much wider spread of the virus if we are not all very cautious at this time.”

The American Association of Equine Practitioners said:

• There is no specific treatment for EHV-1, although antiviral drugs (i.e. valacyclovire) may have some value before neurological signs occur.
• Non-specific treatment may include intravenous fluids, and other appropriate supportive therapy.
• The use of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is strongly recommended..

There is not currently an equine vaccine that has a label claim for protection against the neurological strain of the virus.

Tags: equine herpes outbreak, equine herpes virus, horse herpes virus, horse herpes virus outbreak

What are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are positive or negative charged elements that are called “ions” when solved in a watery solution (cations+ and anions-). The most important ions from a nutritional point of view: sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), Chloride (Cl-), Bicarbonate (HCO3-), Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+) and phosphate (HPO42-). These elements are present in the blood and the fluid within and surrounding the cells of the (horse) body.

What role do electrolytes have in the body?
Sodium, Potassium and Chloride are needed for the regulation of the horse’s water balance. Electrolytes play also a role in maintaining the balance between positive and negative elements, and the generation of electrical impulses in nerves and muscles. They may also play a role in enzyme activity. A sodium deficit may lead to a lower performance, reduced feed- and water intake and excessive licking behaviour. A potassium deficit may lead to muscle problems, lethargy, weakness, a lowered feed and water intake and weight loss.

When may an electrolyte deficit occur?
An electrolyte deficit may occur when the horse takes in electrolytes below its requirement. Horses that are subjected to low intensity exercise require electrolytes at about maintenance requirement. This requirement should be fulfilled! The daily ration of stabled horses (no pasture access) sometimes lacks sufficient sodium. It is advised to provide a salt- or mineral lick to these horses. This should always be accompanied with free access to clean drinking water.

If your horse produces large amounts of sweat during an event, electrolyte supplementation may be indicated. The electrolyte requirement especially increases when the horse is subjected to long term intensity exercise. The requirement is influenced by temperature and to a certain extent also by the humidity.

The horse body aims to maintain a constant body temperature. A large part of the energy that is used by the body is converted to heat. The conversion of energy to mechanical energy of locomotion in horses is at best 20% efficient, such that most of the chemical energy is converted to heat. Thus, contracting skeletal muscles produces large amounts of heat at high rates, and the rate of heat production increases with increasing exercise intensity. Heat that is produced in the muscles (especially during exercise), is transported by the blood to the skin. By sweating the horse is able to reduce its thermal load.

The sweat rate of horses has been estimated to be about 6.5- 9 litres /hour at speeds observed in the endurance discipline. During prolonged periods of exercise horses may loose considerable amounts of water by sweating. This may result in dehydration. A loss in body weight up to 7 to 11% may occur (i.e. a 7 -11 % water-loss-induced decrease in body weight). Dehydration decreases performance, muscle problems and finally exhaustion. A body weight loss indicating 12-15% dehydration can be fatal. With lower intensity exercise the water loss will be lower but this can also negatively affect performance. In practice, a dehydration of 4 to 5% or greater can be detected by delayed recoil of a fold of pinched-up skin, which is best observed in the skin over the shoulders. The skin over the neck is looser and considered less accurate indication for dehydration. In the normally hydrated horse, a pinch of shoulder skin should return to its original position within 1 second, and capillary refill time should be less than 3 seconds.

Prolonged exercise does not only result in water losses but also in Sodium, Chloride and Potassium losses. Excessive sweating may lead to a deficiency of these nutrients and to a minor extent on losses of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Horse sweat differs from human sweat. Human sweat is isotonic (i.e. the sweat concentration is similar as in the blood) while horse sweat is “hypertonic” (i.e. a higher concentration of electrolytes in sweat than in blood). This is indicated in Table 1.

In practice, electrolyte products often contain a small amount of glucose or dextrose. This is not done with the aim to provide the horse with energy but to enhance electrolyte and water transport. An electrolyte product should have a good solubility, taste and highly available sources of calcium and magnesium should be used. Recent research has indicated that electrolyte supplementation enhanced glycogen resynthesis and faster restoration of plasma hydration status in horses subjected to a simulated speed and endurance test of a 3-day event.

How do I prevent an Electrolyte deficit?
In contrast to many nutrients there are no body stores of water and electrolytes other than those carried in the gastrointestinal tract. Any access absorbed is excreted in the urine. Thus, body water an electrolyte deficiency cannot be prevented by giving them before they are lost. However, deficiencies can be prevented by replacing them as they are lost.

Below a few practical tips are listed to prevent a water or electrolyte deficiency (and therefore preventing loss in performance and muscle problems):

• Make sure the horse has free access to clean drinking water at all times
• Compensate the electrolyte loss when the horse has been subjected to heavy exercise (note: especially in humid conditions!)
• Electrolytes given a few hours before prolonged exercise may be of value if adequate water is also provided and the horse is adequately hydrated. Do not provide excessive amounts of elektrolyten.
• It may be advantage to have a (hind)gut filled with water and forage, so forage intake may be stimulated before a race and good quality forage used during a ride.
• Some horses do not use their salt or mineral lick. Mixing electrolytes with the feed may be an option
• An optimal rate of intake of electrolyte solutions is obtained when the solution is about ca. 20˚Celsius
• Pastes can be a convenient way to provide electrolytes provided that the horse has access to and drinks water: hypertonic pastes given to dehydrated horses can lead to serious problems.

Source: Written by cavalor.com newsletter

Tags: Equine Health, Horse Dehydration, Horse Electrolytes, Horse Health

The Sports Medicine Wrap N Ride Horse Boot, provides Equine Leg Protection.

Take a look at the Sports Medicine Boot Wrap N Ride manufactured by Bar F, which provides your horse with amazing Leg Protection, limiting costly Equine Horse Leg Injury.

The Wrap N Ride Boot is made of lightweight bacteria resistant Neoprene with specially woven Conforma Fibers. Providing 360-degrees of protection and safeguarding the cannon bone, tendons and soft tissue.

The uniquely designed Wrap N Ride stretches upon each impact of the hoof, allowing full ankle movement while eliminating hyperextension of the fetlock – a common horse leg injury.

Tags: Fetlock Horse Boots, Horse Leg Protection, Sports Medicine Horse Boots

Sports Medicine mPact Stealth Horse Boot, offering Equine Leg Protection

Check out the Stealth Boot – The only Sports Medicine Boot that has a removable, bilateral ankle support strap. Don’t let your horse get dependant on the extra suspensory support, just use it doing high-stress times!

Features: 9/32″ Maxi Grip neoprene construction for complete adjustability. Durable Pebble Grain leather protection in shock and stress areas, with hi-tech impact and shock absorbing SORBOTHANE protective inserts in strike and impact areas. Includes a unique removable bilateral ankle stabilizer that stabilizes the ankle at the horse’s natural conformation, providing superior vertical support and torque reduction. The removable stabilizer allows the option of extra support for competition or events. Secured to the leg with three hook tape closures which provides a snug fit.

Tags: Sports Medicine Horse Boot, Stealth Horse Boot