HAT Chat Articles – February
2007
A word from our President
Last fall I bragged to a new
friend from
Have you ever asked yourself what was that judge
thinking? At HAT’s March 1st meeting, you’ll have an opportunity to
ask that very question. Our guests will be experienced judges who share their
thoughts and answer inquiries as they present “From a Judge’s Point of View”!
Take advantage of this opportunity whether you are an experienced or beginner
exhibitor.
It’s been an emotional time
for the horse world with the loss of Barbaro, a valiant hero who touched so
many hearts. Speaking of hearts, I witnessed an early Valentine. It was a
frigid night…so cold the owner put all the horses up with the two yearlings
sharing a stall. As I worked in the adjacent stall, I quietly realized that the
two inquisitive faces had disappeared. Peeking into their stall, they were
sound asleep face to face, one laying on their left side and the other their
right with back legs stretched hoof to hoof. Together, their bodies formed a
perfect heart! ©
Wishing you a warm and Happy Valentines Day!
HAT Mare & Foal Clinic
HAT hosted a Mare & Foal Clinic
on January 4th at the Grayson County Courthouse in
Over 60 participants began
their evening with a delicious barbecue dinner complete with all the ‘fixins’
provided by Angus Pit Stop of Calera. Following dinner was the educational
program starting with Dr. Buddy Faries, DVM, the Extension Program Leader of
Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M. Dr. Faries talked about a wide variety
of general horse care topics including common diseases, wounds and wound care,
and the nutritional needs of horses at every stage of life. Dr. Faries was
followed by Dr. Katie Hayes, DVM from Hayes Equine Veterinary Service in
(L-R) Sandra Shiver,
HAT President; Dr. Buddy Faries, DVM; Dr. Katie Hayes, DVM;
In addition to the clinic,
HAT also held a silent Stallion Service Auction to sell breedings of stallions
to the highest bidder. The unsold breedings following the auction are still
available for purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis; look for more
information in this issue.
HAT would like to thank Dr.
Faries and Dr. Hayes for taking the time to come out and present this very
useful information, and thank everyone who came out to spend the evening with
us. We look forward to offering more educational clinics like this in the
coming months.
State/Local
News
Federal
Houston, Texas (Associated Press
and other sources) – A federal appeals court has ruled that slaughtering horses
for human consumption is illegal in Texas, where the animals were said to
symbolize the Old West and where two of the nation’s three processing plants
are located.
The decision, issued January
19 by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in
The lower court said the
However, a panel of three
judges on the 5th Circuit disagreed, saying the law still stood and was still
enforceable.
The 5th Circuit decision also
cited more than the law.
“The lone cowboy riding his
horse on a
The ruling involves the
Dallas Crown Inc. slaughter plant in Kaufman and Beltex Corp. in nearby Forth
Worth. The nation’s third plant is located in
The plants ship the meat
overseas, where there is an ample market for it in parts of Europe and
About 106,000 horses, mules
and other equines were slaughtered in 2006, according to the U.S. Agriculture
Department.
While proponents such as the
American Veterinary Medical Association say slaughter is a humane way to deal
with old horses and a better alternative to abandonment, opponents including
Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens and country music star Willie Nelson have
argued that the killing of equines is un-American – and that many young horses
are killed as well.
The Humane Society of the
“This is the most important
court action ever on the issue of horse slaughter,” Wayne Pacelle, the
society’s president and chief executive, said in a statement. “When this ruling
is enforced, a single plant in
The owners of the
slaughtering plants are considering whether to challenge the federal appeals
court ruling.
Former U.S. Representative
Charlie Stenholm, a spokesman for the plants and for Common Horse Sense, a
coalition of about 200 organizations seeking to preserve the option for humane
slaughter of unwanted horses, said that the companies are considering their
options, including the possibility of appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Those who want these plants
to shut down should be careful what they wish for,” Stenholm said in a news
release issued by Common Horse Sense. “If these plants shut down tomorrow, the
nation’s patchwork of horse rescue facilities would be overwhelmed. They can
barely manage to care for the approximately 6,000 horses already in the
system.”
Meanwhile, two bills pending
before Congress could close all three plants to slaughter for human
consumption.
Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
has re-introduced the “Virgie S. Arden American Horse Slaughter Prevention
Act,” S. 311, the Senate version of the bill, along with John Ensign (R-NV) and
11 original co-sponsors. In the House, Representatives. Janice Schakowsky
(D-IL), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), John Spratt (D-SC), and Nick Rahall (D-WV) have
re-introduced H.R. 503 with 61 original co-sponsors. Both bills would prohibit
the “shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing,
purchasing, selling, or donation of any horse or other equine to be slaughtered
for human consumption.”
Last year, the
House bill was passed with a vote of 263 to 146, but the Senate adjourned
before a vote could be held on their version of the bill.
[Editor’s Note: Horseman’s
Association of Texoma does not have an official position with regard to the
issue of horse slaughter.]
National
News
On December 2, 2006, the
Humane Society of Washington County in
The 61-year-old farm owner
has been charged with 73 misdemeanor counts of abuse or neglect of animals,
each punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. She has also been
charged with four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, each
punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. A court date is
scheduled for February 22 in the
The Humane Society has the
responsibility of caring for the 71 surviving horses until the case is legally
resolved, including providing food as well as veterinary and hoof care. Medical
evaluations have revealed the horses are in need of extensive worming, dental
care, and vaccinations.
Thanks to local
Due to the current and future
medical, rehabilitation, and daily requirements of the horses, this rescue
effort will continue to require assistance. The Humane Society of Washington
County is asking for financial contributions that will be utilized for the
ongoing needs of the horses. Contributions can be sent to the Humane Society of
Washington County, Attention: Sharpsburg Horse Rescue Medical and
Rehabilitation Fund,
The Humane Society of
Washington County is recognized as exempt from federal income tax under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax deductible.
- - - - - - -
Tallahassee (January 23) –
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today
said he is confident the Equine Herpesvirus-type 1, or EHV-1 outbreak has been
brought under control. It has been more than three weeks since any horse has
tested positive for the virus and the last quarantine was lifted over the
weekend.
“I credit the cooperation and
proactive steps taken by the equine community and the quick response by the
Department’s Division of Animal Industry with the end of this outbreak,” Bronson
said. Identification of infected and exposed horses, implementation of
biosecurity measures and other proactive measures taken by horse owners
prevented further spread of this disease.
While some industry locations
instituted voluntary decontamination measures and restricted horse movements,
protocol required the state to place ten locations under mandated quarantine
including sites in
The outbreak started when
some horses imported from Europe through a federal quarantine site in
“It is extremely tragic that
we lost six horses,” Bronson said, “but the situation could have been far more
deadly were it not for the quick actions of so many people.”
EHV-1 is a contagious virus
of horses that can cause respiratory disease, abortion and occasionally serious
neurological signs. It is spread through the air but can also be carried on
shoes, clothes, hands and equipment.
Legislative
Update
Contact: SMesa@horsecouncil.org
AgJobs Bill Reintroduced in Congress; Provides Immigration Reform for
Agriculture Workers
The “Agriculture Job
Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007,” known as the AgJobs bill,
would amend the current application process and replace it with an expedited
process to hire foreign workers in the H-2A category, which is where
agricultural workers in the horse industry fall.
The AgJobs bill would also
create a pilot “blue card” program for undocumented agriculture workers, giving
them the opportunity to demonstrate previous employment in American agriculture
and achieve temporary legal resident status.
“The issue of comprehensive
immigration and guest worker reform is very important to all segments of the horse
industry,” said Jay Hickey, president of the American Horse Council (AHC).
“Horse breeders, ranchers and farms depend on seasonal foreign workers to fill
labor demands not met by American workers. This bill would solve a lot of the
problems our industry has in employing legal foreign workers.”
This AgJobs bill is the same
bill that the Senate passed in the last Congress as part of the comprehensive
immigration reform bill. It is supported by a broad coalition of agricultural
industries - including the AHC, worker advocates and religious, public interest
and taxpayer groups.
Among the other key H-2A
reforms included in the bill are a freeze and eventual elimination of the
Adverse Effect Wage Rate, a mechanism for replacing alien workers who leave or
are terminated for cause and a secure identity and work authorization document
for H-2A aliens.
This bill satisfies most of
the concerns of the horse industry, particularly with respect to the
application process and the “regularization” of current workers who may not
have work authorization.
The earned status adjustment
program provides a transition solution for undocumented workers to earn legal
status and avoid the need for a large importation of guest workers and a
disruption to industry practices.
To learn more about the
AgJobs bill, please visit the AHC web site at www.horsecouncil.org.
- - - - - - -
American Horse Council Announces Congressional Cavalry Program.
The purpose of the program is
to identify at least one member of participating organizations in each
Congressional District across
AHC member organizations
represent all segments of the horse industry.
“If we can involve just one
member in these organizations in each Congressional district across the country
in the grassroots effort,” said AHC President Jay Hickey, “think of the
potential effect that could have when contacting Representatives and Senators
about issues important to the industry.”
Horse owners, breeders,
veterinarians, trainers, competitors, recreational riders, shows, stables and
others who desire to be involved in grassroots efforts in
“We are hoping to include
individuals from as many AHC member organizations as possible to get a
cross-section of the horse industry identified in each district to represent
themselves, their organization and the horse industry when called upon,” said
Hickey.
Member organizations already
signed onto the Congressional Cavalry include the American Association of
Equine Practitioners, the American Paint Horse Association, the American Quarter
Horse Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, the U.S.
Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Trotting Association.
Individuals will be mobilized
when there is a need for grassroots lobbying. The AHC will provide participants
with whatever information is necessary.
“Other Congressional Cavalry
activities may include visits with Members of Congress in Washington or back in
their home district and invitations to Members of Congress to visit your
facility, event or activity,” according to Hickey.
Please contact the equine
association you are a member of or join the American Horse Council to become a
part of this exciting initiative.
Equine Science News
Treating Chorioptic Mange in Horses
Moxidectin oral gel is effective for treating chorioptic
mange in horses, according to a report from
Chorioptic mites typically affect the para-anal fold,
lower legs and tail. Infected horses rub, stamp, bite their legs and kick,
especially at night. Chorioptes equi
(which may actually be the same species as Chorioptes
bovis) is a non-burrowing mite. It lives and feeds on the surface, without
piercing the skin. Its mouthparts are adapted for chewing and it feeds on skin
debris. The mite’s presence may cause irritation, and thickening of the skin.
A recent study, reported in Veterinary Parasitology,
found it to be the most common type of mange of horses in the
Dr SA Osman and colleagues examined 117 draft horses.
They found that twenty were affected with one of three different types of mite.
Chorioptes equi was the most common,
being present on 14 horses. Other species of mites were found less frequently.
Psoroptic mange was present on four horses. Sarcoptic mange was found on two.
The different species of mite tended to affect different
parts of the horse’s body.
The psoroptic mange mite was found especially at the
withers, mane, shoulders, and flank. Although this mite does not burrow into
the skin, it has piercing and chewing mouthparts that can cause severe skin
damage.
Sarcoptic mange tends to affect the head and neck. The
mites burrow more deeply into the skin causing thickening. It is a rare disease
and is notifiable to the authorities in some parts of the world.
Control of all three types of mange is by strict hygiene.
Isolate, clean and treat the horse and the environment and all tack and
grooming equipment. Ivermectin has been shown to be effective against all three
types of mites in other host species. Two doses of the oral paste, two weeks
apart, have been used to treat chorioptic mange in horses.
Moxidectin is a newer drug, with a similar action. But it
is excreted more slowly and has a longer duration of action than ivermectin.
So the researchers looked at whether a single dose of
moxidectin oral gel would be effective for treating the horses with chorioptic
mange.
They divided the 14 horses with chorioptic mange into 3
groups. Five horses received a single oral dose of moxidectin at the
manufacturer’s recommended dose (0.4mg/kg). A second group of five horses
received oral ivermectin (0.2mg/kg) on two occasions two weeks apart. They also
treated the environment with deltamethrin to prevent re-infection.
Four horses were left untreated for comparison..
“Clinical and parasitological cure was obtained within
two weeks in both moxidectin and ivermectin treated groups with 100% cure rate”
the authors report. They suggest that using moxidectin oral gel alongside
ivermectin could reduce the intensive use of ivermectin alone. This might help
reduce the risk of developing drug resistance.
For more details see:
Clinical and therapeutic studies on mange in horses.
SA Osman, A Hanafy, SE Amer
Veterinary Parasitology (2006) 141, 191 - 195.
© 2007 Equine Science Update
Reprinted with permission
Special
Report
Barbaro Euthanized Following Major Setback
Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner whose struggle to recover following a severe injury at the Preakness on May 20 brought an outpouring of support from people across the country and around the world, was euthanized on January 29.
Owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, in consultation with Dr. Dean
Richardson, DVM, chief of surgery at the
“We just reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain,” said Roy Jackson afterward. “It was the right decision, it was the right thing to do. We said all along if there was a situation where it would become more difficult for him then it would be time.”
Speaking to Barbaro’s fans,
At a news conference following the announcement, Dr. Richardson explained the series of events that led up to the decision:
Earlier this month, Barbaro became uncomfortable standing on his left hind foot, which had developed laminitis in July from bearing more weight than normal while the right hind leg injured at the Preakness was healing. The laminitis had resulted in Dr. Richardson removing some 80% of the hoof wall, and a foot cast had recently been applied to provide support and assist in re-aligning the coffin bone. This new discomfort led Dr. Richardson to remove more of the hoof wall and cut the deep digital flexor tendon to relieve pressure on the coffin bone. A cast was also placed on the lower part of his right hind leg to provide additional support.
During this time, Barbaro began placing more weight on his right hind leg, which had successfully healed following surgery to re-assemble the shattered bones. The additional weight caused a bruise to develop on the bottom of the foot which then turned into an abscess. To control the abscess, an external fixation device (which takes weight off the hoof by inserting steel pins through the cannon bone and connecting them to a metal framework and support plate) was attached to the right leg on January 27. The concerns at the time were that the steel pins would cause the bones to fracture once again, or that by taking the weight off both hind limbs, then the front feet could develop laminitis as well. By the morning of the 29th, it was found that Barbaro had indeed begun to develop signs of laminitis in both front hooves.
It became clear to
“Last night was the first night ever that he was clearly
distressed by his condition,”
At about 10:30am after eating his morning grass, standing in a
support sling with his weight off his hooves and with the
“He couldn’t have been any
more peaceful,”
Extension
Service News
by Eddie Baggs,
CEA-Agriculture
How Much Does My Horse
Weigh?
Many
horse owners have difficulty estimating their horses body weight in the absence
of accurate scales. Knowing the horses precise weight is important in many
areas of overall horse management. With today’s hay prices, determining daily
feed requirements is probably the most important reason to know the horses
exact weight. Also, paste wormers and other medications are designed to be
given at specific levels relative to a horse’s weight. A study in
Fortunately,
there is a simple formula that can be used to estimate body weights of
individual horses fairly accurately. This formula utilizes heartgirth
circumference, body length measurements and an adjustment factor. The horse
weight prediction equation is as follows:
(heartgirth
x heartgirth x body length)
--------------------------------------------------
= Weight (pounds)
330
Measurements
should be taken and recorded in inches with a plastic tape that is at least 75
inches long.
Heartgirth
is a measure of the circumference, taken by running the tape measure all around
the horse, using the highest part of the withers. Body length is measured from
the point of the shoulder, straight back along the horse’s side, and to the
point of the buttock. Be sure that the tape goes around the end of the horse
and shows the actual point of the buttock which is usually half the distance
from the corner to the tail. Two people will be needed in taking body length
measurements. For owners who are learning to take measurements for the first
time, it is advisable to get an actual scale weight on the horse and compare it
to the prediction equation. This will help determine whether or not
measurements are being taken from the proper points. The horse should be
standing somewhat square. Furthermore, measurements of a horse to compare
changes in weight over time should always be taken at the same time of the day,
preferably in the morning prior to feeding.
The
above mentioned prediction equation appears to be a more reliable method for
estimating weight than visual observation. The procedure can be used
effectively on many horses, but may not be highly accurate for pregnant mares
or for horses with extreme conformational irregularities, especially very
unbalanced horses. All in all, horse owners should be able to utilize this
simple tool in better managing horses. A new website is available to horse owners
(http://www.extension.org/horses),
with interactive lessons and the capabilities of questions with responses from
experts. This website also contains information on many different equine
topics.
Educational programs conducted by the
A Bit of Humor
Old Folks’ Riding Rules
1.
We do not need to
show up with our hair combed, makeup on and wearing a clean shirt.
2.
Moaning, groaning
and complaining about aching muscles is perfectly acceptable, as is taking
Motrin prior to a ride.
3.
Helping someone
on or off the horse does not mean the rider is an invalid. It only means the
horse got taller overnight.
4.
No one will
comment about how big someone’s butt looks in a saddle.
5.
Everyone will
wait, patiently, while someone dismounts and adjusts equipment. Everyone will
also wait, patiently, until that person remounts and is ready to move on...no
matter how long that takes.
6.
When a horse is
acting up we will accept that the horse is just having a bad hair day and it is
not the rider’s fault.
7.
Mentioning it is
too hot, too dry, too humid, too wet, too buggy, etc., is considered
self-expression, not whining.
8.
Wanting to be
first, last, walk or just stop does not mean the rider is a wimp. Sometimes it
is necessary to teach a horse who is in charge.
9.
We will take the
time to discuss the important issues of the day like who is dating who, who is
cheating on whom and any other relevant information which needs to be passed
on.
10.
We will
acknowledge that horses are very strange animals and sometimes for no reason at
all we fall off of them. If this happens to any rider the other riders will
ascertain that the person is okay and then not mention the incident to another
living soul, especially husbands and significant others.
11.
We will
acknowledge, without apology, that riding more than 2-1/2 hours increases our
grumpy level far more than any ego benefits we may get from riding longer.
Ask The Vet
by Dr. Katie Hayes, DVM
Feeding in Drought
Conditions
I recently attended the Texas
Thoroughbred Association’s seminar on Feeding in Drought Conditions. Here are
some highlights:
Due to the drought hay is in
short supply and less quality. Horses
need 1% of body weight in roughage per day, so for a 1000 lb. horse that is 10
lbs. of hay per day (3-4 flakes/day).
DO NOT FEED
these hays to horses: Johnson grass, Sorghum, Hay grazer, mature
·
Prairie hay is okay to feed to horses, but is often low in
protein (5-10%) so feed with a high protein hay like alfalfa.
·
Alfalfa hay buy from a reputable seller and know the point of
origin of the hay from the seller to avoid blister beetle contaminated hay.
·
Brome hay is the Midwest version of coastal Bermuda hay usually
from
·
Round bales are ok to feed, but sometimes the protein is low and
horses waste it eating the core first. To reduce waste put the round bale up
off the ground on a pallet and under a roof. By putting portable panels around
the round bale you can regulate the amount of hay consumed by letting the horse
eat 3-4 hours/day on it. This will stretch your supply of hay.
Hay Substitutes
·
Bagged chopped
alfalfa or alfalfa cubes can
be substituted for hay. Weigh the alfalfa cubes or chops to feed 8 lbs of it
per day. Pelleted alfalfa can be used, but vices like wood chewing will
increase because there is not enough chewing time and they don’t feel full like
with hay.
·
All in One
Extruded complete feeds have 20%
fiber and can meet the horses hay requirements when fed as the only ration.
Read the label for how many pounds to feed per day.
·
Senior feed is 14-18% fiber and can replace 1/2 of the horses hay
needs. So the horses needs 5 lbs Senior/day and 5 lbs hay/per day.
·
Beet pulp is 18% fiber and is high energy and can replace 1/2
of the hay ration (5 lbs/day). It is best when mixed with water, allowed to
soak up the water and expand and then feed. This will increase the intake of
water when the horse is not drinking much. When feeding the beet pulp dry with
grain ration, it absorbs the water and saliva in the esophagus and the horse
chokes on the blockage.
*
Dr. Pete Gibbs
stated that for horses that eat their grain too fast, adding some alfalfa cubes
or alfalfa chopped hay to the grain will slow the eating rate.
*
A study also
showed that feeding 1 lb of alfalfa (hay, cubes, or chopped) after the grain
decreased the pH in the stomach and decreased the incidence of stomach ulcers.
*
When you buy hay,
get a protein analysis of the hay. Good horse quality hay is 12 % protein or
more. You can send in a sample of the hay with a form from the county extension
office for hay analysis (cost $10). If the protein is 5-10 % you need to add
alfalfa hay with 18-20 % protein. If it is less than 5 % protein, don’t buy it.
Pasture Management in
Drought Conditions
Climatologists say that we
have had a 10 year dry spell with the worst drought in 2005-2006 of a 25 year
dry cycle so we have 15 more dry years to go.
So decrease your number of live stock, store hay in the good years and
take care of your pastures.
Drought and overgrazing decreases
pasture grass growth and root growth. If your pasture is just dirt think about
removing livestock and replanting. Well managed pastures recover more quickly
from drought. Do a soil test to help determine which minerals to add with the
fertilizer usually Phosphorus or Potassium (potash). Phosphorus promotes root
development, Potassium help the plants drought tolerance.
·
Fertilize your
pasture. It’s more effective to fertilize before it rains so it goes in the
soil.
·
At first signs of
weeds (8 weeds per square foot) spray weed killer on pasture. With 2,4-D or
Graze On, you can leave the horses on the pasture. Weeds inhibit pasture grass
growth by stealing rain, nutrients and the sun.
·
If the pasture
has a lot of rye or winter grass, mow the rye when the coastal starts to grow
(early May) so the coastal doesn’t have to compete with the winter grass and
can out grow it.
You can also visit http://Forages.tamu.edu and click on
Drought Management for more information.
Recipe of the Month
Cream Cheese Veggie Pizza Servings:
varies
|
2 pkg |
crescent roll dough |
1 |
head of fresh cauliflower |
|
2 pkg |
(8 oz each) cream cheese |
1 |
head of fresh broccoli |
|
1 cup |
mayonnaise or salad dressing |
1-2 |
fresh carrots, peeled |
|
1 pkg |
powdered Ranch dip/dressing mix |
1 cup |
Cheddar cheese, shredded |
For
crust:
·
Spread crescent
roll dough out on a large cookie sheet. Do not separate at perforations; keep edges
of dough touching each other. Bake at temperature specified on package until
golden. Allow to cool completely.
For
“sauce”:
·
In a medium
mixing bowl, blend together cream cheese, mayonnaise and ranch dip mix until
there are no visible lumps of cream cheese. Spread mixture evenly onto cooled
“crust”.
For
toppings:
·
Clean cauliflower
and broccoli and cut into bite-size pieces. Distribute evenly across crust.
Shred carrots evenly over vegetables and top with shredded cheese. Using pizza cutter,
cut into 2 inch squares and serve.
Suggestions:
Add your favorite veggies (red/yellow/green bell peppers, cucumbers, onions,
etc.). For a lower-fat version, use low-fat/non-fat cheeses, reduced fat
crescent rolls and low-fat/non fat mayonnaise.
Submitted by Sandra and Kelsea Bauer – a favorite dish
from the HAT Potluck Dinner in December 2006