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Minesota ’s story
 Minnesota is special. He belongs to an endangered breed of
Asian wild horse (Przewalski’s horse), of which only 1,500
remain in existence. They’ve been extinct in the wild since
1970, so most live in zoos (Minnesota makes his home at the
Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, DC), although
attempts have been made to reintroduce small herds to Asia.
Thanks to his genetics and ancestry, Minnesota is regarded
as a valuable asset to the North American program to maintain
this breed. Unfortunately, while living at his former
home, he was given a vasectomy so he could be kept with
mares. An attempt to reverse the procedure was made in
early 2007, but was unsuccessful. A second attempt was
made later in the year, with the horse positioned on his back
for the surgery rather than his side. The operation was a
success and Minnesota will soon be bred, providing this rare
breed of horse with more genetic diversity. |
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Enter vitamin E
We know vitamin E is good for us, and it may prove beneficial
for horses as well. Researchers at the University
of California’s School of Veterinary Medicine have
performed a study in which two groups of horses
were supplemented with two different levels of vitamin E, specifically the
a-tocopherol form, over a period of nine days. The first group was given 1,000U
daily, as recommended by the National Research Council, while the second
group received 10,000U per day, the level used to treat neurological horses.
Samples of cerebrospinal fluid and blood were taken from the horses at
the beginning, middle and end of the study. They showed rapid increases in
a-tocopherol levels at both dosages. These results suggest that vitamin E
supplementation may have a beneficial effect on the central nervous
system, especially with neurological problems such as equine protozoal
myeloencephalitis (EPM). |
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No Triple Crown for Big Brown
 Everyone’s attention lately has been focused on Big Brown, the Thoroughbred
gelding who was well on his way to a Triple Crown after easily winning both the
Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. On June 7, however, he stunned racing fans
by not only failing to win the Belmont, but finishing last in the prestigious race.
Preliminary veterinary examinations showed no cause for Big Brown’s poor performance,
although he was running with a loose shoe. Some speculate that he
was simply not coping well with the hot weather, and was having an off day.
In an interesting twist, Big Brown’s trainer, Rick Dutrow, is facing a suspension
by Kentucky racing officials because another of the horses under his care, Salute
the Count, tested for Clenbuterol at twice the allowable limit. Clenbuterol
increases lung capacity, and while allowable in race horses, is not to be used 72
hours before a race. This is not the first time the trainer has been reprimanded
for such violations.
Big Brown’s co-owners, IEAH Stables, have said they will be taking all the horses
in their stables off steroids, and will not use trainers who use these medications
on their horses on a regular basis. |
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Call to action
Mercedes Clemens is calling on the horse community for
help. The Maryland-based equine massage therapist is
Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
and is a State of Maryland Certified Massage Therapist.
Despite her credentials, the Maryland Board of Chiropractic
Examiners and Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical
Examiners recently informed her that only licensed veterinarians
may perform massage on animals. She has since been
required to discontinue the animal portion of her business.
Mercedes has filed a lawsuit challenging the fact that Maryland
veterinarians currently hold a monopoly on equine and small
animal massage. She is hoping fellow professionals and riders
will support her, since changing the law would give us a
greater variety of qualified practitioners to draw from. To find
out how you can help, visit www.thebetteranimal.com. |
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Goodbye, Teddy
The equine world lost a champ on May 28
when USEF Horse of the Year and eventing
inspiration Theodore (Teddy) O’Connor was
euthanized after sustaining an injury that would
have compromised his quality of life. Teddy
was being exercised when he spooked and lost
his rider. He bolted and slipped, severing the
tendons and ligaments in his hind leg. It was
quickly determined that the injury would pose
serious difficulties for the power pony, and the
decision was made to let him go.
Teddy jumped his way into the hearts of eventing
fans around the world. At less than 14.2hh,
the ¾ Thoroughbred Sportpony proved that
good things come in small packages, competing
in international events such as Rolex (the first
pony to do so!). He and Karen O’Connor were
shortlisted to the 2008 Olympic Eventing team. |
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