by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2022
Get out of the winter doldrums at the Horse World Expo, which will be presented March 3-6 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa., where the Pennsylvania National Horse Show is held each autumn.
It offers seminars, mounted clinics, vendors and lots of equestrian entertainment. In the latter category, you’ll see the Rescued to Stardom competition, Trail Champions Challenge, Parade of Breeds and Stallion Avenue, Equi-Tainment, Mounted Archery, Mounted Games and Driving Demonstrations, all included with daily admission.
Horse Expo offers an even more special opportunity because Equitana USA will not be taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park.
As the organizer of that event stated, “Our vision for the event was to be a place that offered endless equestrian shopping, education, and entertainment from both domestic and international markets. However, as the pandemic continues to cause global challenges, we will take the necessary time to pause and reevaluate plans for the future.”
At Horse Expo, clinicians include a Texan, Craig Cameron, founder of the Extreme Cowboy Association and the Ride Smart Club of Ride Smart Horsemanship; Sadie Fisher, a certified John & Josh Lyons Trainer who works with horses of all breeds, and coming from Wisconsin, Dan Grunewald, who is certified to judge by nine organizations. The five time top-ten finalist with the Extreme Mustang Challenge will including western riding and ranch riding in his presentation.
Also appearing will be Kendra Clarke, a Level 2 Centered Riding instructor and a licensed Franklin Method Equestrian Pelvic trainer, specializing in horse and rider biomechanics, as well as Andrew Nav. a multiple National Cutting title earner and a Quarter Horse Congress Cutting Champion. Among others being showcased are Australian natural horseman Guy McLean, Shawna Karrasch teaching Positive Reinforcement methods; Jason Charles, who will be designing the Trail Champions Challenge course; Ivy Starnes, who specializes in the naturally gaited breeds, Dom Schramm representing eventing, Jeff Wilson for Western Dressage, Lindsey Partridge, best known for her work with retired racehorses, and classical dressage and bridleless jumping expert, Brendan Wise with Unbridled Wings.
Last year, eight horses began their quest to win the Rescued to Stardom contest. The contest is for horses three years old and up,who haven’t been broken to saddle and are owned by a 501 c.3 rescue. Their under-saddle training began on December 1 and continues through the start of the Expo. Each competitor will compete by presenting an in-hand freestyle on Friday March 4. The final competition, an under-saddle freestyle, will be held March 5. After the Expo, horses will be available for adoption.
The participating horse rescues introduced their horses on social media and will earn points based on the number of likes on a final social media vote before the event. Voting earns points toward the win; individuals can follow the journey of these very special horses on https://www.facebook.com/RescuedtoStardom/.
Theatre Equus, held March 4 and 5 at 8:30 p.m, will feature Guy McLean and professional equine entertainers from across the country and beyond. Theatre Equus is a reserved seating separate ticketed performance event. Tickets are available at horseworldexpo.com and on-site, if still available, at the event.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 4, 2022
To reduce the spread of EHV-1, the California State Veterinarian recommends that all hunter/jumper events (the most affected group) be postponed for the next 28 days, all equine events (including clinics) be postponed for the next 14 days, and all non-essential horse movements be postponed for at least 14 days.
In an effort to mitigate the risk of further spread of EHV-1, all U.S. Equestrian Federation-licensed competitions in California are suspended for the next 14 days. USEF does not have any hunter/jumper competitions taking place for the next 28 days; the Desert International Horse Park last month canceled the rest of its winter season in the wake of EHV-1.
Meanwhile, two more horses have been put down in the midst of the EHV-1 wave. A 22-year-old Thoroughbred gelding in Orange County displaying neurological signs starting Feb. 28 was confirmed positive for Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) secondary to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1 non-neuropathogenic strain) on March 3. Another horse on the premises, a 22-year-old warmblood gelding displaying neurological signs starting March 1 was confirmed positive for EHM secondary to EHV-1 on March 3.
Both geldings were euthanized due to severity of clinical signs. Additionally, six other horses on the same premises displaying fever only or mild clinical signs have positive tests for EHV-1. The 350 exposed horses on the home premises have been isolated and quarantined. California Department of Food and Agriculture will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Remember that last year European shows were cancelled for six weeks because of an outbreak of EHV-1 in 10 countries, with 18 horses dying in the epidemic, so it’s important to consider possible consequences and make sure you obey the rules.
As the return to competition protocols are implemented, more horses will be tested which will result in more positive test results for horses. EHV-1 lives dormant in many horses. The increase in positives is expected as asymptomatic horses are tested for EHV-1. The additional testing will allow the USEF community to mitigate the spread of the virus and safeguard horses.
Dr. Nicola Pusterla, professor of medicine and epidemiology, University of California Davis Veterinary Medicine explained, “We all recognize that horses with clinical EHV-1 disease (fever, nasal discharge and even neurological signs) are high risk when it comes to risk of transmission. What most people forget is that infection does not always translate into disease, meaning that adult horses can shed EHV-1 without displaying any abnormal clinical signs.” The expected increase in confirmed positive EHV-1 cases is not necessarily alarming if the horse is asymptomatic.
As a further measure to protect horses and facilitate tracking, USEF will be providing an EHV-1 Declaration Form to competitions for competitors to complete when they arrive on competition grounds.
USEF will also make available an EHV-1 Test Result Form to be submitted to EHV@usef.org along with evidence of negative test results. These documents will be required under the return to competition protocol in order to get a horse’s ineligibility status lifted. This return to competition protocol applies to any horse that has been on the DIHP or Rancho Murieta showgrounds, or any horse that has been exposed to a horse confirmed positive for EHV-1 off competition grounds in the past 14 days. This will allow the horse to be released from the EHV-1 Ineligibility List.
FEI Return to Competition Protocols
In order for a horse to return to FEI competition, the following requirements must be met:
• FEI horses MUST have a negative EHV-1 PCR test to return to competitio
• Two negative PCR tests within 14 days, one at Day 7 and one at Day 14
OR
• One negative PCR test within 21 days, at Day 21
USEF Return to (National) Competition Protocols
In order for a horse to return to USEF (National) competition, the following requirements must be met:
• Two negative PCR tests within 14 days, one at Day 7 and one at Day 14
OR
• One negative PCR test within 21 days, at Day 21
OR
• 28 days without a test, if the horse has been isolated for a minimum of 28 days
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 3, 2022
The Somerset County 4-H tack sale, always a regular feature as we get ready for spring, will be held Friday, March 18, from 6-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 19, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Ted Blum 4-H center, 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, N.J.
There’s a different approach this year. Anyone who has items to sell can set up at the center for a $15 fee, which gives them a spot with a table and two chairs. Commercial vendors also are welcome.
It used to be a consignment approach, where people would bring their tack and other horse-related items and leave them to be sorted by 4-H members for sale, with 4-H getting a percentage of the purchase price.
But as 4-H leader Judy Hennessey noted, doing it that way is labor-intensive and 4-H numbers have been dwindling.
“We don’t have enough kids in the 4-H horse program,” she noted.
In Bridgewater, she recalled, there was a time when “every kid had a horse in their backyard. Now I don’t think there’s a horse in Bridgewater. There just aren’t any kids with horses of their own any more, and the big barns don’t want kids going to 4-H.”
The advantage of 4-H is that members learn about horse care, over a stable where the kids just go to ride and don’t interact with the horses otherwise. The horse care concept will be highlighted at the county fair this summer, when Judy plans to have a farrier, a dentist, a driving exhibition and other demonstrations to highlight the organization’s focus.
Want more information? Call Judy Hennessy at (610)730-4739.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 17, 2022
The U.S. Eventing Association is highlighting its number areas around the country. New Jersey is in Area II, along with Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. It has more members, 1,762, than any of the USEA’s other areas.
The Essex Horse Trials is a summer highlight of the eventing season in Area II. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The events that take place in the are include the country’s newest 5-star at Fair Hill, Md., and the venerable Essex Horse Trials in Far Hills, N.J.
Some of the sport’s biggest names live in Area II, including Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin in Pennsylvania.
Click on this link to find out more about Area II.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 24, 2022
For generations, New Jerseyans who aspired to be veterinarians had to study out of state, most often at the University of Pennsylvania or Cornell. But beginning in 2025, they can get started on their degree in the state where they live.
Rowan University has announced is establishing the first school of veterinary medicine in New Jersey in response to what it termed the national demand for vets, specialists and technicians. It will be the country’s 34th veterinary school, and one of only six on the East Coast.
The state Legislature approved $75 million in funding to construct the school’s primary academic and clinical facility in Sewell, South Jersey. Pending approval from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, the inaugural class of 60 students start going to class in the fall of 2025.
“Launching New Jersey’s first school of veterinary medicine at Rowan University is just the latest in a series of strides we have made in expanding and improving the quality of medical education and research over the past decade,” former state Senate President Steve Sweeney said before leaving office after losing his re-election bid.
“With this investment, we will be able to keep our best and brightest veterinary students in New Jersey, and we will attract aspiring veterinarians from other states to study here as well.”
Rowan will establish undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and internship/residency programs at the veterinary school. Additionally, an A.S. in veterinary technology to B.S. in veterinary technology pathway program will be offered in collaboration with Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester. Graduate programs, including an M.S./Ph.D. in veterinary biomedical science in collaboration with Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan Universities and the College of Science & Mathematics;
An accelerated DVM/MBA in collaboration with Rowan University’s Rohrer College of Business, designed to improve training of students in veterinary practice management, business and economics beyond what will be offered as core content within the DVM curriculum.
Undergraduate programs will include bachelor’s degrees in veterinary studies and veterinary technology, as well as certificates and training pathways for veterinary technicians and assistants;
Internship and residency programs will provide postgraduate educational opportunities for those who already have completed their DVM degree. The programs could lead to specialization, including specialist board certifications.
The School of Veterinary Medicine’s primary academic and clinical facility will be located on the campus of Rowan College of South Jersey in Sewell, near the new Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine facility
Designs for a 100,000-square-foot veterinary medical complex are under way and will include academic classrooms, diagnostic and teaching laboratories, a teaching hospital, and administrative and faculty offices. The teaching hospital will provide core experiential learning to students. It also will offer animal health care services to the public, as well as specialty referral and diagnostic services to veterinary practices in the region.
The founding dean, Dr. Matthew Edson, is a 2007 graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in animal science and biology.
Rutgers’ “Department of Animal Science reached out to him and offered anything they needed relating to horses,” according to Karyn Malinowski, founder of the Rutgers Equine Science Center.
She did note that 10 years ago, a meeting at Rutgers came up with the decision that a New Jersey veterinary school was not needed in New Brunswick. But now that the Rowan project is getting started, “We certainly can complement each other,” said Karyn, citing the treadmill lab among other Rutgers facilities the South Jersey school can access.
“We’ve got tons of resources that they can share. They can count us on any capacity,” Karyn continued.
The Rowan dean has been in practice for more than a decade as founder and owner of Rancocas Veterinary Associates, a multi-doctor, mixed-animal practice in South Jersey. He has special professional interests in miniature pig and small ruminant medicine and surgery and has lectured nationally on those subjects.
A native of Eastampton Township, he is an executive board member and the immediate past president of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, a site visitor for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, former chair of the AVMA Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues, and former vice chair of the AVMA Practice Advisory Pilot Panel. He also has served as a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine.
Licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, he earned his veterinary medical degree from Kansas State University.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 25, 2022
Another horse has been euthanized in the wave of EHV-1 cases that has cancelled shows and led to requirements for handling horses to avoid contagion. He was the third to be put down in connection with the outbreak.
The horse was a 20-year-old warmblood gelding in Los Angeles County, where he had attended a show last week He displayed neurological signs Feb. 22 was confirmed positive for Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) secondary to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1 non-neuropathogenic strain) Feb. 24. The horse was euthanized due to severity of clinical signs, according to the Equine Disease Communicatoin Center.
Three horses that had attended an event in Riverside County, Calif., and then returned home ran a fever with no neurologic signs but were confirmed positive for EHV-1. The horses in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Mateo counties have been isolated and will be quarantined at home, along with any exposed companions. Three additional horses on the index event premise, outside of the index quarantine barn, displaying fever only with no neurologic signs were confirmed positive for EHV-1
Meanwhile on the east coast, Equestrian Sport Productions that runs the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and Winter Equestrian Festival on Feb. 23 instituted strict new protocols for anyone shipping horses into the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and any new back numbers processed will be required to sign a declaration stating that the horses entering the facility are healthy and have not been in a California competition after Jan. 28.
There are also new testing and isolation criteria for horses coming from California, where a new show planned for this month at LAEC was cancelled because of the EHV-1 situation. Due to the EHV-1 situation at Desert International Horse Park and West Palms Events’ commitment to equine health, it was decided to conclude the LA February show and not add an extra show to the calendar.
The Desert Horse Park sent 11 tests to the California Department of Food and Agriculture lab earlier this week. Three additional horses tested positive for EHV-1 yesterday. One of the three was being tested for the first time after a recently detected fever. The other two positive EHV-1 cases were for horses that had previously tested negative.
Two horses tested negative as a follow up to their initial negative test. These horses will be carefully watched but no further testing is planned. Six previously reported positive cases were re-tested. One of these tested negative and will be scheduled for a follow up test in seven days. All three of the first cases on the property have now tested negative. The park has sought five additional tests for horses with initial fevers.
Three horses attending the LAEC show had been at Desert International Horse Park, returned to their home barn, and then came to LAEC after five days of isolation instead of seven. A statement from West Palms Event noted they also were made aware of a fourth horse who attended its Los Angeles show that had been at Desert International Horse Park inside the 7-day minimum quarantine.
Desert International Horse Park had cancelled its show scheduled for this week and closed access to new arrivals for at least the next week. Instead of running the show under a reduced format as planned, there is now a schedule for each barn/trainer group to school horses in dedicated rings to avoid any exposure to horses outside of their barn/trainer group.The park also has developed rules for the next few days and an updated set of protocols.
An outbreak of EHV-1 in Europe last year led to a massive cancellation of shows.
