by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 13, 2017
Horses are in crisis from east to west, and U.S. Equestrian is riding to the rescue.
As the wildfires continue to spread and cause devastation in California, US Equestrian is working with organizations on the ground providing aid to ensure the support helps as many horses as possible.
In Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands, through a joint fundraising effort with Equestrian Canada, the Pan American Equestrian Confederation, and the Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation, US Equestrian has helped contribute to over $100,000 in aid to horses to ensure they receive feed and care in the wake of the recent disasters.
Tens of thousands of pounds of hay and feed have been sent via shipping containers to the affected islands, helping to address immediate needs, such as lack of forage and nutrition. In addition, supplies sent will allow veterinarians to better assist horses needing medical care.
Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare Inc. (CTA), which helps thoroughbreds in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, is using funds provided through the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund not only to help more than 850 U.S. thoroughbreds stabled at the Hipodromo Camarero Racetrack, but also to provide assistance to smaller organizations in Puerto Rico, including riding programs, Paso Fino stables, and others. “We have been so blessed to have so much support and good people helping the horses,” said Kelley Stobie of the CTA.
On the hard-hit island of St. Maarten, a shipping container with feed will help feed over 80 horses at Lucky Stables, a riding school on the island that provides equine-assisted therapy for at-risk families and youth. Since the hurricanes, the stable has taken in additional horses, and contributions from the equestrian community will ensure they have feed for at least the next month.
Although relief is being provided, the recovery is far from over. One 40-foot container can feed about 40 to 50 horses for two to three weeks, but it costs as much as $15,000 to fill and ship each one. Additionally, many of the horses will need care in the upcoming months as rescue agencies help find new homes for horses that may not be able to return to their owners.
Money donated to the fund is held by US Equestrian in an account dedicated for this purpose and distributed only upon authorization of the US Equestrian CEO. Any donation to the Equine Disaster Relief Fund is a timely and efficient benefit for horses and horse owners in need.
More than $500,000 has been contributed, but much more is needed. Want to make a donation? Here is a link
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 12, 2017
Mosquito season isn’t over.
A third case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been reported in New Jersey, as a 15-year-old Cumberland County mare came up positive and had to be euthanized. Meanwhile, a 10-year-old Salem County stallion is the second case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in 2017 and is being treated. Neither horse had been vaccinated against EEE or WNV.
“We urge horse owners to maintain their vaccination schedules to prevent their animals from getting diseases like these,” said state Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher.
Most veterinarians administer the EEE and WNV vaccines as a combo with tetanus and Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE). EEE has up to a 90 percent mortality rate for horses that have not been vaccinated.
Immunization involves a two-step process for foals or horses that have never been vaccinated, with a booster shot four to six weeks after the initial vaccination. It also is recommended that horses receive an annual booster shot in the spring before mosquitoes are active or before transporting horses to a part of the country where mosquitoes are active year-round.
The first case of WNV in 2017 was a yearling colt in Gloucester County in late September. The colt was given an initial vaccination, but did not receive a booster shot. The colt is being treated. The other EEE viruses were reported in Atlantic and Cumberland counties.
EEE has a significantly higher risk of death in horses than West Nile Virus infection, with a 90 percent mortality rate for unvaccinated horses. Both viral diseases affect a horse’s neurological system and cause inflammation of the brain tissue. The diseases are transmitted by a mosquito bite. The viruses cycle between birds and mosquitoes with horses and humans being incidental hosts. EEE or WNV infections in horses are not a significant risk factor for human infection because horses (like humans) are considered to be “dead-end” hosts for the virus.
Late summer and early fall are the prime seasons for these diseases. In 2016, four cases of equine EEE occurred in New Jersey between mid-August and mid-September.
EEE and West Nile virus, like other viral diseases affecting horses’ neurological system, must be reported to the state veterinarian at 609-671-6400 within 48 hours of diagnosis. The New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory is available to assist with EEE and WNV testing and can be reached at 609-406-6999 or via email – jerseyvetlab@ag.state.nj.us.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2017
The Rutgers Equine Science Center’s annual Evening of Science & Celebration brings together equine professionals, horse and farm owners, barn managers, educators, 4-H members and other equine enthusiasts to learn about projects and research being conducted by the center.
The 2017 edition, to be held Nov. 9 from 6-9:30 p.m.at the Cook Campus Center, 59 Biel Road in New Brunswick, will feature a keynote address about Equine Assisted Activities Therapy (EAAT) by Karyn Malinowski Ph.D.
In a partnership among the Equine Science Center, Special People United to Ride (SPUR), the Monmouth County Park System’s Sunnyside Equestrian Center, Monmouth University and the Lakewood Veterans Affairs office, the study aimed to provide data on how EAAT affects horses that are interacting with humans during therapy.
A five-day pilot study in in April 2016 at Sunnyside measured the physiological indicators of stress and well-being in humans and horses. The sample collection was completed with a follow-up standing control conducted using the same horses in June 2016, when EAAT interaction was not taking place.
Titled “The Effect of EAAT on the Well-Being of Horses and Veterans Diagnosed with PTSD”, the keynote will focus on preliminary findings that will be published later this year or early next spring.
Karyn is a Professor of Animal Sciences, and the founding director of the Equine Science Center at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES), at Rutgers University. Her research and extension programs focus on improving the well-being and quality of life of the equine athlete while ensuring the vitality and viability of the equine industry, both statewide and nationally.
There will be an optional tour of the equine exercise physiology laboratory at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 6 p.m. It also will include information on equine fitness, and several awards, including the Spirit of the Horse.
The fee is $35 for adults and $15 for students. Send a check to Rutgers Equine Science Center, 57 U.S. Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
To register online, go to this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 9, 2017
Eventer Buck Davidson and I Love My Horse equestrian boutique are presenting the #LeeLeestrong golf tournament in Florida at noon Nov. 14 to benefit Lee Lee Jones, who suffered a brain injury in a riding accident.
Lee Lee, who is the stepdaughter of Olympic eventing individual bronze medalist Phillip Dutton, is back home after hospital and rehab stays. She still requires a great deal of care, however and expenses continue to mount.
For reservations at the tournament, to be held at the Country Club off Ocala, contact Terry Welsch at terrywellmet@aol.com or call 727-871-5728.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 9, 2017
The Horseshoe Bend trail ride will be held Oct. 28 in Kingwood Township to benefit Horseshoe Bend Park. You have your choice of four, eight or 12-mile rides. The latter two rides include trails that are off the park and not available the rest of the year.
There will be a raffle and a tack swap/sale. Horse water, continental breakfast and a light lunch are provided.
Please register ahead for planning purposes.Pay on the day, at the park $40 fee / person to benefit park ($35 if member of Friends of Horseshoe Bend Park). Helmets are mandatory.
For information and to pre–register, megsleeper@icloud.com
Directions: From Flemington take Route 12 west, to Kingwood (7.5 miles). At the light, turn left on
Route 519 S. Approximately two miles, just past the school on the left, turn right on Spring Hill Road. At the ‘T’
(Horseshoe Bend Rd) go straight into the park entrance. Signs will be posted. DO NOT turn onto
Horseshoe Bend Road from Route 12 – there is a narrow bridge.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 8, 2017
The Alexandria Trail Association pace Oct. 29 has been cancelled due to impending bad weather.
A statement from AEA said: “We cannot just reschedule, there are too many moving parts. Besides, we are running out of decent weather weekends.
“We have decided that we will run this new course next year, as the hard work of getting permission and working thru the issues and challenges are behind us.
“We wanted to cancel early, to save our wonderful volunteers from working two more days on the pace, only to see a washout on Sunday.
“Thank you all for your understanding. We are as disappointed as you are.”
