Making things better for horses: Doesn’t everyone who is involved with these special animals want to see that happen? But the Rutgers Equine Science Center translates the desire into action. The research with which it is involved makes a difference in the well-being of horses and in turn, those who have dedicated their lives to them, whether for sport, work or pleasure.
The Center, funded by public and private contributions, also promotes best management practices that pay off in horse health and benefits for the environment– as well as recognizing those who have made contributions to the industry.
Dr. Michael Fugaro receives the Spirit of the Horse award from Rutgers Equine Science Center Founding Director Karyn Malinowski as Amy Butewicz,, co-chair of the leadership bord, looks on. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Center’s purpose was highlighted this month in New Brunswick during its Evening of Science & Celebration, where the keynote presentation dealt with research related to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeding) in horses. The talk was delivered by Professor Ken McKeever, who holds a doctorate in animal physiology from the University of Arizona.
He is involved in researching a new drug, a Type-5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE 5), that could be an alternative to furosemide (Lasix), extensively used in racing, ostensibly to counteract respiratory bleeding. The company that put up $1.4 million for the research doesn’t want to go public at this point, and the name of the drug isn’t being revealed, since there is more research to be done.
However, the professor said, “It’s very promising, where things are going. The bottom line is that it’s a drug that reduces pulmonary artery pressure, the pressure that may be causing the capillaries to break. The next step is to see if it can actually prevent bleeding.”
After that, “It has to go to field trials and other questions the FDA (federal Food and Drug Administration) may ask,” noted the Center’s associate director of research.
He explained, “The controversy that’s out there is that Lasix (administered to bleeders on race day) doesn’t work very well. It doesn’t stop bleeding. It’s mixed as far as reducing the severity,”
The professor added, “It’s controversial, because it enhances performance.” He pointed out that in a study of 22,000 thoroughbred racehorses, the ones that were on Lasix won a greater percentage of the time.
“The best thing is to have a drug that works and doesn’t enhance performance,” he noted.
With his research into the unnamed drug, “We’re showing it has the potential to work and doesn’t affect the markers of performance.”
One of its pluses is the potential for giving it 24 hours out from a race. In most states, Lasix is administered four hours before the race.
The center’s executive director, Karyn Malinowski, cited the pressure on racing with all the breakdowns that have made headlines over the last year. She believes at some point, same-day medication will be banned “which would make this drug even more useful.” Discussing the prospect of a drug that can be given 24 hours out, she commented, “To me that’s really exciting as we continue to come under scrutiny of administering medication on race day.”
Ken McKeever called Lasix administration “the biggest controversy right now, other than the breakdowns.” He added scientific studies “strongly suggest Lasix enhances performance.”
As he pointed out, “If you lose a substantial amount of weight, you’re going to enhance performance,” and weight loss is one of the effects of using Lasix, a diuretic.
In addition, he said, it’s an alkalizing agent, functioning in the same way as a milkshake. (The milkshake used in racehorses involves several ounces of sodium bicarbonate dissolved in a gallon of water.).
“It changes the acid base status of a horse,” the professor stated.
“When you exercise really hard, people going for the burn (are) working their anaerobic side of the system. Anaerobic metabolism generates a lot of acid and so you get more acidotic. The way to counter that is by the body’s natural buffers or an alkalizing agent,” said Ken, who mentioned Lasix has a function like a milkshake.
If a horse is tested to see if it has been dosed with a milkshake, an allowance is made in the results if the animal has been given Lasix, he noted.
According to a report by veterinarian Sid Gustafson, writing about the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s hearing on race-day medication, Lasix alkalinizes horses. “The more Lasix, and the closer it is administered to the race, the more intense the alkalinization effect of Lasix.”
He reported that creates, “a competitive metabolic advantage similar to milkshaking, rendering the drug Lasix a clear and present doping agent. Lasix has significant potential to alter and enhance racehorse performance.”
Other research presented at the Evening of Celebration and Science included a study by 4-H members Skylar cooper and Morgan Wordleman, offering a little scientific drama (very cute) on whether home-made fly spray or pharmaceutical fly spray is more effective. The pharma version won. Another presentation on warm season grasses by Jennifer Weinert was part of a work in progress. The next step in the research involves the effect different grasses have on horses with metabolic conditions, such as Cushing’s Disease.
Mark Mullen and the 600-acre Fair Winds Farm in Upper Freehold Township received the Gold Medal Horse Farm Award. Although it has 40 trotting and pacing mares on the property and consigns yearlings to the Harrisburg sales, this award was presented for dedication to environmental sustainability and management. Fair Winds was cited for a number of protocols, including a well-maintained manure storage area, following state guidelines and beautiful vegetative buffers around its waterways.
Carey Williams, equine extension specialist, with Mark Mullen of Fair Winds Farm and Karyn Malinowski. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Spirit of the Horse Award, presented to someone who has made a difference for horses, went to Dr. Michael Fugaro, who has a veterinary practice in Long Valley and was recognized for his “lifelong commitment to horse care and education.”
“I was a kid who grew up in Cherry Hill, N.J., and wanted to be a small animal veterinarian,” Michael told his audience after accepting the award.
Taking a step toward pursuing his ambition, he made a cold call to a veterinarian whose name he found in the phone book.
” I’d never seen a horse or touched a horse,” recalled Michael, who remembers that Dr. David Meirs, a well-known large animal vet and Standardbred breeder, answered the phone himself.
“I said, I don't know anything about horses, but I want to go to vet school.' So he said, `Come and work with me for the summer. We’re going to halter-break babies and muck stalls,'” Michael recalled.
“We–I did that, he didn’t do that,” Michael chuckled, but that job made a difference in his life.
“It was somebody like that who just took a random cold call and offered that mentorship and guidance. I’ve tried to emulate that, I think, through my career,” he said.
“I’ve always enjoyed getting involved with the Rutgers Equine Science Center. They’ve been so supportive of allowing me to give my two cents when students would like to learn or hear what I have to gab on about,” he continued, saying when that happens, “I always think back to my start.”
Want to get involved with what the Equine Science Center has to offer? Next up, starting Jan. 21, is Carey Williams’ 14-week online equine nutrition course, which can be taken by barn managers, horse owners, trainers, feed sales reps or anyone who wants to know more about feeding their horses. To register online, go to https://ce-catalog.rutgers.edu/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=78458. For information, call 848-932-9271.
On Feb. 9, the Center’s annual in-person horse management seminar in New Brunswick will focus on race horse/sport horse care and rehabilitation.
