The horse racing world like all other areas of society continues to make changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health crisis. Most racetracks currently operating are doing so without spectators, and have instituted strict safety screening protocols for essential employees who are already on the grounds to provide daily care for horses.
Month: July 2020
Frank Conversation Shuttling To Chile For Southern Hemisphere Season
Frank Conversation, a multiple graded stakes-winning son of Quality Road (out of Rushen Heat by Unusual Heat), will shuttle to Haras Santa Sara in Santiago, Chile for the 2020 Southern Hemisphere breeding season.
Frank Conversation just completed his second year at stud at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, N.Y.
“We're thrilled with the quality of his first crop of foals, and would love to see international success for the horse,” says Rockridge Stud's Lere Visagie. “An opportunity to shuttle just seemed like a no-brainer.”
The deal was brokered by Bowling Bloodstock and Sullivan Bloodstock.
“We've had great success in the past with Santa Sara, most recently having sent Goldencents there,” says Matt Bowling of Bowling Bloodstock. “They take very good care of the horses and we think Frank will be well-received there.”
The post Frank Conversation Shuttling To Chile For Southern Hemisphere Season appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Five Key Takeaways from Haskell Weekend
Tom Pedulla presents five key takeaways from the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes on Saturday at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park and other developments this past weekend.
Botulism: A Deadly Disease
Botulism in not a disease many horse owners are familiar with—but they should be as the disease is often deadly. Caused by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, the soil-borne disease is more common in certain areas of the country, like Kentucky. The spores of the bacterium produce a neurotoxin that block the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. This results in progressive weakness that makes the horse unable to swallow. Up to 50 percent of horses that receive supportive care can die; those that get no assistance are even more likely to perish from the disease.
Horses can get botulism in three ways:
- Ingestion of decaying plant material or animal carcasses in hay or on pasture grass
- Infection through wounds
- Ingestion of spores and vegetative cells that cause Shaker Foal syndrome
There are different types of botulism: Types and B are associated with forage, while Type C is associated with the accidental ingestion of decaying animals.
A vaccination for botulism type B is available, but it is not considered a core vaccination as it is found mainly in Kentucky and the mid-Atlantic states. A horse's risk of getting the disease should be discussed with its treating veterinarian to determine if vaccination is necessary.
Foals are at particular risk of developing botulism, so pregnant mares should be vaccinated against the disease before they foal. Foals born in areas of the country where botulism abounds should receive Botulism type B toxoid at 2, 4 and 8 weeks old even if the mare was vaccinated.
There are no licensed vaccines for botulism A or C.
Read the AAEP botulism vaccination recommendations here.
Read more at Stable Management.
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