Question: You first raised the alarm about the potential drawbacks of bisphosphonate use in young racehorses several years ago now. Where are we with these drugs now?

Dr. Larry Bramlage, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital: In 2016, we began talking to our clients about a phenomenon that we were seeing more and more frequently in young racehorses. The problem was being seen in all common bone injuries that we encounter in the racehorse from dorsal cortical stress fractures to condylar fractures to the very common subchondral bone inflammation/bruising of the distal cannon bones. In some horses, orthopedic injuries were not healing or healing very slowly compared to what we expected. Clinical experience, retrospective studies of success rates, and published papers has given us pretty solid evidence of what to expect as the healing time with the treatment of the commonly encountered racehorse conditions. But suddenly some horses were taking three or four times the time expected to heal and a few never fully healed. The number of these slow healing injuries continued to grow during 2015.

As we began assessing the histories of horses where the aberrant healing was occurring, many had a history of bisphosphonate use as yearlings to improve the radiographs for sale or as a racehorse during a bout of lameness. So, we began discussing the findings and informing veterinarians, trainers, and owners of the possible detrimental side effect of bisphosphonate use. Veterinarians in many locations were making the same observations of disturbed healing and possible increased injury rates in young training horses of several breeds.

Bisphosphonates were approved in 2014. In 2015 we began to see storms of slow healing fractures and slow healing distal cannon bone subchondral bone inflammation/bruising. That led to the suspicion that bisphosphonates may be the reason.

Bone healing is a two-phase process. The bone bridges the fracture gap with new, poorly-organized bone that can be formed very quickly. Then it remodels the stabilized fracture back to the bone's pre-fracture architecture. Once the fracture gap is filled, the bone damaged by the fracture and the newly-deposited bone are removed and replaced with the appropriate trabecular or cortical bone, depending on the structure involved. This process involves two cell types — osteoclasts which remove bone and osteoblasts which make bone. As the osteoclasts remove the weak bone, the osteoblasts follow immediately behind to reconstruct the normal bone. The anatomy varies depending on which bone is injured and where it is injured, but bone is one of the few tissues capable of perfectly replacing itself when injured.

Bisphosphonates kill osteoclasts. It bonds to the surface of bone and when the osteoclasts try to remove the bone that needs to be replaced, they die after ingesting the bisphosphonate. This arrests the remodeling process and stalls bone healing by stopping the remodeling phase of healing. This is true for macro injuries such as fractures and for micro injuries which result from routine training. The injured bone can make new bone but it can't be remodeled without osteoclasts to clear the way for the osteoblasts.

So what good are bisphosphonates and why were they developed? Bisphosphonates were developed to arrest the hormone-driven bone remodeling which is common in post-menopausal women who get too little exercise. The hormonal driven remodeling removes an inappropriately large amount of bone and weakens the skeleton, especially the vertebrae, which when weakened can result in the “dowager's hump” spinal deformity. The bisphosphonates were given to prevent the removal of the bone by killing the osteoclasts.

But bisphosphonates also have another effect. They cause non-specific pain relief, analgesia, in bone. This led to their use to manage pain in bone tumors in people, especially in cancer of the spine. The mechanism is still unclear, but the analgesia is significant and non-specific so if you give it systemically it will help manage the pain no matter where the tumor is located. This analgesia led to the use of bisphosphonates to manage lameness in horses. The proposed mechanism is that it stops excessive bone remodeling in sites of lameness by arresting bone removal. Whether blocking bone re-absorption or a primary analgesia is the mechanism of action is still debated. The blocking of bone re-absorption led to use to try and increase the density in the skeleton by stopping bone loss to the remodeling process. So, bisphosphonates gained popularity to try to increase the density of bone in bone remodeling sites such as sesamoids and navicular bones. And, they became popular as the perfect lameness treatment; it is effective if the lameness originates in the bone, and you don't even have to know the site of origin.

But there is a price to be paid. Killing the osteoclasts prevented the normal bone remodeling necessary to maintain a developing skeleton (e.g., the young training racehorse). This retards adaptation to training, potentially increasing the susceptibility to injury, and it nearly arrests the remodeling process that is the second phase of bone healing in a fracture or in trauma to the bone.

The difficulty is if a horse is given bisphosphonates it binds to the interior surfaces of bone and can persist two years or more. So many horsemen weren't even aware, when a horse arrived for training, that there was a history of bisphosphonate use.

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To their credit, most horsemen and veterinarians quickly understood the risks of bisphosphonate use and the use rapidly declined over the next two years in young training horses. The drug still has a place in certain conditions in older horses, but it does not in the young training athlete. It can be dangerous to the horse's career and their resistance to injury. It is approved by the FDA for horses with navicular disease who are four years old or older.

So, where are we now? Sales companies and racing jurisdictions have stepped in and outlawed the use of bisphosphonates in most venues. Currently we still see an occasional horse with a fracture that shows disturbed healing but there is nowhere near the incidence of the problem that was occurring in 2015 and 2016. Veterinarians, owners, farm managers and trainers appear to have mitigated the use of bisphosphonates and should be credited with their response to protect the health and welfare of the horses. Sales companies and regulatory agencies have done their part and the current situation appears to be generally free from bisphosphonate use in the young growing and training horses. A horse that we suspect is showing signs of bisphosphonate treatment in the past still presents occasionally, but not regularly any longer. I suspect bisphosphonates are still intermittently used when a horse does not respond to common treatments.

To all of our credit, this has been a positive response to an initially unknown complication of treatment that was detrimental to the racehorse. For all of the things we wring our hands about that we have trouble changing, this is one we could, and did, circumvent for our good and for the good of our athletes.

Larry Bramlage is a 1975 graduate of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and received a Master of Science degree from Ohio State (MS) in 1978. He holds a Diploma of the American College of Veterinary Surgery (Diplomate ACVS). 

Bramlage is an internationally recognized equine orthopedic surgeon, and is a senior surgeon at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. He is a past President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

In recognition of his dedication and contribution to Thoroughbred racing, Bramlage was awarded the 1994 Jockey Club Gold Medal for contributions to Thoroughbred Racing in the United States. He is also a past chairman of the Research Advisory Committee of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors for that organization. His additional honors include the 1997 Tierlink Hochmoor Prize for his work regarding the internal fixation of fractures, the 1998 distinguished alumnus award from The Ohio State University, Alumni Fellow Award from Kansas State University, a British Equine Veterinary Association's Special Award of Merit, and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Legends award for the development of the fetlock arthrodesis procedure for horses in 2009, and the Thoroughbred Club Testimonial Award in 2014. He has received the American Association of Equine Practitioners Distinguished Service Award twice. He was elected to membership in the Jockey Club in 2002 and to Distinguished Lifetime Membership in the American Association of Equine Practitioners in 2010.

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Question: Hay nets or hay on the ground – which is better for the horse's respiratory tract?

Dr. Kate Christie, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital: The hay net can be a useful tool in equine management. It can limit hay wasting, slow down horses who eat large volumes of hay quickly, and be a great way to make a smaller volume of hay last longer when trying to achieve weight loss. Ensuring horses have consistent access to forage may also have some benefit in managing and preventing gastric ulceration. So, should all horses use a hay net? The answer, as always, is that it depends on the situation and the individual horse.

Despite their advantages, hay nets are not appropriate in all cases. Studies have shown increased airborne particulate exposure in horses fed from hay nets as compared to those fed hay on the ground, making them less suitable for horses with inflammatory airway conditions unless the hay is steamed prior to feeding. Hay nets may also force the horse to eat in unnatural positions, adding stress and strain to the back and neck. The raised hay net also prevents the horse from eating in a natural grazing position, which may present a problem for those horses who are unable to properly protect their airway, such as those horses who have undergone surgery for laryngeal hemiplegia or roarers.

Special consideration should also be given to horses with ophthalmologic issues, as very high hay nets may increase the risk of corneal ulceration and contamination. This may be a larger problem during shipping when hay nets are often hung high and windy conditions may lead to hay and particulate matter getting in the eyes.

As with any piece of equipment, care should be taken to ensure that the hay net is safe to use. Hay nets should be avoided in stalls with mares and foals, as foals are particularly adept at getting their feet stuck places they do not belong. Small hole hay nets may be safer, but care should always to be taken to make sure they stay full as an empty hay net can cause more harm than good. Special consideration should also be given to horses with shoes – it is not unheard of for a horse to catch a shoe in a hay net and become stuck.

Overall, the decision to use or not use a hay net is an individual choice. Hay wasting, weight loss, and concerns for gastric ulceration may be good reasons to choose to use a hay net. Horses with abnormal throats, ophthalmologic disease, or those accident-prone friends of ours who are always getting stuck places may be a little bit safer grazing from the ground. With so many options available, there is a solution for every horse. As always, if you have questions or concerns about using a hay net, ask your veterinarian.

Dr. Kate Christie grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she developed her love of horses, actively competing in the show hunter world and watching Standardbred racing with her grandfather. She received her undergraduate degree in life sciences as well as a master's degree in pharmacology and toxicology from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where she continued her riding career and further developed a passion for veterinary medicine. Kate graduated from the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and went on to complete a year-long rotating hospital internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital (2014-15) prior to entering a Large Animal Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Georgia. She became boarded in large animal internal medicine in 2018 at the completion of her residency program. Kate remained at the University of Georgia as a clinical associate professor for one year and is excited to be returning to Lexington to join the Rood and Riddle internal medicine team. Her professional interests include gastrointestinal disease, infectious and non-infectious respiratory disease, and equine pharmacology. Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending as much time as possible with her retired show jumper, Skye. When not in the saddle, she enjoys trail running, hiking, and traveling with her husband.

The post Ask Your Veterinarian Presented By Kentucky Performance Products: Hay In Nets Vs. Hay On The Ground appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Question: Some horses can be really “stoic” when they're experiencing pain or illness. How can an owner pick up on subtle signs of pain in a stoic horse?

Dr. Jordan Kiviniemi-Moore, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital: Stoicism has an evolutionary advantage for horses, as it helps them avoid being singled out by predators. As such, horses may conceal substantial levels of pain and carry on without dramatic symptoms, making it easy to miss subtle signs that reflect underlying discomfort. It is also important to recognize that certain common signs such as stiff movement or a squinty eye are in fact a reflection of pain, even if the horse is bright, eating, and otherwise behaving normally.

Knowing what is “normal” for a particular horse will help owners pick up on small cues that may indicate an issue. Horse owners may notice subtle changes in behavior such as decreased enthusiasm for feed, slower or reluctant movement, or uncharacteristic separation from the rest of the herd or group of horses. The horse may become “girthy” or fussy when being bridled, or very reactive under saddle. Such behavior alterations can also occur in the absence of physical discomfort, but ruling out underlying pain and physical causes should be among the first steps in investigating behavior changes or training issues.

Additional signs of generalized underlying pain include lethargy, low head carriage or abnormal posture, shifting weight, and bruxism or teeth grinding. The “horse grimace scale” was developed by researchers who correlated pain levels with changes in equine facial expressions such as squinting, stiffly backward ears, and strained mouth and nostrils. This is particularly helpful to assess discomfort following medical procedures or for horses suffering from ongoing issues such as chronic lameness.

Learn more about the horse grimace scale here.

Subtle signs of pain often correlate with the underlying issue and affected body system. In my practice I most commonly see horses dealing with musculoskeletal and hoof pain, gastrointestinal pain, and ocular pain. Dental pain is also quite common and can be difficult to recognize. Musculoskeletal pain often manifests as an altered gait (i.e., stiffness or limping), failure to keep up with the group of horses, and lying down excessively. Horses suffering from ocular pain may squint one or both eyes or have increased redness or discharge. Of course, the more severe manifestation of gastrointestinal pain is overt colic signs such rolling, pawing, sweating, and flank-watching, but more subtle signs include decreased appetite, lethargy, and grinding teeth. Horses suffering from dental pain may become fussy with the bit, drop feed, act reluctant to accept treats, or seem to chew predominately on one side of their mouth.

Horses have evolved to eat, watch for predators, run when needed, and keep up with their social group, and most will attempt to maintain and preserve these activities even in the face of discomfort. If you notice uncharacteristic behaviors or changes with your horse your veterinarian can help you assess comfort level and also examine for underlying painful conditions. Together you can construct a plan to evaluate problems and optimize performance and quality of life for your horse.

Dr. Kiviniemi-Moore grew up in Lexington, Ky., pleasure riding and dreaming of becoming a veterinarian. Living in central Kentucky presented Dr. Kiviniemi-Moore with wonderful opportunities from local veterinarians who fostered her desire to become one herself.

In 2010 she graduated from Transylvania University with a BA in Biology and earned her DVM from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. She completed a rotating equine internship which included internal medicine, surgery, and ambulatory rotations at the University Of Missouri College Of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Her areas of interest include theriogenology and primary care.

The post Ask Your Veterinarian Presented By Kentucky Performance Products: How To Pick Up On Signs Of Discomfort From A Stoic Horse appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Question: What are some of the differences in treatment and prognosis for laminitis vs. navicular syndrome?

Dr. Craig Lesser, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital: Having the diagnosis of laminitis or navicular syndrome can be terrifying. The diagnosis of either disease has traditionally been considered to be career-ending. However, in recent years with advances in medicine and farriery, many of these horses can return to their previous careers.

The diseases are, in many ways, polar opposites. Most laminitis cases involve inflammation of the dorsal lamina and pain in the toe, whereas navicular syndrome exhibits pain in the back half of the foot.

There are a variety of medical treatments to help reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease. However, mechanical stabilization in the form of therapeutic farriery is essential for a positive outcome. The basics of therapeutic farriery are to transfer loads away from structures that hurt to structures that can handle the extra load.

In regards to laminitis, this means protecting and unweighting the toe and recruiting the frog and bar into load sharing, in addition to decreasing the tension on the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), which is pulling against the inflamed lamina, causing the rotation. Early intervention is critical. When the condition is treated aggressively before there are any radiographic changes, we will hopefully prevent rotation and get us back to performance faster. However, once there is rotation, it takes a full year for a new healthy hoof to grow out completely. While shoeing these horses, it is essential to have your veterinarian and farrier work together and be willing to change the plan depending on the horses' response to therapy. There are many different shoeing options with varying application techniques, making treatment very much an art, and what has worked for one horse may not work for the next.

Horses with navicular syndrome can have many of the same concepts apply. Reducing concussion through the back half of the foot, where they are painful, can be achieved with various applications, including pads, heel plates, or floating of certain aspects of the foot. Reduction in the tension of the DDFT as it runs over the navicular bone is often vital, as the tendon uses the bone as a fulcrum for leverage. This can be achieved with stagnant wedges or mechanical wedges with something like a rocker shoe. However, no matter what is placed on the foot as an apparatus, if the trim isn't correct, they will not function properly, which is why sometimes radiographs can be helpful in guiding this therapy.

Suppose your horse is diagnosed with either of these. In that case, it is important to be aggressive not only with medical therapies but also with mechanical therapies to ensure your athlete makes it back into performance or even so that they have a long and healthy life.

Dr. Craig Lesser, CF graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015.  Following the completion of an internship at Anoka Equine, he moved to Lexington to complete a podiatry fellowship at RREH and has continued with us as an associate. As an extension of podiatry Dr. Lesser has an interest in lameness and imaging. 

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Question: How do you know when to call a veterinarian for a laceration versus treating/patching it up yourself?

Dr. Daniel Devis, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital: Cuts, punctures, flesh wounds, slashes, etc. they have many nicknames, but in veterinary medicine, we know them as “lacerations.”

And what exactly is a laceration?  Well, the dictionary defines it as a tear or cut of the skin, unlike an abrasion that does not penetrate the surface of the skin. A laceration usually involves a sharp object that can penetrate deeply into the soft tissue, even into the bone, but it can also be caused by blunt trauma (i.e., running through a fence).

Lacerations are a very common type of injury that can happen at any time or place – mostly when you least expect it, during a busy time of the year, or just when you thought the horses were safe and sound in their stalls. All it needs is a nail to be out of place, a fallen fence, or even a bite from another animal to cause an emergency call to your veterinarian.

Lacerations come in all sizes and shapes, from very bloody and unpleasant looking to simple insignificant scratches. But how do you know when to call a veterinarian for a laceration repair? Well, first of all, having good communication with your personal veterinarian is key. Regardless of the situation, if in doubt, always ask.

Blood can be very dramatic to the inexperienced eye but it can be a good indicator as to how urgent the situation is. If you find your horse with a bloodstain on it but you cannot pinpoint the origin and it is no longer actively bleeding, then you can probably take a breath. If there is a continual drip of blood or even a stream, then you must take immediate action. (We call this triage.) Having a plan in these situations is crucial. Again, if in doubt, always call your veterinarian.

Having a first aid kit that includes (at least) rubbing alcohol, chlohrexidine soap or similar, clean gauze, and plenty of bandage material is extremely important. Talk to your veterinarian and together build a kit that could be used in case of emergency. Most veterinarians will encourage you to try to stop the bleeding with some sort of gauze or a clean towel. The horse will probably be in distress, so caution is advised.

Photographs can go a long way when consulting with your veterinarian initially. Make sure to take photos from different angles so your veterinarian can advise you further. Usually, having your own hand or a common object in the picture next to the wound is helpful for your veterinarian to determine the dimension and gravity of the laceration.

Cleaning the wound, or at least keeping it from getting more contaminated, is very important. Communicate with your veterinarian, he or she should be able to guide you until help comes.

We do not recommend you attempt to try and suture a laceration on your own! There is a reason why we go to veterinary school for so long, so please call us. The risk of infection is high when dealing with any type of skin wound. Complications can affect future soundness and quality of life for your horse.

Complicated lacerations include but are not limited to: wounds affecting the abdomen and or thorax (especially if any important organs are exposed), injuries that involve a joint compartment, lacerations that involve the eye or close to it, any tendon or ligament exposure as well as any tendon sheath or bursa penetrations, even if there is no lameness noted at the time.

If you find your horse with a laceration, please catch the animal and examine the situation, if there is active bleeding, then call your veterinarian, take pictures from different angles and try to keep it clean, bandage the area if possible until help comes.

Unfortunately there is no “one size fits all” on this subject, which is why having a plan of action and a first aid kit at your barn could de-escalate the situation.

Dr. Daniel Devis was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. He acquired an interest in horses at a young age at his parents' farm, where his dad taught him everything about the traditional Colombian cowboy style riding, herding cattle and roping.

He attended San Martin University in Bogotá, and received his veterinary medicine and animal husbandry degree in 2012. Daniel completed a year-and-a-half rotating internship in surgery and anesthesia, followed by a two-year fellowship in equine lameness and diagnostic imaging, both at Lexington Equine Surgery & Sports Medicine. Devis obtained his American veterinary license in 2017. His areas of interest are show horses, pre-purchase exams, and basic ambulatory work.

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Question: What are three things you should watch out for on a pre-sale radiograph of a yearling you're hoping to buy for racing?

Dr. Kathleen Paasch, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital: After looking at dozens of sale yearlings you've narrowed your list down to a handful. Now for the vetting. It would be wonderful if it were as simple as avoiding only three radiographic issues but of course, it's not that easy. There are far more than three areas of consideration. And, like radiographs, these issues are not often not black and white but infinite shades of grey.

Just as assessment of physical characteristics and pedigrees is subjective, radiographic interpretation (and subsequent recommendations) are also subjective. Generally, we are more tolerant of various radiographic abnormalities in yearlings bought to race as opposed to those for re-sale but there are some lesions that are best avoided. The following are three examples of findings that would make a yearling a poor prospect for racing.

Significant Changes in the Distal Radiocarpal Bone:

The radiocarpal bone is located on the medially (inside) of the middle carpal joint (knee). It bears a considerable amount of weight and stress at speed. A yearling that already has marked changes here is not a good bet to hold up for racing.

Mention the words 'stifle OCD' and many will immediately remove that yearling from consideration. However, stifle OCDs come in various locations and sizes and do not all carry the same degree of risk. Multiple graded stakes horses have had stifle OCDs. That said, large OCDs that involve a significant amount of joint surface should be avoided.

Severe Tarsal Arthritis:

Many yearlings have mild and insignificant changes to the lower joints of their tarsi (hocks). However, a foal's tarsal bones can become irreparably crushed and malformed, leading to performance limiting degenerative joint disease as a yearling/adult.

These examples are in no way a comprehensive list of findings to avoid. They are extreme examples and radiographic findings are rarely so clear-cut.

It is important to note that milder variations of the above may be perfectly acceptable for racing (e.g., small OCDs, mild carpal or tarsal changes). As with other aspects of buying yearlings, radiographic findings often involve a series of compromises. To this end, when purchasing yearlings, buyers should work with a veterinarian whom they trust and who is familiar with their interests and level of risk tolerance.

Dr. Kathleen Paasch received her veterinary degree from Washington State University in 1999 and completed an internship with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in 2000. She is now a shareholder and ambulatory veterinarian at the hospital, where she specializes in lameness, diagnostic imaging, and acupuncture.

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Question: When it comes to putting broodmares under lights for cycling are overhead lights or mask lights better? And why does it work?

Dr. Peter Sheerin, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital: In many breeds, Jan. 1 is considered the birthdate for all horses in the breed, no matter when they are born. This can put late-born foals at a disadvantage when competing or at yearling sales. Because of this, many breeders want their mares to foal as early as possible.

The horse is considered a long day breeder, meaning they are cycling when the days are longer. Mares left at natural conditions in the Northern Hemisphere will typically start cycling late March to early April. Mares further north will start cycling later than mares closer to the equator. Researchers determined that by artificially increasing the day length and the amount of light that mares were exposed to, one could get mares to cycle earlier. Mares did not begin to cycle for 60 to 75 days after the beginning of exposure to longer days. So, for a breeding season that starts Feb. 15, one would start lights Dec. 1 at the latest.

They also determined that light alone was not the only factor that influenced when the mares would begin cycling. Temperature and body condition also played a role. Mares in colder environments began cycling later than mares in warmer environments. Thin mares began cycling later than mares in good body condition. It was also discovered that mares needed 14.5 to 16 hours of daylight to respond to the light therapy and that the light must be added in the evening. Using this information, it was suggested mares be kept under lights in a barn until approximately 11 p.m. There are some variations to this regime that can be used, but they require more effort with respect to gradually adjusting the start exposure to correspond with sunset or a shorter period of light nine hours after the onset of darkness.

With that background, we get to your question: Which is better, overhead lights or light masks? The answer is it depends. With overhead lights, the mares are in stalls or in a catch pen for an extended period. You can turn them out when the lights go off, but there is increased labor involved with turnout, cleaning stalls, more hay and straw used, cost of disposal of extra dirty bedding, and higher electric bills, among other things. If mares are in a catch pen outside under lights some considerations include: do you have enough lights that they are exposed to sufficient intensity of light for the entire time and are the temperatures extreme enough to influence when they start cycling. The light masks (Equilume®) have an initial cost to purchase and then an annual cost to replace the light source. There is also the issue of weather conditions that need to be considered.

Both systems work well. You will just need to put pencil to paper to determine which works best for you. A few considerations include: how many mares you want to start cycling early, what your facilities are like, what your labor costs are, and what your weather conditions are like.

Dr. Sheerin was born and raised in New York City. His first experience with horses was soon after his family moved to Lagrangeville, a small town north of the city. He began working on a Thoroughbred breeding farm where he gained experience in all aspects of the Thoroughbred industry. During high school, he also competed on the varsity crew team, and his love of rowing took him to Syracuse University where he majored in biology.

Following graduation, Dr. Sheerin moved to Florida to manage a small Thoroughbred breeding farm in Ocala. Several years later, he began graduate research in equine reproductive physiology at the University of Florida under mentor Dr. Dan Sharp while managing the endocrinology lab at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sheerin then entered veterinary school, where he expanded his interest in theriogenology, particularly large animal theriogenology.

Dr. Sheerin became board certified in theriogenology in 2001 upon completion of his residency at the University of Florida.. He is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Society for Theriogenology. Dr. Sheerin has lectured both nationally and internationally on the reproductive aspects of the mare and stallion.

Dr. Sheerin and his wife Barb have three daughters.

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The latest issue of the Back Ring is now online, ahead of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale.

The Back Ring is the Paulick Report's bloodstock newsletter, released ahead of, and during, every major North American Thoroughbred auction. Seeking to expand beyond the usual pdf presentation, the Back Ring offers a dynamic experience for bloodstock content, heavy on visual elements and statistics to appeal to readers on all platforms, especially mobile devices.

Here is what's inside this issue…

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ISSUE OF THE BACK RING

• Lead Feature, Presented By Gainesway: Myra Lewyn dives into the history of the picturesque Xalapa Farm near Paris, Ky., that was used as a shooting location for “Seabiscuit,” and was recently acquired by Hill 'n' Dale Farms.
• Stallion Spotlight, Presented By New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.: A discussion on the veteran New York sire Bustin Stones, who was deemed “the most underrated stallion in the country” by Richard Migliore.
• Ask Your Veterinarian, Presented By Kentucky Performance Products: Dr. Peter Sheerin of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital explains the difference between putting broodmares under overhead lights or a mask light, and how the light process effects a mare's cycle.
• Pennsylvania Leaderboard, Presented By Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association: For a third straight year, Blackstone Farm was Pennsylvania's leader by state breeder awards. Stakes winner Dance Code was one of the many on-track successes that got them there.
• Indiana Yearling Spotlight, Presented By Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance: An analysis of Hip 400, an Indiana-bred yearling by Spendthrift Farm's Goldencents, who will be offered at this year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale.
• Best Of The Breeders, Presented By Muirfield Insurance: Thanks to a pair of top-level victories by the hot 3-year-old Newgrange, the partnership of Jack Mandato and Black Rock Stable ended January with a razor-thin lead among breeders of graded stakes winners.
• First-Crop Sire Watch: Stallions whose first crops of yearlings are represented in the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale, including the number of horses cataloged and the farm where the stallion is currently advertised.

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ISSUE OF THE BACK RING

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Question: What, if any, special considerations should owners have for wintertime hoof care?

Dr. Craig Lesser, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital: Winter in Kentucky, aka mud season, can have some challenges when it comes to your horse's feet. Feet tend to start growing slower and are often saturated in mud without a chance to dry out. This can result in a variety of issues that you should keep an eye out for.

White line disease is a mixed anaerobic bacterial infection that occurs within the hoof wall. Mild infections can be picked up by your farrier and can be treated without much change in your horse's work. However. in more severe cases radiographs and large resections may be necessary to open the infected area up to oxygen and allow for debridement and treatment of the infection.

Bruises and subsolar abscesses are also very common in the winter due to the changes in weather and temperature. The hard to soft ground can soften feet and make them more prone to concussion-related injuries, and this constant swelling and contracting can open areas for infections to fester. Horses with abscesses present acutely lame and once drainage is established, they return to soundness quickly. However, it is very important to protect the abscess tract from filling back up with mud or your horse may re-abscess.

Retracted soles are often a problem with thin-soled feet. They result when mud builds up in the sole and eventually builds enough pressure to force the cornified sole up into the soft tissue structures of the sole of the foot. This can lead to seroma or abscess formation and if not treated properly they often lead to severe complications.

While we don't usually get much snow in Kentucky, horses in more northern regions can have issues with snow and ice building up in their shoes. The formation of large balls of ice on the bottom of a horse's foot can make it difficult for horses to walk. Many farriers will add snow pads to help with this, but nothing is as helpful as ensuring you pick out your horse's feet daily.

Horses with softened feet that are turned out in the mud are also more prone to losing shoes. An increase in the number of lost shoes as well as the decreased growth can make a farrier's job more difficult this time of year.

It is vital that you check your horse's feet daily and make sure to pick them out so they have a chance to dry and recover. If not, it could lead to some much scarier conditions such as canker, septic pedal osteitis, or even quittor.

Dr. Craig Lesser, CF graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Following the completion of an internship at Anoka Equine, he moved to Lexington to complete a podiatry fellowship at RREH and has continued there as an associate. As an extension of podiatry, Dr. Lesser has an interest in lameness and imaging. 

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The latest issue of the Back Ring is now online, ahead of the Keeneland January Sale.

The Back Ring is the Paulick Report's bloodstock newsletter, released ahead of, and during, every major North American Thoroughbred auction. Seeking to expand beyond the usual pdf presentation, the Back Ring offers a dynamic experience for bloodstock content, heavy on visual elements and statistics to appeal to readers on all platforms, especially mobile devices.

Here is what's inside this issue…

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ISSUE OF THE BACK RING

• Lead Feature, presented by Gainesway: Bloodstock editor Joe Nevills makes five fearless predictions for the bloodstock market in 2022 in his “Making Claims” column.
• Stallion Spotlight, presented by New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.: The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Stallion Season Auction is a crucial fundraiser for the breed organization each year, but the 2022 renewal reaches even further to help those recovering from the December tornadoes in Kentucky.
• Ask Your Veterinarian, presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Dr. Craig Lesser of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital explains what horse owners should take into consideration to protect hooves during the winter months.
• Pennsylvania Leaderboard, presented by Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association: How Li'lbito'charm, a daughter of Smarty Jones, brought in six figures worth of Pennsylvania incentive earnings for her connections in 2021 without entering a single stakes race.
• First-Crop Sire Watch: Stallions whose first crops of yearlings are represented in the Keeneland January Sale, including the number of horses cataloged and the farm where the stallion is currently advertised.

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ISSUE OF THE BACK RING

The post Predicting The Future Of The Bloodstock Market: The Back Ring, Keeneland January appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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