Diversity | Horse Racing Free Tips

Is Colic The Only Reason For Bacterial Changes In The Gut? Probably Not

It's long been known that the best way to prevent ulcers in horses is to make sure they have something to eat—preferably forage—nearly constantly. But what happens if feed and hay are withheld to not exacerbate a problem, like colic?

Drs. Jaclyn Willette, Dipti Pitta, Nagaraju Indugu, Bonnie Vecchiarelli, Meagan Hennessy, Tamara Dobbie and Louise Southwood found that the bacterial population of a horse's gut changes if he has been without food for at least 10 hours.

Chronic gastrointestinal disease leads to a decrease in variety of bacterial species in the gut of humans and cattle; the same is thought to be true for horses.

The bacteria in a colicking horse's gut is distinctly different from that in a healthy horse's gut. While this could be related to intestinal problems and inflammation that is leading to the colic epsiode, other factors could be at play, including withholding feed, which is an essential tool in managing a horse with colic.

The study team used eight mares for a crossover study that withheld nearly all feed for 24 hours and then allowed each horse free-choice timothy hay for 24 hours. The horses had access to water at all times.

The researchers found that bacteria richness and diversity were significantly lower 10 to 24 hours after the fast began. This limited bacterial population persisted for 2 to 12 hours after the horses were given access to hay. The horse's gut returned to normal 18 to 24 hours after the hay was reintroduced.

The team concluded that the effect of withholding feed should be considered when interpreting data on species and amount of gut bacteria in horses. Their findings may help locate markers that will lead to the development therapeutic interventions for horses that are colicking.

Read the study here.

DiRSG Annual Update Published

The 2020 Annual Update from the Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG) was published on Monday. The report highlights the importance of capitalising on the current momentum within British racing to continue to work together for a more diverse and inclusive sport. Funded by the Racing Foundation, the DiRSG report also contains discussion of ethnic diversity within racing in light of the worldwide conversation about race and racism seen this year, highlights a number of important individual milestones as well as the launch of a wide variety of industry initiatives around diversity and inclusion. The publication also reviews the progress of the DiRSG against its objectives for 2020 whilst setting out the group’s priority actions for 2021. New members of the DiRSG include Scottish Racing Academy Manager Eleanor Boden, Hong Kong Jockey Club Veterinarian Dr. Cedric Chan, PhD Candidate, Self-Employed Researcher David Letts and Gareth Wesley, Head of Innovation at Brand Dynamics. BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust will step down at the end of the year.

Rose Grissell, British racing’s Head of Diversity and Inclusion, said, “Despite the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has seen positive stories created and impactful actions being undertaken across British racing. Individual milestones achieved on track, in particular Hollie Doyle’s incredible achievements, have continued to take racing to wider audiences. More so, the launch of a raft industry initiatives and the recent public focus on diversity issues have created real momentum behind the drive to make racing for everyone. We know that racing will be a better, stronger and more sustainable sport if we are able to attract a more diverse audience and a workforce that represents wider society.

“We are grateful for the Racing Foundation’s continued support, which will allow the group to work with the industry to continue the good progress made this year. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the group, in particular those who have stepped down this year, for their time and efforts, as well as former Chair Nick Rust for all his work in helping to establish and guide the group since its formation.”

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Normarie Santiago Cruz First Recipient Of Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship

The board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce Normarie Santiago Cruz as the first recipient of three annual scholarships. In memory of Gerry Dilger, our scholarships are awarded to promote and encourage young people, as they embark on a career in the bloodstock industry.

Normarie has been selected by the board to receive funding and assistance to enable her to travel to Ireland in 2021, and enroll in the world-famous National Stud course in Kildare. She is a former KEMI student, and is pursuing a degree in Animal Science in her native country at the University of Puerto Rico. The foundation was set up in Gerry's memory to continue the great work he had undertaken over many years to encourage and inspire young people through his Dromoland Farm nursery in Lexington, Kentucky.

“Normarie's profile and personality was exactly what Gerry looked for, and helped nurture in a young person seeking further knowledge and life experience in the horse business,” remarked Erin Dilger. “Her spirit embodies Gerry's vision, and we know she genuinely appreciates and will embrace this deserved opportunity. The foundation is extremely grateful to the Irish National Stud for their support of this scholarship as Gerry himself was a 1977 graduate of its course.”

Normarie stated: “I'm very thankful and excited to receive the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship. I feel very lucky and blessed to have this opportunity to visit Ireland, and work in the equine industry. This type of experience is not available in Puerto Rico.”

The two additional scholarships sponsored by the foundation will award work placement in Kentucky for selected students from University College Dublin and the University of Limerick, and will be announced at a later date.

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NTWAB Pleges $5,000 To Diversity-Focused Legacy Equine Academy

The National Turf Writers And Broadcasters pledged $5,000 to the Lexington, Ky.-based Legacy Equine Academy Inc., a unique program that allows African American and racially diverse Middle and High School students the unique opportunity to build life skills while learning horsemanship through exposure to the many opportunities on farms and in the horse racing industry.

The donation comes in light of the NTWAB's decision to cancel what would have been the 61st annual Awards Dinner held in advance of the upcoming Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course.

The NTWAB annually makes donations of a similar cumulative amounts to charities in the names of its award winners and encourages other industry organizations and stakeholders to support the Legacy Equine Academy, which has already partnered with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Dean's office, Kentucky Community and Technical College, Midway College, Fayette County Public Schools along with many other equine related enthusiasts in the corporate community.

“The NTWAB officers and board voted unanimously in the spring and gained the support of its general membership at our meeting prior to the Kentucky Derby to make a significant, one-time donation to a group that benefits both the industry and the community,” said Tom Law, NTWAB President and Managing Editor of ST Publishing Inc. “We hope this donation helps and can open doors to a segment of the community that is not only underrepresented in the racing industry but also in possession of great potential to improve the game on many levels. We could not be more proud to support an organization like the Legacy Equine Academy.”

Through its relationship with Fayette County Public Schools, the Legacy Equine Academy recruits students who are then tagged as a “Legacy Leaders” at the Middle School level. Academy members then identify the targeted students interested in the equine industry and works to ensure their candidacy for Locust Trace multi-level curriculum during their High School years, creating a pipeline toward developing future farm and racing industry professionals.

“We are so appreciative of the NTWAB for its support and advocacy of our mission,” said Ron Mack, founder and director of the Legacy Equine Academy. “We look to continue to create a pathway and a pipeline for young people into the equine industry.”

The NTWAB, which consists of more than 180 professional racing journalists, plans to resume celebrating the industry and its participants at its 61st Awards Dinner prior to the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

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