Tag: Horse Care

Considering the series of major outbreaks of equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) and its sequel EHM in North America and Europe over the past decade, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation issued a special call for research proposals to address the issue.

EHV-1 and EHM are highly contagious, affecting horses of every breed and discipline, and they continue to cause significant economic losses through closures of racetracks and sales barns, delays in training schedules, and severe disease and death of horses.

After a thorough review process by the foundation's veterinarian advisory committee, two research proposals were selected for funding. The projects, led by Gisela Soboll Hussey of Michigan State University and Bettina Wagner of Cornell University, aim to develop novel nucleic acid vaccines to protect horses from EHV-1/EHM and EHV-4.

Soboll Hussey's project is titled, “Use of nucleic acid vaccines to protect from EHV-1/EHM,” and it will last three years. Her objective is to develop a novel mRNA-based EHV vaccine that protects horses from EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy, a method that will likely cross-protect horses against other types of equine herpesviruses.

Wagner's project, titled, “A novel DNA vaccine platform to control EHV-1 and EHV-4,” will span two years and aims to develop an effective DNA vaccine for EHV-1 to protect horses against infection and disease, working to prevent catastrophic EHV outbreaks in the future.

Total funding for the projects of $1,885,436 was provided by special donor Dr. John Ballantyne and Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation.

“I am excited to support these important research efforts to combat the devastating impact of EHV-1 on equine health,” Dr. Ballantyne said.

Dell Hancock, chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, added, “The work of our research advisory committee is timely and essential. We look forward to working with these institutions to develop these vaccines and protect the equine industry from the devastating effects of EHV-1 and EHM.”

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. Since 1940, the foundation has provided more than $40 million to fund more than 426 projects at 45 universities in North America and overseas. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

The post Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Approves Funding For EHV-1, EHM Vaccine Research appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Celebrating the organization's 40th anniversary in 2023, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) will be hosting a charity golf event at the Nevel Meade Golf Course in Prospect, Kentucky on April 18th. This will be the first year for this fundraiser which has been organized by Goshen-based TRF volunteers, Robin and Ted Mizerak, who are the event Co-Chairs along with Honorary Co-Chairs Dale and Tammy Romans. Celebrity golfers will include Brian Hernandez, David Cohen, Joel Rosario and Joe Rocco Jr. among others.

The “Tee Off for Thoroughbreds” event has been generously underwritten by Platinum Sponsor, BMW of Louisville; Gold Sponsor, Restaurant Depot; and hole sponsors See Spot Grooming, State Farm, Hermitage Farm, Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, Oldham County Tourism, Dark Horse CPAs, John and Kelly Boyd, Joe Kemetz and Ted Mizerak, Puritan Bakeries and Churchill Downs Incorporated.

The event will begin with 12:30pm registration and Chick-fil-A lunch, followed by a shotgun start at 2:00pm. An award ceremony will follow the conclusion of play. Included in the registration fee are greens fees, cart, lunch, range balls, a sleeve of TRF logo golf balls, an embroidered green golf shirt with TRF logo, a TRF baseball hat and more.

Prizes will be given for the 1st, 2nd and last place foursomes along with the longest drive and closest to the pin. Raffle tickets will be sold for the Justin Thomas line drive, mulligans, and a variety of fun and popular pet, golf and dining-themed raffle baskets. A silent auction of unique horse-racing themed items including a jockey-signed Woodford Reserve bourbon barrel and a morning on the backstretch with Dale Romans will help raise funds to support the TRF herd of 425 retired Thoroughbreds.

Limited golfer registrations remain available. To register visit https://www.trfinc.org/event/golf-april-2023/

About TRF: Founded in 1983 and currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a national organization devoted to saving Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete at the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter. As the oldest Thoroughbred rescue in the country, the TRF provides lifelong sanctuary to retired Thoroughbreds throughout their lifetime. In 2023, the TRF celebrates four decades of Saving Horses and Changing Lives with gratitude for all who have made this possible.

Best known for its pioneering TRF Second Chances Program, the organization provides incarcerated individuals with life-changing vocational training through its accredited equine care and stable management program. At eight correctional facilities across the US, including one juvenile justice facility, this program offers second careers to its horses and a second chance at life for program graduates upon release from prison. The TRF has three farms in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with two located in Oldham County and one at the Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington. For more information visit: www.trfinc.org

The post Tee Off For Thoroughbreds: Kentucky Charity Golf Event To Benefit Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Ky., will host its 18th Annual Homecoming event on Sunday, May 7th, 2023 from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Homecoming event tickets are $40 for the general public and $20 for Old Friends Clubhouse members (children 12 and under are free). For tickets, go to www.oldfriendsequine.org or CLICK HERE.

The day will include a barbecue buffet lunch provided by Proud Mary, farm tours, live Bluegrass music, and live and silent auctions of racing memorabilia, collectible stallion halters, artwork, jewelry, books, and much more. There will also be an art sale in the shed near the office.

Old Friends, a non-profit organization, is home to such retired luminaries of the turf as 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Silver Charm; multiple graded-stakes winner, Lava Man; Belmont Stakes winners Touch Gold, Sarava, Birdstone, and Ruler On Ice; three-time Santa Anita Handicap winner, Game On Dude; 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf and Arlington Million winner, Little Mike; 2005 Wood Memorial winner Bellamy Road; one-eyed, fan-favorite and third-place finisher in the 2017 Belmont Stakes, Patch; and two-time Breeders' Cup Sprint winner, Stormy Liberal.

The event is rain or shine. For additional information please call the farm at (502) 863-1775.

Old Friends 18th Annual Homecoming

Sunday, May 7, 2023

12:00 p.m. (noon) – 4:00 p.m.

Old Friends Farm

1841 Paynes Depot Rd

Georgetown, Ky. 40324

The post Old Friends Schedules 18th Annual Homecoming Event For Sunday, May 7 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

It can be disconcerting to non-horse people to see horses race in blinkers. Unless the equipment is fully understood, it's easy to assume that the horses simply cannot see. 

Blinkers prevent the horse from seeing to the rear or side; they help keep the horse focused on racing instead of on what's happening around him. 

In a recent video from Parx Racing, track announcer Jessica Paquette discusses the various types of blinkers with trainer Ed Coletti and what they are used for. 

The post Trainer Ed Coletti Discusses Benefits Of Blinkers For Racehorses appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post