Tag: Horse Care

Stomach ulcers affect 36 to 53 percent of horses used for recreation. Stomach ulcers refer to sores along the lining of the horse's stomach from prolonged exposure to normal stomach acid. Management, diet, exercise, and stress can all play a role in the occurrence of stomach ulcers in horses. Researchers at Clemson University and Cairo University evaluated the effect of severity of stomach ulcers on horse behavior and heart rate associated with pain.

The researchers examined eight horses (between 4 and 15 years old) that were part of a larger study and had been induced and diagnosed via endoscopy with stomach ulcers. Half of the horses had mild ulcers and the other half had severe ulcers. For three consecutive days, the researchers 1) monitored the horses' heart rates for two hours daily and 2) videoed horse behavior daily for three two-hour periods (morning, noon and evening).

Horses with severe ulcers had higher heart rates (63 beats per minute) and ratios of low to high frequency waves (5 percent) than horses with mild ulcers (51 beats per minute, 3 percent). Elevated heart rate and frequency ratio are known indicators of stress and anxiety. Regardless of the time of day, horses with severe ulcers more frequently displayed the following behaviors compared to those with mild ulcers:

• eating
• passing feces and urine
• kicking their belly
• swishing their tail
• pawing
• shaking their head
• looking back
• moving their tongue in and out of their mouth
• being restless

The results of this study suggest an association between horse behavior and heart rate with severity of stomach ulcers. Horses with severe ulcers tended to express more signs of stress through behavior and heart value indicators. Additional research is needed to better understand the relationship between these signs and pain associated with stomach ulcers varying in severity. However, these results highlight the importance of recognizing potential behavior and heart responses to stomach ulcers in horses.

Sign up for the University of Minnesota Extension newsletter here.

The post Research Update: Severity Of Stomach Ulcers Affect Horse Behavior And Heart Rate appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Each time the racing gate doors rung open, more than just potential prestige and prize money rode with the Thoroughbred racehorse Cody's Wish (Curlin – Dance Card x Tapit). The elegant bay stallion, in addition to being a Grade 1 winner, shared a special connection with Cody Dorman, a young man with a genetic disorder who met the horse as a foal. Their inspiring story, which captured national media attention and the hearts of people around the world, will now be immortalized in a gorgeous Breyer model horse, allowing fans to own a piece of the unique horse-human connection that has touched so many.

Cody's Wish and his namesake met in 2018 during a visit to Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Kentucky sponsored by Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. To everyone's amazement, one foal walked straight over to Cody and laid his head in his lap. As a result of his genetic syndrome, Cody used a wheelchair and communicated via tablet, but it was clear to see there were no barriers when it came to his connection with the foal. Inspired by this touching event, the horse's owners named him Cody's Wish.

As it turns out, that same foal was destined for greatness. In 2021, following a trio of third place finishes, Cody's Wish won his first race at Churchill Downs with Dorman in attendance. In 2022, the horse was entered in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes in Saratoga, where he upset the favorite and proved himself a true competitor. But his prowess on the racetrack was soon to be accentuated by his relationship with Cody, who predicted the stallion's win in his next race, the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. “[He] will win when I'm there in person,” Dorman stated about the stallion's chances, and when Cody's Wish passed the competition in the final stretch to win by a head, NBC Sports' race caller Larry Collmus summed up the finish with: “The wish has come true! That one's for you, Cody!”

Cody's Wish received the 2022 Vox Populi Award, which recognizes racehorses whose stories and achievements resound with the public, before kicking off his 2023 season with back to back wins in the Churchill Downs Stakes and Grand I Metropolitan Handicap. Dorman, of course, was in attendance.

“Cody's Wish is a living example of how horses can change lives and inspire hope,” said Stephanie Macejko, Breyer's Vice President of Marketing. “In Breyer's 40+ year history, we have captured many inspiring and special horses, but there's something about Cody's Wish and his impact on his namesake that touches something in every horse lover. Every time this horse steps onto the racetrack, everyone knows he is running for more than just a win, he's running for Cody.”

The journey of Cody's Wish's career could not have ended in a more perfect swan song. In a hard-fought battle with Preakness winner National Treasure where he crossed the wire by a nose, Cody's Wish won his final race before retiring to stud: the 2023 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, where his story had captured so many hearts a year earlier. Cheers, tears, and raucous applause flowed from both thousands of fans and the Dorman family themselves as Cody's Wish was led into the winner's circle for the final time with his boy by his side. Tragically, Cody Dorman passed away from a medical issue the following day just shy of his 18th birthday (he hadn't been expected to live past his 2nd birthday). The unbelievable relationship between Cody and Cody's Wish will continue to inspire for years to come.

In recognition of Cody Dorman and Cody's Wish, Breyer is making a $10,000 donation to Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, the nonprofit organization that sparked their connection. Their mission is to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, and Cody Dorman's relationship with a champion racehorse began with them. With this donation, Breyer hopes to honor Cody's memory by making more wishes come true for the children that need them most.

You can find Breyer's Cody's Wish model at your favorite Breyer retailer as well as BreyerHorses.com in early December.

The post Breyer To Honor Horse-Human Connection With New Cody’s Wish Model appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's second annual Holiday Giving Campaign is set to commence on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28 and will extend through Dec. 31.

Holiday Giving Campaign is designed to increase awareness for accredited Thoroughbred aftercare and to raise funds for the accredited organizations responsible for ensuring a quality life for equine athletes after their racing careers. This year's campaign is set to follow the success of last year's inaugural campaign which raised over $180,000 for accredited aftercare.

“Our Thoroughbred horses provide us with so much, and each donation to the campaign goes a long way in supporting a network of 86 accredited organizations. Our organizations do an amazing job of taking care of the retired racehorses, so as we prepare for the holiday season, I hope that we can all simplify our gift giving and donate to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,” said Jeffrey Bloom, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance President.

Throughout the campaign, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will announce new daily match sponsors with some of the most prominent names in horseracing. Each sponsor will match all donations up to a specified amount for his or her day. Match sponsors will be announced daily in various industry publications, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance website, social media, and email. Those interested in subscribing to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance emailing list can sign up here.

“We all have our preferred charities to support. We choose to support Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance because it does the critical work in providing grants to the best of the best aftercare facilities,” said Craig Bandoroff, President of Denali Stud and Vice President of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, “These horses deserve and need our support. It's our obligation not our option.”

Individuals interested in participating in the Holiday Giving Campaign to support accredited Thoroughbred aftercare efforts can visit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's website, beginning on Nov. 28, to contribute a generous donation and send digital holiday cards to colleagues, friends, and loved ones.

“Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance donations play a vital role in easing the financial burdens on our accredited organizations, ensuring they have the necessary support to care for our Thoroughbreds,” said Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Funding and Events Director Emily Dresen. “We encourage you to make a donation to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance during our holiday giving campaign, where a single gift can make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of off-the-track Thoroughbreds.”

To learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's Holiday Giving Campaign, click here.

The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Holiday Giving Campaign Starts Nov. 28 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced Thursday that 46 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations have been awarded accreditation for 2023.

The 46 organizations include 37 organizations who are continuing their accreditation and 9 that earned accreditation this year. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the gold standard and only accrediting body in Thoroughbred aftercare, now has a network of 86 organizations with approximately 180 facilities in North America.

The 9 organizations earning accreditation this year are: After The Races NY Inc., Bowman Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption, Central Virginia Horse Rescue, Dale and Patti Shirley Equine Encore Foundation, Desert Oasis Rescue LLC, Hidden Pond Farm Equine Rescue, Rising Starr Horse Rescue Corporation, and Run for the Ribbons Inc., and Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana.

The 37 organizations that are continuing their accreditation this year are: ACTT Naturally, Inc., After the Homestretch – Arizona, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, Beyond The Roses Equine Rescue & Retirement, Blue Bloods Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement, Inc., Brook Hill Retirement Center for Horses, CANTER California, Circle A Home for Horses Inc., Equine Rescue of Aiken, Florida TRAC, Glen Ellen Vocational Academy, Inc., Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds, Hope for Horses, Inc., Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation, James River Horse Foundation, Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers, LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, MidAtlantic Horse Rescue Inc., New Beginnings Thoroughbreds, Inc., New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Old Friends Equine Retirement, Racing For Home, Inc., Redwings Horse Sanctuary, ReRun, Inc., Second Wind Thoroughbred Project, Inc., Secretariat Center, South Florida SPCA, The Exceller Fund, Inc., Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Thoroughbred Placement Resources, Inc., Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, United Pegasus Foundation, Virginia Thoroughbred Project, and Win Place Home, Inc.

Accreditation from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is an important recognition for organizations that provide care and support for retired racehorses. It signifies that these organizations meet certain standards and criteria in terms of horse welfare, facilities, and management.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organizations undergo a thorough application and inspection process prior to accreditation being awarded to ensure they meet the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Code of Standards, which covers five key areas: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Facility inspections are conducted at all facilities housing Thoroughbreds for each organization. Ongoing updates and re-inspections are required of all organizations as a condition of accreditation.

All organizations that hold Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation are eligible to receive financial grants to support the care of their Thoroughbreds. Grant applications are currently being reviewed and the total grant amount awarded by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be announced this month. Since 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has awarded $28.1 million to accredited organizations.

“We are extremely grateful to have a record number of 86 accredited organizations this year. We take great pride in having them as part of our network because they demonstrate a commitment to both themselves and the racing industry in ensuring the proper retraining, retirement, and rehoming of Thoroughbreds once their racing careers have concluded,” said Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Accreditation and Grants Manager, Janice Towles.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized and accredited by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. This acknowledgment reaffirms our commitment to the welfare and well-being of retired Thoroughbred racehorses,” said Brandi Goode from Desert Oasis Rescue LLC. “Being a part of this incredible network not only strengthens our mission but also provides us with valuable resources, support, and the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded organizations. We look forward to making a positive impact and contributing to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's admirable efforts in caring for our horses.”

The full list of 86 organizations, information about the accreditation process, and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's Code of Standards can be found on thoroughbredaftercare.org.

About Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Based in Lexington, KY, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $28.1 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 81 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.

The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Accredits 46 Organizations For 2023 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post