Tag: Horse Care

In the space of a week, New Zealand racehorse trainer Casey Lock went from winning ribbons with Viktor Vegas at a Cambridge show to winning the Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa at the weekend.

“Last Sunday, I took him to Leamington where they had an adults ribbon day. We had a go at every class from flatwork through to jumping in the second half of the program,” Lock said.

“We came home with a first, second, third and a fifth – it was great.

“It is the first competition I have done since I was a kid on my pony.”

Operating a small stable, Lock believes variety is key to reinvigorating her team, and it has worked wonders for her pride and joy Viktor Vegas, with the 9-year-old son of Tavistock having found a new lease on life after being retired a few years ago to become the Te Aroha trainer's sport horse.

He did so well in her care that he was brought back into work and was initially leased to Lock by breeder-owner Bob Emery before he gifted her the horse.

The pair have subsequently had a dream run, with Vicktor Vegas running in the money in all but one of his seven starts for Lock, including two victories and a placing in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m).

Saturday's Group Three triumph was the icing on the cake for Lock, who is looking to continue her varied training routine with her evergreen galloper.

“There is another one (ribbon day) coming up at Te Aroha in a couple of weeks' time that we will have a go at, which will lead into the Wellington Cup (Group 3, 3200m),” Lock said. “It's nothing too serious, it's just so we can have some fun and it is something different for him.

“They will go around the track, we have got a treadmill, they go swimming at Matamata. No two days are the same, they are always doing something different. I think it is hugely important that they just don't go around in circles all of the time.”

Lock wasn't the only member of her family celebrating success at Te Rapa on Saturday, with her father, Peter, taking out the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) with Faithful Feat, by Per Incanto.

“It was huge, you couldn't ask for a better day,” Lock said. “We go into every race meeting being the underdogs as the small fish. Here we are with our two little horses against all of these big names, it was just incredible to get those results.”

Lock is excited for the future with her boutique stable and is hoping to add some numbers to her barn in the coming months.

“I have got his (Viktor Vegas) half-sister by Churchill who has just gone to the paddock,” Lock said.

“She has had a few issues and she is going to have a good, long break. The family takes a bit of time, so I am not worried about her.

“There are a couple at the yearling sales that I am quite interested in, but my forte is horses that don't like big stables and want something different with their work.

“If anyone is out there that has got some older horses that want something different, I am open to them.”

In the meantime, Lock is looking forward to campaigning Viktor Vegas around the country in her signature pink ensemble.

“You'll definitely see me before you hear me,” Lock quipped.

The post From Gymkhanas To Group Races: Viktor Vegas Does It All appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Nephrosplenic entrapment occurs when a horse's colon moves over the nephrosplenic ligament, which connects the left kidney to the spleen, stopping the movement of the colon's contents and causing abdominal pain (colic). 

The University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center has discovered that a simple surgical procedure can reduce a horse's risk of a nephrosplenic entrapment recurring, reports EQUUS magazine.

About nine percent of colic cases seen at equine clinics are caused by nephrosplenic entrapments. It isn't clear why some horses are more prone to this type of colic, but a large abdomen, how a horse's colon might move, and the shape of the nephrosplenic space have all been considered as possible issues that may encourage nephrosplenic entrapment. 

Most nephrosplenic entrapments are treated in a few ways: the horse may be given medication to shrink the spleen and then jogged to try to move the colon back into place. The horse may also be anesthetized and then rolled to try to move the colon back. If neither of these options work, surgery may be the only option to get the colon back in place and resolve the colic.

Most horses with this type of colic recover, but up to 21 percent of horses will have the same issue again. Veterinarians have explored multiple ways to prevent this colic from recurring; one way involves stitching the space closed so the colon cannot move. 

Another technique involves laparoscopically placing mesh over the top of the spleen to keep the colon from moving into that space. This minimally invasive surgery can be performed in 30 minutes. As there is no tension on the mesh (like in traditional sutures), there is no risk of failure. 

The University of Pennsylvania researchers examined the records of 26 horses that had suffered from nephrosplenic entrapment and then had the mesh placed on the spleen. Not one of the horses had an additional issue in the follow-up period, which was between one and seven years. 

The scientists concluded that mesh ablation is an effective option to prevent repeated nephrosplenic entrapment colics.

Read more at EQUUS magazine. 

The post Colic News: Recurrence Of Nephrosplenic Entrapment May Be Prevented By Surgery  appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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To culminate the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)'s month-long Holiday Giving Campaign, Bob and Jill Baffert have pledged to match all donations up to $10,000 made to the TAA on Dec. 31, 2022.

Not only does New Year's Eve mark the end of the TAA's holiday fundraiser, but the Baffert's $10K match donation is the largest of the campaign. Every donation made to the TAA this Saturday will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Bob and Jill Baffert up to $10K, meaning you could help raise $20,000 towards the care of thousands of retired racehorses across North America.

Through their support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), TAA-accredited Old Friends, among others, the Baffert's continue to advocate for and designate funds to organizations working to improve the lives of off-track Thoroughbreds. In addition to their financial and advocacy support, Jill is also a member of the TAA Advisory Board.

The two-time Triple Crown winning trainer values responsible racehorse ownership. Several of Baffert's top earning horses in 2022 are connected to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance supporting owners, including Commonwealth, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing, to name a few.

“Every racing season, these horses give us the thrill of a lifetime, bringing immeasurable joy. We all should remember that this holiday season when we stop to count our blessings and express gratitude,” said Jill Baffert. “There is no better way to do that than by contributing to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which assures that all horses are treated with respect and care and afforded a full life of dignity after leaving the racetrack. Please join Bob and me in giving whatever you can to TAA this season.”

“Thanks to the Bafferts, the TAA Holiday Giving Campaign will end with a bang,” said TAA Funding and Events Manager Emily Dresen. “We are so excited with the incredible level of participation within the horse racing community and with the Bafferts' generous pledge we can have our biggest day of fundraising yet.”

Those wishing to support the TAA, its 81 accredited organizations, and thousands of retired Thoroughbreds can donate through the TAA's website or text DONATE to 56651. During the Holiday Giving Campaign, TAA is also offering donors the benefit of sending digital holiday cards to colleagues, friends, and loved ones.

To learn more and donate to the TAA's Holiday Giving campaign, visit: ThoroughbredAftercare.org/HolidayCampaign.

The post TAA Holiday Giving Campaign Ends With $10,000 New Year’s Eve Matching Pledge From Bob And Jill Baffert appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has released the EHV-1 quarantine that had been in place at Churchill Downs since Nov. 30, according to an alert released by the Equine Disease Communication Center. 

There are no quarantines of movement restrictions in place; horses meeting exit requirements are allowed to leave the facility. 

The index case first showed clinical signs on Nov. 28, 2022, reported to have had a recurring fever and displaying hind limb ataxia.

There are nine strains of equine herpesvirus on record, and many horses are exposed to some form of EHV with no serious side effects or symptoms. Three strains are considered serious health risks, including EHV-1, which may present with fever and respiratory symptoms and can also carry neurological symptoms and a risk of death. Symptoms of the neurologic form of EHV-1 include fever and nasal discharge, followed by lack of coordination, lethargy, head tilt, and inability to balance or stand. EHV-1 is highly contagious and may be transmitted through contaminated equipment, contact between horses, and on clothing or hands of humans working with sick horses. Veterinarians aren't sure how long the virus can survive in the environment, or how well it travels through the air. The Paulick Report compiled a list of frequently-asked questions about EHV-1 during an outbreak at Sunland Park five years ago.

Read more at the Equine Disease Communication Center.  

The post EHV-1 Quarantine At Churchill Downs Released  appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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