Tag: Horse Care

Katelin Parsons is a barrel racer who had enjoyed competing with an off-track Thoroughbred named Monkey for six months when he was diagnosed with kissing spines. 

Under veterinary guidance, Parsons had Monkey's back injected and began a specific set of exercises designed to increase his core strength, reports Horse Nation. 

Parsons noted that while she was diligent in performing the prescribed rehab, she was not as attentive to how her horse was moving during the exercises; she did not ensure that Monkey had his hind end engaged or that he had self-carriage.

When Parsons didn't see the anticipated improvement from the rehabilitation plan, she then elected to have a surgical procedure completed on Monkey's back to correct the areas at which the spinous processes were touching.

Though she chose to perform surgery on her horse when she felt all other options were exhausted, Parsons now regrets that decision. Parson said she followed the post-surgical protocol religiously, but Monkey was still lame behind when he returned to work. Parsons turned him out to pasture, convinced the gelding would never be sound again to ride. 

A friend also dealing with kissing spines suggested to Parsons that diligent work on a lunge line – encouraging correct body shape and use – may help Monkey's condition. Parsons read books, listened to podcasts, and taught herself to recognize correct posture and movement. She began working with Monkey, walking and trotting him on the lunge for three months. 

By using himself correctly, Monkey built up his muscles and his kissing spines resolved: he was sound. Eighteen months after surgery, Parsons was able to ride Monkey again. 

She said that had she been taught about proper body shape and self-carriage, she may have been able to avoid surgery. She encourages all horse owners dealing with kissing spines to investigate how they ride and work with their horse before electing surgery, because learning how to work a horse correctly may eliminate the need for a surgical intervention.

Read more at Horse Nation. 

The post Surgery Not Always The Answer For Kissing Spines appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Together with his owner Morgan Wagner, the 22-year-old Appaloosa horse known as “Endo the Blind” achieved three remarkable record titles:

• Highest free jump by a blind horse – 106 cm (3 ft 5.73 in)
• Most flying changes by a horse in one minute – 39
• Fastest time for a blind horse to weave five poles – 6.93 sec

Endo was diagnosed with equine recurrent uveitis, a common disorder, and the leading cause of blindness in horses at eight years old.

Knowing that Endo was facing a life without sight, Morgan was determined to prepare Endo for what was to come. Reassuring and petting him, Morgan would blindfold Endo to acquaint him with the feeling.

No matter what they did to prepare, when it finally happened it was a massive adjustment and Endo was terrified.

“He was very scared in the beginning, so I took him for walks around the barn and then moved on to walks around the property,” said Morgan.

Endo quickly regained his confidence thanks to endless love and support and began relearning the skills and activities he once enjoyed.

Now, 14 years later, Endo can do everything a sighted horse can do. He competes, goes on trail rides, travels, jumps, and performs liberty work.

Morgan hopes that Endo's story will inspire the equestrian community to focus on the abilities of blind horses rather than their differences.

Her advice: “don't have big goals, just what your horse can do, reward, and try a little bit more next time.”

Morgan also wants the world to know how proud she is of her four-legged friend, not just because of his record-breaking achievements, but because despite losing his eyes, he never lost his spirit.

“I'm very grateful to Guinness World Records for letting us have a platform for blind horses to show the world that they're still capable of anything.”

The post Watch: Horse Without Eyes Recognized For Three Guinness World Records appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Seventh Tex Cauthen / Hans Albrecht Farrier / Veterinarian / Researcher Seminar will be held Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, live and via Zoom from the Gluck Equine Research Center Auditorium at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.  The guests of honor are Doug, Kerry & Steve Cauthen, and Mrs. Vicki Albrecht; the organizing committee is chaired by Mr. Steve Norman and includes Dr. Dan Howe, Prof. Scott D. Stanley, Mr. Steve Stanley, Dr. Pedro De Pedro, Dr. Rob Holland, Dr. Fernanda Camargo, Mr. Sandy Hawley, Mr. Duane Raglin and Dr. Thomas Tobin.  

The seminar begins with a welcome to the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center from our interim Director, Dr. Dan Howe. Dr. Robert Holland, DVM, PhD moderates the morning session on motion sensor technologies and optimizing safety for horse and rider. Dr. Scott Palmer, Equine Medical Director, New York State Gaming Commission then overviews equine safety matters. Next, Prof. Kevin Keegan reviews current racetrack data collection and analysis,  followed by presentations from Dr. Clara Fenger and Dr. Rhodes Bell on Equinosis data collected from racing horses.  We then have an update from Dr. David Lambert on the application of accelerometer data from racing Thoroughbreds.

Following the morning coffee break, Dr. Michelle Nihei and Dr Thilo Pfau outline trainer and researcher perspectives on critical factors affecting equine safety.  The morning program then closes with a round table discussion moderated by Dr. Robert Holland, with Dr. Palmer, Prof. Keegan, Dr. Fenger, Dr. Bell, Dr. Lambert, Dr. Nihei, Dr. Petersen, Mr. Sandy Hawley, and Mr. Steve Stanley as discussants.  Lunch in the Gluck Equine Research Center then follows, most generously hosted by Mr. Doug Watkins and Breeder's Farrier Supply of Lexington.

The afternoon session focuses on hoof/surface Interactions and optimizing equine safety and is chaired by Professor Scott D. Stanley of The Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center. The opening presentation is on horseshoe geometry and hoof function by Professor Susan Stover of the University of California, Davis. Following a presentation by Mr. Mitch Taylor the focus switches to South America, with a presentation by Dr. Divagno Barcelos on shoeing strategies to minimize injury rates.  Continuing this safety oriented approach, Mr. Ian McKinley presents on shoeing strategies to keep horses in symmetry and safe. 

Then, following the afternoon coffee break, Dr. Adam Pendleton reviews the role of toe grabs in racing horses followed by a presentation from Mr. Steve Stanley on farrier contributions to equine safety. The final afternoon presentation is by Mr. Thomas Trostin on interactions between the farrier and racing communities and the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authorities. The day then closes with a round table discussion moderated by Professor Stanley with Dr. Stover, Mr. Mitch Taylor, Dr. Barcelos, Mr. McKinlay, Dr. Pendleton, Mr. Steve Stanley, Mr. Duane Raglin, and Dr. Thomas Tobin as discussants 

The full videotaped seminar will be available on the Gluck Equine Research Center website and on the American Farriers Association Communications Committee's internet newsletter/eblast.  This event has been submitted for approval for 6.75 hours of Continuing Education Credits by the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners for Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians and for 5.5 hours by the American Association of Professional Farriers AAPF); for more information, https://www.ProfessionalFarriers.com.

The post Seminar Set For Jan. 22: Equine Safety And Optimal Biomechanics Of Hoof/Racing Surface Interactions appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Ruler On Ice, the 2011 Belmont Stakes winner, has been pensioned to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Ky.

The now 14-year-old gelding arrived Dec. 5.

Ruler On Ice is the fourth Belmont Stakes (G1) winner and seventh overall Classic winner to be retired to Old Friends. The others were Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winners Silver Charm (1997), Charismatic (1999), and War Emblem (2002), along with Belmont Stakes winners Touch Gold (1997), Sarava (2002), and Birdstone (2004).

Bred by Liberation Farm and Brandywine Farm, Ruler On Ice was trained by Kelly Breen and raced by owners George and Lori Hall.

A son of Roman Ruler–Champagne Glow, by Saratoga Six, Ruler On Ice had his biggest win in 2011 when he upset the field to win the Belmont Stakes as a 24-1 long shot. That same year he finished second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2), and third in both the Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), and the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

In all, Ruler On Ice raced 16 more times after his Belmont Stakes win, but only won once more, an allowance optional claiming race at Aqueduct on Jan. 30, 2013. His final career race was a fifth-place finish in the Mountainview Handicap (Listed) on May 31, 2014 at Penn National.

Following that race Roman Ruler retired with four wins, five seconds, three thirds, and $1,709,566 in earnings in 23 career starts.

In the press at the time of his retirement, Breen noted that Ruler On Ice retired sound, but that “he and the Halls didn't feel the horse could be competitive at the graded-stakes level anymore.”

“He just didn't have it,” Breen said.

Since his retirement, Ruler On Ice has been residing at the Hall's farm in Versailles, Ky.

“Ruler On Ice won when the spotlight was the brightest, and I know he'll light up the faces of his fans now that he's joining our three other Belmont Stakes winners,” said Old Friends Founder and President Michael Blowen. “Thanks so much to George and Lori Hall for allowing us to enjoy his company.”

The post Old Friends Welcomes Belmont Stakes Winner Ruler On Ice appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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