Tag: Horse Care

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced scheduling details for the Budweiser Clydesdales, the world-famous horses who will appear at Saratoga Race Course in partnership with Anheuser-Busch and local distributor Saratoga Eagle.

The Budweiser Clydesdales will return to Saratoga on Wednesday, August 10 and Friday, August 12.

“It's an honor to welcome the Budweiser Clydesdales back to Saratoga Race Course,” said Don Scott, NYRA Vice President of Marketing. “These horses are globally renowned and we are thrilled that our fans will have the opportunity to see them in person. We thank Saratoga Eagle for helping to secure the Budweiser Clydesdales and Anheuser-Busch for including historic Saratoga Race Course on the 2022 national tour for these magnificent animals.”

To kick off their visit on Wednesday, the Budweiser Clydesdales will be stationed at select Saratoga admission gates to greet fans from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. That afternoon, a Budweiser Clydesdale will parade before guests in the Paddock and visit the Winner's Circle.

On Friday, August 12, fans can enjoy photo opportunities with the full hitch of Budweiser Clydesdales, featuring eight of the legendary horses. The hitch will be stationed near Horse Sense, located across from Gate A, near the Berkshire Bank Family Zone. Between races, the Budweiser Clydesdales will parade for fans on the main track in front of the grandstand.

The Clydesdales' lineage dates back more than three centuries when the breed was first developed for farm work in the region of Clydesdale, Scotland. The horses were initially introduced to the American public by Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Budweiser, on April 7, 1933, to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition. Nearly 90 years later, the celebrity horses often appear at major fairs, festivals and sporting events and have marched in two Presidential inauguration parades.

Tickets to Saratoga Race Course for the Budweiser Clydesdales' appearances, and for all other days this summer, may be purchased at NYRA.com.

Highlighted by the 153rd renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 27 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 6, the 2022 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Monday, September 5. Racing is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

For additional information, visit NYRA.com.

The post Budweiser Clydesdales Coming To Saratoga For First Time In Over 15 Years appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Equine coronavirus was first identified in 2000 in foals with diarrhea. In recent years, the virus has been found in adult horses experiencing fever and gut-related issues. 

In 2021, multiple horses in Switzerland fell ill with what has been confirmed as a new strain of equine coronavirus. The outbreak, which was detected under a voluntary surveillance program, was rapidly diagnosed and contained. 

Dr. Melanie Hierweger and researchers from the University of Bern and the University of Zurich reported that 26 horses lived on the affected farm in Canton of Bern. 

The first horse became ill with a fever and severe respiratory disease; unable to have the issues resolved, the horse was euthanized. Six horses became ill in the following weeks, spiking a fever and losing appetite. Unlike the first horse, these six developed gut-related diseases, and some also had a low white blood cell count.

One horse showing signs of toxic shock was taken to the University of Bern with a fast heart rate, rapid breathing, increased capillary refill time, and congested mucus membranes. The horse died and was necropsied, and was found to have acute, severe necrotizing enterocolitis. Salmonella, clostridium infection and parasites were ruled out as the cause. A fecal sample was tested and confirmed to show equine coronavirus.

A second horse was admitted to the hospital because he was dull, with diarrhea and a poor appetite. The horse recovered with supportive care and was released after 10 days. This fecal sample was also positive for coronavirus. 

Fecal samples were taken from all other horses on the farm. One of the horses with clinical signs and two others that were symptom-free were positive for the virus. The researchers believe that the first horse suffered from a disease that was not equine coronavirus. 

Biosecurity measures were put in place and all horses on the farm had their temperatures taken daily to alert veterinarians of possible additional cases. None were discovered.  

Gene sequencing showed that the infections were all the same strain, which the scientists called Equine Coronavirus CH21. This infection is closely related to other equine coronavirus strains. Testing showed that prolonged viral shedding and subclinical infections occur, which may have implications for disease control measures. 

Prior to these horses, no equine coronavirus outbreaks had been reported in Switzerland. The researchers say they found no evidence of equine coronavirus having the ability to pass from horses to humans. 

Read the study here. 

Read more at HorseTalk. 

The post Equine Coronavirus Implicated In Death Of Swiss Horses  appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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On July 20, 2022, the United States House of Representatives passed six spending bills allocating $8 million to improve the Food and Drug Administration's review and approval process for animal food ingredients and to regulate animal-food ingredient claims. 

The animal feed and pet food industries anticipate that the funding will expedite FDA approval of new animal food ingredients. The funding was introduced by Representative Jim Baird of Indiana and had bipartisan sponsors. 

The timely approval of potential pet food ingredients will allow pet food manufacturers to develop recipes that use the latest nutrition science in an effort to keep animals healthy. 

The package includes $400 billion in spending, with funding for bills in Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Interior and Environment, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

Read more at DVM360.

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Even though her horse is no longer able to participate in the jumping phases, one Kentucky three-day eventer has found a unique way to stay involved in the sport she loves and support her fellow competitors at the same time.

Jodi Dickey and her longtime partner Jake have garnered extra attention at this year's Kentucky Horse Park events in their lime green “working” attire. Jake's steady demeanor and Jodi's friendly face make them the perfect choice to accompany young, green horses in need of extra emotional support at the busy, often chaotic facility in Lexington, Ky.

“I pick competitors and their horses up at the barn, then walk them to the ring, putting my horse between the nervous horse and scary things,” Jodi explained. “It helps protect the horse from the busyness of the Kentucky Horse Park, particularly with dressage as the horses can get really uptight and nervous on the long walk down to the dressage complex. Sometimes the rider needs some emotional support, as well!”

The “Wing Pony” idea was born earlier this year when Jake's soundness issues were revealed to be caused by an ill-fitting dressage saddle.

Jodi had been signed up to compete at the KHP in May, along with her friend riding a first time KHP competitor.

“I realized I couldn't show because I only had a western saddle that fit Jake,” Jodi said. “I wondered if I could go as a non-compete and just be a babysitter for my friend's horse. Another friend of mine got excited about that idea, and that was when the helmet and the saddle cover and all of that came about.”

The small fee Jodi charges competitors for the service goes to cover her expenses, then everything above that is donated to the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. The 501(c)3 organization is dedicated to achieving the vision for the KHP as the world's leading equestrian destination as a working horse farm, a world-renowned center for show and competition, and an international center for equine education.

“That was my first office job out of undergrad, so it is something that's near and dear to my heart,” Jodi explained. “I just cover my expenses and then send the rest to improve the Kentucky Horse Park for all of us.”

Though she has 38 years of experience in the saddle, Jodi had never ridden western before this year. There was definitely a learning curve in adapting to one-handed riding, but Jake is truly enjoying his new gig.

“It's been a really fun adventure, invigorating for both of us to learn something new,” Jodi said. “Now I'm learning to pony polo horses and young Thoroughbreds on the farm, and we're hopefully going to try ponying at the racetrack a little bit later this year.”

If all goes well, Jodi hopes to be able to pony a few horses at the Breeders' Cup World Championships being held at Keeneland in November. It's a lofty goal, but she's made friends in the racing community who will help her guide Jake step-by-step through the qualification process to make sure both of them are up to the task.

“I have never been on the track, so the next step is to take Jake to go get my exercise license,” Jodi said. “At any point, if either of us don't like it, we'll just stop. But so far, he's been really tolerant and he seems to like the challenge. Jake has always been the low horse on the totem pole, but with a rider on his back he really does like leading another horse around!”

At the end of the day, all that matters to Jodi is that Jake has a fulfilling, interesting job that isn't too hard on his body. It's another way to stay connected with her longtime partner, and a fun way to challenge her own horsemanship skills as well.

“I've had a ton of support, people telling me that this is a great idea,” Jodi said. “I really love the idea that I can still participate in the horse trials, but I don't have to stress!”

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