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Equine Obesity: Do Extra Pounds Affect Hoof Structure?

The health of horses carrying extra body fat may be affected in a myriad of ways, including systemic inflammation, metabolic issues, and osteochondrosis. Like their human counterparts, obesity is becoming a more-pressing concern for horses in developed countries.

Of particular concern is the effect weight has on horses metabolic function: it can cause insulin dysregulation, which has long been associated with laminitis, a painful hoof condition caused by failure of the laminae.

Dr. Magdalena Senderska-Płonowska and researchers at the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences wanted to determine whether obesity itself could cause laminae failure, or if insulin dysregulation was required for the condition.

They investigated the forelimbs of 12 draft horses, six of which were obese and six of which were of a healthy weight. Blood samples showed that insulin concentrations were higher in obese horses, but no horse had insulin concentrations associated with equine metabolic syndrome.

The team found that the lamellae of the hooves did differ between the obese and healthy horses, but that damage was found in both groups. The researchers concluded that obesity itself does not encourage laminae failure: 89 percent of the primary dermal lamella were considered “standard” in the obese group; 58 percent were standard in the healthy group.

In general, they reported, the lamellae of the obese horses were healthier than those of the lean group, which is difficult to explain. They suggest that the care the horses received may play a role: as meat horses, they were fed more and had less ability to move about than other sport- or pleasure-oriented horses. They also suggested that the healthy weight horses may have been heavier at some point in their lives, causing lamellar changes.

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The researchers said they cannot conclude whether the results were laminitic-related or physiological. The scientists also noted that they could not exclude insulin dysregulation as a factor, but that they were unable to perform a dynamic insulin test.

Lincoln Memorial University Announces Ground-Breaking Equine Veterinary Education Program

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) in Harrogate, Tenn., is set to make an historic addition to its nationally-renowned programs of study as it prepares to welcome students to its Equine Veterinary Education Program (EVEP) in Fall 2023.

The developing program will be unlike any offered among the 30 veterinary schools in the United States as it will be composed of a two and a half-year undergraduate program, followed by a four-year veterinary doctoral program with a strong emphasis on equine veterinary medicine.

Furthermore, it will offer a one-of-a-kind summer immersive experience for students with some of the world's leading ranches, Thoroughbred farms, professional trainers, and leading veterinary hospitals.

“While key details are under development, we believe the addition of this program to Lincoln Memorial University will not only make LMU a stand-out university but will offer students an opportunity to achieve their dream to become equine veterinarians at a lower cost and with a much more targeted focus,” said LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Stacy Anderson, DVM, MVSc, PhD, DACVS-LA. “Just as important, too, will be the goal of providing qualified equine veterinarians to a horse industry sorely in need of these professionals.”

The EVEP is being coordinated with the guidance of Eleanor Green, DVM, ACVIM, ABVP, Dean Emerita of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, and past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and Jim Heird, PhD, past president of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), as well as the former director of the Equine Sciences Program at CSU and former coordinator of the Equine Initiative at Texas A&M University.

“The horse business is a $122 billion dollar industry in the United States, ranging from the height of Olympic events to the millions involved in recreational riding,” said Heird. “As long-time professionals in the industry, Dr. Green and I have witnessed the urgent need of horse owners and current veterinary practices have for qualified veterinarians, while at the same time understanding the tremendous cost of that education. Our collective hope is that this model will begin a movement to attract more students to the field.”

“The Equine Veterinary Education Program is sure to be a great complement to LMU's existing veterinary curriculum,” said Dr. Green. “The course of study will be challenging and extremely practical in the sense of providing 'real-world' opportunities and experiences. The team is looking forward to welcoming its first class in Fall 2023.”

A critical component to the EVEP has been the development of the EVEP Advisory Council, which includes such lauded horsemen and women as Hall of Fame Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racehorse trainer D. Wayne Lukas; former AQHA President and Four Sixes Ranch Horse Division Manager Glenn Blodgett, DVM; Taylor Made Farm President Duncan Taylor; and from the highly regarded Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, founder Bill Rood, DVM, JD, and President and CEO Debbie Spike-Pierce, DVM, MBA, among many others.

“The EVEP Advisory Council is truly a 'who's who' of equine and veterinary industry leaders,” said Dr. Heird. “We'll be providing more information about the Council as we move forward.”

Interested students will be able to apply via the LMU website beginning Fall 2022 for admission to the Fall 2023 start of the program, pending accreditation. For more information contact, Coordinator for Research and Graduate Programs Kathleen Thomas at kathleen.thomas@lmunet.edu or Dr. Anderson, at stacy.anderson@lmunet.edu.

Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is in Harrogate, Tenn. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423.869.6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.

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Old Friends Celebates ‘Loveable Loser’ Zippy Chippy On Opening Day At Saratoga

After 100 starts and a life spanning more than three decades, the famous perennial maiden Zippy Chippy will be posthumously honored in Saratoga Race Course's winner's circle after Race 6 on Thursday's Opening Day card at the Spa, named “In Memory of Zippy Chippy” by those that cared for him during his retirement at Old Friends at Cabin Creek.

Zippy Chippy, who passed away on April 15 at the age of 31, was well-known for his 0-for-100 record and frequent racetrack antics, often standing at the start and refusing to leave the gate. The son of Compliance's career began with a debut eighth-place finish in September of 1994 at Belmont Park and concluded 10 years later when posting the same result in a maiden special weight at the Northampton Fair in Massachusetts in 2004.

Trained and owned by Felix Monseratte for the bulk of his career, Zippy Chippy's closest finish was a runner-up effort in a Northampton maiden in 2000 where he was defeated a head in his 87th outing. He retired from racing with earnings of just over $30,000 and 20 on-the-board finishes and spent the first part of his retirement at a private farm until he moved to Old Friends at Cabin Creek in April 2010.

Old Friends at Cabin Creek, which is located in Greenfield Center, N.Y., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). Founded in 2009 by JoAnn and Mark Pepper, Old Friends at Cabin Creek is a satellite farm of Old Friends in Georgetown, K.Y. and seeks to provide a dignified retirement for racehorses.

JoAnn Pepper, who managed Zippy Chippy's care for his 12 years at Old Friends at Cabin Creek, said she is honored to celebrate the spirited gelding at Saratoga.

“It's so fitting that Zippy will be honored in the winner's circle. He probably wouldn't have liked it, but we do,” said Pepper, with a laugh. “It's a great way to bring attention to aftercare.”

During his tenure at Old Friends at Cabin Creek, Zippy Chippy attracted the attention of fans from far and wide, frequently overshadowing some of the more accomplished retirees at the farm, like two-time Grade 1 Whitney winner Commentator and the late dual Grade 1-winner Will's Way. His paddock was adjacent to Be Bullish, a multiple stakes-winning millionaire – but it was the 0-for-100 maiden that visitors flocked by the hundreds to see.

One of those fans was Rosanne Frieri, a native of Richmond, Massachusetts who first visited with Zippy Chippy four years ago and frequently made the trip to see him until his death. Frieri, a donor and supporter of Old Friends at Cabin Creek, was behind the naming of Race 6 on Thursday.

“I picked Opening Day because a lot of people will be there and we'll start the meet with a big bang. I figured this is the only way he would get in the winner's circle,” Frieri said, with a laugh.

“I can honestly say he was the love of my life and he made me happy,” Frieri added. “He was so well taken care of and the volunteers loved him so much. Everybody loved him and wanted to see him. What a legacy, and what a life.”

Frieri noted that Zippy Chippy is a great example of the promise of aftercare for all racehorses, even those that did not post major accomplishments on the racetrack.

“There's no discrimination at Cabin Creek,” Frieri said. “It's the same love and care for every horse. I loved the horse so much, and he stole my heart. During his life and in his death, he still is the ambassador of never quitting.”

Old Friends at Cabin Creek, which is home to famous retirees such as millionaires Commentator, Naughty New Yorker and Be Bullish, will be open for public tours throughout the summer on Tuesdays, Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tours are free of charge and donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, visit www.oldfriendsatcabincreek.com.

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Harness Horse Drowns After Race At Ohio’s Northfield Park

A harness horse drowned Monday evening following a race at Northfield Park in Ohio, according to wkyc.com.

Freddie Hudson, CEO of the U.S. Harness Racing Alumni Association, told WKYC that Alfred Hanover finished second in the second race of the night, but became spooked by a tractor when being unhitched from the race bike. The horse ran into the infield pond and drowned.

The remaining races on the card were cancelled.

“We are deeply saddened by racehorse Alfred Hanover's passing and extend our condolences to his owner, trainer and all involved,” Matt Buckley, General Manager of MGM Northfield Park, told WKYC.

Buckely added that a fence around the pond is set to be completed next week.

The Ohio State Racing Commission told Fox 8 News they are investigating the incident: “We have also spoken with the management team at Northfield to better understand the circumstances of how exactly the incident occurred and what measures are being taken to prevent this type of occurrence in the future.”