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Research Update: The Effect Of Equine Bodyweight On Performance

A recent study conducted by scientists in Sweden and Iceland examined the effect of altered body weight and body fat content on exercise performance and recovery. Nine horses were divided into two groups, and changes in bodyweight and fat content were induced by feeding a high or restricted energy diet. After 36 days, horses were switched to the other diet and the study was repeated. In the last week of each diet, bodyweight and body condition score were recorded, body fat percentage was estimated using ultrasound, and a standardized incremental treadmill exercise test and competition-like field test were performed.

Bodyweight, body fat percentage, and body condition score were higher (5 to 8 percent) in high energy horses compared to horses fed the restricted energy diet. In the standardized exercise test, horses on the high energy diet performed more poorly and recovered more slowly compared to horses fed the restricted energy diet. Additionally, locomotion asymmetry was greater in horses fed the high energy diet compared to the restricted energy diet. These results confirmed that increased bodyweight and body fat in horses lowered physiological fitness, reduced symmetry, and decreased performance ability. For more information on this research, read the paper published in Physiological Reports.

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2022 Accreditation Applications Now Available From Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

The 2022 application for accreditation by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is now available on OpenWater and can be accessed through ThoroughbredAftercare.org/Accreditation.

Thoroughbred aftercare nonprofits interested in applying must complete the application by the closing date of April 1 at 6 p.m. ET. Since TAA accreditation is only granted for a specific period of time, organizations with accreditation status ending in 2021 that want to remain accredited need to re-apply.

Accreditation status is determined after a complete review of five areas of an aftercare organization: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Organizations passing the application review will be subject to site inspections of all facilities housing Thoroughbreds.

Organizations that receive accreditation are eligible to receive financial grants from the TAA, but prior grants awarded are no indication of potential future awards. In 2021 the TAA awarded $3.7 million to accredited organizations as grants earmarked specifically for equine care, totaling more than $24.5 million awarded since 2012.

Any organization interested in applying for TAA accreditation must fulfill the following five minimum requirements:

Organization must have a current status as a 501(c)(3) federal not-for-profit (U.S.) or must be a registered charity within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Organization must have been in operation for at least three years. The TAA will confirm operation information, including with the secretary of state or provincial business registry.
At time of application, organization must either (1) currently exclusively own and provide care for a minimum of 5 registered Thoroughbreds, or (2) currently exclusively own and provide care for at least 3-4 registered Thoroughbreds AND must have exclusively owned and provided care for at least 10 registered Thoroughbreds over the previous 12 months. Registered Thoroughbreds leased by the organization or owned by third parties at the same facility should not be included.
Organization must have a written euthanasia policy consistent with the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Organization, or a principal of the organization or individual directly related to the organization, shall not have any current legal proceedings pending against them which adversely impact the aftercare operations, the organization's standards of care, or the 501(c)(3) status of the organization.

For more information on the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation process, please visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation Seeking Applications For EHV Vaccine Research Development

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has issued a formal call for research applications focused on the development of a nucleic acid-based vaccine against equine herpes virus (EHV). Dr. John Ballantyne and Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation have committed $2 million to fund this research.

“We are so grateful to Dr. Ballantyne for his generosity in supporting efforts to address EHV, a disease that affects all horses,” said Dell Hancock, chair of the foundation. “This gift will enable Grayson to continue its commitment to funding critical research for horses, and our research advisory committee looks forward to seeing what proposals are submitted.”

“As a horse owner with a biotechnology background, I recognize the danger of EHV and see the potential for nucleic acid-based vaccines for combating this disease,” said Dr. Ballantyne. “I am proud to work with Grayson to support EHV research.”

Grayson is interested in research proposals focused on EHV-1, EHV-3, and EHV-4, with a multivalent or pan-valent approach. Researchers must have the ability to conduct an in vivo proof of principle of efficacy in the equine model in-house or through collaboration. Applications from established equine investigators collaborating with experts from other fields (e.g., human vaccinologists) are strongly encouraged. It is anticipated that this research will span three to four years and possibly multiple projects.

Grant applications are due October 1, 2022, and can be submitted at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $30.6 million to fund 397 projects at 45 universities in North America and overseas. Additional information about the foundation is available atgrayson-jockeyclub.org.

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New Vocations Opens Satellite Facility Near Ocala For Rehabbing, Retraining And Rehoming

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program has announced that it has opened a satellite facility near Ocala, Fla., as it continues to expand its aftercare efforts. The new facility will focus on rehabbing, retraining and rehoming retiring Thoroughbred racehorses.

The nation's oldest and largest racehorse adoption charity now has nine facilities in six states.

The newest facility is based at Trillium Sport Horses in Anthony, just a few miles from Ocala. Erin MacDonald, an international three-day eventing rider with years of experience restarting off-track Thoroughbreds in new careers, will oversee the horses' rehabilitation and training.

New Vocations' Thoroughbred Program Director Anna Ford said there's been a need for a Florida facility for several years.

“On average, 60 horses each year are shipped more than 700 miles from Florida to our Lexington facility,” Ford said. “Horses coming from Florida racetracks and training centers will now have a much shorter travel distance and duration as they start their next chapters.”

MacDonald said, “It is so gratifying to help a Thoroughbred smoothly transition into a second career after the races. I am honored to be working with such an outstanding aftercare organization and to join in their efforts to provide Florida-based horses and their connections with a quality rehabilitation and retraining program.”

Ford said an Ocala-area facility has been part of New Vocations' strategic plan for the past couple years, but it has been delayed by the pandemic.

“As the need for our aftercare services continues to grow we will do our best to expand and accommodate more horses,” she said.

The first horses arrived at the Florida facility in late 2021. Thus far, three have been adopted into experience, loving homes. Several more horses are making progress in various stages of rehab and training and will be available for adoption soon.

For information on donating a horse to the Florida facility or supporting its efforts, visit newvocation.org/donate_a_horse, call (859) 252-9574 or e-mail anna@horseadoption.com.

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