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Trainers In Maryland Warned About Use Of Amicar

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has released a statement regarding the use of anti-bleeding medications for racehorses in training. Horsemen are encouraged to stop the use of these drugs immediately, particularly the use of aminocaproic acid, sold under the name Amicar.

Amicar and other anti-bleeding medications are used to prevent bleeding from horses that suffer from Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH).

Amicar and multiple other anti-bleeding medications were placed on the Prohibited List in 2013 under Association of Racing Commissioners International Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances.

These medications were placed on this list because they cannot be regulated by withdrawal time guidelines, and the medications have no timeline in which they can be used in which they might not trigger a positive test post-race.

Any trainer who uses these medications runs the risk of his or her horse coming back with a positive drug test post-race.

International Veterinary Scholarship Program Launched For Equine Research

The University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) – together with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and MARS EQUESTRIAN™ – has launched a new, international scholarship program aimed at advancing the health and welfare of the horse while providing an unparalleled learning experience for one aspiring veterinary investigator.

Through its interdisciplinary, mentorship-based approach, the MARS EQUESTRIAN Veterinary Research Scholar program offers the unique opportunity to conduct research alongside internationally-renowned experts in equine health and veterinary welfare while pursuing two advanced credentials: the Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare and Behavior at Penn Vet during year one, followed by the Master of Research (MRes) program at the RVC in year two.

Building upon Penn Vet's MARS EQUESTRIAN Early Career Investigator Program launched in November of 2020, this new format offers the candidate an exclusive opportunity to refine critical research skills and expand animal welfare knowledge while learning on location at both the RVC in London, England and Penn Vet's New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, United States.

Penn Vet's Dr. Kyla Ortved, assistant professor of large animal surgery at New Bolton Center, will serve as the primary mentor for the program's embedded research project. A clinical expert in equine orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, Ortved's research program seeks to better understand attributes of the equine joint in order to improve clinical outcomes associated with osteoarthritis following injury in horses.

“There are two fundamental components to a successful career in the veterinary medicine field: exceptional mentorship and the continuous pursuit of applicable knowledge,” said Ortved. “The multidisciplinary approach of the MARS EQUESTRIAN Veterinary Research Scholar program is set to provide both of these cardinal elements through an experiential learning environment that will ultimately culminate in delivering meaningful advancements that will have a very real, positive impact on the lives our equine partners.”

The selected candidate will also learn from leading experts in animal welfare including Penn Vet's Dr. Tom Parsons, professor of swine production medicine, director of Penn Vet's Swine Teaching & Research program and one of the founding members of Penn Vet's Animal Welfare and Behavior Certificate program. This certificate, coupled with the RVC's MRes program, will balance pragmatic understandings of multi-species health, behavior, and well-being with interdisciplinary problem-solving skills that can be directly deployed through the program's research projects.

“I am delighted that the RVC is able to support this new transatlantic initiative for veterinary graduates following a generous donation from MARS EQUESTRIAN,” said Professor Richard Bomphrey, Interim Vice Principal for Research at the Royal Veterinary College. “It strengthens the ties between the RVC, the University of Pennsylvania and MARS EQUESTRIAN while providing an outstanding training and research opportunity. We look forward to welcoming the successful scholar and helping them to make an impact in equine research.”

“MARS EQUESTRIAN is thrilled to support this truly unique and innovative international program unlike anything else offered in veterinary medicine training,” said Bridgett McIntosh, PhD, Director at MARS Equestrian. “Our goal is to continue to drive the field forward in creating a better world for horses by engaging and training the next generation of veterinarians.”

The MARS EQUESTRIAN Veterinary Research Scholar program is open to interested UK, US and international candidates holding a veterinary degree (DVM/VMD/BVSc or equivalent). The chosen candidate will receive an annual stipend and tuition as well as travel expenses. The program will commence in September 2021 in the United States before moving to the UK in October 2022 until its conclusion in September 2023.

The deadline to submit applications for consideration is June 30, 2021 or until an acceptable candidate is identified.

Reade more here.

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TRF’s Kimberly Weir Joins Board Of Directors For HORSEPOWER

Kimberly Weir, the Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), has joined the Board of Directors of HORSEPOWER, Inc., a New-York based 501c3 organization devoted to the safety and well-being of equines through education, awareness, advocacy and allies.

A resident of Saratoga Springs, New York, Weir has been with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation since 2018 and prior to that served as the Deputy Executive Director of Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA) in Washington, DC. A lifelong horse lover, Weir graduated from the University of Virginia with distinction and went on to complete her M.B.A. through the Mason School of Business, at the College of Williams & Mary. Weir and her husband moved to New York to devote themselves to work within the Thoroughbred industry.

“At this stage in my career, I have dedicated my life – personally and professionally – to making a positive impact on the welfare of horses, with gratitude for all they have given me” said Weir. “As a member of the board of Horsepower Inc, I look forward to the opportunity to educate and engage a broad cross section of New Yorkers in the important legislative work required of all of us to keep them safe.”

HORSEPOWER, Inc. was established to protect equine health and welfare, raise awareness about inhumane practices, and effect change in public policy. Learn more at http://www.horsepwr.org

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Why Do Some Mares Behave Like Stallions?

Though it's rare, mares can occasionally demonstrate behavior that people commonly associate with stallions — acting aggressively, dominating herdmates and even teasing or mounting other mares. Dr. Patrick McCue tells the American Quarter Horse Association that there are several possible causes for these behaviors.

These include:

Ovarian tumors – The most common ovarian tumors are granulosa cell tumors. About 40 to 50 percent of granulosa tumors contain theca cells, which produce large amounts of testosterone and can cause a mare to act like a stallion. Testosterone levels will remain high until the mare has the tumor surgically removed.

Pregnancy – Pregnant mares have elevated testosterone levels while their fetus produces gonads; the testosterone crosses the placenta into the mare's bloodstream and can affect her behavior. Mares begin to have increased testosterone levels around their fourth month of gestation and these levels peak around month seven. By the last trimester of pregnancy, as testosterone levels decrease, mares tend to become less aggressive.

Mares that aren't pregnant can experience testosterone fluctuations during their estrous cycles.
Steroids – Anabolic steroids can suppress estrus and increase stallion-like behavior, including aggression. These behaviors resolve once steroid use is terminated.

Pseudohermaphrodism – Though rare, pseudohermaphrodism in horses occurs when a horse looks like a mare, but has the genetic makeup of a male horse. These horses have testes instead of ovaries; they are cryptorchids that don't produce spermatozoa, but the testes produce enough testosterone to affect the horse. Horses that are pseudohermaphrodites may have female genitalia. Removing the testes will eliminate stallion-like behavior.