Tag: Horse Care

Human skin is often first swabbed with alcohol before an injection is administered, in an effort to prevent bacteria from entering the wound made when the needle pierces the skin. Horses, however, rarely receive this cleaning procedure before an injection. 

This is because the horse's hair coat reduces alcohol's effect. If the horse is very dirty, a vet may ask the owner to clean the area in which the injection will be given, but often she will just swipe the bottle top with alcohol and administer the injection. 

Injection-site infections are uncommon in horses. A horse may develop localized swelling or a small abscess, but both of these often heal without treatment. 

However, a horse that develops a large, painful swelling may have contracted an infection caused by clostridial bacteria, which can be life-threatening. Injections that are given on the side of the neck are easier to treat and drain if needed than injections given in the hip area.

Unlike a horse getting routine vaccinations, a horse receiving a joint injection will be thoroughly scrubbed and disinfected to reduce the likelihood of joint infections. The vet may also opt to shave the area to further reduce the chance of tissue contamination. A horse's immune system can't easily reach the fluid and tissue inside a joint, making the infection harder to treat should one take hold. 

Read more at EQUUS magazine. 

The post Injection Site Infections Are Uncommon For Routine Vaccines appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) is pleased to announce the launch of a brick pathway fundraising campaign at the Wallkill Correctional Facility in Wallkill, NY. Honoring the flagship location of the TRF Second Chances Program, and the partnership between the TRF and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, this fundraiser will commemorate 40 years of “Saving Horses and Changing Lives.”

The Wallkill Correctional Facility's Equine Handling Program has a long history of not only rehabilitating horses and incarcerated individuals, but a record of providing vocational training. That training includes construction and farm work, dating back to the first decade of operation. By the 1960s, Wallkill was running the nation's first prison optical program. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the insides of a man.”

Today, the daily care of 40+ powerful and dependent equines continue to change inmates' outlook toward other living things, and in turn, themselves. Horses help people become better members of society by learning impulse control and boundaries. When humans approach horses with the horse's best interest in mind, they also learn to be present and honest with themselves. These ideas are at the core of the program. At Wallkill, the retired racehorses are the teachers, having found a new career and a lifetime sanctuary.

In order to continue caring for the equines who call the Second Chances Program home, the TRF relies on private donations. To support its mission, a brick pathway will be constructed on the horse farm near the historical Walstein Childs House, located at the center of the farm. Fundraising and bricks will be available from the TRF starting July 12, 2023, through the summer of 2024, with a planned installation and unveiling in Fall 2024.

For more information and to purchase a brick, visit: www.trfinc.org/bricks

About TRF: Founded in 1983, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a national organization devoted to saving Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete at the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter. As the oldest Thoroughbred rescue in the country, the TRF provides sanctuary to retired Thoroughbreds throughout their entire lifetime.

Best known for its pioneering Second Chances Program, the organization provides incarcerated individuals with life-changing vocational training through an accredited equine care and stable management program. At eight correctional facilities across the US, including one juvenile justice facility, this program offers second careers to its horses and a second chance at life for program graduates upon release from prison.

The post Brick Fundraiser To Celebrate Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Flagship Second Chances Program appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Champion and dual classic winner Funny Cide (Distorted Humor), who passed away on July 16 at age 23, will have his life and racing achievements celebrated with a Saratoga Send-Off party on August 16th at Siro's in Saratoga Springs. The event will be a tribute to “The Gutsy Gelding” who captured the hearts of racing fans worldwide and continued to be a fan favorite during his 15-year retirement at Kentucky Horse Park.

Presented by Sackatoga Stable, the evening will feature a tribute video and a panel discussion emceed by Retired Race Caller Tom Durkin who called Funny Cide's wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. The panel will also feature commentary by Sackatoga Stable Operating Manager and Funny Cide Owner, Jack Knowlton, Trainer Barclay Tagg, Assistant Trainer Robin Smullen and Hall of Fame Jockey José Santos.

“Funny Cide was really the people's horse,” Jack Knowlton said. “We know his loss is felt by many and we wanted to give his fans a chance to celebrate his life with us. We are grateful to everyone that is helping to make this event a reality and look forward to a night that will do his legacy justice.”

Funny Cide earned more than $3.5 million during his six-year racing career and was the first New York-Bred to win the Kentucky Derby. He was named New York Breeders' Champion Two-Year-Old in 2002, Eclipse Award's US Champion 3-Year Old Male in 2003, and was named New York Thoroughbred Breeders' New York-Bred Horse of The Decade in 2010. Retiring in 2007, he spent a short time as Barclay Tagg's pony before retiring to Kentucky Horse Park where he lived as a fan favorite for 15 years until the time of his death.

The evening's activities will also feature food including Funny Cide sliders, music by Blue Hand Luke, Funny Cide's trophies from his victories in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness S. (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1) from Kentucky Horse Park and memorabilia from Jack Knowlton's private collection, some of which will be available to take home with a donation.

Additionally, Stewart's Shops is bringing back the popular “Funny Cide Pride” ice cream flavor in honor of the life of “The Gutsy Gelding”, who was born at McMahon Thoroughbreds of Saratoga. The ice cream combines Butter Pecan ice cream with roasted pecans, a butter pecan fudge swirl and butter pecan fudge pieces. It will first be available at the Funny Cide Send-Off celebration at Siro's on August 16th. Following the event, the ice cream will be available at Stewart's Shops in Saratoga County and the area around Sackets Harbor.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online at eventbrite.com. General Admission tickets are $35 and include admission and food. A limited number of VIP tickets will be available for $100 and include admission, food, non-reserved seating, and a commemorative t-shirt.

All proceeds from the evening will be donated to Kentucky Horse Park toward their effort to commission a commemorative statue in honor of Funny Cide.

Doors open at 6pm. Rock band Blue Hand Luke will kick off the party. Attendees can purchase beverages at any of the open bars. Siro's will be donating a portion of the bars' proceeds to Kentucky Horse Park.

Sackatoga Stable is grateful to all the generous sponsors who make this event possible: Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, Capital OTB, Fasig-Tipton, Finger Lakes Race Track, McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, NYRA, New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Performance Food Group, Pimlico Race Course, Saratoga County Chamber, US Foods and WinStar Farm. A special thanks to Siro's for allowing Sackatoga Stable to hold this event.

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The invitations for this year's $20,000 TAKE2 Hunter/Jumper Finals, to be held at the Kentucky National Horse Show on Sunday, Sept. 24, will go out in just a few short weeks, and the competition for those coveted slots is intensifying. The top 40 horses in each TAKE2 division will be invited, with the top 10 TAKE2 League Hunters and Jumpers earning Year-End High-Score Awards totaling $10,000.

(Click here for the TAKE2 High-Score Award payout schedule.)

The TAKE2 season ends Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023.

The standings have been updated with the verified USEF results through July 28, 2023, and there is a new leader in the TAKE2 Jumpers. Martha Nevins' Classic Brother, after a strong showing at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, is now in front with a total of 1222 points. Nevins, from Kirkwood, Pa., has owned “Spencer” for nine years and rides with UCHS President Joe Fargis.

“I am overjoyed,” she said following the Upperville awards ceremony. “I'm glad my horse jumped well. I am so proud of him. I appreciate all the help from Joe and the team we have here; we have a really great time!”

Last year's TAKE2 Jumper Champion Gold Label is in second, just 21 points ahead of Indigo Midnight and Venturesome, currently tied for third. Susan Lyman's Kensington Court remains in front in the TAKE2 Hunters with 1545.5 points, holding a comfortable advantage over Purely Grateful and Clean Slayte in second and third, respectively.

Click here for the current TAKE2 Thoroughbred League Standings.

We have also updated the standings for the TAKE2 Junior Rider Award, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America.

Click here for the current TAKE2 Junior Rider Standings.

If you are a Junior and have not yet signed up for this award, it is free of charge, and all enrolled riders are eligible for the $1,000 TAKE2 Scholarship drawing. Click here for more info, or to sign up for the TAKE2 Junior Rider Award.

The post OTTB Classic Brother Grabs Leads In TAKE2 Jumper Standings appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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