Horse Care | Horse Racing Free Tips

Heart-Rate Variability May Indicate Outcome Of Colic Cases

Colic, a catch-all term for abdominal pain in horses, can be caused by a variety of reasons; it can be a life-or-death situation and requires immediate veterinary care. Colic is stressful for horses; horses that are actively colicking have an increased cortisol level and heart rate. A new study shows that heart-rate variability may be a key indicator in assessing the possible outcome of colic cases.

Drs. Heidrun Gehlen, Maria-Dorothee Faust, Remigiusz Grzeskowiak and Dagmar Trachsel of the Free University in Berlin, and Dr. Remigiusz Grzeskowiak of the University of Tennessee wanted to determine if horses showed varying stress levels with different types of colic, therefore warranting different treatment strategies.

The team used 43 horses admitted to two different equine hospitals for colic and categorized them into three groups: surgical, conservative (non-surgical) and euthanized. The scientists studied the blood tests and heart-rate variability of the horses at admission, 24 hours after admission and at discharge.

The team found that heart rate and cortisol levels decreased the day after admission and on the day of discharge in both the surgical and non-surgical groups of horses, indicating that they were not as stressed as they were during their intake into the hospital.

However, decreases in heart rate and cortisol levels were not seen in the horses that were ultimately euthanized. The difference in heart rate in the euthanized and non-euthanized horses was most obvious the day after admission.

The team concluded that heart-rate variability can offer treating veterinarians important information on the stress level of colicking horses and may be helpful in assessing the possible outcome. They suggest further studies be completed.

Read the full study here.

EQUITANA USA Unveils Month-long Virtual Program To Celebrate The Horse

The equine industry won't have to wait a year to celebrate the horse with EQUITANA USA after all. The event announced today a month-long virtual celebration of the horse in September, free and open to anyone. Registration and more information about the full programming schedule can be found here.

Virtual sessions begin Tuesday, Sept. 1, and include a variety of webinars with equine industry notables, expert horsemen and women, and an array of exhibitors with innovations and products to advance the care, performance and celebration of horses of all breeds and pedigrees. Sessions include live interviews, panel discussions, expert seminars and educational content ranging from equine nutrition to yoga on horseback as well as behind the scenes with notables like Sydney Collier, Mikhail Proctor and Jamilah Simms.

Select Saturdays in September will feature special Kid's Edition content. Plans are also in the works for barn tours in collaboration with Horse Country, Inc. sessions on training the performing arts horse, equine photography sessions and Q&A's with equine legal experts, among other topics.

“We listened to the feedback from the industry after our very difficult decision to cancel the in-person event due to COVID-19 concerns and instantly knew our fans still wanted to connect and learn,” said Meghan Margewicz, the event's director. “A lot of the session leaders and experts we would have seen at the event have joined us to present a September packed full of great learning for everyone. We're excited to have everyone join the celebration online now which will offer a sneak peek of the amazing programming we'll witness when we're back together again at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2021.”

Next year's event is slated for Oct. 1-3 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

EQUITANA USA invites equestrian professionals, enthusiasts, and everyone interested in learning more to join the online events throughout September. The daily schedule will be updated as sessions are added to the EQUITANA USA website at www.equitanausa.com. Fans are also encouraged to follow the event's social channels and e-newsletters for updates on the live 2021 event, but also several planned live streamed content sessions during the September celebration.

Exhibitors interested in the 2021 event, virtual celebration, or year-round promotional opportunities can learn more at equitanausa.com or by contacting Kaitlyn Fritz at kfritz@reedexpo.com.

Shelley Mann Named Executive Director Of Secretariat Center

The Secretariat Center is pleased to welcome the appointment of Shelley Mann as its new Executive Director. With a lifetime of equine experience and more than 18 years in nonprofit leadership driving the advancement of strategic goals, Shelley will take the Secretariat Center's reins beginning September 14.

A long time Bluegrass resident, Shelley most recently served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. In that role, she promoted equine education with a focus on safety, health and management by putting educational and leadership resource in homes, schools and barns.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Secretariat Center team,” says Shelley. “The care and placement of retired racehorses and providing these equine athletes a second career is something I am deeply passionate about. I look forward to utilizing my background in marketing, education and resource development to expand community outreach and share the Center's mission with equine enthusiasts across the United States.”

“We are very excited to have Shelley join the Secretariat Center team, and I look forward to seeing her promote our mission and new strategic plan going forward,” said Secretariat Center President Dr. Holly Schmitt. “She has dedicated much of her professional career to understanding equine health and to supporting community programs. Her experience and skills will be crucial to promoting this organization as the gold standard in Thoroughbred retraining.”

The Secretariat Center was founded in 2004 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization to prepare off-track Thoroughbreds for happy, healthy, and successful post-track careers through rehabilitation and by giving them a broad-based foundation of skills to ensure a harmonious match with their adopters. While advocating for the athleticism and versatility of the American Thoroughbred, The Secretariat Center also seeks to provide educational opportunities for human development through horsemanship. Located in the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, the Secretariat Center showcases adoptable Thoroughbreds and uses its illustrious location to herald the athleticism of this amazing breed by teaching new skill sets to horses of all levels of ability. Visit www.secretariatcenter.org to find your next partner, make a donation or get involved today.

For more information contact Secretariat Center at 859-246-3080 or info@secretariatcenter.org.

The post Shelley Mann Named Executive Director Of Secretariat Center appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Kendra Scott Offers Horseshoe Charm To Benefit Thoroughbred Aftercare

Fashion and lifestyle brand Kendra Scott will offer 50 percent of proceeds from sales of its Horseshoe Charm to benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) through November 7, 2020.

The Horseshoe Charm, which retails for $35, is available in four colors: gold, rose gold, vintage silver, and vintage gold. A versatile piece, the charm has a custom removable bail with a steel spring to ensure durability, and it fits on necklaces, bracelets, and hoop earrings.

Customers can shop for the charm online at KendraScott.com, where 50 percent of the proceeds of each charm will be designated to the TAA automatically at checkout.

View or purchase the charm here.

Kendra Scott is offering a few purchasing options, which include online, buy online and pick up curbside, or in-store. On each product page, shoppers can select their local store to see if the local store has that style and item in stock. If the item is in stock, shoppers can add it to their shopping bag, select “Store Pickup” with the preferred pickup store in the shopping bag, and check out.

Kendra Scott recently partnered with the TAA for a successful two-day 20 percent giveback event Aug. 28-29 that took place online and at the Kendra Scott store located at The Summit at Fritz Farm near Lexington, KY.