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Study: Tap Water Fine For Flushing Wounds

Researchers have concluded that tap water, not sterile saline, should be used to wash most equine wounds. As long as water is clean, flushing an injury as soon as it's found can help remove bacteria and dirt, reducing the risk of infection. The water used to flush a wound should be potable, but if only undrinkable water is available, boiling and cooling it is still an option. Distilled water can also be used to safely lavage open injuries.

Drs. Sarah L. Freeman, Neal M. Ashton, Yvonne Elce, Anna Hammond, Anna Hollis and Greg Quinn created guidelines for equine wound management based on evidence they collected from a set of questions proposed to a panel of veterinarians. The scientists also looked at human medicine if equine studies weren't available. In total, they used 306 veterinary studies and 25 human-focused papers to produce their recommendations, which included:

Tap water is recommended for flushing wounds over saline
The best pressure for washing wounds is 13 pounds per square inch (medium pressure)
Contaminated wounds should be flushed with provide-iodine
silver sulfadiazine may slow healing of acute wounds

EQUITANA USA’s 2020 Exhibition Canceled Due To COVID-19

Due to increased concern over public safety resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, EQUITANA USA's live three-day celebration of the horse is canceled for 2020. The world's largest equestrian trade fair and expo was originally scheduled for Sept. 25-27, at the Kentucky Horse Park. The event and its exhibitors, fans and performers will look forward to the 2021 event, slated for Oct. 1-3, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

“EQUITANA USA is a shared place and time for all disciplines, breeds, ages and levels of the equine industry,” said Meghan Margewicz, the event's director. “But the safety of everyone associated with the event is always our first priority. After many discussions with the Kentucky Horse Park, exhibitors, presenters and attendees, we made a difficult, but necessary decision to cancel this year's celebration and work to create an amazing reunion for everyone in 2021.”

All EQUITANA USA 2020 ticket holders will be refunded electronically. No further action by ticket holders is required.

EQUITANA USA invites equestrian professionals, enthusiasts, and everyone interested in learning more to follow its social channels and e-newsletters for updates on the live 2021 event, a virtual celebration kicking off this September, and a year-round celebration of our community through digital education, entertainment and conversation.

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

About EQUITANA USA & Reed Exhibitions: EQUITANA USA is a three-day celebration of the horse that invites equestrian professionals and enthusiasts of all riding levels and ages, disciplines and breeds to gather for education, entertainment, instruction and shopping. Reed Exhibitions, producer of EQUITANA USA is a leading global events business. It combines face-to-face with data and digital tools to help customers learn about markets, source products and complete transactions at over 500 events in almost 30 countries across 43 industry sectors, attracting more than 7 million participants. Reed Exhibitions is part of RELX, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries.

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Details Emerge On Maryland Study Tracking EIPH In Lasix-Free 2-Year-Old Runners

A survey study of all 2-year-olds that race in Maryland this year to determine the extent of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage is set to begin Friday, Aug. 7, at Laurel Park.

The Maryland Equine Safety, Health and Welfare Advisory Committee, which falls under the Maryland Racing Commission, on July 31 approved the plan for post-race video endoscopies of all starters in all 2-year-old races. The first 2-year-old races of the year in the state have been carded as extras for the Friday, Aug. 7 program.

Under an emergency regulation approved Aug. 2, all 2-year-old races through Dec. 31 will be run Lasix-free with a 48-hour cut-off of the therapeutic medication. The survey study is part of a broader agreement between the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and The Stronach Group for the Lasix-free pilot program that runs through 2023 for 2-year-old races and graded stakes only. Graded stakes in 2020 are not part of the pilot program.

Private veterinarians who practice at Laurel will conduct the video endoscopies and complete information forms for each horse that will include the horse's name, its EIPH score, any related comments, and whether the horse trains on Lasix. Additional useful data from each race and race day will be added to the information forms, which will be transferred to an online database.

The MRC will maintain all records from the survey study, and only a horse's owner and trainer will be given the results of a scope to maintain anonymity. Horses will be scored using a range from 0 to 3—none, mild, moderate or severe bleeding—for the purpose of simplification.

Dr. John Sivick, a Laurel-based veterinarian who is a member of the Equine Safety, Health and Welfare Advisory Committee, said endoscopies are usually performed 30 minutes to 90 minutes after a race, but the goal will be a window of 40 minutes to 70 minutes post-race to keep the scores as consistent as possible.

All horsemen who enter 2-year-olds in Maryland for the rest of this year can expect the horses to be scoped. The Maryland Jockey Club Racing office will notify horsemen when entries are made and also the morning of the race. Grooms must wait with a horse until it is scoped.

Owners and trainers do not have to pay for the video endoscopies however, they will be entitled to the results.

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Zoetis Donates Vaccines To Partners Of The ASPCA’s Right Horse Initiative

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that Zoetis has generously donated 1,500 vaccines to its Right Horse Initiative adoption partners and the horses in their care. In addition, Zoetis will extend additional savings on critical deworming products to new foster caregivers and adopters of equines from these organizations.

“Zoetis' ongoing partnership clearly illustrates how the equine industry is committed to supporting equine adoption and helping horses in transition,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, vice president of Equine Welfare for the ASPCA. “We are grateful to Zoetis for their generous donation as it will assist equine organizations in their efforts to save more horses' lives.”

The ASPCA Right Horse Initiative adoption partners care for equines of varying breeds, ages and backgrounds as they transition from one home or career to the next. All horses face ongoing exposure to the five core diseases – rabies, tetanus, West Nile, and Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis – which are all potentially fatal diseases. All horses whom have been adopted through Right Horse Initiative partners will be vaccinated by a veterinarian with Core EQ Innovator, which helps to protect horses against all core diseases in one injection.

“As a proud member of the equine industry, Zoetis has an unwavering responsibility to help improve the wellbeing of every horse,” said Nathan Voris, DVM, MBA, associate director, Equine Technical Services with Zoetis. “When adopting a horse there are many things to consider, but one health requirement, no matter where you live, is annual vaccination against the potentially fatal core equine diseases. This is why we are proud to provide core disease vaccinations for horses who will find adoptive or foster homes this year.”

The Right Horse Initiative hosts a collective of industry professionals, including Zoetis, as well as equine welfare organizations and advocates working together to reframe the conversation around equine adoption and improve the lives of horses in transition through a dialogue of kindness and respect. In collaboration with over 70 industry and adoption partners, the Initiative has launched innovative programming focused on shattering the stigma surrounding horses in transition.

To foster or adopt an equine, please visit MyRightHorse.org and access tools here to advocate for horses in need of homes. For more information about the ASPCA's efforts to help horses, please visit aspca.org.