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New Research Makes Stifle Arthroscopy Easier

Arthroscopic surgery on a horse's stifle is challenging: Current approaches risk both nerve and cartilage damage. However, new research by Drs. H.D. O'Neill and B.M. Bladon offer an alternative arthroscopic entry point for access to the stifle.

In cadaver and clinical studies, the scientists found that the caudal pouches of the lateral femorotibial joint can be accessed arthroscopically in a way that did not threaten damage. The entry point is immediately cranial (toward the head) to the lateral collateral ligament.

Using cadaver limbs held in place to mimic dorsal recumbency with the stifle held in 90-degree flexion, the scientists entered the leg just cranial to the lateral collateral ligament. The arthroscope was then fed along the popliteal tunnel toward the horse's head and then down. Once they had become comfortable with the technique, the scientists completed 38 arthroscopic inspections of caudal lateral femorotibial joints using the new entry point. The doctors were able to see both pouches using the new technique, and no horses experienced complications.

Quarantine Lifted On Belmont Barn After Suspect Horse Tests Negative For Equine Herpesvirus

Officials at the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) have removed the precautionary quarantine placed on Barn 37 at Belmont Park after test results for a horse with a suspected case of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) came back negative.

Freudnme, a 4-year-old colt trained by Chris Englehart, exhibited fever and neurological symptoms on Saturday morning, which triggered a precautionary quarantine of all 37 horses stabled in Barn 37 at Belmont. In addition, heightened biosecurity measures were immediately implemented throughout the barn and all horses were monitored for fever and other symptoms.

All horses in Barn 37 were found to be afebrile and asymptomatic.

Following the negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which were performed at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., the precautionary quarantine has been lifted effective immediately. As a result, horses stabled in Barn 37 can enter races and train among the general population.

Freudnme is currently under the care of a private veterinarian and is being closely monitored. He last raced at Finger Lakes Racetrack in the Ontario County Stakes on June 24, 2019, where he finished second.

The post Quarantine Lifted On Belmont Barn After Suspect Horse Tests Negative For Equine Herpesvirus appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Can Horses Prevent Permafrost Thawing?

Horses and other grazing animals have been shown to drastically reduce the thawing of permafrost in the Arctic, Drs. Christian Beer, Nikita Zimov, Johan Olofsson, Philipp Porada and Sergey Zimov report.

Permafrost in the Arctic is thawing at a rapid rate each year; as it melts, it releases large amounts of carbon that has been trapped inside it for millions of years. This release is detrimental to the environment.

The scientists reported that grazing animals in the Arctic can drastically slow the rate at which the permafrost thaws—most likely keeping 80 percent of the world's permafrost intact until 2100. Published in Scientific Reports, their findings are from ongoing experiments in Pleistocene Park in Siberia. The team used horses, bison and reindeer to see how the grazing animals can decrease the rate of permafrost warming. Snow insulates the permafrost, even when the ambient temperatures drop below freezing; the hooves of the grazing animals disrupts the snowy layer, allowing the permafrost to stay cool.

The addition of more grazing animals can help permafrost remain intact.

African Horse Sickness: Is The U.S. Prepared?

African horse sickness recently made headlines as it traveled to, infected and killed horses in Thailand, believed to be brought to the country on imported zebras. The disease, which is carried by biting midges, is not found in the United States, and officials and those involved in the equine industry intend to keep it that way.

Various state and federal agencies, as well as Texas A&M AgriLife faculty and the equine industry, are carefully monitoring the situation and creating best practices to help prevent the disease from entering the U.S. As equines are moved all over the world for different purposes, the risk that diseases, including African horse sickness, will be introduced to North America is real.

The chance that insects found in the U.S. can act as virus vectors is also present. Biting midges in the United States can transmit two similar viruses: blue tongue and epizoonotic hemorrhagic disease, which affect both livestock and wildlife. It's imperative that surveillance, detection and planned responses are in place to combat African horse sickness, as well as other diseases, that may enter the country. Advanced knowledge and warning allow for possible prevention before it reaches U.S. borders.

Import requirements are already in place to help reduce the likelihood of virus introduction; horses must be inspected prior to export and undergo 60-day quarantine once they arrive stateside. Additional measures may need to be introduced to help safeguard the equine population in the States.

Texas AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension have studied the taxonomy, ecology and management of biting midges, and they have the facilities and services in place to assist in both preparation for the disease and to mount a response. A vaccine for the disease is available and effective, but can make horses ill as they contain a live pathogen. Incorrect vaccine administration could lead to the creation of new variants of the disease.

There is still much to be learned about African horse sickness, including vector capacity. The disease could be devastating to the U.S. equine economy, so ongoing, diligent study is needed.