Tag: Horse Care

Many horse owners and caretakers wrap horse's legs for a variety of reasons, from protection while traveling to support during time spent in a stall. But is there an age at which wrapping a horse's legs is ill-advised because the horse is too young? 

Dr. Matthew Mackay-Smith of EQUUS magazine responds that a healthy horse does not need to routinely have his legs wrapped, even if he is being worked, traveling, or playing. He suggests protective boots designed specifically for the task at hand are better-suited for leg protection than wrapping. 

Stable bandages, which are pillow leg wraps held in place with long, elastic bandages, do not provide the support or preventative benefits they're touted to have, he explains. These bandages can actually delay the recognition of minor injuries and strains. 

Additionally, wrapping over the application of liniment can irritate and blister skin or damage hair follicles. 

There is no minimum age for applying leg protection, Mackay-Smith says, but he recommends using boots and avoiding wraps unless using them under veterinary direction for a specific treatment. 

Read more at EQUUS magazine. 

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The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site this year with several activations during Preakness week. The 148th Preakness Stakes will take place at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will kick off the week with America's Best Racing's Pre-Preakness Party. The eighth annual Pre-Preakness Party will be held on Wednesday, May 17, at the Mt. Washington Tavern in Baltimore, Maryland. The evening will consist of networking, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, an entertaining handicapping challenge with guest analysts, and a silent auction. All proceeds of the party and auction will benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Tickets are still available online at: www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-pre-preakness-party-by-thoroughbred-aftercare-alliance-abr-tickets-596988597967 

Throughout the race days of Preakness week, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance supporters 1/ST RACING, Maryland Jockey Club, and Pimlico Race Course will promote aftercare awareness.

“We are excited to have such an important organization celebrate Preakness weekend with us,” said Georganne Hale, Vice President of Racing Development of Maryland Jockey Club. “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is so important for the industry, and we are happy to showcase them when all eyes are on Preakness!”

On Friday, May 19, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be recognized with a named race on the undercard of Black-Eyed Susan Day. Following the running of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections including a branded blanket and swag bag. 

On Saturday, May 20, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will present the Sir Barton Stakes Sponsored by Brandon and Diannah Perry to Benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Paragon Farms, founded by Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Brandon and Diannah Perry, entered into an agreement to annually donate $100,000 to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as the title sponsor of the Sir Barton Stakes for three consecutive years beginning with the Preakness 147. Following the running of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections including a branded blanket and swag bag, as well as a check presentation to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance from Paragon Farms.

On both Black-Eyed Susan and Preakness Day, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will host the Best Turned Out Awards in the Pimlico Race Course winner's circle for each race. Additionally, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will have an information table to learn more about accredited aftercare and to make a donation in exchange for branded merchandise and Preakness-day memorabilia.

Throughout the week, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will facilitate winning guests from one of the VIP experiences auctioned off earlier this year in the “Off to the Races” campaign, promoting aftercare awareness. In addition to the Pre-Preakness Party and a weekend of racing, this experience also includes a sunrise tour, the Alibi Breakfast, and access to join the simulcast for a race on the Black-Eyed Susan undercard. Finally, the guests will also join the winner's circle for the Sir Barton Stakes on Preakness Day. This experience celebrating the second leg of the Triple Crown was generously donated by 1/ST RACING and America's Best Racing.

“The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is extremely appreciative of how the 1/ST RACING has always opened its arms to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,” said Jeffrey Bloom, President of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Managing Director of Bloom Racing Stable. “Being a part of major race days is important to highlight that we as an industry are behind the care and welfare of our horses, and we are once again delighted to be representing our 81 accredited organizations across North America throughout Preakness week.”

About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance 

Based in Lexington, KY, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, the TAA has granted more than $28.1 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 81 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about the TAA, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has released a quarantine at The Thoroughbred Center training facility in Fayette County, Ky., which was caused by an outbreak of strangles beginning with a 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly, according to an update posted to the Equine Disease Communication Center's website on Tuesday.

An epidemiologic investigation early in the outbreak indicated the potential for strangles to reach a total of three facilities: the Thoroughbred Training Center, Keeneland Race Course, and Triple Diamonds Training Center on Russell Cave Road. One unnamed trainer housed horses at all three facilities.

The affected barn at Keeneland was released from quarantine two weeks ago, and the affected barn at Triple Diamonds Training Center was released from quarantine last week. Now, the affected barn at The Thoroughbred Center has been released from quarantine as well.

Several horses remain under quarantine at a private facility.

The full update from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is as follows:

“On Thursday evening, May 4, each of the horses in the affected barn at The Thoroughbred Center (TTC) were subjected to their guttural pouches being examined by endoscopy and flushed. One additional horse, under care of the single trainer having previous positives, was found to have some guttural pouch inflammation and PCR testing guttural pouch flush did detect S.equi DNA. This horse was moved from TTC to the Private Quarantine on Friday evening. “On Sunday, May 7, each of the horses under the care of the single trainer remaining at TTC were moved from the facility to the private quarantine. This group of horses are now segregated into three different groups defined by identified risk.

“Each of the horses under the care of the second trainer in the barn were also examined by endoscopy with no abnormalities seen in any of these horses. Flushing of the guttural pouches from each of the horses was reported negative by PCR. Each horse in this stable now has four (4) nasal pharyngeal washes reported to be negative, had their guttural pouches examined and flushed this past Thursday with no abnormal findings and each sample found to be negative by PCR. Based on the three weeks of close monitoring and extensive testing of these potentially indirectly exposed horses, these horses are released from quarantine effective this evening, May 8, 2023. “With this release, all horses and horsemen stabled at The Thoroughbred Center can return to their normal training and racing activity beginning Tuesday morning, May 9, 2023.

“Note the only horses remaining under quarantine associated with this epidemiologic investigation are those of the single trainer which are now all stabled and remain under quarantine at a private facility. These groups of horses, when qualified, will be released from quarantine as each group satisfies the established monitoring and testing protocols with negative results.”

The upper respiratory disease commonly referred to as strangles is caused by Streptococcus equi subsp equi. Strangles is spread from horse to horse through direct contact. Horses can also contract the disease by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. The disease is highly infectious.

For more information go to: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/strangles.

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At next year's Paris Olympic Games, Thoroughbreds competing in any of the equestrian disciplines – dressage, show jumping and eventing – will, for the first time, be recognised in the starting lists and results. In past Olympics, the retired Thoroughbred racehorses competing were listed only as 'breeding unknown.'

The agreement follows discussions between the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF), the World Breeding Federation for Sports Horses (WBFSH), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and the International Stud Book Committee (ISBC) and will extend also to all FEI competitions. The issue arose because, under a Memorandum of Understanding between the FEI and the WBFSH, only member stud books of the WBFSH have historically been credited, and the WBFSH only has members that specifically breed horses for the Olympic disciplines.

The arrangement was welcomed by Dr. Paull Khan, Secretary-General of the EMHF and a member of the Steering Group of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR): “Much effort is made around the world to encourage the owners of retired racehorses to explore second careers for them. This recognition will both further the message that Thoroughbreds do go on to compete with distinction in other equestrian disciples and prompt more Thoroughbred owners to consider this retirement option for their racehorses”.

Nadine Brandtner, General Manager of the WBFSH added: “The WBFSH recognises the extensive influence the Thoroughbred has had on sport horse breeding and development, and that undoubtedly the Thoroughbred deserves recognition. Furthermore, the initiative to encourage second careers for retired Thoroughbreds is a vital effort to maintain the social license to operate. We believe that it is the entire equine sector that must stand together to face this challenge, and so it is natural that the WBFSH would support this”.

The FEI's Director of Governance and Institutional Affairs, Francisco Lima, confirmed that this development carries the full support of the FEI.

Simon Cooper, Vice-Chair of the ISBC, added: “The International Stud Book Committee is delighted that Thoroughbreds will now be recognised for their participation and success in equestrian sports. The ISBC is grateful to EMHF, WBFSH and the FEI for working together alongside the ISBC to support this recognition of off-the-track racehorses. Thoroughbreds have consistently shown that their athleticism, attitude and adaptability so often make for a successful second career in equestrian sports. The ISBC's 68 Approved Thoroughbred Stud Books across the world will be supporting IFAR, WBFSH and the FEI in promoting post-racing opportunities and ensuring recognition for these Thoroughbreds”.

The post ‘Unknown’ No More: Olympic Thoroughbreds Will Now Have Breeding Displayed appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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