What makes a good hydration product?

Proper cellular hydration is extremely important for heavy exertion, endurance, or heat stress conditions when loss of water is rapidly occurring. Horses, compared to most domesticated species of animals are able to much more effectively employ sweating mechanisms as means to thermoregulate their body temperature. However, because of this heightened sweating ability, the need to provide sustained hydration should be of paramount importance. Hydration and hydration status are dependent upon water transport. The movement of water into the mammalian body occurs primarily in the small intestine.

Within the small intestine is a series of what academia refers to as pumps that facilitate nutrient exchange. These pumps actively search for sodium to transport into the body. Chemically, because of ionic charge, water and sodium have an affinity for one another, water will follow sodium as it is absorbed through the small intestine. In addition to sodium pumps, in the small intestine are also specific glucose transporters. By supplementing glucose at same time as sodium, nutrient transport and absorption is enhanced. Rehydration is more readily accomplished.

2024 FEI Endurance World Championship Sept. 7th

The 2024 FEI Endurance World Championship is scheduled to take place in Monpazier, France, on September 7, 2024. This Selection Memo is provided to assist athletes with their competition planning and is subject to change due to the final approval of the full Selection Procedures by the USEF Board of Directors or USEF Executive Committee. The Selection Memo can be found here.

If you have any questions or feedback on the selection process prior to the approval of the full Selection Procedures, please contact Steven Morrissey, Managing Director of Sport Logistics & Non-Olympic Disciplines.

Excess sodium provided without glucose will increase the osmotic pressure within the gastrointestinal tract. As the osmotic gradient is increased within the intestine it will create a reserve osmosis effect in which free water is actually drawn into the lumen, or the fluid within the intestine. This sodium excess results dehydration and can be one of the reasons for clinical presentation of diarrhea and associated symptoms. Excess sodium and the reverse osmosis in the intestinal tract is also the reason humans cannot drink salt water from the ocean. Animals supplemented with high levels of sodium may not appear to sweat as readily, may have less stool formation, and may drink more water the body is attempting to restore electrolyte balance. Be cautious about association of stool looseness presentation with improved hydration attributes, can also be early signs of sodium toxicity. Optimal hydration requires a balanced nutrient profile with sodium, potassium, chloride, and energy. This allows for engagement of multiple nutrient pumps within the small intestine. All those pumps working in unison optimize the transport of water. Protecting cellular integrity and fluid balance is how BlueLite takes hydration to the next level, because once the nutrients are absorbed into the body they need to enter cells. Making sure those cells have the ability to retain their fluid balance is a key to optimal hydration, this is where osmolytes such as betaine in the proprietary formulation of BlueLite works to address the hydration needs of the animal at a deeper level.

PARI acquires Nortev, manufacturer of an equine respiratory therapy device

PARI Respiratory Equipment, Inc, manufacturer of medical devices and pharmaceuticals in the respiratory and inhalation industry, has acquired the Irish company Nortev, which manufactures and sells the equine nebulizer Flexineb, a device for respiratory therapy in horses by nebulizing medication or saline. Nortev also provides nebulization devices for companion animals.

Founded in 2008 in Galway, Ireland, Nortev distributes its products to over 30 countries in Europe, North America, Australia, and the Middle East.1 Its portfolio of customers features renowned veterinary clinics, horse studs, horse trainers, along with professional and leisure riders.

"Our goal is to establish PARI's more than 100 years of experience in inhalation therapy in the field of animal inhalation. With Nortev we have found a company that, like us at PARI, develops and sells innovative inhalation devices with the highest quality standards,” expressed Arne W. Dirks, PARI CEO, in a company release.1 “Together, we can develop new inhalation therapies that benefit horses and small animals with respiratory diseases – and thus also their owners."

Nortev will continue to be led by the 2 founders Gavan O'Sullivan and Declan Moran as an independent company. "I look forward to further developing our Flexineb equine nebulizer under the PARI umbrella," added Nortev CEO and managing director Gavan O'Sullivan, in the release. "There will be no changes for our Flexineb customers as a result of the acquisition. With PARI's support, we will enhance our core vision of continuous improvement and innovation in animal respiratory healthcare."

Morris Animal Foundation Accepting Proposals for Domesticated Equid Health Research

The Morris Animal Foundation is now accepting proposals for research focused on equid health topics. Proposals should advance the health and overall welfare of domesticated horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

Four grant types will be funded as part of this Request for Proposals: Established Investigator—awards that provide funding for research by individuals and teams with a previous record of research and publication. Pilot Study—grants that support innovative ideas to accelerate discovery and advance Morris Animal Foundation’s mission. First Award—grants that assist new faculty in establishing a successful research program. Fellowship Training—funds to assist new investigators in launching a successful research career by providing salary support in a quality mentoring environment.

Applications are reviewed and rated based on impact and scientific rigor by the Foundation’s scientific advisory boards, which are made up of topic experts in the veterinary community, and proposals are due by Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board next meeting in June

WASHINGON, D.C. — The National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board will meet June 28-30, 2023, at the Whitney Peak Hotel located at 255 N Virginia Street, Reno, NV. The public is invited to attend in-person or view the entire Advisory Board meeting virtually via live stream at BLM.gov/live. Also, the BLM will host an educational field tour for the Board which is open to the public on June 27 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PT.

The public will have an opportunity to make a verbal statement to the Advisory Board in person and virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, June 28, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. PT; on Thursday, June 29, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. PT; and on Friday, June 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. PT. To accommodate all individuals interested in providing comments, in-person and virtual commenters must register with the BLM at least three days in advance of the meeting.

The public may also submit written comments to the Advisory Board in addition to, or in lieu of, providing verbal comment. Written comments should be submitted to the Advisory Board at whbadvisoryboard@blm.gov. Comments emailed three days prior to the meeting will be provided to the Advisory Board for consideration during the meeting.

The National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board is comprised of nine individuals representing a diverse range of stakeholders and interests. The Board provides advice and recommendations to the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service as the agencies work to carry out their responsibilities under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.