News from Outside the Ring

Important Helmet News

Wearing a helmet

EVERY time you sit on a horse is important. Now you have more options in choosing what you wear. The USEF has amended their helmet rule to expand the list of acceptable international testing standards for approved equestrian headgear. In addition to the US standard ASTM F1163, you can have a helmet that meets the British standard PAS 015 or the European standard VG1 01.040. These standards are either comparable or exceed US criteria. The rule went into effect August 1. What this means to you is that you can now take advantage of any good exchange rates to shop online or when traveling internationally, have fun going on a shopping spree. Here’s the complete list of acceptable standards: https:// www.usef.org/forms-pubs/wGqEFLaPc60/list-of-applicable-international?utm_ source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Industry%20 News%20-Helmet%20Rule%20Change-%2007.25.23%20(1)&utm_content=

Science Rules

It has long been suspected that there is a genetic component to kissing spine disease, as it is more frequent in Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, and stock-type breeds, and also in taller horses. Although level of work, discipline, and saddle fit have been shown to contribute to the development of kissing spine, previous research established a hereditary cause. New research has further narrowed down the gene to a single nucleotide polymorphism on chromosome 25. Despite tall height being a risk factor, this gene was not linked to height but it was known in other species to be associated with cartilage proliferation, which is a problem sometimes seen in horses with kissing spine. It should be noted that the gene isn’t causative for kissing spine, but instead increases the risk and potential severity of the disease in a horse with the gene, with a greater rink in those with two copies of the gene. Someday a test may be available to assist with breeding decisions, as well as the training of horses with the defective gene. See here for the original article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/ S0034528822001606?via%3Dihub