News from Your Equine Health Care Provider | Vol. 2 | Fall 2017
Dr. Bill Rood Receives KVMA Award Dr. Bill Rood was honored by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association during the 106th annual KVMA meeting & 44th Mid-American Veterinary Conference held in Louisville September 29 - October 1, 2017. He was presented with the Distinguished Service Award for co-founding one of the largest equine hospitals in the world and bringing some of the greatest minds in equine medicine and surgery to central Kentucky.
IN THIS ISSUE EQUINE HEALTH
Dr. Kathleen Paasch
-Early Maturing Yearlings -Corrective Surgery and Soundness -Problems for Pinhooking -Finding Your Comfort Level
Dr. Scott Pierce -Pre-Sale Exams
Dr. Bart Barber
Throughout the hospital’s history a large number of interns have been mentored and educated here at Rood & Riddle. Many of the graduates, after finishing their internship, have gone onto start their own practices, or continued their education into specialized areas of equine medicine. With his dedication to education he initiated and hosted the Opportunities in Equine Practice seminar for 10 years. This seminar brought approximately 400 veterinary students to central KY to experience an equine practice at it’s finest. His involvement in AAEP led him to serve on several AAEP committees, two of which he chaired, the practice management and hospital design committees. He initiated the AAEP practice management symposium and also started the first equine veterinary management group.
-Radiographing Sales Horses
Earlier this year Dr. Rood received a distinguished alumni award from the University of California Davis veterinary school.
2016 Sport Horse of the Year ~ Zine Dine
Co-founder Tom Riddle stated “Bill Rood has made a major contribution to equine veterinary medicine not only in Kentucky but also throughout the United States and the world. He directed the construction of beautiful, yet practical facilities that our practitioners and staff are proud to call our workplace. Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital is a testament to his belief that the best practices in academia can be combined with the realities of private practice to form a successful business venture.”
2017 Comeback Award Winner ~ Tempt Me Wellington Welcomes Dr. Stephanie Walbornn Rood & Riddle in the News
In December, Dr. Rood will be turning over CEO reins to Dr. Deborah Spike-Pierce. Dr. Spike-Pierce was elected by the Shareholders assume the leadership role. “As you can see by Dr. Rood’s above accomplishments, he will be a hard act to follow.” commented Dr. Deborah Spike-Pierce when asked about the upcoming transition. www.roodandriddle.com
ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN with Dr. Kathleen Paasch
Factors in Early-Maturing Yearlings QUESTION: Mature-looking yearlings often do well at auction, but do buyers need to be concerned about that early growth having negative impacts down the road?
Kathleen Paasch, DVM “As to whether buyers need be concerned about early growth having negative impacts, most developmental orthopedic problems, or OCDs, form before the horse is a year old. ”
“In other words, developmental issues generally present well before sale time and would likely be picked up on radiographs.”
DR. KATHLEEN PAASCH: Horses, by design, undergo rapid early development, but there are several additional factors that contribute to “mature-looking” sale yearlings. The first is age in months. Even though The Jockey Club defines all horses born in the previous year as yearlings, there may be as much as a 5-6 month difference in the youngest and oldest sale horses. A January yearling typically looks more mature than a June yearling because it is. The second influence is management. Breeders strive to raise the best and biggest racehorses by providing optimum nutrition, exercise, and health care. Maximizing these components results in more mature-looking individuals. Finally, there can be great variability in individuals. Some families and body types physically mature earlier than others. As to whether buyers need be concerned about early growth having negative impacts, most developmental orthopedic problems, or OCDs, form before the horse is a year old. Thoroughbreds pointed toward yearling sales are generally screened radiographically in the spring. Any problems found are treated either surgically, medically, or with management. Yearlings are again radiographed in the fall for the repository. By the time repository films are taken, yearlings are old enough that new problems related to growth are unlikely. In other words, developmental issues generally present well before sale time and would likely be picked up on radiographs.
Corrective Surgery and Soundness QUESTION: I’m looking at a yearling who had corrective surgery for a conformation issue when he was young. Should that influence the way I look at his racing or future breeding potential?
“These days, most corrective limb surgeries are done to improve future soundness – not simply to make the horse look better. Horses with faulty conformation tend to have more soundness issues.”
Reprinted with permission of the
DR. KATHLEEN PAASCH: These days, most corrective limb surgeries are done to improve future soundness – not simply to make the horse look better. Horses with faulty conformation tend to have more soundness issues. For example, bow-legged horses (carpal varus conformation) are more prone to injury as racehorses. It’s easy to imagine the increased stress this conformation would put on the inside of the knee at high speed. Conversely, an extremely knock-kneed conformation (carpal valgus) results in an inefficient gait and stress on the outside of the knees. Corrective surgery (a transphyseal bridge) straightens the leg to normal conformation resulting in less stress on the joint and a more efficient gait. Knowing that a horse has had this type of surgery should not be a concern for future racing. As far as breeding potential, there are many successful racehorses that have had corrective limb surgery and are now breeding stallions and broodmares. However, surgical correction of conformation does not mean that the horse’s original conformation will not be passed on to offspring. Some stallions and mares are prepotent in their ability to pass on conformation as well as other traits. If this is a concern for you as a breeder, you should ask whether this type of surgery was performed. At present, sellers are not required to disclose corrective limb surgery, but most will tell you if you ask. In conjunction with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, “Ask Your Veterinarian” is a regular feature in the PR Special newsletter distributed online and at Thoroughbred sales. Veterinarians at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital answer your questions about sales and healthcare of Thoroughbred auction yearlings, weanlings, 2-year-olds and breeding stock.
Problems for Pinhooking QUESTION: If I’m interested in buying a yearling I’m going to pinhook, do I need to be more restrictive about what types of orthopedic issues I’ll accept in anticipation of more critical buyers at a 2-year old-sale? DR. KATHLEEN PAASCH: A pinhook yearling needs to be one that is ready to move relatively quickly to the breaking and training stages. Any issues that would cause a horse to need more time to mature or be laid up would be of concern for pinhooking. Examples of this include, but are not limited to: inflammation of the sesamoid bones (sesamoiditis), sclerosis in knees or stifles, or inflammation of the growth plates (physitis). A younger yearling or one who has inflammation in any of these areas needs more time to mature and would not be the best candidate to go directly to break and train. Some lesions like fetlock chips or hock OCDs can be surgically removed with a favorable prognosis and horses are typically back to normal care in 6-8 weeks. This may be an acceptable wait for some. For most pinhookers though, the ideal candidate is one that needs no extra time or surgery. If you are interested in pinhooking a yearling, make sure your veterinarian knows this when reading repository films so that they can advise you best.
“Any issues that would cause a horse to need more time to mature or be laid up would be of concern for pinhooking.”
“If you are interested in pinhooking a yearling, make sure your veterinarian knows this when reading repository films so that they can advise you best.”
Finding Your Comfort Level QUESTION: Which joint do you find to be the most problematic as far as issues on x-ray and lameness issues? DR. KATHLEEN PAASCH: It is almost impossible to name a particular joint as most problematic. Buyers often shy away from anything associated with knees or stifles and so these joints are often singled out as most problematic. However, while there can be very serious problems in these joints, lesions in these areas should not result in an automatic rejection when buying a future racehorse. Depending on size and location, horses can have stifle OCDs and race just as successfully as their siblings. In the knee, changes in the upper joint are less concerning than changes in the lower joint. Finally, many buyers don’t consider fetlocks as problem joints and it’s true that a fetlock chip can be easily removed. However, a large cyst in that joint can result in an unsound horse or at the very least one that will be extremely difficult to sell. Examples of minor and problematic findings could be given for every joint. I cannot stress enough that buyers find a vet with whom they are comfortable to interpret repository films. Buyers should find someone who can explain the anatomical terms and who is knowledgeable about how yearlings with particular findings tend to perform athletically. A great deal of research exists on Thoroughbred sales yearlings and their racing performance. Ideally, buyers should work with a veterinarian who knows their level of risk tolerance and the intended purpose of the horse. They should ask questions so as to make the most informed decision. Consignors, while in possession of veterinary reports, should not be expected to interpret the veterinarian’s words. Findings on radiographs do not mean that a yearling won’t be a racehorse any more than a clean report guarantees success.
“I cannot stress enough
that buyers find a vet with whom they are comfortable to interpret repository films.”
“Ideally, buyers should
work with a veterinarian who knows their level of risk tolerance and the intended purpose of the horse.”
Dr. Kathleen Paasch is a shareholder in Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. She received her DVM from Washington State University and completed Rood and Riddle’s internship program the following year. Dr. Paasch specializes in lameness, diagnostic imaging, and acupuncture. www.roodandriddle.com
ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN with Dr. Scott Pierce
Pre-sale Examinations QUESTION: What is included in a typical pre-sale examination by a veterinarian?
Scott Pierce, DVM
“Regardless of the
physical component of the examination, there are two main features of the vetting process. This includes an endoscopic examination of the upper airway (scope) and evaluation of the radiographs in the repository. These two examinations help determine the likelihood that a yearling will stay sound and is free from underlying abnormalities that could interfere with its soundness for racing.”
Reprinted with permission of the
DR. SCOTT PIERCE: The examinations performed at the sales are shaped around the request and or experience of the client. Many owners, agents and trainers are very good at evaluating conformation and physically evaluating yearlings for abnormalities. In these cases, I am usually asked to examine the abnormalities they have detected. A brief physical examination of eyes, heart, lungs and palpation for the presence of two testicles in colts is usually performed in these cases. In other situations, clients prefer me to perform a complete examination of the horse, including physical and clinical evaluation as well as conformation exam. Regardless of the physical component of the examination, there are two main features of the vetting process. This includes an endoscopic examination of the upper airway (scope) and evaluation of the radiographs in the repository. These two examinations help determine the likelihood that a yearling will stay sound and is free from underlying abnormalities that could interfere with its soundness for racing. There are additional special diagnostic procedures that can be performed. Especially important is the ultrasound examination of the lower limbs. Occasionally the flexor tendons and/or suspensory ligaments are thought to be clinically abnormal and are evaluated with an ultrasound. This procedure is used to find edema, inflammation, or tears in these structures. Tendons and ligaments attach to bones and sometimes one can see a subtle abnormality on the radiographs. The ultrasound is then used to look at this area and evaluate the soft tissue portion of the attachment. The ultrasound can also be used for evaluating the heart, lungs, and upper airway. If abnormalities are found during the clinical exam, an ultrasound is used to examine the areas in question. Scott Pierce is a managing partner in Rood and Riddle’s Saratoga and Wellington practices. He began working at Rood & Riddle in 1985, and specializes in juvenile Thoroughbreds, upper airway endoscopy, public and private sales.
2017 Equine Upper Airway Symposium The 2017 Equine Upper Airway Symposium was held Septebmer 21-24, 2017 at the Lexington facility. This year’s attendees came from as far away as Australia, Norway, and Bahrain internationally and covered the corners of the United States with doctors from Washington, Missississippi, and Minnesota. The yearly symposium is open to veterinarians, clinicians, and residents who want to immerse themselves with in depth, current information regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for upper airway conditions in the horse.
This year’s speakers included Drs. Brett Woodie, Rolf Embertson, and Katherine Garrett of Rood & Riddle, Drs. Jonathan Cheetham and Norm Ducharme, Cornell, Dr. Eric Parente, Univ. Of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center, and Dr. Justin Perkins of the Royal Veterinary College, London, U.K.
ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN with Dr. Bart Barber
When To Radiograph Sale Horses QUESTION: Speaking from a buyer’s perspective, when (if ever) does it make sense to have your veterinarian shoot their own X-rays in the course of doing a pre-sale work-up on a horse? DR. BART BARBER: Any time that your veterinarian has a question and would like to either repeat a specific joint or get additional views it is very important to do so.
Bart Barber, DVM
There are times when the radiographs in the repository, even high-quality films, leave the reader with questions. It may be unclear as to a lesion’s severity, its exact location, or if there is a lesion at all or just an artifact. At these times the veterinarian will either repeat the same views or take something entirely different that falls outside of the normal survey protocol to bring more clarity to picture.
“There are times when the radiographs in the repository, even highquality films, leave the reader with questions. It may be unclear as to a lesion’s severity, its exact location, or if there is a lesion at all or just an artifact.”
There are also times when a buyer may wish to have something radiographed that is not part of the usual survey. The most common area that would fit into this category would be the feet. It would also be wise to repeat radiographs if there has been a recent injury. As far as repeating the entire survey, there may be occasions that it would be justified. The radiographs in the repository are an accurate representation of the horse to be presented in the ring the vast majority of the time. That said, those films were taken as far out as three weeks before the sale and there is a possibility that things could have changed in that time. The other consideration would be if the films in the repository were of very low quality, which is not common. This would have to be a personal decision that is made by the buying team that considers the risk, the cost of the radiographs, and the value of the horse. Dr. Bart Barber, DVM, graduated from Washington State University in 1998 and completed his internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. He is a shareholder in Rood and Riddle’s veterinary practice and specializes in reproduction, primary and preventative ambulatory care, as well as operations at Rood and Riddle Veterinary Pharmacy.
2017 Hats Off Day Blue skies and moderate temperatures on Saturday, July 29, made this year’s Hats Off Day a huge success. The Kentucky Horse Park was packed with families taking advantage of Central Bank’s free admission to the park and everywhere you looked kids were riding, jumping, painting, and smiling. Rolex stadium was packed with spectators who were able to enjoy an evening of horsecentric action. The opening ceremonies started out the evening with our own Whitney Mathes singing our national anthem and our Old Kentucky Home surrounded by the KHP mounted police carrying
“There are also times when a buyer may wish to have something radiographed that is not part of the usual survey. The most common area that would fit into this category would be the feet.”
Reprinted with permission of the
the American and Kentucky flags. Up next was a beautiful display of the versatility of the American Saddlebred. True Fortune was the representative for the fine harness, followed by Magic City, a three-gaited park horse, and a six time world champion Marc Of Charm. The sponsor tent was filled to capacity and both the live and silent auctions made both the Kentucky Equine Humane Center and the Horse Park Foundation much needed revenue. The night was capped off by the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix. Over 30 horses were entered and after a 10 horse jump off, David Beisel & Ammeretto, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood, took home the trophy and the cash.
David Beisel & Ammeretto
Photo credit: Phelps Media
www.roodandriddle.com
2016 Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year
Zine Dine For a match that shouldn’t have happened, it seems Hailey Rogge and her then 13-year-old gelding Zine Dine were meant to be. “For a match that shouldn’t have happened, it seems Hailey Rogge and her then 13-yearold gelding Zine Dine were meant to be.”
Amid coaching clients at the 2008 U.S. Equestrian Pony Finals in Lexington, Rogge found time to visit a barn to look at Thoroughbred show jumping prospects. She spotted Zine Dine, then named Omnipotent (Unbridled Time- My Belle, by Buckeroo), a freshly gelded 4-year-old, who wasn’t actually for sale. “They said, ‘Oh, no, you can’t have that one,’” Rogge said, but after trying the other available horses, she kept going back to Zine Dine. “I said, ‘I really want to try that one; that’s the one I am interested in.’” The owners were reluctant to sell, but Rogge Hailey Rogge & Dr. Dale Brown convinced them to part with him, and she took him Photo Credit: (c) 2017 Photo by Bill Straus home to Lafayette, La., that same weekend. Zine Dine didn’t blink at the career switch because just months later the pair showed in the Gulf Coast Classic Company, where Zine Dine was named hopeful jumper circuit champion. Zine Dine later won the Rood & Riddle Thoroughbred Sport Horse Rookie of the Year award.
“I’m so proud and so excited that he’s being acknowledged,” Rogge said. “He shows that Thoroughbreds can be with the best of the best of them in these competitions. He competes just as well as the Warmbloods.”
After six years together the two took home their greatest victory so far in the 2014 Pin Oak Charity Horse Show 1.45 meter Welcome Stakes. Zine Dine and Rogge have stepped it up even more, and Zine Dine got his FEI passport last year, enabling him to compete internationally and against Olympic-level horses and riders.
Hailey Rogge & Zine Dine Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Perhaps the highlight of the duo’s career occurred last summer when they competed in the $130,000 Ariat Grand Prix CSI 3-star event as a team. Rogge isn’t daunted by the fact she had the only Thoroughbred at the competition.
This helped Zine Dine snatch the 2016 Rood & Riddle Touch of Class Thoroughbred Jumper Award. This August, Zine Dine competed in a couple of $30,000 Grand Prix events in Des Moines, Iowa. “I’m so proud and so excited that he’s being acknowledged,” Rogge said. “He shows that Thoroughbreds can be with the best of the best of them in these competitions. He competes just as well as the Warmbloods.” By Cathy Miller
2017 Rood & Riddle Comeback Award Winner
Tempt Me World Grand Champion Fine Harness mare Tempt Me has been selected as the 2017 Rood & Riddle Comeback Award winner. This award is presented to a horse who has performed at the highest levels of competition, faced a medical/ surgical issue, received veterinary care by a Rood & Riddle veterinarian, and subsequently returned to compete at his/her previous performance level. This year’s winner Tempt Me, owned by Susan G. Bartlett of Owensboro, Kentucky and trained by Chuck Herbert, was chosen due to her tenacity in coming back from a 2015 colic surgery performed by Dr. Brett Woodie. The flashy 8 year-old mare went on to go undefeated in the 2016 season ultimately taking both the World Championship in Fine Harness Amateur Ladies and the World Grand Championship in Amateur Fine Harness titles at the 2016 World Championship Show held in Louisville, Ky. “We are pleased to present the 2017 Rood & Riddle Comeback Award to Tempt Me. She exemplifies the characteristics of an outstanding athlete who suffered a major health issue, returned to elite competition, and continued her winning ways.” said Dr. Tom Riddle. Photo credit: Brooke Jacobs The award was presented by Tempt Me’s surgeon, Brett Woodie DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, on Friday, July 7, 2017 at the Lexington Junior League Horse Show.
In a Facebook post by her trainer Chuck Herbert, Tempt Me’s medical history was updated.
Chuck Herbert, trainer, Left, Susan Bartlett. owner, far Right with World Chamption Tempt Me
Herbert stated that “‘Tempt Me’ underwent her second colic surgery in late November of 2016. We waited longer than the normal time to start her back to work to give her additional healing time. In late March the decision was made to do a third surgery, because her incision line was not closing satisfactory, to add a mesh.
It was not until the middle of April that we started her back to work after having 8 months off. We were not even sure she would be able to show anywhere this year!
“World Grand Champion Fine Harness mare Tempt Me has been selected as the 2017 Rood & Riddle Comeback Award winner.”
“For ‘Tempt Me’ to come back and defend her title this year is a miracle that only came about because of the dedication and help of Dr. RH Stone, Dr. Brett Woodie at Rood and Riddle, Dr. Hank Clemmons, farrier Greg Mominee.... and the heart the size of Freedom Hall of world Champion of Champions TEMPT ME!!’”
For ‘Tempt Me’ to come back and defend her title this year is a miracle that only came about because of the dedication and help of Dr. RH Stone, Dr. Brett Woodie at Rood and Riddle, Dr. Hank Clemmons, farrier Greg Mominee.... and the heart the size of Freedom Hall of world Champion of Champions TEMPT ME!!”
www.roodandriddle.com
Rood & Riddle in Wellington Welcomes Theriogenologist Dr. Stephanie Walbornn Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Wellington is proud to announce the arrival of board certified theriogenologist Dr. Stephanie Walbornn, DVM, DACT to the full time staff at our Wellington facility.
Stephanie Walbornn, DVM, DACT
“‘I’m eager to build upon Rood and Riddle’s tradition of excellence. I hope to contribute to Rood & Riddle’s promise of providing expertise for our patients in South Florida in a caring, professional, and ethical manner,” said Dr. Walbornn.” As we have been developing our practice in South Florida, it has been obvious that a board certified veterinarian specializing in equine reproduction was needed.” said Scott Pierce, DVM, managing partner of the Wellington facility.”
“I’m eager to build upon Rood and Riddle’s tradition of excellence. I hope to contribute to Rood & Riddle’s promise of providing expertise for our patients in South Florida in a caring, professional, and ethical manner,” said Dr. Walbornn. Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Wellington will be providing a variety of advanced reproductive services to include but not limited to, embryo flushing, oocyte harvest, mare and stallion breeding soundness evaluations, and semen collection for insemination. Dr. Walbornn was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and moved to South Florida when she was six years old. She grew up riding in both hunter and jumper disciplines. She attended the University Of Florida College Of Veterinary Medicine and obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. After graduation, Dr. Walbornn completed an internship at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala in Florida. She went on to complete a residency in Equine Reproduction at Texas A&M University and became a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists in 2017. Dr. Walbornn enjoys all facets of equine reproduction and is excited to be joining the distinguished team of veterinarians at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. “We are excited to add Dr. Walbornn to the full time staff at our Wellington facility. As we have been developing our practice in South Florida, it has been obvious that a board certified veterinarian specializing in equine reproduction was needed.” said Scott Pierce, DVM, managing partner of the Wellington facility. “Dr. Walbornn’s credentials are impressive and we are glad to have her.”
Rood & Riddle in the News Lexington-based veterinarian Tom Riddle, was recently named the 2017 Friend of University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs. The award recognizes the many impacts he has had on equine research and education within UK’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Riddle, who co-founded Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in 1986 and concetrates on Thoroughbred breeding farm pracitce, has actively served for decades in many advisory capacities for equine research and education at UK.
Tom Riddle, DVM
Bonnie Barr, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM
Rood & Riddle provides annual support for an equine scholarship and for equine clubs’ and teams’ activities, and Riddle was a major advocate and contributor to the renovation of UK’s equine reproductive research facilities. Additionally, he has served on the college’s equine advisory committee from the very start.
Bonnie Barr, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, and Shareholder has been elected as the 2017-2018 KVMA Vice President. Dr. Barr graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1991. She earned her veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania (1993-1997) and then completed a oneyear internship at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital (1997-1998) and a two-year internal medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center (1998-2000). Dr. Barr was a staff member for one year at Texas A&M University before rejoining Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in 2001 as an associate veterinarian specializing in internal medicine. She became boarded in internal medicine in 2003 and in 2014 a shareholder at the practice. Her areas of special interest include equine neonatology, equine infectious diseases and infectious disease control. Dr. Barr is the co-author of Equine Pediatrics.