Rood & Riddle Report-Summer 2016

News from Your Equine Health Care Provider | Vol. 1 | Summer 2016

Rood & Riddle Returns as Official Equine Hospital of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships

IN THIS ISSUE EQUINE HEALTH

When they become a touch of gray..are they still worth their hay?

Atrial Fibrillation NEWS

Hats Off Day-A Success Inaugural Rood & Riddle Comeback Award Rood & Riddle in Saratoga Expansion Completion

Rood & Riddle, one of the world’s leading equine veterinary practices, will begin its second year as the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and Title Sponsor of the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Post-Position Draw.

This year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 13 grade 1 races and $28 million in purses and awards, will be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia Calif., on November 4-5, and will be televised live on NBC and NBCSN. The Rood & Riddle Breeders’ Cup Post-Position Draw will be held at Santa Anita on Monday, October 31. The draw will be conducted in two phases. The first phase, drawing of 11 Breeders’ Cup World Championships races, will be held at Top ‘O The Stretch located at Santa Anita Park at 1 p.m. PT. The Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff and the Breeders’ Cup Classic will be drawn later that afternoon in the majestic Chandelier Room at the racetrack.

“As leaders in the equine medical field, we are very pleased that Rood & Riddle is back with us as an official partner and sponsor of the Post-Position Draw,” said Craig Fravel, Breeders’ Cup President and CEO. “Rood & Riddle is very pleased to once again partner with Breeders’ Cup as the Title Sponsor of the Post-Position Draw and as Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy of the Breeders’ Cup Championships,” said Dr. Tom Riddle, co-founder of Rood & Riddle.

“We feel that the partnership we have with Breeders Cup is very appropriate: a world class veterinary practice supporting the World Championships of Thoroughbred racing.”

“Somethingroyal foaled Secretariat when she was 18 years old and produced two more stakes horses afterwards.”

“This trend does not appear to be limited to Thoroughbreds.

Examples in other breeds include Smart Little Kitty and Find A Buyer; the former was 4 years old when she foaled Dash For Cash, while the latter was 7 years old when she had High Brow Cat; both of these get were hall of fame performers and leading Quarter Horse sires.”

When they become a touch of gray...are they still worth their hay?

When they become a Charlie touch ofScoggin, gray…are theyMS, stillDipl. worth their By: DVM, ACT hay?

Those with a special interest in reproduction would readily agree that the age of a mare is a critical factor affecting her repro-

By Charlie Scoggin, DVM, MS, DACT ductive ability. Published research indicates broodmare fertility

Those with a special interest in reproduction would readily agree that the begins to decline around 14 years of age and becomes more age of a mare is a critical factor affecting her reproductive ability. Published extreme by 18 years of age. Of course, there is individual variaresearch indicates broodmare fertility begins to decline around 14 years of age and tion with instances of mares being bred successfully into their becomes more extreme by 18 years of age. Of course, there is individual variation Charlie Scoggin, DVM, MS late-teens and twenties. For instance, Somethingroyal foaled Secwith instances being bred successfully into their late-teens and twenties.

Dipl. ACT of mares retariat when she was 18 years old and produced two more stakes For instance, Somethingroyal foaled Secretariat when she was 18 years old and horseshorses afterwards. produced two more stakes afterwards.

However, Secretariat’s mom may be the exception and not the norm. As However, Secretariat’s mom may be the exception and not the norm.

As mares age, mares age, degenerative changes occur to the reproductive tract that reduce their degenerative changes occur and to the reproductive tractExamples that reduce theirloss ability ability to become pregnant produce a live foal. include of to become pregnant and produce a live foal.

Examples include loss of perineal conformation, fiperineal conformation, fibrosis of the endometrium and chronic brosis of the endometrium and chronic inflammation/infection of the reproductive tract. inflammation/infection of the reproductive tract. Some changes are closely Some changes areparity closely associated withofparity the number a mare associated with (i.e., the number foals a(i.e., mare has had in of thefoals past), while has had inothers the past), while others occur regardless of past reproductive history. occur regardless of past reproductive history.

That advancing age can lead to subfertility is not an earth-shattering That advancing lead subfertility is not mares an earth-shattering revelation, but what revelation, but age whatcan may be to surprising is young produce healthier and better may be surprising is young produceInhealthier and betterpast performing offspring than performing offspring than mares older mares. looking at notable and present Thoroughbred broodmares (Tablepast 1), the youthful mares produce(Table 1), older mares. In looking at notable andassertion present that Thoroughbred broodmares higher quality foals is not too far-fetched.

All mares shown were ≤ 10 years of age the assertion that youthful mares produce higher quality foals is not too far-fetched. when they produced All mares shown weretheir ≤ 10 notable years ofoffspring. age when they produced their notable offspring.

Table 1 - List of Thoroughbred broodmares of significance with their age and parity.

Broodmare

Miss Disco Gold Digger Weekend Surprise

Significance

Age at Foaling

Parity

Dam of Bold Ruler 10 years 4th foal Dam of Mr. Prospector 8 years 2nd foal Dam of Summer Squall 7 years 1st foal and and and A.P. Indy 9 years 3rd foal Terlingua Dam of Storm Cat 7 years 2nd foal Personal Ensign Dam of Miners Mark 6 years 1st foal and and and My Flag* 9 years 4th foal Vertigineux Dam of Zenyatta 9 years 4th foal Littleprincessemma Dam of American 6 years 2nd foal Pharoah *In addition to winning the 2002 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies race, she was also the dam of another Breeder’s Cup winner, Storm Flag Flying who won the 2002 Juvenile Fillies, and was My Flag’s second foal, born when her dam was 7 years of age.

In addition, this trend does not appear to be limited to Thoroughbreds.

In addition, this trend does not appear to be limited to Thoroughbreds. Examples in othExamples in other breeds include Smart Little Kitty and Find A Buyer; the former er breeds include Smart Little Kitty and Find A Buyer; the former was 4 years old when she foaled Dash For Cash, while the latter was 7 years old when she had High Brow Cat; both of these get were hall of fame performers and leading Quarter Horse sires. One of the more highly influential Saddlebred performers and sires was Wing Commander, who was foaled when his dam, Flirtation Walk, was 10 years of age.

Several studies have shown that foals born from mares <12 years of age were less likely to experience disease compared to foals born to older mares. This is important because foals experiencing disease (e.g., hypoxia, pneumonia, angular limb deformities) during the first year of life had a 5-7 times increased risk of becoming unsuitable as athletes. Conversely, healthy foals had more wins and total earnings than sick foals with confirmed cases of sepsis. These data suggests breeding young mares and implementing preventative medicine measures to stave off disease are potential means of influencing offspring performance.

Indeed, speed figures were higher in foals born from mares ≤ 10 years of age, and these mares also produced a higher proportion of stakes winners compared to mares > 10 years.

So why do young mares produce better offspring? Many factors are involved and lack of control over environmental and management influences can bias studies. Nevertheless, the impact of age has important physiologic implications: young mares have higher quality oocytes (i.e., eggs) and less degenerative changes to their reproductive tract compared to older mares. The ripple effect is such that young mares will be more fertile, have healthier foals and produce better racehorses compared to mares advancing in age.

In my opinion, these considerations are important from both an economic and scientific standpoint. Broodmares are long-term investments whose positive gains are dependent on their reproductive efficiency over the course of several years. To this point, a recent study out of Central Kentucky showed that the most profitable broodmares fall into one of two categories:

1. A maiden mare that produces a registered foal for seven consecutive years prior

to being sold or

2. A mare bred for nine years and only barren one time four years into her brood

mare career Both of these mares carry the highest investment probabilities and result in net cash flows over $85,000. While certainly a nice chunk of change, 7 to 9 years is a fairly long time to wait on an investment, especially when the assets are biological systems seemingly prone to adverse health events during their reproductive career.

There are two final points to make. First, the majority of studies referenced comprised data collected from Thoroughbreds. This was not intentional but rather a function of the dearth of publications in other breeds. Second, I made little mention of the stallion-effect. To be sure, fertility also declines in stallions as they age, but the age at which they produce notable offspring does not appear to be near as significant as what is seen in mares. Reasons would include market trends to breed to proven stallions, as well as the fact that their germ cells (spermatozoa) are continually being produced within the testes; on the contrary, mares are born with a fixed number of eggs that can degenerate with age.

In conclusion, by no means am I encouraging culling broodmares by the time they reach 12 years of age or withhold treatment to sick foals. Instead, this knowledge of the influence of age in broodmare reproduction can be used to manage expectations and implement preemptive strategies to reduce the risk of disease during the first year of life.

With any luck—and a whole lot of patience—the end result will be both profitable and worthwhile.

“We have learned that

“Nevertheless, the infected impact many of age has foals actually important physiologic completely implications: young mares recover and have higher quality never get oocytes (i.e., eggs)sick.” and less degenerative changes to their reproductive tract compared to older mares.”

“This knowledge of the influence of age in broodmare “Antimicrobial reproduction resistance be used iscan becoming manage atolimiting expectations factor in and implement controlling preemptive the disease, strategies to soreduce tests such the as these are risk of disease going during theto first year of very life. become With any luck— important in and a whole lot helping all of patience— of us identify the end foals result which will be both require profitable and treatment worthwhile.”

with the earliest intervention possible.”

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“Horses at peak exercise have heart rates well over 200 beats per minute while at rest they often have heart rates nearer to 30 beats per minute. If an arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation occurs the horse cannot deliver the volumes of blood needed to perform at peak levels and thus recognition and treatment of this problems is important for good athleticism.”

“If an arrthymia, such as AF, is diagnosed treat the problem early in order to have the best success for return to full athletic performance.”

Atrial Fibrillation

By: Steve Reed, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM

Steve Reed, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia observed in horses and is most often seen in adult horses, although it can sometimes be identified in foals as well. The usual clinical sign is exercise intolerance. In a 2015 publication titled: Risk Factors for Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation in Horses after Cardioversion to Sinus Rhythm. JVIM 2015;29:946-953 by A Decloedt, CC Schwarzwald, D De Clercq, N Van Der Vekens, B Pardon, VB Reef, G van Loon; the authors examined the risk factors associated with recurrence of this problem in horses.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of atrial mechanical function at 24 hours after cardioversion along with other potential predictor variables for AF recurrence in horses. It was a multicenter study which included 117 horses treated for AF at 4 referral centers. To be included in the study, horses had to diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and undergo successful cardioversion followed by echocardiographic evaluation at 24 hours and > 4 months after cardioversion. Following collection and evaluation of several independent variables, the data was used to build a multivariable survival model to determine the significance of each factor that was identified.

From the four referral centers, the authors examined 133 episodes of atrial fibrillation in 117 horses. Atrial fibrillation recurred in 36/100 horse that had a first AF episode and in 57 of the total 133 episodes. The authors noted that recurrence after a first episode was more likely when horses failed to respond to the first treatment attempt or if the horses had mitral valve regurgitation. The most consistent echocardiographic variable of atrial function recurrence was poor left atrial contraction. Horses are built to exercise with strength and endurance to do this they need to have a large heart capable of delivering a significant amount of blood to multiple tissues in a very short period of time. Horses at peak exercise have heart rates well over 200 beats per minute while at rest they often have heart rates nearer to 30 beats per minute. If an arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation occurs the horse cannot deliver the volumes of blood needed to perform at peak levels and thus recognition and treatment of this problems is important for good athleticism.

In most horses after this recognition and treatment of AF the horse returns to normal, however when they fail to respond to medication or if the left atrium is not working properly, recurrence of this problem is likely to occur. The take home message is: when a horse shows exercise intolerance, your veterinarians should include a cardiac evaluation as part of the physical examination. If an arrthymia, such as AF, is diagnosed treat the problem early in order to have the best success for return to full athletic performance.

Hats Off Day Featured Free Day of Family Fun

“We have learned that many infected

The 14th annual Hats Off to Kentucky’s Horse Industry Day – featured free, family-friendly events designed to celebrate the horse – was a big success! The event was held Saturday, July 30 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Hats Off Day was presented by Official Partner Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital with free admission sponsored by Central Bank and additional sponsorship by Zoetis and other industry leaders.

The 2016 Hats Off Day theme was “Horses in Hollywood” and featured a red carpet walk for costumed horses as well as look-alikes mimicking famous horses such as Seabiscuit. This year’s event also included the inaugural Rood & Riddle Comeback Award, which is presented to the connections of an outstanding horse that has undergone surgery or treatment for a major medical condition by Rood & Riddle veterinarians and returned to competing.

Hats Off Day activities included horse rides for adults and pony rides for children, face painting, inflatables, educational booths, and interactive equine stations including mechanical race horses. Free horse farm hats, provided by area horse farms and businesses, were given to the first attendees. This year, more than 700 hats were given away.

“Hats Off Day is all about celebrating the beauty and athleticism of the horse and raising awareness of the importance of our state’s signature industry,” said Dr. Tom Riddle, founder of Hats Off Day and founding partner of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. “We are proud to be a part of this event supporting Kentucky’s equine industry – recognized throughout the world for excellence.”

The featured entertainment of the event was the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix show jumping competition.

In addition to promoting awareness of the horse industry and its impact on Kentucky, Hats Off Day serves as a charity fundraiser for the Kentucky Equine Humane Center and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. More than $780,000 has been raised for charitable organizations in Kentucky since 2003.

Hats Off Day is one of the many ways Rood & Riddle supports Kentucky’s equine industry. Through veterinary service, educational opportunities and seminars, and community support, Rood & Riddle impacts the entire state with initiatives that strengthen the equine industry.

“Hats Off Day

foals actually is all about celebrating completely

the beauty and recover and athleticism of the horse never get and raising sick.” awareness of the importance of our state’s signature industry.We are proud to be a part of this event supporting Kentucky’s “Antimicrobial equine industry resistance – recognized is becoming throughout a limiting the worldin for factor controlling excellence.”

the disease, so tests such as these are “More than going to $780,000 has become very been raised important in for charitable helping all organizations of us identify in Kentucky which foals require since 2003.” treatment with the earliest intervention possible.”

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Inaugural Rood & Riddle Comeback Award Presented to Wise Dan at Hats Off Day “Wise Dan exemplifies the characteristics of an outstanding athlete who suffered a major health issue and returned to compete successfully.”

Dr. Tom Riddle

“Wise Dan is a remarkable athlete and we are excited for him to receive this award. For him to recover from major surgery and come back to the level of competition he did--and in such a short time--is truly remarkable,” LoPresti said.

The inaugural Rood & Riddle Comeback Award was presented to champion Wise Dan July 30 during Hats Off Day at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. The award honors an equine athlete who overcame a major health issue and returned to elite competition; two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) winner Wise Dan recovered from colic surgery in 2014 and went on to win the Bernard Baruch (gr. IIT) and Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) before his retirement in 2015. Hats Off Day celebrates the horse industry in Kentucky.

“Wise Dan exemplifies the characteristics of an outstanding athlete who suffered a major health issue and returned to compete successfully,” Dr. Tom Riddle said.

Owned by breeder Morton Fink and trained by Charlie LoPresti, the two-time Horse of the Year was cared for throughout his remarkable career by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital veterinarians. His primary caretakers were Dr. Larry Bramlage, who attended to Wise Dan’s orthopedic needs, Dr. Scott Hopper, who performed his 2014 colic surgery and Dr. Scott Morrison, who cared for his podiatry needs.

Wise Dan, a son of Wiseman’s Ferry out of the Wolf Power mare Lisa Danielle, won six Eclipse Awards and collected 11 grade I trophies in his 31-start career. He retired with 23 wins, two seconds, and earnings of $7,552,920.

“Wise Dan is a remarkable athlete and we are excited for him to receive this award.

For him to recover from major surgery and come back to the level of competition he did--and in such a short time--is truly remarkable,” LoPresti said. “Rood & Riddle played a large part in Wise Dan’s success, specifically Drs. Bramlage, Hopper and Morrison. We are thankful to the entire Rood & Riddle team.”

Wise Dan is a resident of Charlie and Amy LoPresti’s Forest Lane Farm outside Lexington, where he lives with his fellow retiree and half brother, grade II winner Successful Dan.

Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Expansion Complete Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital announced today that an expansion at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga is complete. The state-of-the art facility is equipped to serve Saratoga’s equine industry.

The Saratoga hospital includes two surgical suites, three anesthesia induction and recovery stalls, nuclear scintigraphy, a radiology suite, a laboratory and an ambulatory garage. The hospital also includes a four-stall temperature controlled nuclear scintigraphy building as well. In addition to the new facilities, the original building was renovated to increase office and storage space.

“We are extremely excited about the new hospital which demonstrates our commitment to the health, safety and welfare of horses in the Saratoga area and surrounding regions,” said surgeon Travis Tull, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. The expansion more than doubled the size of the hospital. Its staff include 11 veterinarians and 12 support staff.

“We are pleased to debut the completed expansion. This will allow us to better serve our equine clients in the New York and surrounding areas,” said Brett Woodie, DVM, MS, Dipl.

ACVS., surgeon and managing partner at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.

Rood & Riddle in Saratoga is a full-service equine hospital providing services in ambulatory, diagnostic imaging, emergency medicine and surgery, internal medicine, laboratory, podiatry, reproduction, sport horse and surgery. The hospital is located about a mile from Saratoga Race Course and two miles from the harness track run by The Saratoga Casino Hotel.

“We are excited to showcase our new facility during this festive time of Saratoga racing and yearling sales to horse enthusiasts from near and far,” said Scott Ahlschwede, DVM. Established in 2013, Rood & Riddle in Saratoga was Rood & Riddle’s first clinical venture outside of Kentucky. Rood & Riddle announced earlier this year that an additional hospital was purchased in Wellington, Florida.

“We are pleased to debut the completed expansion. This will allow us to better serve our equine clients in the New York and surrounding areas.”

Dr. Brett Woodie

“We are excited to showcase our new facility during this festive time of Saratoga racing and yearling sales to horse enthusiasts from near and far.”

Dr. Scott Ahlschwede

EQUINE HOSPITAL IN SARATOGA

Grand Opening of our new facility at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga!

You’re invited to attend an open house on Sunday, August 7 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM Join us for tours of our facilities and refreshments.

We hope to see you and any guests that you would like to invite.

Please come as you are, whether straight from the track or on your way for a night on the town!

No RSVP is necessary.

63 Henning Road Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 If you have any questions, please contact 518-583-7273.

www.roodandriddle.com

Rood & Riddle in the News

Congratulations to Dr. John Hubbell for receiving a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The awards, voted on by College of Veterinary Medicine faculty, honor prestigious graduates of the college for their professional achievements, contributions to society, and support of the university. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This award recognized alumni who have made distinguished contributions to the profession and society and who bring recognition to our College,â&#x20AC;? said Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS.

Dr. Hubbell with Dr. Rustin Moore receiving the Distinguished Alumnus Award

Dr. Maria Schnobrich was the chair of the Equine Program at the recent Theriogenology Conference in Asheville, NC. This annual meeting is attended by reproduction specialists from around the world. Dr. Etta Bradecamp and Dr. Charlie Scoggin also presented papers at this conference.

The 31st annual Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) awards dinner will be held on Saturday, September 10 at Stonestreet Farm in Lexington.

The Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year Award will be presented at the TOBA awards dinner. Open winners of the Sport Horse Awards are given each year to Thoroughbreds participating in their second careers as performance horses in jumper, hunter, eventing and dressage competitions throughout the year.

Competitors earn points toward the Rood & Riddle Thoroughbred Sport Horse Awards at USEF-sanctioned events during the show season, and the open divisional awards go to the highest point earners. Rookie awards in each division ensure that newcomers are recognized as well. One horse is chosen by a panel to receive the Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year Award.

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