Check Out Our Stores On Our Updated Website: www.theequinereport.com Therapeutic Riding...................................20 Equine Health by Neely...........................21 Youth Page.................................................25 Cattle Producers of Louisiana...............................................27 4-H..............................................................35
FEATURED ARTICLES What We Did On Our Summer Vacation............................... Cover EMCC Men’s Rodeo Team........................................ Cover White House Equestrians......................................... Cover The Struggle is Real................................ .11 Source of the Gaited Horse....................13 Slipstreaming.............................................17 Gift Horse..................................................28 Equine Infectious Anemia/Coggins.......................................34 The Importance of Equine Genetic Testing..........................................36 Old Wives Tales about Horses..............................................38 Racing in the Rain.....................................41 Eventing, The Equine Triathlon.......................................46 Oldenburg Inspection at Newtown Farm..........................................47 Tyler Waguespack snares All American ProRodeo Title........................58
Calendar of Events Page 12
WHAT WE DID ON OUR SUMMER VACATION by Martha Claussen
This is a slightly deceptive title to this month’s LQHBA Insider as the very busy Louisiana Quarter Horse community is blessed with a full racing calendar and very lucrative breeding program. We decided to check in with a few of the hardworking association members to see what they have been up to between the Fair Grounds and Evangeline Downs meets. Dr. Larry Findley LQHBA board member Larry Findley, DVM, founded Delta Equine Center in 1983. His practice and equine emergency clinic is open seven days a week throughout the year, but Dr. Findley explains that many important goals are reached between race meets. Continued on page 57...
EMCC men’s rodeo team collects first-place honors at Murray State-hosted Ozark Region event MURRAY, Ky. – The East Mississippi Community College men’s rodeo team enjoyed a successful weekend in Kentucky by claiming team honors and also finishing third during back-to-back, two-day NIRA Ozark Region rodeos hosted by Murray State University. The four-day Racer Roundup College Rodeo concluded Sunday at the Bill Cherry Expo Center. After placing third as a team during initial rodeo competition held Thursday and Friday, the EMCC men’s team compiled 765 total points this past weekend to garner top honors over Missouri Valley College. The Lions scored 275 team points earlier in the week to finish behind MVC (520 points) and UT Martin (395). Continued on page 25...
White House Equestriansby Barbara Newtown
Horses and Presidents have been a good combination, especially since the start of the twentieth century, when dealing with horses became a choice, not a necessity. When a President is on a horse, the rest of the world stares up in awe. And, in some mysterious way, the horse’s prodigious strength and handsomeness multiplies whatever strength and handsomeness a President might claim. Some Presidents swore by riding as a fine form of exercise (Reagan and Coolidge); some Presidents came from the mounted cavalry tradition and kept riding through their years in office (Teddy Roosevelt); Continued on page 10...
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4 Louisiana Equine Report • October | November 2016
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2016 Event Schedule October 2016 Saturday, October 1 NBHA LA06 Barrel Race
November 2016 Saturday, November 5 NBHA LA06 Barrel Race
Friday, October 14 Finally Friday 4D Barrel Race
Saturday, November 11 NBHA LA06 Barrel Race
Saturday, October 15 NBHA LA 06 Barrel Race
December 2016 Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 2-4 CRA Finals
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 21-23 Vintage Market Days Saturday and Sunday, October 29-30 3 Dots Team Sorting
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Continued from cover...
White House Equestrians by Barbara Newtown
Here is Woodrow Wilson reviewing the troops, in the run-up to the U.S. entry into World War I. [photo: Getty Images]
some Presidents persevered with their riding despite physical impediments (Taft, who
rode despite weighing between 320 and 350 pounds while President, and FDR, who kept riding even after contracting polio); and some Presidents put up with riding because their wives loved it so much (Hoover and Kennedy).
The reporter Richard Harding Davis witnessed Teddy Roosevelt rallying his Rough Riders during the SpanishAmerican War. “Roosevelt, mounted high on horseback, and charging the rifle-pits at a gallop and quite alone,” led his volunteers to the top of San Juan Hill and to victory. That one cavalry charge (and the publicity) succeeded in gaining Roosevelt the governorship of New York and possibility helped him win the Presidency, as well. “A splendid little war,” said Roosevelt. Teddy was a gung-ho rider and didn’t hesitate to jump a fence. (The “forward seat,” invented by the Italian cavalry officer Caprilli, was not yet known in American cavalry circles. Nowadays hunter-jumper and eventing riders would call Teddy’s position a “backward seat.”)
Here’s William Howard Taft, sitting comfortably on a sturdy, part-draft horse. When he was in the Philippines, he got sick, and when he recovered, he sent a telegram to his friend Elihu Root in Washington D. C., announcing that he felt better and was riding again. Root cabled back, “How is the horse?”
Here is Warren G. Harding, riding his beloved gelding Harbel through Potomac Park, accompanied by a Secret Service agent. Harding entered Harbel in several shows in Washington D. C. while he was President. The newspapers covered Harding and Harbel’s “ribbon counts” as breaking news. Harding had a friendly rivalry at the shows with General Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. Harding and Pershing had plenty of time to ride and show: the big war was over and the stock market was starting to boom. Saddle up! [photo: hardinghome.org]
Calvin Coolidge rode, but he was allergic to horses. He wanted the fitness that came from riding, though. What to do? He installed an electrically-powered mechanical horse in the White House. He rode it while sporting chaps and a big cowboy hat. Here is his White House exercise machine: [photo: Jim Steinhart]
Herbert Hoover, unlike Mrs. Hoover, did not enjoy riding for riding’s sake. He preferred trout fishing. However, both Hoovers loved the wilderness. Their extremely rustic Presidential retreat, Rapidan Camp, was the spiritual precursor to Camp David. Mrs. Hoover looked forward to mounting a horse to get through the last rocky, muddy miles to camp, but the President would have preferred to stay in the car. [photo: Getty Images]
Franklin Delano Roosevelt rode before he contracted polio as an adult...and he rode after, too.
His wife Eleanor was an excellent equestrienne and often rode in Rock Creek Park, just a couple of miles from the White House. She was the last occupant of the White House to ride for pleasure in Washington D.C. Security concerns during World War II put a stop to the practice. [photo: Corbis]
Harry Truman worked with horses, first as a farm boy in Missouri, and later as an artillery officer in World War I. Here is Truman as a cavalry officer in 1907:
Dwight Eisenhower, Commanding General of the European Theater of Operations during World War II, retired to a farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, after he served as President. He raised Angus cattle. The American Quarter Horse Association gave him the horse Doodle De Doo. [photo: Jennifer Shepherd, Pinterest]
John F. Kennedy’s horsemanship was overshadowed by the dedication and talent of his wife Jackie. But he did ride, from time to time. He also suffered from back pain, which probably limited his embrace of the sport. [photo: rare-pinterest.com]
Continued on page 31 ...
10 Louisiana Equine Report • October | November 2016
The Struggle is Real by Michelle Wadley
I have a two-year-old. I know what you’re thinking. This is a blog for people who love horses and eventing. She MUST have a young horse. Wrong! I have a two-year-old son. I do, however, have a horse: a wonderful, kind, gentle 13 year old Thoroughbred cross gelding that is perfect for an adult amateur eventer like me. Except that he hates mud. I know. He’s an eventer; mud should not be a problem. It’s not. Most of the time; unless it’s the kind of spring we have been having down here in the South where we’ve all been wondering who bent the space time continuum and transported us all to Seattle. Then the endless shoe sucking mud becomes a bit of a problem, but I digress. This isn’t about mud. It’s about the struggle: the struggle for balance between being a mom and being an eventer. I am almost 47 years old. Besides the child and the horse, I also have a husband, a part time job, and two Great Pyrenees dogs. I live in the decidedly un-eventing Mecca of Arkansas. My car looks like the barn, the arena and a daycare center simultaneously exploded inside of it while the dogs were visiting, and it was raining. And you know that joke about the horsewoman’s tack room being cleaner than her house? Well, if the shoe fits. As Pink said, “Welcome to my silly life.” If I had a nickel for every person who said to me, “Well, you just need to get that little boy raised, and then you can go back to riding that horse,” I would have that little boy’s college paid for. No offense, but I’m an eventer. I love what I do, and eventers aren’t exactly known for sitting on the sidelines idly while life passes them by. I may not be Bunnie Sexton who just completed Rolex at the age of 53 or Jessica Phoenix who rode at Rolex 6 weeks after giving birth, but I do have goals and dreams. I love my horse and I love to event. I also love my son; I love him more than anything else in the world. I love that he is learning to love and be responsible for and respect animals because of my love of horses and involvement in eventing. The struggle remains. My tack isn’t always clean; neither is my house. My horse’s mane isn’t always perfectly pulled, and I need a haircut. However, because I do what I love, because it’s not just about riding, because it’s about loving and caring for another creature, my son is learning that too. I board my horse at a very kid-friendly barn that is about 30 minutes from where we live. My son doesn’t always go with me to the barn, but when he does, he is able to be outside digging in the sand with his dump trucks, splashing in mud puddles, and “riding his” pony. He’d rather be chasing the barn cats and gathering honeysuckles than watching TV. Those things make me happy. It’s a lifestyle I want for him. My love for horses and eventing help provide that. So as crazy and hectic as my days are, as dirty and unruly as my house and my hair get, the insanity helps me hold onto my sanity. Potty training is way more difficult than a combination of corners. What calms my nerves after an extended session of diapers versus big boy underwear are the smells of the barn and the big forgiving brown eyes of my four legged partner. Suddenly, all the craziness is worth it. It makes me a better mom and a better person. I’m an eventer. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Horse Racing Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse Racing September 28th – December 17th Post Time 5:50pm Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse Racing January 2017 – March 2017
October 21st CC’s Jackpots | Rice Arena Info: Cathy Meche 337-526-2281 • Crowley, LA October 21st & 22nd North Louisiana Equestrian Assoc. Double Rainbow Halloween Info: www.nlea.org
New Orleans Fairgrounds Thoroughbred Racing November 19th – March 31st Post Time 1:25pm
October 21st – 23rd Barrels for Tots & Troops Open 5D & 4D Youth $5500 Added Beauregard Parish Civic Center Info: 337-397-2032 • DeRidder, LA
Delta Downs Thoroughbred Racing October 19th – March 11th Post Time 5:40pm
October 22nd ABRA | SugArena Info: Susan Krieg 337-288-5374 or Shannon Roy 337-280-9349 • New Iberia, LA
October 15th Cajun Rodeo Association Far South Buckin Bulls Info: www.cajunrodeo.com • Raceland, LA
South Louisiana Team Sorting Assoc. Info: www.sltsa.com • Port Allen, LA
Louisiana Stock Horse Association Info: Judy Weisgerber 337-208-2336 New Iberia, LA October 16th Western Louisiana Barrel Racers Assoc. Southside Info: Paula Stephenson 318-465-2352 6th Annual Racin Cajuns Boo Barrel Bash Rice Arena • Crowley, LA October 18th & 19th West Cal Arena LA Little Britches Rodeo club 4D Info: www.westcalevents.com • Sulphur, LA October 19th -23rd Double Rainbow Farm Washington International Horse Show Info: www.wihs.org • Washington D.C. October 20th – 23rd R.K.E. Equestrian Center Region 9..L Program Section 1 Part C Info: Ruth Keeling-Holt 936-635-6614 or Barn #936-632-4455 • Hernando, MS
October 22nd & 23rd Texas Rose Horse Park NTHJC/WW Show | Hunter/Jumper Horse Show Info: Kim Brunson 817-683-8284 Tyler, TX West Cal Arena Silver Spur Riders Club Info: www.westcalevents.com; Sulphur, LA Pineywoods Youth Rodeo Association Info: www.pineywoodsrodeo.com or 936-248-5020 • Marshall, TX October 23rd & 24th West Cal Arena Ricky Jordan Team Roping Info: www.westcalevents.com • Sulphur, LA October 25th & 26th West Cal Arena Silver Spur Rodeo Club 4D Info: www.westcalevents.com • Sulphur, LA October 27th Yeti Confetti Open 4D T2 Covered Arena Info: www.TXLaBRA.com • Orange, TX October 28th & 29th 2 Hearts Barrel Racing Spooktacular Barrel Race Info: www.2heartsbarrelracing.com
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October 28th – 30th Megan’s Memory Harvest Run $10,00 Added 4D Barrel Race Forrest County Multipurpose Center Proceeds to: Megan’s Memory Scholarship Hattiesburg, MS October 29th Hooves & Horns Association Washington Parish Rodeo Arena Info: Heath & April Barber 985-335-5099 Franklinton, LA October 29th & 30th Tunica Arena & Expo Center Arkansas Reining Horse Assoc. Info: www.arkansasreiner.com • Tunica, MS West Cal Arena Silver Spur Rodeo Club Info: www.westcalevents.com • Sulphur, LA 3DOTS 3D Ranch Sorting FINALS • Florida Parishes Arena • Amite, LA October 30th Lafourche Roping Club Open 4D Barrel Racing, 3D Pole Bending & Bull Riding • Info: Matt Melancon 985-381-3488 or Tyler Price 985-232-7079 Raceland, LA November 2nd – 6th Double Rainbow Farm Dallas Harvest Info: www.southboundshow.com • Tyler, TX November 3rd – 5th Tunica Arena & Expo Center Tunica Fall Classic Tennessee Walking Horse Show Info; Mike Inman 205-966-0969 November 4th CC’s Jackpots Rice Arena Info: Cathy Meche 337-526-2281 • Crowley, LA November 4th -6th Lucky dog Productions Info: 870-930-7717 or 870-930-7718 West Monroe, LA
November 5th Baton Rouge Barrel Racing Association Info: bjcotten@gmail.com or 225-281-0605 New Roads, LA Deep South Stock Horse Show Assoc. Clinton Arena | Info: www.dsshsa.org Clinton, LA November 5th & 6th Texas Rose Horse Park Dalls hunter Jumper Scholarship Circuit Year End Show Pineywoods Youth Rodeo Association Info: www.pineywoodsrodeo.com or 936-248-5020 • Lufkin, TX November 6th Western Louisiana Barrel Racers Assoc. Springhill Info: Paula Stephenson 318-465-2352 Terrebonne Livestock Association Horse Show Info: www.terrebonne-livestock.org Houma, LA November 9th – 13th Double Rainbow Farm GSWEC Autumn Classic Zone Finals Info: www.gswec.com • Katy, TX November 12th & 13th Texas Rose Horse park Fall Horse Trials Info: DAnne Liljestrand 903-882-8696 Tyler, TX November 16th – 20th Double Rainbow Farm GSWEC Final Chase Info: www.gswec.com • Katy, TX November 18th & 19th 7th Annual Run for the Pink 5D Barrel Race Canton Multipurpose Facility Info: Cindy Pentecost 601-832-4511 or Shelby Robinson 601-594-2103 • Canton, MS November 18th – 20th South Louisiana Team Sorting Assoc. FINALS Info: www.sltsa.com • Port Allen, LA Tunica Arena & Expo Center F5 Barrel Race Info; Brenda Chilton 573-734-2766 • Tunica, MS Continue on page 16...
Source of the Gaited Gene by Barbara Newtown
Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin, Germany, surmise that gaited horses developed from a mutation that appeared in English horses by the 9th century A. D. During this time, the Vikings made frequent raids on Yorkshire in northern England. It is possible that the Vikings stole comfortable gaited horses from the English and transported the horses to Iceland to add to the herds that were already there. The “gaited” gene—a mutation in the DMRT3 gene—was not found in horses on the Eurasian landmass before 900 A. D., but has been found earlier in the remains of English horses. Probably the Vikings began breeding selectively after they brought the gaited specimens to Iceland; the number of horses in Iceland bearing the mutation increased greatly during the next two centuries, and, after that, the gaited mutation spread throughout the world. Tracking the dispersal over time of equine traits is rewarding: remains of equines are numerous and usable DNA can be found in fossilized bones that are thousands of years old. [Research published in Current Biology, 2016:26 (15); summary in ScienceDaily.com]
[Photo of a competitor at the World Championship for Icelandic Horses, taken by Monika Reissman]
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14 Louisiana Equine Report • October | November 2016
Popular Louisiana Stallion Ide Pensioned to Old Friends The stallion Ide who has been a perennial leading active sire of Louisiana breds since coming to the state for the 2003 breeding season, has been pensioned. Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms has a place reserved for the 24-year-old chestnut son of Forty Niner out of Maytide, a stakes winning Naskra mare. Ide was among the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby before an injury ended his career. At ages two and three, Ide won seven consecutive races including five stakes, four of which were graded. As a juvenile he was ranked among the top colts of his generation, being weighted at 121 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap, a figure only bettered by Maria’s Mon (126), Unbridled’s Song (126) and Hennessy (124). On the board in eight of nine starts, Ide’s earnings on the track totaled $363,780. Pete Willmott who raced Ide through his Willmott Stables and maintained a business interest in his stud career expressed his thoughts, “I can only say positive things about this horse. He was a relatively small horse with a huge heart.….his trainer called me about his injury on April 1st , and I thought it was an April Fools joke. That was a real blow. He deserved a shot at the classics….He always had a positive attitude, and that can be said of him as a stallion as well.” Ide entered stud in 1997. After initially standing at the Lavin Family’s Longfield Farm, he moved to Louisiana and stood at Clear Creek Stud in Folsom for The Ide Group throughout the rest of his career. In addition to Willmott, the Ide Group consists of partners Bryan Harang (Georgia Farms, Inc.), Allen Peltier, and Harvey “Drew” Peltier, III. He was the leading sire in Louisiana for 2003 by number of winners and North American earnings, and stayed at or near the top of the leading Louisiana sires list for the remainder of his career. He was the A.L. “Red” Erwin Louisiana Sire of the Year in both 2009 and 2013, leading all other sires of Louisiana breds in earnings those years. In a 2007 column in TDN (1-24-07) Bill Oppenheim ranked Ide #1 in his “Leaders By C Runner Index,” and stated “if I was a Louisiana breeder, Ide would sure be on my list of stallions… he’s still a more efficient sire of C Runners than the likes of A.P. Indy (third), Storm Cat (eighth), Distorted Humor (11th) and Danzig (13th)…”
Val Murrell, general manager of Clear Creek Stud, LLC where the stallion has stood since 2003 remarked, “Ide has been really great for Clear Creek and the entire thoroughbred industry in Louisiana. He has consistently produced runners that have been highly competitive at every level. They often run early, and more importantly I think, they last. They hold together and reward owners over the long haul. He has been incredibly kind and easy to deal with and he will be missed by many. However we are very comfortable in knowing that Mr. Willmott has him accepted to go to Old Friends. He deserves it.”
Ide Group manager Harvey “Drew” Peltier, III, says “The opportunity to live out his days at Old Friends where I know he will have plenty visitors Ide is the sire of 16 stakes winners to date. His top Louisiana bred runners and attention, is like having a happy ending to a book or a movie. I couldn’t include 2013 Accredited Louisiana Bred Champion Horse of the Year, be happier for him.” Ide Be Cool (8 wins, 4 stakes wins, $457,200) who ran undefeated as a juvenile; and 2008 Accredited Louisiana Bred “We are honored the Ide Group has chosen us for their wonderful stallion,” Champion Colt, Ide Like A Double (10 wins, 7 stakes wins, $632,416). said Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends. “It’s really a Idefromthebayou set a new course record at Evangeline Downs as a three- privilege to care for these great athletes when their careers are over. We’re year-old going abt. 7 ½ furlongs on the turf in 1:28.90, and won every year looking forward to all of Ide’s fans visiting the farm.” from ages two to seven (2015). Currently, Ide’s lifetime progeny earnings are $25,562,535 with 72% winners from starters, and average earnings per starter of $54,273 from 17 crops to race. His 2016 two-year-olds have yet to start, and will be followed by limited 2015 and 2016 foal crops.
Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 160 retired racehorses. It’s Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has two satellite facilities: Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, in Greenfield Center, N.Y., and Old Friends at Kentucky Downs, in Franklin, KY. For more information on tours or to make a donation see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775.
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Continue from page 12... Texas Rose Horse park Autumn Breed Show/Working Equitation Info: Kim Brunson 903-882-8696 • Tyler, TX November 19th Baton Rouge Barrel Racing Association FINALS Info: bjcotten@gmail.com or 225-281-0605 • New Roads, LA November 19th & 20th Louisiana Stock Horse Association FINALS Info: Judy Weisgerber 337-208-2336 DeRidder, LA November 26th & 27th Mid-South Quarter Horse Show Tunica Arena & Expo Center Info: www.midsouthqha.net Tunica, MS
November 26th Hooves & Horns Association Washington Parish Rodeo Arena Info: Heath & April Barber 985-335-5099 Franklinton, LA December 2nd – 4th Turnin’ 3 Productions 6th Annual Christmas Classic Barrel Race $10,500 Added Open 5D Beauregard Arena Info: 337-692-5586 • DeRidder, LA Lucky dog Productions Info: 870-930-7717 or 870-930-7718 Memphis, TN December 3rd & 4th Mississippi Hunter Jumper Assoc. Canton Multipurpose Facility Info: www.mhja.net • Canton, MS
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December 4th Western Louisiana Barrel Racers Assoc. Haughton Info: Paula Stephenson 318-465-2352 December 9th – 11th Tunica Arena & Expo Center Mississippi Classic Team Roping Info: Kevin Hall 417-547-3406 • Tunica, MS December 10th Hooves & Horns Association Washington Parish Rodeo Arena Info: Heath & April Barber 985-335-5099 Franklinton, LA December 17th CC’s Jackpots Rice Arena Info: Cathy Meche 337-526-2281 Crowley, LA
Slipstreaming by Barbara Newtown
Research published in 2015 from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Australia) quantifies the advantages of “slipstreaming” in horse racing. Slipstreaming is well known in cycling and speed skating: following closely behind another competitor reduces drag and helps the follower conserve energy. Wind tunnel tests at RMIT revealed the following: • If a horse follows two horses which are racing side-by-side, drag on the trailing horse is reduced 66%. • If four horses are in a line, nose to tail, drag on the last horse is reduced 54%. • If five horses are side-by-side, drag on the horse in the center increases 25%. • If a horse follows close behind another horse, the drag on the trailing horse is reduced by 38.5%. Clipping can be a dreadful side effect of riding in the slipstream. The slight stamina advantage of following close behind another horse can be a factor in narrowing the gap between the two as the one in front gets tired, and the possibility of the horse behind running onto the heels of the horse in front increases.
October | November 2016 • Louisiana Equine Report
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Dog Reproductive Services at LSU:
assessment of pregnancy wellness, etc • Same-day progesterone assays for determination of the fertile period for timed insemination; as an aid to schedule elective C-sections • Routine screening of Brucella canis, a bacteria that causes infertility and reproductive diseases in dogs (male and female)
In addition to offering equine reproductive services, the Louisiana State University (LSU) Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) offers dog reproduction services, including breeding management, diagnosis of infertility and medical problems related to the reproductive tract.
Dog breeding is an important activity of our society and many horse farms also have dogs that might benefit from our reproductive services. There is a need for high-quality assisted reproduction for owners with dogs and veterinarians that manage breeding of dogs. At the LSU VTH, our experienced staff of veterinarians and technicians are specialized in veterinary reproduction and able to provide a variety of reproductive services. Our experienced staff is here to help you with your reproductive needs regardless the species. We offer a variety of high-quality reproductive services for your canine friend and these services include:
Reproductive cycles Female dogs are nonseasonal monoestrus animals. They do not have typical “estrous cycles” as most of other domestic animals, which cycle repeatedly (seasonally or year round) if not pregnant. On average, dogs come in “heat” every 5 to 7 months.
• Artificial insemination (AI) • Conventional AI via intravaginal deposition of semen • Endoscopic AI known as TCI (transcervical insemination) where the semen is deposited into the uterus. TCI virtually has virtually eliminated the need for surgical inseminations, except under special circumstances (see below) • Surgical insemination. In a spay-like procedure, the semen is deposited in the uterus. The surgical approach is indicated and performed only when very low sperm numbers or poor quality semen is available for the insemination. If these criteria are not met, TCI remains the method of choice for shipped cooled or frozen-thawed semen • Semen freezing – frozen semen is not only convenient for future use but also to ship it for use at distant geographical locations, including international transport. International transport of semen, to and from the Unites States, is becoming more and more common in dog breeding • Breeding Soundness evaluations of male and female dogs – reproductive exams along with the use of reproductive ultrasonography, enable the LSU veterinarians to provide a fair assessment of your dog’s reproductive potential • Fertility problems – reproductive exams, hormonal assays, hormonal treatments, etc can be used to diagnose and treat your dog’s reproductive condition that may be leading to infertility or sub-fertility. For example, pyometra (infection of the uterus), prolonged anestrus (delay in showing heat), etc • Advanced reproductive ultrasonography to image the male and female reproductive tracts, perform pregnancy diagnosis,
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A few facts about dog reproduction
Relatively prolonged proestrus and estrus They both last on average 7 to 9 days. This means a whole cycle may last almost 3 weeks from the first day the dog begins “spotting” (bloody discharge) until the end of estrus. Progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and timing of ovulation Unlike other domestic animals, a hormone called progesterone rises significantly during estrus. When a female dog is in heat, it is important to detect the initial rise in concentrations of blood progesterone followed by constant daily increases to accurately predict ovulation and to schedule artificial inseminations Timed breeding using progesterone assays remains one of the best approaches to determine the female’s fertile period and also to predict whelping dates. Split Heats Split heats can be defined as incomplete estrus (“heat”) or anovulatory periods in the reproductive cycle of the female dog marked by estrual signs: swollen external genitalia (vulva), bloody vaginal discharge, male attraction, etc. It is most commonly observed in young dogs (first heat). Once these sign subside, a ”true” normal heat follows in 2-8 weeks. Pseudo pregnancy A mandatory period of elevated progesterone concentrations (diestrus) that lasts ~ 75 days follows the estrus periods of bitches that are not pregnant. Thus, by definition, pseudopregnancy is a normal event for all cycling bitches. Overt pseudo pregnancy (or pseudociesis) refers to those dogs that display clinical signs of approaching parturition (overt mammary development with lactation, nesting behavior, maternal behavior by adopting neonate of same or other species, inanimate objects, toys, etc). Typically, no hormonal treatments are needed. Continued on page 19...
Continued from page 18...
Dog Reproductive Services at LSU: There are no adverse effects on future fertility. Cystic-Endometrial Hyperplasia-Pyometra Complex “Pyometra�, literally meaning pus in the uterus, is a common disease of intact female dogs. The exact etiology is unknown; however the repeated and prolonged response to estrogen followed by long intervals of progesterone dominance in the intact dog leads to hormone-mediated changes in the endometrium. The endometrium (lining of the uterus) changes when impacted by bacterial infiltration; changes in endometrial steroid receptors can result in the clinical syndrome described as pyometra. The treatment of choice is to spay affected dogs; conservative treatment with hormones and antibiotics can be considered for dogs of superior breeding value. Spayed dogs or cats showing signs of heat? On rare instances, spayed dogs or cats shows signs of being in heat again. This clinical condition is known by veterinarians as ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS). It refers to previously known spayed dogs that show signs of estrus (heat) similar to intact ones. Basically, a small piece of ovarian tissue is inadvertently left in the abdominal cavity after the surgical spay. Although exploratory surgeries used to be a common way to diagnose and treat ORS, it is strongly recommended that a non-surgical diagnosis of ORS be made before taking the dog to surgery to remove the remaining ovarian tissue. Several hormonal assays are available to diagnose this condition. Another reason for spayed dogs or cats to show signs of heat is inadvertent exposure to topical hormone creams used by their owners. It has been reported pets (intact or castrated) can absorb hormone creams, and potentially affect their health (spayed pets showing heat, hair loss, behavioral problems, etc). It is important to prevent dogs from being exposed to hormone creams by avoiding direct pet contact with treated areas (hands, arms, legs, etc) and also licking off these areas. . For all of your reproductive needs, give our experienced staff a call at 225-578-9500 and ask for Reproductive Services! We are here to serve you and your local veterinarian with all your breeding and reproduction needs.
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20 Louisiana Equine Report • October | November 2016
Equine Health
by Neely
Neely Walker, PhD: LSU Ag Center | Equine Extension Specialist
Flood Injury in Horses Louisiana State University Agricultural Center & Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine.
cleansing to clean toxins, debris, or microorganisms from skin and to identify additional sites of trauma.
Natural disasters have the unique ability to take many by surprise. While Debris and mud should be picked out of all 4 hooves and feet should be it is difficult to prepare for every scenario, horse owners who planned cleaned. prior to the event will typically experience less stress thereby reducing the overall health risk. Recent flooding events have affected horses across Handling and Restraint: the southeast region making it even more important to understand the • Chemical restraint (injectable medication) is often indicated to calm the necessity of preparation. horse and safely manage the rescue and medical evaluation and treatment of flood-stranded horses. This restraint can minimize further injury to Disease Prevention: the horse and prevent human injury as well. Medication administration • During disaster response, animals will be stressed and are likely to should be under direct veterinary supervision as some medications are have contact with other horses and livestock after rescue which can lead contraindicated with certain conditions. to transfer of disease. • Prior to the storm season, horses should be vaccinated with current Integument and Musculoskeletal Injury: strains for Equine Herpes I & IV, Equine Influenza I & II, encephalitides • Limb, head, neck, and trunk lacerations and abrasions are commonly (EEE, WEE, WNV), rabies, and tetanus. seen in equine flood victims. If a horse is exhibiting lameness, a detailed • Providing food and fresh water to animals that are sheltered is a priority. exam to localize and prevent further exacerbation will be necessary. Adult horses need 5-15 gallons of water per head per day; enough • If a fracture is suspected, stabilization prior to transport will likely be emergency hay should be available for at least 7 days. necessary. This requires padded bandages and splinting material (PVC pipe cut in half, 2x4 boards, broom stick handles). Veterinarians should Response: be contacted for directions on how to appropriately splint fractures. • Do your part to evacuate ahead of a flooding situation and make sure • Flood affected horses may develop dermatitis (skin infection) and your horses can be haltered and are amenable to being led. This helps cellulitis (limb swelling) due to breeches in the skin’s barrier capabilities prevent injury during restraint and transportation. from standing in contaminated water for long periods of time. This can • Make sure your horse can be identified during an emergency in case lead to more serious complications such as septic arthritis and lameness evacuation is necessary. This can be done by painting contact information if not treated appropriately. Horses with cellulitis will have swelling on the horse. Microchip and or brand identification can also be helpful and heat in affected areas, and show signs of pain and lameness. Fungal for the rescue team when trying to locate owners. infections can also occur after being exposed to flood water; this may • Equine emergency field response, during an event, should be carried present as ulcerative and oozing lesions with a potentially foul odor. out by an experienced team (including veterinarians, first responders, • Horses that are recumbent (down) for long periods of time can develop and trained handlers) due to safety concerns for both humans and horses. myositis (severe muscle inflammation/cramping) that can be lifethreatening. This condition should be treated by a veterinarian. Triage and Medical Treatment: • For horses stranded in a flood, stress is a major contributor to flood Hoof Problems: related equine medical problems and commonly include those discussed • After standing in mud or water for extended periods of time, horses below. may suffer from thrush, soft soles, • Injured horses should be examined by a veterinarian in the field and and sloughing of the frog which stabilized prior to transport. It is important to move the patient to an area may predispose them to other hoof for initial triage and assessment as soon as possible. problems such as laminitis. • Equine flood victims should be decontaminated by bathing with detergent soaps (such as Dawn dish soap, etc.) and require thorough Continued on page 22...
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Continued from page 22...
Flood Injury in Horses Ophthalmic (eye) Injuries: • Traumatic corneal ulceration and uveitis (inflammation within in the eye) are common medical emergencies seen in equine flood victims due to flying storm debris and damaged stable and pasture environments. After rescue and transport, equine eyes should be irrigated with sterile eyewash solution followed by a close detailed eye exam by the veterinarian. Squinting and excessive tearing and swelling around the eye is suggestive of these conditions. Photo: Gerald Herbert/AP
Gastrointestinal Dysfunction: • Horses that are stressed from being stranded, injured, or unattended during a flood situation or have ingested contaminated water may develop colitis (severe diarrhea) or other forms of colic or systemic toxemia (sepsis). • Common signs include lethargy, inappetance, colic, fever, and some may develop mild to severe diarrhea.
Neurologic Disease: • Equine flood victims are at increased risk of developing head and neck injuries and are more susceptible to infectious diseases such as viral encephalitides or clostridial infections (tetanus and botulism). • During patient triage, immediate action including prevention of further progression of neurological abnormalities and emergency treatment should be implemented. If vaccination status is unknown, tetanus toxoid booster is indicated in addition to tetanus antitoxin may be beneficial. Respiratory Disease: • Aspiration of water into the lungs of horses exposed to floodwaters may cause acute pulmonary edema and pneumonia which is usually lifethreatening. • Horses that have been stuck in deep mud or flood waters and struggle for long periods of time can develop upper respiratory tract inflammation resulting in swelling and obstruction of airflow. • After evacuation and rescue, horses may commingle and become infected with respiratory diseases from other horses. The best way to prevent this is providing herd immunity optimization prior to storm season. Horses affected by flood waters face a variety of issues varying in degrees of seriousness. While exposure to all disaster situations cannot be prevented, it is important for horse owners to have a plan in place that includes all pets and livestock to increase survival rate and minimize loss.
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24 Louisiana Equine Report • October | November 2016
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Continued from Cover...
EMCC men’s rodeo team collects first-place honors at Murray State-hosted Ozark Region event Over the weekend, EMCC was again led by reigning College National Finals Rodeo All-Around Cowboy Marcus Theriot, who grabbed men’s all-around honors at the second Murray State-hosted event by totaling 420 points. Along with partnering with UT Martin’s Douglas Rich to win the team roping competition, Theriot placed second in steer wrestling and third in tie down roping to claim an additional 130 and 120 points, respectively. A newcomer to this year’s EMCC squad after transferring from McNeese State, Louisiana native Tristan Martin collected 150 points for the winners this past weekend. The 2014 Louisiana High School Rodeo Association All-Around Cowboy from Sulphur Springs won the tie down roping event in Murray with a combined time of 19.6 seconds. EMCC’s other 195 points during last week’s second Murray State rodeo were earned in the steer wrestling competition. Zack Varner finished third to collect 125 points, while North Pontotoc High School product Cooper Christensen added 70 points in the event. Earlier in the week at Murray State, Theriot and Varner combined to
account for all of EMCC’s 275 points. Theriot and UT Martin’s Rich collected 180 points apiece for their respective schools by winning the team roping event with a 12.7-second combined clocking. Theriot also earned 60 points in steer wrestling with Varner adding 35 more points in the same event. The first rodeo competition a week ago also featured second-place finishes by EMCC freshmen Bennett Dove and Zant Craft in the steer wrestling and tie down roping events, respectively. The men’s victory at Murray State marked East Mississippi Community College’s eighth team title overall since the program’s inception in 2010. Now with five rodeo team titles, the EMCC men previously won last fall at Southern Arkansas as well as at Northwest Mississippi (2014), Troy University (2012) and West Alabama (2010). EMCC’s three women’s rodeo titles came this past spring at Arkansas-Monticello along with a pair of team victories during the 2014-15 season at Missouri Valley College and Cossatot Community College. Heading into their fall rodeo season finale, Nov. 3-5, at Southern Arkansas University, head coach Morgan Goodrich’s EMCC men’s rodeo team presently sits in third place in the NIRA Ozark Region standings with 1,330 team points. The Lions are currently ranked behind regional powers Missouri Valley (2,830 points) and UT Martin (1,575).
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26 Louisiana Equine Report • October | November 2016
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KEEP IN TUNED ! by Dave Foster
The year 2016 will certainly be referenced for years to come. Nationally, we will compare the number of wildfires, extremes in temperatures (hot & cold) record crop production as well as record crop losses, flooding and yes the Presidential election. In Louisiana the news this month is the August flooding in south Louisiana and comparing this event to the flooding in north Louisiana just five months ago. These events tests the very fiber of mortals. History will record the statistics, however, we need to remember how our state reacted to these events. May we realize that we as humans are not in control of everything but we are in control of how we respond to our “fellow man”. The agriculture community has always been a shining example of loving one another. Harvest time is upon us and cattle are moving to market. Cattle prices are sharply lower compared to this time last year. I hope that cattlemen don’t experience “sticker shock” on cattle prices but make the necessary adjustments to stay profitable. Changes in the market place continue to challenge us in a cow/calf state. Fewer feedlots in the U.S., reduction in the number of slaughter/processing plants and less available land to raise cattle all add to pressure on the calf market. We have half the number of cull cow buyers than we had last year. The number of feeder cattle buyers continues to shrink as feedlots close or merge. All of these factors will force our Louisiana cow/calf producers to become more in tuned with the market. Speaking of markets, Dr. Tim Page, LSU School of Animal Science, put together a super conference in August addressing these issues. At last count there were just short of 200 registered people that attended this meeting. Talk about records set! Attendees are still talking about this event and even more importantly they are applying practices they learned from this workshop. Hopefully, cows are going into the fall in better body condition than last year, row crops will produce a better crop than anticipated after a late planting and our sugarcane farmers will be able to harvest a profitable crop. Now more than ever keep in tuned with your respective markets and make the necessary adjustments to be sustainable. Contact Cattle Producers of Louisiana (888-528-6999 or lacattle.org) for information and assistance in the cattle business. Enjoy the official beginning of fall and count your blessings.
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Gift Horse by George Newtown My brother won Midnight at the Washington County Fair in 1962. The 2-y-o jet black Quarter Horse filly had originally been purchased at a Texas horse auction to be the centerpiece of a local Arkansas riding club fundraiser. As the new kids in town—and in the riding club—Glennie and I had felt overwhelmed by the assignment of selling ten raffle tickets each—and ended up buying most of them ourselves—but when the winning ticket was drawn things suddenly looked rosier. As we waited for the arrival of a borrowed trailer that night, and as I soothed the skittish filly at the end of a lead rope with my sing-song rendition of “Red Sails in the Sunset,” I observed that she had a shape more like a Thoroughbred than a Quarter Horse—lean, lanky, and with a vestigial butt. Later, when we saw her registration papers we discovered she was also hopelessly inbred. (This was back when mating Quarter Horses to their daughters was a common practice and, as in this case, a choice sometimes even repeated in successive generations. Midnight was by Chief Stinson and out of a Chief Stinson daughter; Chief Stinson was by Chief P-5 and out of a Chief daughter. I couldn’t have made this up.) Still, we were ecstatic to welcome her to join our roan fox trotter gelding, Ginger Blue, at the barn. You could probably say Midnight enjoyed a good life—despite being (as a result of inattention at the fairgrounds) “accidentally” in foal when we got her, despite nearly starving that first winter (as we reduced her food intake when the undiagnosed pregnancy made her appear increasingly bigbellied), despite displaying erratic moods under saddle (which we ascribed to the “scrambled brains” resulting from inbreeding), despite nearly cutting her leg off (while away during an unsuccessful attempt to get her pregnant again), and despite eventually having to be put down when she tested Coggins-positive in 1978. All in all, she got many years of sincere (if sometimes ignorant) care before she died—a fate enviable enough that I suspect many equines would welcome it. When we euthanized Midnight, the Coggins Test was in its first decade of use. My dad, responsible as he was, had listened when the local veterinarian advised having all members of our herd tested. “But,” we thought when the results came back, “if Midnight hasn’t infected the rest of them in all these
years, what’s the problem?” By then, however, the result was official and the choices inescapable— either we quarantine the mare, sell her for slaughter, or euthanize her. In Midnight’s case, a trip to the slaughterhouse appeared to make economic sense, but my dad couldn’t bring himself to consign her to the terrors of a cramped transport by cattle truck and the barely-humane slaughtering methods of the time, so we buried her in her pasture. Dr. Leroy Coggins of Cornell University invented the agar gel immunodiffusion or AGID test— based on detection of antibodies to the EIA virus— in 1972 in order to counteract the scourge of Equine Infectious Anemia (then known as Swamp Fever), a sometimes fatal viral infection for which there was no known cure. Transmission occurs from exchange of blood between an infected and an uninfected equid, most often by bloodsucking insects, but sometimes as a result of unsafe veterinary practices such as reuse of hypodermic needles. Horses with virulent swamp fever in the 1970s died horrible deaths. Today the disease remains incurable, but insistent testing over time has reduced the incidence of acute cases to nearzero, so that now a horse declared Coggins-positive is almost always an asymptomatic “inapparent carrier,” as Midnight was in 1978.
her; and she had, after all, spent more than a decade with pasture mates that tested negative (including even the buckskin colt she’d produced in the spring of 1963). I reasoned that, if Coggins testing merely detects the presence of antibodies to the virus, then how did we know Midnight hadn’t simply developed immunity to the disease? That is, how did we know we should euthanize her rather than congratulate her for successfully fighting off the disease? Later I learned that the so-called “inapparent carriers” are indeed potentially infectious—they can be induced by stress to show symptoms and to increase exponentially in their viral load of contagious antigens. With a better understanding of the science, I’m no longer one of those sentimental horse owners reluctant to admit there’s a greater good done for others by a Coggins Test unfairly performed on my unlucky horse. After all, the failure of Midnight to transmit the disease to her pasture mates is merely anecdotal evidence of the relative unlikeliness of transmission as a result of her low viral load.
In the forty years since we euthanized Midnight I’ve gone along quietly with the bureaucratic requirements for annual Coggins testing of horses that show or travel. I did occasionally It seemed unfair that we had to put down Midnight wonder though why I never again encountered (or to quarantine her in conditions impossible a Coggins-positive horse. Recently I got curious to maintain) when it appeared she’d been an enough to Google the subject—and learned that there is ongoing debate about the necessity for continuing the testing practice in its current (and rather expensive) form. In the 70’s, when the test was introduced, it was not uncommon to see 10,000 positives annually. The number has decreased markedly in the intervening years—evidently a tribute to the success of the test. In 2010, for example, there were only 47 positives from 1.68 million tests. If each test costs $25-$30, then the annual expenditure for this test is over $50 million. In fact, the requirement for annual testing involves the collective expenditure by horse owners of between $.5 million and $1.5 million (depending on the region of the US) to identify each EIA-positive horse. It’s hardly a surprise that the most vocal Coggins naysayer Don Blazer points to the large pot of money as a compelling reason for veterinarians to continue the requirement for “inapparent carrier” even back before we got annual testing. Continued on page 29...
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Continued from page 28... Gift Horse by George Newtown
would be every bit as effective when required no more often than every third year.
More measured critics, such as University of Kentucky veterinary researcher Dr. Charles Issel, have argued that, while the test may not have outlived its usefulness,
In recent years the only statistically significant numbers of positive Coggins tests have resulted from requirements to test horses that are changing ownership. We can conclude that one effective way to find new cases of EIA is to require a Coggins Test at any change of ownership. Current state laws vary. While some states already have such a requirement, more than half do not, and there is no federal requirement whatever for proof of negative Coggins.
least ensure greater safety at considerably less expense. After a decade of collecting undeniable data, it’s high time we considered these changes in our methods for dealing with EIA.
A note: A variant on the mandated quarantine of EIA-positive horses is permitted in Florida at the Friend’s Ranch, where EIA-positive horses are the high economic consequence and low risk used on the quarantine site for recreation and for factor involved in current testing suggest that limited in-house competitions. After all, a 200we need to rethink the details of the practice. In yard segregation from EIA-negative animals particular, the annual testing of horses that have is considered sufficient to prevent infection by been previously declared EIA-negative involves blood-sucking insects. So a third reasonable a huge waste of money. Of the approximately recommendation, also supported by Dr. Issel, 2,000,000 samples tested for EIA annually, We have the tools to eradicate EIA completely might be to establish similar quarantine farms the number of horses testing positive after a (by mandatory testing of every equid, followed more widely for the retirement of inapparent previous negative result is virtually zero—ergo by segregation of the positives and retesting 60 carriers. In retrospect I wish we’d had that these are not the horses that need to be tested. days later of all equids that had been exposed option for Midnight. Continuing risk of EIA infection derives instead to the positives), but in this era of libertarian from pockets of untested horses, usually in areas suspicion of governmental overreach we are For more information on Dr. Issel’s recommendations for of the south and west where routine testing has unlikely to institute such a universal mandate. changes in Coggins requirements, see links at http://www. uky.edu/Ag/VetScience/EIA/index.htm especially to the been unpopular or ignored. As Dr. Issel puts it, Still, such measures have worked locally to articles “Control of EIA Should Take New Directions” “…testing the same negative horses each year render stables and even whole regions free of and “Researchers: The Stigma of EIA is Misplaced” (both does not protect our horses against EIA, does not infection. Lesser measures, such as requiring originally published at TheHorse.com in 2007). effectively address the untested reservoir of EIA, Coggins Tests at all transfers of ownership and and is greatly in excess of the risk.” Statistically reducing routine re-testing requirements from speaking, retesting of previously-negative horses every 12 months to every 36 months, would at
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Continued from page 10 ...
White House Equestrians by Barbara Newtown
Lyndon Johnson grew up poor in the Texas Hill Country. He knew how to use a horse to get the job done. [photo: AP/Bill Hudson]
You can’t mention “equestrian” and “White House” without showing pictures of Jackie on a horse. Here she is, balanced perfectly in a forward seat:
No photo of Nixon on a horse or near a horse. No known mention of “horse” on the subpoenaed White House tapes.
Tar Baby and her foal. [photo: Karen Dotson, Pinterest]
Here’s Gerald Ford, going for a trail ride. He put in a lot of horseback time as a park ranger in Yellowstone in the 1930s.
Jumping Tar Baby in California: [photo: Geri Bauer Collection]
And here is the most famous picture of Jackie riding...or not quite riding... in a hunt. The original photograph sold at auction for a substantial sum. [photo: bloomberg.com]
Here is Johnson riding and politicking, two activities he loved. Compare this photo with the previous photo of Jack Kennedy, who looks uncomfortable on a horse. [photo: UCLA Special Collections Charles E. Young Research Library]
Here is Jimmy Carter, trail riding with his wife Rosalynn:
Continued on page 42 ...
Ronald Reagan was as enthusiastic about horses as Teddy Roosevelt, but in a gentler way. Here he is with his mare
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Equine Infectious Anemia / Coggins by Dr. Kelly Hudspeth, DVM
Is Coggins a disease in horses? Most people know that a Coggins test is required once a year in Louisiana on your horses. The test is called a Coggins test because the test has the last name of the man who developed the test. The Coggins test actually is a test for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), commonly called Swamp Fever. This test is an AGID (Agar Gel Immunodiffusion) test and was used for years. Today an Elisa (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test is often used because it takes less time, but the Elisa also has more false positives. If a positive occurs, the Coggins (AGID) test can be used to confirm the Elisa. The test is almost always referred to as a Coggins test even if the Elisa is the method used and the papers that show the results of the test are called Coggins papers.
The United States has made great strides in eliminating the disease. It is a reportable disease and is regulated. In 2015 only 69 positive horses were identified in the states, but it is a little concerning that 10 were in Louisiana. (2015 Equine Infectious Anemia Cases in the United States https://www. aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/downloads/animal_diseases/2015_eia_ annual_final.pdf )
EIA is caused by a virus. There is no vaccine and no cure. The virus is spread from horse to horse from blood sucking insects or it can be spread by using the same needles on more than one horse. There are different forms of the disease, with one form making the horse very sick. Another form may make the horse lose weight off and on over a period of time with many different problems that can occur, making it impossible to diagnose without a blood test. The third form is characterized with no signs. These horses are a dangerous source of infection because no one realizes they are sick.
A positive test for EIA is very difficult for owners not only because of quarantines, etc., but also because of the emotional aspect as well as economic loss. The recommended action for a positive horse is euthanasia so the diagnosis can be devastating to an owner.
If you purchase a horse, it is a good idea to have the horse tested at the purchase date, because the test is in actuality only good for the day the blood is pulled, even though it is only required once a year. The horse may be positive today and get infected by a biting insect the next day.
If a horse is positive, the other horses kept in close contact are at risk. This could be horses in a pasture, stable, or at horse events held all over the nation. This is why boarding or breeding facilities and equine events require a negative Coggins test. All horse owners should require a negative test before allowing other horses to enter their facilities. The negative papers should always be with the horse during transportation. An interesting fact about Equine Infectious Anemia is that it is caused by a retrovirus, the same type virus that causes human HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Studies involving EIA have provided information that can be used in the battle against HIV. This is only a short summary when it comes to the clinical signs, regulations, and economic costs related to Equine Infectious Anemia. Although a Coggins test is only required at various times for different events or ownership, the test is good for the day it is drawn in reality. Photo: Number of EIA cases/Number of affected premises, 2001-2015 (www.aphis.usda.gov)
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The Importance of Equine Genetic Testing by Dr. Neely Walker, DVM
Horses can be affected by a variety of genetically linked disorders. In 2009, the whole horse genome sequence was categorized. This advancement in genetics has produced affordable genetic testing, advanced management and medical treatment of affected animals, and helped to create breeding protocols that focus on reducing the impact genetic diseases have on the horse industry. Of particular interest to owners of Quarter Horses is a five (5) panel test that tests for Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM), Malignant Hyperthermia (MH), Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP), Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA), and Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED). Additionally, beginning in 2015, the American Quarter Horse Association began requiring that ALL stallions must have a 5-panel genetic test complete before their 2016 foals can be registered. Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) - is a dominant autosomal hereditary condition caused by the mutation of the glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) gene. This disease creates a muscle condition similar to tying up that affects 11% of Quarter Horses. Since it is a dominant condition, only 1 copy of the GYS1 gene needs to be present for its offspring to be affected. There are three potential test results: • P1/P1- this means your horse is positive for the dominant PSSM gene mutation, and carries two copies of the GYS1 gene. Horses that are homozygous (having 2 copies) will pass the disease to 100% of their offspring. • n/P1- this means your horse has 1 copy of the GYS1 gene, and it is affected by PSSM. Horses that are heterozygous (having 1 copy) will pass the disease to 50% of their offspring. • n/n- this horse is negative for PSSM and cannot pass on the gene mutation to any offspring and should not display any symptoms of the disease. Horses who have inherited the genetic mutation causing PSSM overproduce glycogen, which leads to excess sugar stored in the muscle that is not easily accessed during exercise. The exercise will cause an energy deficit within the muscle causing muscle pain, stiffness, skin twitching, sweating, weakness, reluctance to move, gait abnormalities, mild colic, and mild muscle
wasting. These horses should be maintained on is needed for the condition to exist. There are a low-starch and low-sugar diet with regular and three potential test results: consistent exercise. • H/H- this means your horse carries two copies of the mutated gene. This horse will Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) - is an pass this disease to 100% of its offspring and is autosomal dominant disease caused by mutation positive for HYPP. in the ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1). This disease • n/H- this means your horse carries one creates a rare muscle disorder that affects copy of the mutated gene. This horse is affected any horse related to a Quarter Horse. Since it with HYPP and has a 50% it will pass the disease is a dominant disease only 1 copy of RyR1 is onto its offspring. required for the condition to exist. There are • n/n- this horse is negative for HYPP, three potential test results: shows no symptoms, and cannot pass it on to • MH/MH- this means your horse is offspring. positive for the MH mutation and indicates that they carry two copies of the mutated gene. Homozygous horses will pass the disease onto 100% of its offspring. • n/MH- this means your horse has one copy of the MH mutation and indicated the horse is positive for MH. Heterozygous horses have a 50% chance of spreading this disease to its offspring. • n/n- this horse is negative for MH and does not carry the gene mutation. This horse will not pass the condition onto its offspring and will Impressive: kqha.com not be affected by the disease. Horses that have inherited the MH gene have a malfunctioning calcium-release channel within skeletal muscle cells. This causes excess calcium to be released into the portion of the cell that causes contractions and increases muscle metabolism. Horses affected by MH may not show any physical signs of the disorder until it is triggered by extreme exercise, stress, or specific anesthetic (halothane). Horses experiencing symptoms of MH will have a fever often exceeding 109 F, excessive sweating, increased heart rate, abnormal heart rate, high blood pressure, acidosis, and muscle damage. If not treated immediately this condition can be fatal. Horses that are affected by MH can be managed during surgery if known prior to the procedure.
Horses affected by HYPP have a mutation in the sodium-potassium pump system that is involved in controlling muscle contraction. This disease causes involuntary muscle contraction that may result in tremors, temporary paralysis and respiratory dysfunction and even death. Positive horses need to be maintained on a strict diet and exercise program to reduce excess potassium in their diet and help them maintain appropriate muscle function. Owners of positive horses should be cautious when riding or handling these horses as HYPP attacks are unpredictable.
Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA) – is an autosomal recessive diseased caused by a mutation in peptidyl-prolylisomerase B (PPIB) gene that affects 3.5% of Quarter Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis Disease Horses. HERDA is a disease that causes a (HYPP)- is an autosomal dominant disease collagen deficiency in horses that restricts caused by point mutation in the SCN4A gene adhesion of the skin layers that has been linked that affects 1.5% of Quarter Horses and up to to Quarter Horse stallion Poco Bueno. Since 56% of Halter horses. HYPP is a muscular this is a recessive disease a horse must have two disease that has been traced back to a Quarter copies of the mutated gene to be affected. Horse stallion named Impressive. Since it is a Continued on page 40... dominant disease only one copy of the mutation
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Old Wives Tales about Horses
Photo: stonewaysinsurance.co.uk
by Dr. Kelly Hudspeth, DVM
There are tons of sayings about horses and owning horses. Although we do not know the reason a saying gets started, it is fun to see what has been passed down through the generations. Almost everyone has heard at least one of these sayings. Although most are totally unfounded medically and otherwise, some people still firmly believe in a few of them. • One white foot, buy a horse; two white feet, try a horse; three white feet, look well about him; four white feet, do without him. • A red mare will either be crazy or mean. • A horse with two whorls on its forehead will be more difficult. • Changing a horse’s name is bad luck. • The deeper a stud dips his nostrils into the water he is drinking, the better the sire he will be. • When you cut a horse, throw one testicle to the east and one to the west, and don’t look where they fall, or he will be proud cut. • It is bad luck to place a cowboy hat on a bed. • A horse is only worth as much as how many times he can roll over in a row. • Curly ears means a hot horse. • A horse with a Roman nose is stubborn. • If you can see the white of a horse’s eye, it is skittish or temperamental (or crazy). • Stepping in a pile of manure is good luck. • If a horse steps in a wolf print, it will be crippled. • Inhaling a horse’s breath is cure for whooping cough. • You take a hair from the mare’s tail, and tie a nail to it. Then you hold it above the mare’s hips... and if it doesn’t swing, she’s not pregnant. If it swings in a circle, she’s carrying a filly; if it swings straight, a colt. • Eating a hair from a horse’s forelock is cure for worms. • Horses standing with their backs to a hedge mean it’s going to rain. • If you break a mirror the misfortune can be averted if you lead a horse through the house. Same applies if you spill salt in the kitchen. • Seeing a grey horse on the way to a church is considered lucky for the bride and groom. • In England and Germany dreaming of a white horse is considered a death omen. • Gray horses and horses with four white feet are considered unlucky in racing.
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• Copper pennies in a tank will prevent moody behavior in mares • If you lead a white horse through your house it will banish all evil. • A horseshoe, hung above the doorway, will bring good luck to a home. In most of Europe protective horseshoes are placed in a downward facing position, but in some parts of Ireland and Britain people believe that the shoes must be turned upward or “the luck will run out.” • A horseshoe hung in the bedroom will keep nightmares away. • Cure for Founder -- Pour turpentine into a saucer, and hold it against the horse’s navel. It’ll suck it right up, and the founder will be gone. (I heard this from my daddy and grandfather – daddy said he witnessed it!) • It was thought that warts could be cured by circling them in horse hair. • Tradition, they say, can teach us a lot, So here is what horsemen, on color, have thought. A bay is hardy, a chestnut is fast, And you can’t kill a buckskin: he’ll last and last. • A grey is gentle, a sorrel is hot, A dun is a horse you’ll be happy you bought. White eyes are flighty, white feet may crack, While some won’t rely on the feet of a black. Some pintos are lucky, like the medicine hat, But all horsemen agree the best color is fat. • Four white feet, keep him not a day, Three white feet, send him far away. Two white feet, give him to a friend, One white foot, keep him till the end. References: “Horse Related Superstitions and Wives Tales” The Dedicated Horseman February 2, 2014, http://dedicatedhorseman.blogspot.com/2014/02/horse-related-superstitions-andwives.html accessed September 22, 2016 “Horse Superstitions and Old Wives Tales” Ablackhorse.com Sep 03 2006 http://www. ablackhorse.com/board/index.php?/topic/11572-horse-superstitions-and-old-wivestales/ accessed September 22, 2016 My Horse Forum Myths / Old Wive’s Tale Feb 20, 2013. http://myhorseforum.com/ threads/myths-old-wives-tales.501285/ accessed September 22, 2016
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to connect glycogen structures which prevents the horse from storing sugar. This prevents the horse from storing energy needed to fuel its organs, by Dr. Neely Walker, DVM muscles, and brain. Foals who are born positive for GBED display a wide range of symptoms including: weakness, difficulty standing, low body There are three potential test results: • Hrd/Hrd- this means your horse is positive for HERDA and carries temperature, seizures, contracted muscles and death. GBED commonly results in second and third trimester abortions and stillborn foals. Foals two copies of the gene. • Hrd/n- this means your horse is a carrier and only has one copy of who survive foaling and who are not euthanized often die by 8 weeks. the gene. This horse will not show any symptoms of the disease but will Homozygous GBED is always fatal, and carrier animals should not be bred. have a 50% chance of passing the mutated gene to its offspring. Continued from page 36...
The Importance of Equine Genetic Testing
• n/n- this means your horse is negative, it is not affected by HERDA, Understanding the genetic status of your horses is an important tool to and will not pass the mutation onto any offspring. use for management and breeding decisions. Fortunately many labs exist Horses that are positive for and offer affordable genetic panels that can help you make an informed HERDA will have multiple slow decision. If you have any question regarding your horse’s genetic status, healing skin abrasions and are contact your local veterinarian.
Poco Bueno: aqha.com
not typically noticed until they begin training. The friction and pressure caused by training aids and saddles will cause large sheets of skin to separate. There is no cure for the disorder and no way to effectively manage horses with HERDA, however and positive horses are typically euthanized. Breeding carrier animals is also not advised.
Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED)- is an autosomal recessive disease cause by a mutation in the GBE1 gene that affects 8-10% of Quarter Horses. Paints, Appaloosas, HERDA horse: Dr. Ann and other descendent Rashmir, Michigan State breeds of Quarter University Horses can be affected. GBED is a fatal condition that causes the inability to properly store sugar. Since it is a recessive disease a horse must have two copies of the mutated gene to express the condition. There are three potential test results: • Gb/Gb- this means your horse has two copies of the GBED mutation. The horse is affected with GBED and will not live to pass on disease to offspring. • n/Gb- this means your horse is a carrier of the disease and has one copy of the GBED mutation. If bred, this horse has a 50% chance of passing the disease on to its offspring. • n/n- this means your horse is not affected by GBED, and will not pass it on to its offspring. Horses who inherit GBED are incapable of producing the enzyme needed
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References: 1. Wade CM, Giulotto E, Sigurdsson S, Zoli M, Gnerre S, Imsland F, Lear TL, Adelson DL, Bailey E, Bellone RR, Blocker H, Distl O, Edgar RC, Garber M, Leeb T, Mauceli E, MacLeod JN, Penedo MCT, Raison JM, Sharpe T, Vogel J, Andersson L, Antczak DF, Biagi T, Binns MM, Chowdhary BP, Coleman SJ, Della Valle G, Fryc S, Guerin G, Hasegawa T, Hill EW, Jurka J, Kiialainen A, Lindgren G, Liu J, Magnani E, Mickelson JR, Murray J, Nergadze SG, Onofrio R, Pedroni S, Piras MF, Raudsepp T, Rocchi M, Roed KH, Ryder OA, Searle S, Skow L, Swinburne JE, Syvanen AC, Tozaki T, Valberg SJ, Vaudin M, White JR, Zody MC, Lander ES, Lindblad-Toh K. Broad Institute Genome Sequencing Platform, Broad Institute Whole Genome Assembly Team. Genomic sequence, comparative analysis and population genetics of the domestic horse.2009;326:865–867. 2. Broshahan, M.M., Brooks, S.A., & Antczak, D. 2010. Equine Clinical Genomics: a Clinician’s Primer. Equine Vet J. 2010 Oct 42(7):648-670 3. Animal Genetics: Equine Genetic Disease Testing online at: horsetesting.com
Racing in the Rain by Ann Switalski
Tuesday, March 8, started like any other race day at Louisiana Downs. Yes, I kept staring at the skies and wondering when I would have to dress myself in head to toe rain gear, but I wasn’t complaining. After all, we’ve had a really mild winter with great weather for most race days. After a few races, the rain started to fall lightly and then eventually picked up in intensity. By the end of the day, I was standing on an aluminum ladder in pouring rain with thunder and lightning and trying desperately to keep my lens dry. Yes, the conditions were miserable but I kept thinking, well, at least this is last race day this week until Saturday - it will be better then. Little did I know that life would not be getting back to normal anytime soon. The rain continued to fall after the last horse crossed the finish line. And it fell the next day. And the next. So much rain fell on the track that the road leading to the backside was overrun with water and I had to find an alternative way to the vet’s office. On Friday, the water cleared off the road and I thought that once again that we were in the clear. From far it. In the middle of the day, a voice came over the loud speaker announcing that everyone was to vacate the track. I knew that horses were being evacuated but was shocked by the order that everyone had to leave…NOW. The entire backside community had to pack up and move out very quickly. Horses were loaded in trailers, washing machines were thrown in the backs of trucks and everyone proceeded to move to higher ground. Trainers and owners made multiple trips, some over very long distances, to transport their horses to safety. The remainder of the racing season became a big question mark. Would the final weeks of racing be canceled? Would the stakes races be held at a different track? It was a very difficult time for everyone involved as they started to come to grips with the impact the evacuation would have on their lives. Pay would be lost, horses would lose training time, and many opportunities to win big just slipped away. On Monday, the horses started to return. Of course not everyone will return. Tough decisions need to be made. Is it worth coming back to LA Downs or is it best to just move on to the next meet? Maybe just the best horses will be brought back in hopes of winning the bigger purses. There will be 4 more days of racing left in this season. Four more days to try to win big one last time until the next season starts.
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Continued from page 31 ...
White House Equestrians by Barbara Newtown
Here are Reagan and Queen Elizabeth II, true horse lovers.
In this photo Ronald Reagan trail rides with his V. P. and White House successor, George H. W. Bush. Bush preferred power boats, but in his social circle one learns how to ride.
Bill Clinton enjoys trail riding on Martha’s Vineyard.
George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Hillary Clinton have no interest in riding. Something has been lost from our national story…
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The Battle against Rain Rot by Dr. Neely Walker, PH.D.
The typical wet and humid weather of Louisiana are perfect conditions to increase the risk for your horse to contract the skin disease commonly known as “rain rot.” Rain rot or rain scald (also known as dermatophilosis) is commonly mistaken for a fungal disease, but is actually caused by a bacterial infection. The bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis which causes the dry crusty lesions, lives dormant within the horse’s skin until the skin is damaged. Rain soaked skin, or skin that is broken, irritated, or damaged by insect bites or trauma is more likely to develop the condition. Heavy winter coats allow excess moisture to stay in contact with the skin causing an anaerobic (lack of oxygen) condition facilitating bacterial growth. Diagnosis is typically done by visual conformation. Horses with winter coats will develop raised matted tufts of hair along their neck, withers, back, croup, and hindquarters. If not cared for the lesions will continue to grow and combine, creating scabs with yellow-green or gray colored pus underneath them. The most important step in treating rain rot is to remove the crusty scab like lesions and expose the damaged skin to oxygen. This is usually done by bathing the affected area of skin with some type of antimicrobial shampoo (Betadine, Cholorhexadine, etc) and gently removing the lesions with a brush or curry comb. In more severe cases, additional layers of skin may be infected and will require systemic antibiotic treatment. Rain rot is extremely contagious. Practicing good hygiene and biosecurity techniques are important to prevent the spread of this infection. Listed below are a few techniques that will help reduce the spread of Rain Rot: • Groom daily with clean brushes • Isolate infected horses • Clean contaminated equipment before using on another animal • Use an insect spray to reduce skin trauma • Avoid sharing grooming kits • Reduce environmental factors when possible (constant wet/humid conditions) Mild cases of rain rot will usually heal on their own; however it is important to treat all cases to prevent the lesions from spreading and interfering with daily use. If you suspect your horse has a case of rain rot and antimicrobial treatment is ineffective contact your veterinarian.
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The Louisiana State University Equine Health Studies Program supports the Holly Hill Horse Trials in Benton, Louisiana, on October 29th and 30th. Come visit the LSU booth and discover the educational and employment opportunities for people who want to keep animals healthy!
Eventing, the Equine Triathlon By Barbara Newtown
Eventing… Cours Complet… Three Day… Horse Trial… Combined Training… The Military… The Olympic horse sport that combines dressage, show jumping, and galloping cross-country over solid obstacles has had many names over the past century, but the ideal “event horse” has always been brave, strong, fast, obedient, nimble, healthy, and very well trained. The competition developed at the end of the 19th century as the test of the ideal officer’s mount. Today the sport attracts civilians who are drawn to the challenge of preparing for three different and difficult disciplines joined into one. Women compete against men at the highest levels. The fitness, training, talent, and steady nerves required to succeed in eventing bring out the best in horses and humans. Eventers are deeply involved in the wellbeing of their mounts. Want to learn how to wrap legs—or how to choose the correct bit—or how to take care of a wound while you’re waiting for the veterinarian? Ask an eventer! The sport is so demanding that eventers crave continuing education. Instructors and riders know that technique can be the difference between bliss and shame, soundness and lameness, and even life and death. And what about the horse? People who don’t understand the bond between horse and human can’t imagine trusting your life to a dumb animal. But eventers know that horses are brilliant at being horses…they just need a human partner’s touch to show them how brilliant they can be. A great event horse can half-pass along the diagonal with a look of inward concentration and total obedience…and the next day that same horse can think for himself, understand a ditch-and-wall in a fragment of a second, and save his rider’s skin. Go to a United States Eventing Association recognized event. You’ll see an expert tuning up for the next Olympics or Pan Am Games; you’ll see a trainer taking a talented, gawky horse around a beginner course; you’ll see little kids on little ponies accomplishing amazing feats of bravery; and, if you watch the finish line for the cross-country phase for a while, I guarantee you will see riders galloping in with giant grins of triumph. Even if they have no hopes of getting ribbons, they’ve won.
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Oldenburg Inspection at Newtown Farm by George Newtown
The twelfth annual Newtown Farm ISR/Oldenburg NA mare and foal inspection took place on Monday, 26 September 2016, in Benton, Louisiana. Inspector Gary Lawrence of Utah assessed the eighteen animals presented this year: six mares, two 2016 fillies, and ten 2016 colts. Paperwork began over coffee, rolls, and cookies at noon, while the actual inspection of animals began at 1:30PM. The day was overcast and delightfully temperate for September in Louisiana. Once again this year the triangle was marked with the traditional pots of yellow mums. Five of the six mares were approved into the Main Mare Book; the sixth mare, Katie Jones’s TB/ draft cross Beaujolais, entered the Pre Mare Book on account of her unknown parentage. Four of the Main Mare Book mares scored over 100 points. The highest scoring mare at 103.5 points was Newtown Farm’s three-year-old bay Oldenburg filly Hope (Balanchine* x Hannah -/*/[Der Radetzky]). A close second, at 102.5 points, was another Balanchine* daughter Felicity, a five-year-old bay Oldenburg out of Fredericka (by Consul). The two others scoring over 100 points were Lynn Masin’s three-year-old bay Oldenburg Qualitat Kronjuwel (Qredit x Jeopardy [I am Graf Royal]) at 100.5 and Newtown Farm’s eightyear-old grey Oldenburg Hester (Festrausch x Hannah -/*/- [Der Radetzky]) at 101. Also approved into the Main Mare Book was Sue Droske’s Lea’s Peak, a fourteen-year-old bay Thoroughbred mare (Peaks and Valleys x Prospectlea [Magic Prospect]). Sires represented among the twelve foals, in addition to Newtown Farm’s homebred Balanchine, included Bliss MF, Jus d’O, and Landkoenig. Three of the foals, all sired by Balanchine, were awarded the Premium Foal designation. High Point Colt and Site Champion at 8.1 was Tracy Hewlett’s bay colt Bebop Dancer out of Vignette (by Darwin). The High Point filly at 8.0 was Newtown Farm’s dark bay Wendy Darling out of Weltkin (by Weltmeyer). Also named Premium Colt (at 8.0) was Newtown Farm’s dark bay Blaise out of Hermione -/*/- (by Coeur de Lion). Continued on page 48...
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Oldenburg Inspection at Newtown Farm by George Newtown
The remaining nine foals were all approved—six of them scoring just a tic below the Premium designation at 7.9. They included Newtown Farm’s bay filly Ziva (Balanchine x Zoe*/-/- [Juventus]), as well as five of the colts: Jennifer Pesnell’s Bendito (Bliss MF x Dejavu [Domiro]), Victoria Hunton’s Just One Look (Jus d’O x Tarilla), and Newtown Farm’s Bayley (Balanchine x Fredericka [Consul]), Bix (Balanchine x Hannah -/*/- [Der Radetzky]), and Llewellyn (Landkoenig x Harriet [Coeur de Lion]). Three more Balanchine colts came in at 7.8: Terry Droske’s Bendito Lea (out of Lea’s Peak [Peaks and Valleys]), Katie Jones’s Beringer (out of Beaujolais), and Newtown Farm’s Bennett (out of Hattie [Festrausch]).
After sharing congratulations and completing more paperwork, the proud owners watched as all twelve foals received their brands. Finally, when the excitement of the day had died down, the judge and the site hosts retired to the kitchen for cold beer.
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Justin Phillip Colt Tops Equine Sales Company Open Yearling and Mixed Sale A colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Justin Phillip topped the Equine Sales Company Open Yearling and Mixed Sale on Sunday in Opelousas, Louisiana. A total of 114 head sold from 181 offered for $305,000. The average was $2,675 with a median of $1,550. Those numbers were off from last year’s auction when 127 of 190 sold for $414,700 with an average of $3,265 and median of $1,400. Consigned by Select Sales, agent, and purchased for $22,000 by Scott Gelner, the sale-topper is a Louisiana-bred yearling out of the stakesplaced A. P Jet mare Jet’s Tradition. She is the dam of two starters, including $227,806 earner Jet Majesty. “After setting a record yearling price of $145,000 in our select yearling sale in September and also posting big increases in gross sales, average and median, it’s not surprising that the numbers for this auction were down a little,” said Foster Bridewell, sales director for Equine Sales Company. “We had a mare in foal to Uncle Mo last year that brought $55,000 and another mare go for $48,000, so that kind of skewed the average for that auction. When you discount those, we were pretty much on par with that sale.” Next up for Equine Sales Company is the 2-year-olds in training sale next year on May 9 with the breeze show on May 7. For hip-by-hip results, go to equinesalesofla.com.
Reach more horse owners and potential buyers with the Louisiana Equine Report than any other Horse Publication in Louisiana and surrounding areas. Published every other month, i.e. Feb/Mar, April/ May etc. Don’t Miss Out on this opportunity to SELL with advertising in the Louisiana Equine Report online classifieds. Email mike@laequinereport.com or call 225.229.8979 or 225.363.6773 today!!! Horses for Sale: Free (based on availability) All other items: Reasonable rates (Call or e-mail for pricing)
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GOLDEN MISCHIEF ROLLS LATE TO TAKE THE $100,000 MY TRUSTY CAT AT DELTA DOWNS - STEVE ASMUSSEN TRAINEE ON THE ROAD TO THE $400,000 DELTA DOWNS PRINCESS VINTON, LA. – For the second year in a row and the third time overall, trainer Steve Asmussen sent out the winner of the My Trusty Cat Stakes at Delta Downs. On Friday night Golden Mischief took the $100,000 race for 2-year-old fillies with jockey Gerard Melancon in the saddle. Last year Asmussen watched La Appassionata win the race after his charge Madame Cactus came home victorious in 2012. Golden Mischief, who is owned by Corrine and William Heiligbrodt, stalked the early pace set by Flatter Up, who carved out fractions of 22.15 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, 47.09 for the half, and 1:11.89 for three-quarters. Flatter Up lead the field of seven into the homestretch but was quickly confronted by Golden Mischief, who rallied stoutly before drawing clear by 1-3/4 lengths on the finish line. Flatter Up stayed on for second while Forest Circle finished another 1-1/4 length behind the runner-up in third. The final time for this year’s My Trusty Cat was 1:26.77 over a track listed as fast. The win by Golden Mischief was her third in a row and her first in stakes company. She earned a winner’s paycheck of $60,000 for the effort which raised her career bankroll to $132,350. Overall, the bay runner three wins, one second and two fourths from six trips to the starting gate. By virtue of her tally on Friday night, Golden Mischief earns the distinction of getting first preference into the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess (Gr. 3), which will be contested on Jackpot Day, Saturday, November 19. Bred in Kentucky by Fredericka V. Caldwell, Golden Mischief is by Into Mischief, out of the Carson City mare Lanai City. She was sold as a yearling for $180,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale in 2015. Sent to the gate at odds of 2-1, Golden Mischief paid $6.20 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.60 to show. Flatter Up was worth $3.60 to place and $3.40 to show. Forest Circle returned $3.80 to show. Delta Downs will wrap up its opening week of racing on Saturday night with another 11race program. First post time is set for 5:40 pm. Saturday’s featured race is the $200,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes for 2-year-old hoping to make it to this year’s $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot (Gr. 3). For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www. deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.
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of 175-225 on the property throughout the year, there is never any down time. Sale prepping is a big part of their business this time of year, as well as breaking yearlings.
LQHBA Insider
Continued from Cover..
WHAT WE DID ON OUR SUMMER VACATION by Martha Claussen
“Once the breeding season is over, we stay busy with surgery and cleaning up chips on the horses who have run earlier in the year,” he said. “We are also doing some work on the new crop of babies and going to the sales.” Reviewing new technology for diagnosis and treatment is always on the agenda. Currently, the clinic hosts a MRI Scanner, Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber, Digital Radiology and etc. They recently announced the addition of an Open C Magnet MRI Vet-MR Grade; just one of four in the country. Continuing education is a major priority for the veterinarians in his practice, which includes Dr. Philip Appleton and Findley’s sons, Larry, Jr. and Troy.
“Each of the vets have a little time off,” said Findley. “We rotate so we can have a week off, but many times it will be utilized for continuing education or to attend various equine seminars.” The programs are held at various universities and medical clinics in North America. Dr. Findley attended a course on ICSI (Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Dr Troy Findley is a practicing racetrack veterinarian and services all four major racetracks in the state of Louisiana. He recently traveled to Buffalo, New York for an Equine Meeting. “We are constantly trying to improve our program to be able to offer the latest cutting edge technology,” Findley added. Breeder and Farm Owner Kim Blanchet Chris and Kim Blanchet own and operate Blanchet Farms in Ville Platte, Louisiana. With both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, and a range
“Each horse is different, so we are very hands on with the breaking and handling,” she said. Breeding season is over, but Kim points out that this time of year, horsemen are “shopping” for studs and the bidding can be quite competitive. Their stallion roster includes Ajs Fast Dash, Jess Elie, Jls Party Wagon, Reba Reba Corona, Tee Cos and Triple Vodka. The first crop of Tee Cos did very well this year, which meant fielding calls from many new clients. “It’s great to get the attention, but finalizing the deals are not that easy,” admits Kim. Repairs on equipment and the training track at Blanchet Farms take place between meets, and of course, there is never a day off for feeding and cleaning stalls. “I can honestly say that in our 27 years of marriage, we have never taken a vacation,” said Kim. “But we love our Friday Night football and I just enjoyed attending the “Mom’s” football pep rally.” Trainer Kevin Broussard Trainers change gears as the year progresses and as they prepare for the 46-day Evangeline Downs racing season. Kevin Broussard has 35 horses on his farm in Abbeyville, and another 30 horses stabled in Opelousas this year. This time of year means freshening up the older runners and “breaking babies” for the 2017 racing season.
very good gate horse.” While Broussard cannot take time for a lengthy vacation, he enjoys short getaways with his family. “Last weekend we went to Sycamore Point to relax,” he said. “We have three kids and family time is important to us.” Jockey Damian Martinez This has been a very productive first year on the Louisiana circuit for young rider Damian Martinez. He is the 11th leading AQHA jockey in the country with 71 wins so far in 2016. Since moving his tack from Texas, Martinez gained the respect of many trainers and finished second in both the Delta Downs and Fair Grounds Quarter Horse meets. You won’t hear the 23-year-complain about not having much down time. He rode in trials for the $427,350 Dash for Cash Futurity (G2) at Lone Star Park and was aboard fastest qualifier Eye N Capo for trainer Adrian Huitron. From there, he was able to return to his home in San Antonio and spend quality time with his wife, Bianca, and young daughter, Daila, who Martinez calls his “lucky charm”. Interestingly, Damian and Bianca share the same birthday: September 27. “It was the day before the Evangeline meet started, so I had to watch my weight,” said Martinez. “Bianca ate a steak, while I had a cup of lettuce!” Three course dinners aside, Martinez is thrilled to be riding in Louisiana this year, and is already the leader in the Evangeline Downs jockey standings. “From the beginning, the other riders welcomed me,” he said. “There is a lot of support here; very different from other circuits. It’s been a great year!”
“Right after the sale, we sent them to get broke,” explained Broussard. “Some of them will be pointed to the Mardi Gras at Louisiana Downs; others we will pace for later in the year.” The majority of Broussard’s stock are claiming or lower level allowance horses, and he has his best results at Louisiana Downs and Evangeline.
LQHBA Office Juggles Full Slate The staff in the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) office in Alexandria had a very busy end of the summer. On September 16, they conducted the hip and stall drawing for the 2016 LQHBA Fall Mixed Sale and will send catalogs out the first week of October.
Broussard, who had a very good fifth-place finish in the 2015 Evangeline Downs meet. One of his top performers is multiple-stakes winner, Scoopies Leaving You. Bred by Gerald D. Libersat and owned by Joel Galindo, the son of Coronas Leaving You has won 15 of his 30 career starts. He finished third in the 2016 edition of the $20,000 EVD Dash, a 220-yard sprint, which was contested on September 30.
Michelle Hatwig and Sonya Melder represented LQHBA at the Heritage Place Sale in Oklahoma City. The ladies manned a booth, visited with many sale attendees to promote the LQHBA Yearling and Fall Mixed Sales as well as the rewarding breeding and racing program in Louisiana.
“He’s a very sound horse,” said Broussard. “We just freshen him up between starts. He’s always been a
“This is also a time of year when we look much closer into all of our stats and numbers trying to find ways to improve the association and benefit our membership,” Continued on page 61...
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Tyler Waguespack snares All American ProRodeo title Posted on October 20, 2016 by Hank WilsonOctober 20, 2016 WACO, Texas – Courtesy PRCA – Riding a Cadillac paid dividends again for steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack. The Gonzales, La., cowboy teamed with Cadillac, the 2016 American Quarter Horse Association/PRCA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year, to stop the clock in 3.6 seconds in the four-man short round to capture the All American ProRodeo championship Oct. 15. “This feels great,” Waguespack said moments after he won his inaugural All American championship. “I knew I had a pretty good steer, and he kind of started falling down when I caught him. I was trying to make sure I could get him over on his side before he fell all the way down. I had tons of confidence because I think I’m riding the best horse out there, Cadillac. I’ve had a lot of success with him, and he came through again for me.” Being the second cowboy out in the final four, Waguespack took an aggressive approach in the finals at the Extraco Events Center. “You have to put some heat on them as far as pressure,” said Waguespack, 25. “You have to run at it if you’re going to succeed out here. Everybody is going for it.” Waguespack also won the Spanish Fork (Utah) Fiesta Days Rodeo on Cadillac, and he heads to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER third in the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings, with $85,458. His traveling partners – Ty Erickson ($92,942) and Clayton Hass ($82,323) finished first and fifth in the final regular-season standings, and will be joining Waguespack in Las Vegas Dec. 1-10. Hass actually hazed for Waguespack when he clinched the All American title. “This is probably the biggest year-end win of my career,” said Waguespack, who joined the PRCA in 2012. “Rodeos like this, you have to qualify for them all year, and it feels great to win here.” Waguespack, who qualified for his first Wrangler NFR a year ago and finished 11th in the world standings, departed Waco with a total of $13,563. All money won at the 12 circuit finals rodeos, All American ProRodeo Finals and the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo – per new PRCA bylaws – count toward the 2017 WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings. “This win at the All American Finals is going to give me a big jump on the new year, which is really nice,” Waguespack said. Other winners at the $482,384 rodeo were bareback rider Winn Ratliff (90 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Flight), team ropers Jake Cooper/Tyler McKnight (9.5 seconds), saddle bronc rider CoBurn Bradshaw (88 points on Big Rafter Rodeo’s Pearl), tie-down roper Caleb Smidt (7.2 seconds), steer ropers Scott Snedecor and Cody Lee (33.1 seconds on three head), barrel racer Stevi Hillman (15.73 seconds) and bull rider Dalan Duncan (86 points on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Go Texan). It was worth noting that team ropers Cody Snow and Dugan Kelly set an All American ProRodeo Finals record, and Extraco Events Center arena record, when they stopped the clock in 3.5 seconds to win the semifinals. The old record was 4.0 seconds by Nathan McWhorter and Twister Cain, set in 2011. That 3.5-second run is equal to the seventh-fastest team roping time in ProRodeo history.
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Champion and Grade 1 Sire Carters Cartel To Louisiana
AQHA Racing Champion and multiple Grade 1 sire Carters Cartel will stand the 2017 season at Hart Farms, near Kaplan KAPLAN, LA— SEPTEMBER 22, 2016— Bobby D. Cox and Chad Hart have acquired Champion and multiple Grade 1 sire Carters Cartel SI 103 from his owner/breeder Double Bar S Ranch. He will stand the 2017 season at Hart Farms near Kaplan for a fee of $4,000.
Named AQHA Racing’s Champion 2-Year-Old Colt in 2007, Carters Cartel won or placed in nine of 10 career starts, earning $659,146. He won the Ed Burke Million Futurity(G1) and Kindergarten Futurity(G1) and finished third in the Vandy’s Flash Handicap(G3). Carters Cartel was also a finalist in Golden State Million Futurity(G1) and PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity(G1).
The son of leading living sire of money earners Corona Cartel is out of the AQHA Racing Champion mare Jumpin Tac Flash SI 106 ($147,065), dam of 14 ROM including Champion Carters Cartel SI 103 (see above), multiple grade 1 winner and grade 1 sire Tac It Like a Man SI 98 ($413,563), stakes winner and G1-placed Flash First SI 105 ($351,719), stakes winner and From five crops to race G3-placed Imjumpn SI 94 ($56,495), G1-placed A Tac First ($88,793), Carters Cartel has sired 233 winners, 62 stakes hoses (17%), earners over etc. $7.5 million with average earnings per starter of more than $20,200. Jumpn Tac Flash is the granddam of multiple stakes horses including Among his top performers are Rainbow Futurity(G1) winner Carters Los Alamitos Winter Derby(G1) winner Headturner SI 101 ($294,032), Cookie SI 93 (2 wins, $359,630), Texas Classic Futurity(G1) runner- PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity(G1) winner Jumpn Beduino ($187,555), G3 up First Fancy Racy SI 97 (3 wins to 3, 2016 $380,877), Miss Polly winner and multiple stakes sire Jumpn SI 98 ($187,555), G1-placed and Classic(G3) winner Exquisite Stride SI 98 (7 wins to 4, 2016, $250,532), multiple stakes sire Jumpn Chic SI 96 ($161,420), G3 winner Jump Down Sam Houston Futurity(G2) winner Just Call Me Carter SI 96 (2 wins at Azoom SI 103 ($114,633), etc. 2, $218,), Heritage Place Juvenile winner Cartel Rosie SI 106 (9 wins to 4, $178,286), multiples stakes finalist Carters Disco SI 98 (4 wins to 4, The second dam is the stakes winning Six Fols mare Beat Your Pants $165,974). Off SI 103, dam of 24 ROM including AQHA Racing Champion Jumpin Tac Grade 1-placed First Fancy Rany, by Carters Flash SI 106 (see above), AQHA Racing Cartel, qualifying for the $2.4 mill All Champion and multiple stakes sire Splash American Derby at Ruidosos Downs last Bac SI 93 ($135,505), etc. This is the family month. © Gay Harris / Ruidoso Downs of champion Feature Mr Bojangles SI 103 ($899,434), RG1 winner Metallic Lion SI Also Eastex Stakes(G2) winner Somethin 101 ($263,045), etc. Like This SI 98 (5 wins to 5, $151,810),Mr Jess Perry Derby winner Carters Last Straw For additional information or breeding SI 96 (2 wins to 4, $151,099), Hobbs America contracts call Jerome Ballard, Hart Farm Derby(G3) runner-up Mr Perry Cartel (3 wins Manager, at 337-643-3255 or 337-207-7944. Grade 1-placed First Fancy Rany, by Carters Cartel, qualifying for the $2.4 mill to 4, $140,809), Sam Houston Classic(G2) All American Derby at Ruidosos Downs last month. © Gay Harris / Ruidoso Downs winner Ss Paydirt SI 106 (8 wins to 5, $134,403), etc.
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LQHBA Insider Continued from page 57..
WHAT WE DID ON OUR SUMMER VACATION by Martha Claussen said Tony Patterson, LQHBA’s executive director. “The Fall Mixed Sale and our Breeders Futurity and Derby on November 19th are definitely a major focus this time of year” The upcoming LQHBA Board Meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 5 at 10:30 am in the Prefunction Room (Event Center) at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas. All members are invited to attend and offer their input on future yearling sales. The Yearling Sale discussion will begin at approximately 3:00 pm, following the conclusion of the board meeting. Congratulations to Announcer Michael Chamberlain Finally, Michael Chamberlain, the voice of Evangeline Downs, definitely had a winning accomplishment during his down time! He and his wife, Sarah, moved into their new home in Lafayette this summer and announced that they are expecting their first child! The new addition to the family is due in March. The clear message from this wonderful cross-section of the Louisiana racing industry is that they had no complaints regarding the busy schedule. Louisiana racing and breeding is thriving and each individual in this feature, and so many more, are proud to be part of it! The LQHBA Insider is a monthly feature written by Martha Claussen for www.lqhba.com. She served as publicity director at Sam Houston Race Park for ten years. She continues to be active in writing, fan education and Quarter Horse racing publicity in Texas, Louisiana and other regions in North America.
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Louisiana Equine Report : Office: 225-363.6773
72 Louisiana Equine Report • June | July 2015 Mike @ 225.229.8979 | Email: mike@laequinereport.com | www.theequinereport.com