Racetrack Horseshoer's Survey Launched by Grayson Jockey Club's Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit

The Shoeing and Hoof Care Committee of the Grayson Jockey Club Foundation's Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit has compiled an online survey to collect data from horseshoers at US racetracks. Information from the survey will be used to assist the committee's efforts to study how horseshoers are licensed by states or racing jurisdictions, and what changes horseshoers feel may be warranted in the system to improve the education of horseshoers and the welfare of the horses in their care.

A sub-committee of the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit's Shoeing and Hoof Care committee will use the results of this survey to gain information on topics, ideas and structure for a uniform national racetrack horseshoer test for state licensure. The committee feels that this step, which is similar to the Jockey Club's efforts in unifying Thoroughbred racetrack trainers' tests, will raise the bar of horseshoer qualifications and thereby boost the overall safety of the racehorse.

Hoofcare Publishing and The Hoof Blog have been asked to help disseminate news of the survey into the Thoroughbred racing shoeing community.

The survey is primarily an online questionnaire, and should only take a few minutes to complete.

To preserve the integrity of the survey, only those directly involved with racetrack horseshoeing should fill out the survey. This means: professional horseshoers who earn part or all of their living at the racetrack and are affected by state or track licensing.

An alternative path through the survey is available for trainers, owners, stable employees, racing officials, veterinarians, non-track horseshoers or others who are interested in expressing opinions about the practice of racetrack horseshoeing, but only racetrack shoers should answer the shoeing questions to preserve the survey's validity.

The committee has been collecting information for the past few years on state licensing and tests administered, and has sought the input of racetrack shoers in improving the process of testing new farriers. It is hoped that this survey will be able to reach many more horseshoers at tracks across the country.

A word about the survey: it is an automated program. Once you start to take the survey, you should finish it; you cannot go back and finish it later. The program will also prevent you from answering the survey more than once.

While the survey is anonymous, the Committee would like to hear more opinions from racetrack shoers, and has provided a comment section at the end of the survey for general feedback. Horseshoers are also invited to contact the committee directly to become involved in the efforts of the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit and the Shoeing and Hoof Care Committee.

Please click on the red survey badge to open the survey:

If viewing on a text-only or mobile device, the direct address of the survey is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/farriersurvey

If you have any questions before you attempt to complete this survey, please contact Cathy O'Meara at comeara@jockeyclub.com. If you know someone who does not have Internet access but who should take the survey, Cathy will be able to help.

The Foundation has not provided a deadline date for completing the survey, but you should not delay in submitting your answers if you want to have an impact on the decision-making process.

Notification of this survey is provided as a public service by Hoofcare Publishing. Comments left on this blog post, by clicking on "comment" at the bottom of this article, once published, will be visible to anyone visiting this blog but will not go directly to the Grayson Jockey Club Foundation, so please make comments on their survey feedback area as well.

 © Fran Jurga and Hoofcare Publishing; Fran Jurga's Hoof Blog is a between-issues news service for subscribers to Hoofcare and Lameness Journal. Please, no use without permission. You only need to ask. This blog may be read online at the blog page, checked via RSS feed, or received via a digest-type email (requires signup in box at top right of blog page). To subscribe to Hoofcare and Lameness (the journal), please visit the main site, www.hoofcare.com, where many educational products and media related to equine lameness and hoof science can be found. Questions or problems with this blog? Send email to blog@hoofcare.com.
 

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any direct compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned, other than Hoofcare Publishing. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Cornell Laminitis Research Beneficiary of Arabian Horse Foundation Grant to Study Genetic Markers in Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Cushings Disease

Good news for hoof research: this week the Arabian Horse Foundation (AHF) of the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) announced that it awarded $5,000 to fund equine research; the Foundation directed $2,500 to Cornell University. 

The $2,500 to Cornell University will go toward research into Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Equine Cushing’s Disease (ECD) in the Arabian horse. The grant will fund the work of Dr. Samantha Brooks and Cassy Streeter.

A frequent complication of both EMS (also known as Insulin Resistance) and ECD is laminitis and laminitis, in turn, is one of the most common causes of lameness and death in the horse.  
 

Beth Minnich, chair of the Foundation’s Equine Research Advisory Panel, stated, “Arabians are a breed affected by EMS and ECD, so to be able to define genetic markers associated with a predisposition to these diseases would help tremendously in being able to identify at risk horses, properly manage affected horses and potentially assist in developing therapies for treatment. Additionally, the influence of the Arabian breed in the development of many modern breeds will assist in the identification of these genetic markers among a variety of horse populations.”

The metal sculpture "Scotty's Arabian Horse" shown in this article was constructed by hammer on galvanized steel for the Swell Sculpture Festival on Currumbin Beach on Australia's Gold Coast by Andy Scott; photos top and left are by Jeannie Fletcher. I wonder if this magnificent horse and his huge hoof are still there. He was designed to bask in the sun...although he might look great in the snow, too.  The photo below is from Andy's astonishing portfolio of public art.

© Fran Jurga and Hoofcare Publishing Fran Jurga's Hoof Blog is a between-issues news service for subscribers to Hoofcare and Lameness Journal. Please, no use without permission. You only need to ask. This blog may be read online at the blog page, checked via RSS feed, or received via a digest-type email (requires signup in box at top right of blog page). To subscribe to Hoofcare and Lameness (the journal), please visit the main site, www.hoofcare.com, where many educational products and media related to equine lameness and hoof science can be found. Questions or problems with this blog? Send email to blog@hoofcare.com.

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Ohio State Vets Have a 20/20 Vision: Cure Laminitis by the Year 2020

4 December 2009 | Fran Jurga's Hoof Blog at Hoofcare.com

Here's a news story from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, about the university's participation in the recent 5th International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot. This article is published without editing except for the addition of links to extended information. It can also be read online at the Ohio State University news section. I hope Dr. Moore's vision comes true.

Columbus, OH - Equine experts and laminitis researchers from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine participated in two laminitis research meetings/workshops, where participants shared current research rand treatments, and envisioned finding a cure by 2020.

The Fifth International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot (IECLDF), held in conjunction with the Second Annual AAEP Foundation Equine Laminitis Research Workshop (ELRW), brought together specialists from around the world. Dr. Rustin Moore, chair of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, and acting director, Ohio State Veterinary Hospital, also served as a co-organizer for the IECLDF and the chair of organizing committee and moderator for the ELR titled.

The proceedings from the IECLDF includes an article he authored titled "Laminitis Vision: 20/20 by 2020" and the ELRW proceedings has a similar paper he authored titled "Vision 20/20 - Conquer Laminitis by 2020 - A Clarified Vision for the Equine Community to Work Collaboratively and Cooperatively to Understand, Embrace, and Achieve!"

The economic and emotional toll exacted by our incomplete understanding of the disease results in frustration felt by veterinarians, owners, trainers, caregivers and the general public - many of whom came to know the disease through Barbaro.

Fighting a complex, systemic disease like laminitis can only be accomplished through shared efforts. Threats to finding a cure rest in two areas: difficulties with funding the necessary research, as well as competition between research groups for that limited funding. Losing valuable researchers who move to other areas of study due to lack of resources would be disastrous.

Private supporters such as Mr. and Mrs. John K. Castle provide both financial and emotional support to keep the research going. Their horse, "Spot," suffered from laminitis and their efforts to fight the disease in his name continued at the meeting, where they award the "Spot Courage Award" to Molly the Pony. Rescued following Hurricane Katrina, Molly was attacked and badly injured by a dog. Her rescuers and new owners knew of a few instances in which a pony could survive an amputation and learn to wear a prosthetic. Veterinarians at Louisiana State University, including Dr. Moore who was there at that time, agreed to perform the surgery. Molly now travels and inspires all those who meet her.

Dr. Moore and Fran Jurga, editor, Hoofcare and Lameness Journal as well as the blog, The Jurga Report nominated Molly's care giving team, and Dr. Moore presented the award to Kaye Harris on behalf of everyone on this team. Molly accompanied Kaye to West Palm Beach, and was a huge hit during the conference.

Other award winners at the conference include Dr. Moore, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his on-going work and support of laminitis research. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a veterinarian or farrier who has dedicated his/her career to treating horses with laminitis. The nominee's commitment goes beyond the day-to-day care and strives to include evidenced based medical and surgical treatments.

"We really believed that [Dr. Moore] deserved this award because of what he as accomplished in what is really just the first half of his career," said Dr. James Orsini, Associate Professor of Surgery, New Bolton Center and Director, Laminitis Institute, New Bolton Center, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. "His work advancing medical and surgical treatments as well as evidence based research was accomplished in just under 20 years. Now, he has moved into administration, where he is still a leader. His work with this conference has caused it to be called the very best in the country - probably the world."

Dr. James Belknap, professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Ohio State, spoke at both meetings about his research involving the role of inflammatory cells and other mediators in the initiation and propagation of laminitis.

Equine clinical instructors Dr. Teresa Burns and Dr. Britta Leise also participated in the programs, each winning scholarships to attend and present a poster about their research at the IECLDF. Dr. Burns presented "Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine and Chemokine Expression Profiles of Various Adipose Tissue Depots of Insulin Resistant and Insulin-Sensitive Light Breed Horses." and Dr. Leise presented, "Laminar Inflammatory Gene Expression in the Carbohydrate Overload Model of Equine Laminitis." The also both gave podium presentations during the ELRW and Dr. Leise presented two research posters.

Fran Jurga's Hoof Blog is a between-issues news service for subscribers to Hoofcare and Lameness Journal. This blog may be read online at the blog page, checked via RSS feed, or received via a digest-type email (requires signup in box at top right of blog page).

To subscribe to Hoofcare and Lameness (the journal), please visit the main site, www.hoofcare.com, where many educational products and media related to equine lameness and hoof science can be found.

Questions or problems with this blog? Send email to blog@hoofcare.com.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Donates $10,000 for Racehorse Injury Research

(based on a press release)

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced today that the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, an equine veterinary practice and hospital in Lexington, Kentucky has made a $10,000 donation to the foundation to further research on racehorse lameness issues.

"We realize many people associate Hagyard with broodmare, foal management and reproductive issues," said Stuart E. Brown II, DVM, a partner in the firm. "But we also want to help the finished product, the racehorse."

Hagyard, formerly known as "Hagyard, Davidson and McGee" has founded in 1876 by Scottish immigrant veterinarian Edward Hagyard. The practice has grown to enjoy a worldwide reputation and now has separate sub-practices, including sport horse medicine, a fertility center, and a pharmacy. The sprawling campus on Iron Works Pike across the road from the Kentucky Horse Park employs 60 veterinarians plus a large support staff.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation annually funds projects covering a range of health and soundness matters affecting various breeds. Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $15.5 million to some three dozen universities to fund 239 specific projects.

"The Hagyard veterinary team has long been one of the leaders in providing top-quality and state-of-the-art care for their clients' horses," foundation president Edward L. Bowen said of the firm, which was founded in 1876. "Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is proud that Hagyard views our efforts as worthy of its generous support."

The foundation's new slate of projects for 2009 will be established by mid-winter, and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will be invited to select which project its grant will help fund.

© Fran Jurga and Hoofcare Publishing. No use without permission. You only need to ask. Fran Jurga's Hoof Blog is a between-issues news service for subscribers to Hoofcare and Lameness Journal. This blog may be read online at the blog page, checked via RSS feed, or received via a digest-type email (requires signup in box at top right of blog page). To subscribe to Hoofcare and Lameness (the journal), please visit the main site, www.hoofcare.com, where many educational products and media related to equine lameness and hoof science can be found. Questions or problems with this blog? Send email to blog@hoofcare.com.

Inset photo is a Thoroughbred racehorse on a treadmill at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, England; from the new book EQUUS by Tim Flach, sold by Hoofcare Books.

Jockey Club Calls for Ban of All Traction Devices on Front Shoes of Racehorses

A press release from the Jockey Club yesterday calls for immediate action to change front shoe regulations of racehorses immediately. The edict was a result of research completed in the past few weeks by the newly appointed Thoroughbred Safety Committee.
Recommendations from the Committee will be reviewed by individual state racing commissions, who have the authority to adopt, adapt or reject the recommendations.

Specifically, the committee calls for:

• An immediate ban on toe grabs (other than 2-millimeter wear plates), turn downs, jar calks, stickers and any other traction devices worn on the front shoes of Thoroughbred horses while racing or training on all racing surfaces.
• The Association of Racing Commissioners’ International (RCI) and all North American racing authorities to implement this ban by rule as soon as possible, but no later than December 31, 2008, and for all racetracks to consider immediately implementing this ban by “house rule” in the interim.

Previous recommendations from the Grayson Jockey Club's Welfare and Safety Summit had included a model rule banning toe grabs greater than 4 mm; this recommendation was developed and passed at at the Racing Commissions International (RCI) Convention in April 2007, but is subject to adoption by individual states. Several states, including California, adopted that recommendation.

The new policy advisory is much stronger, since it lowers the toe grab from 4 millimeters to effectively eliminating it except for the wear plate seen in the toes of most flat shoes and outlaws the use of mud calks, jar calks, and stickers.

Turndowns and bends (angling the heels of the shoe toward the ground) are normally seen on the hind feet, as are most toe grabs and traction devices.

The Jockey Club policy advisory only addresses traction on front shoes.

Additional advisories recommend elimination of steroid anabolic medications in the race training and racing of Thoroughbreds no later than December 31, 2008.

The Thoroughbred Safety Committee includes chairman Stuart S. Janney III, and members John Barr, James G. (Jimmy) Bell, Dr. Larry Bramlage, Donald R. Dizney, Dell Hancock and Dr. Hiram C. Polk Jr. Each is a member of The Jockey Club.

The Welfare and Safety Summit includes a Shoeing and Hoof Care Committee, chaired by Bill Casner of WinStar Farms. The committee has been actively working on creating more information about racehorse shoes and their effects on horses and their interaction with different surfaces.

Read Tuesday's complete press release here.