Palm Beach Laminitis Conference On-Line Registration Site Has Opened

I know that some of you are a little antsy about the details on the upcoming 4th International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot, to be held November 2-4, 2007 at the Palm Beach Convention Center in Palm Beach, Florida.

An online automated registration center has been opened, with registration being handled by the University of Pennsylvania.

The main site for the conference is http://www.laminitisconference.com.

The first mailing announcement has gone out to Hoofcare & Lameness Journal subscribers and AAEP members; the committee will be announcing the speaker roster soon. I know that November sounds like a long time from now but soon we will all be so busy that we won't know what month it is!

I've been really pleased to hear how many vets and farriers are planning to attend together as teams. There are so many lectures, in both the "science" and "practice" lecture halls, that one person attending alone would probably get really frustrated. I know that's how I felt at the last one.

Some of the first sponsors to announce their affiliation with the meeting are (in addition to Hoofcare Publishing) Merial, Purina, Castle Bay Farm, and Thoroughbred Charities of America. Many more companies will be added to that list, I'm sure, and/or will be part of the trade show.

"Sponsoring" university vet schools are the University of Pennsylvania, The Ohio State University, and the University of Florida. That said, speakers for the scientific program will represent veterinary colleges from all over the world, including a delegation from the University of Queensland's Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit, headed by Dr. Chris Pollitt as well as major roles played by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital's Podiatry Clinic and the Palm Beach Equine Clinic.

The "practice" side of the program will be a world-class roster of laminitis-specialist veterinarians, nutritionists and an impressive lineup of farriers who will cover a broad range of hoof-related topics in addition to laminitis.

Obesity Awareness: ILPH Takes Scales on the Road to Convince Owners Their Horses are Overweight

To help horse owners establish what the right weight for their horses is, the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) has started a new program called "Right Weight Road Shows" in Great Britain. On these days the general public will be invited to bring their horses to be weighed on a mobile weighbridge.

One of the problems with obesity, the ILPH contends, is that horse owners miscalculate the amount of work their horses actually perform. They may purchase a grain product too high in calories, or feed too much, and some horses need no grain at all for their sedentary lifestyles.

"It costs significantly more, takes longer and is far more difficult to rehabilitate an obese horse than an emaciated one," writes the ILPH on their new "obesity" web page.

"An emaciated horse that comes into ILPH care, providing it has no underlying conditions, can be back to the correct weight within three months," they write. "Conversely, a horse which is obese simply through overfeeding rather than because of some underlying cause, will take in the region of nine months to get to the correct weight. They are likely to suffer some long-term damage such as joint problems and, at the very least, their weight will always need monitoring. This is because once fat cells have been formed they will stay in the body forever, so a horse which has been overweight will become fat again far more easily.

"Many of the overweight horses and ponies we deal with will also suffer from laminitis, the treatment of which is prolonged and very expensive," says the ILPH.

In other ILPH news, the group is celebrating a court ruling on April 5th that levied a lifetime ban from keeping horses on an owner who neglected a pony's hooves.

New Virginia law: Non-veterinarian horse dentists will be regulated as of July 1, 2007

According to the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the Commonwealth of Virginia's General Assembly session recently passed a law to regulate the practice of equine dentistry performed by someone other than a veterinarian. The new law states that only a registered equine dental technician (EDT) or a licensed veterinarian can work on a horse’s teeth professionally. It also outlines what procedures require a vet’s supervision, or must be performed by a veterinarian, whena horse is being worked on by an EDT.

A very interesting part of the new law is that International Association of Equine Dentists certification is listed as a requirement for non-veterinarians and non-veterinary technicians but that the exclusion to the certification is if the applicant can prove that he or she has been performing equine dentistry for five or more years and has the recommendation of two veterinarians.

There is some vague language in the bill, such as the words "board-approved" training program that may be defined in some document other than what is shown on the Internet.

To be specific, it reads: The Board may register a person as an equine dental technician who meets the following criteria: (i) satisfactory evidence that he is of good moral character, (ii) recommendations from at least two licensed veterinarians with practice bases that are at least fifty percent equine, and (iii) evidence that he holds current certification from the International Association of Equine Dentistry or a Board-approved certification program or has satisfactorily completed a Board-approved training program. The Board may register individuals who have not completed a Board-approved training program or do not hold a current certification from the International Association of Equine Dentistry or a Board-approved certification program if they have engaged in acts considered to be those of an equine dental technician as set forth in subsections C and D of this section for at least 5 years and provide the following: (i) satisfactory evidence of length of time of practice, (ii) recommendations from at least two licensed veterinarians with practice bases that are at least fifty percent equine, and (iii) proof of continued competency satisfactory to the Board.

The law prohibits non-veterinarians from using power tools in a horse's mouth and is quite specific what a technician can and cannot do without a veterinary license.

Read the complete law here.

The legislator who sponsored the bill has a web page on the bill where you can read its history. This bill flew through the state legislature in 90 days and passed unanimously every time it came up for a vote.

The new law takes effect on July 1, 2007.

Farrier Bill Crowder Has Died in Georgia

I just saw news of Bill Crowder's death on April 2; it is posted on the American Farrier's Association's web site:

Bill Crowder was vice-president of the Georgia Professional Farriers Association from 1992-93 and president from 1994-95; he operated a farrier school in the early 1970s. Bill worked as a farrier at the Olympics Games in Atlanta in 1996 as well as the Pan Am and Rolex 3-day events. In addition to his farrier activities, he was Past President of the American Cowboy Association.

According to the AFA: "Bill was very instrumental in the Georgia Professional Farriers Association even when he was not an officer. He held meetings and clinics at his shop. He strengthened the membership and got sponsors. He loved to teach or help other farriers. He didn't do it to gain credit for himself but only to help others become better farriers. Many of today's farriers have worked under Bill or have worked under someone who worked under Bill. Because of that, his legacy will continue. He is and will continue to be greatly missed."

Bill lived in Alpharetta, Georgia and has been a subscriber to Hoofcare and Lameness Journal since 1989. He was also involved in promoting Corona ointment for horses' wounds and I often saw him at trade shows around the country. He was always friendly, cordial and really interested in everything that was going on related to horses' feet and legs. I'll miss Bill. He was both professional and likeable--a magic combination that every one of us should emulate.

"EQUINE PODIATRY" Textbook Will Be Published in May; Reserve Your Copy Now!

First Announcement!
EQUINE PODIATRY by Drs. Andrea Floyd and Richard Mansmann
Estimated price $125 plus $10 post in USA (subject to change)
Available in May 2007

DESCRIPTION: Comprehensive text covers not only shoeing, but also medical and surgical foot care. Starting with anatomy and physiology, this one-of-a-kind book then evaluates the foot’s pathological conditions (structural, developmental, and traumatic conditions in addition to laminitis), balancing and shoeing the healthy and diseased hoof, and ends with new directions in equine podiatry, written by cutting-edge researchers. Written by and for both vets and farriers, this book eases collaboration on proper care of the foot. (text supplied by publisher)

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
• Gross Anatomy: Structure and Function
• Biomechanics of the Equine Hoof
• Microscopic Anatomy and Physiology
• Hoof Nutrition
• Visual Inspection and Manual Evaluation
• Diagnostic Analgesia of the Equine Foot
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Developmental Conditions
• Pathologic Conditions of the External Hoof Capsule
• Pathologic Conditions of the Internal Hoof Capsule
• Chronic Heel Pain
• Laminitis
• Principles of Trimming and Shoeing
• Discipline-Specific Trimming and Shoeing
• Shoeing the Diseased Hoof
• Shoeing the Diseased Limb
• Digital Amputation and Prosthetic Management
• Preventive Footcare
• Client/Farrier/Veterinarian Relations
• The Future of Equine Podiatry
• Bibliography, Appendix, Index

NOTE: This book is being offered sight-unseen, based on the reputation of the authors and discussion with Dr Floyd. I am sure that a review and/or excerpts from the book will be posted on this blog and/or published in Hoofcare & Lameness Journal, but for now, this is the only information available. Dr. Floyd is a laminitis-specialist practitioner and founder of Serenity Equine Clinic in Virginia; I highly recommend her web site, http://www.serenityequine.com.

FORMAT: Hardbound, approx 8.5 x 11”, 480 pg, 650 photos, radiographs, and illustrations, 400 in color

DELIVERY TERMS: Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery in US.

PAYMENT: Visa/Mastercard accepted or mail a check, no invoicing. US funds only. Pre-payment required on all orders; charges initiated when books are ready to ship. Visa/Mastercard required to hold copies.

Foreign orders: Until the weight of the book is disclosed, we cannot estimate shipping costs or time. You can reserve a copy for immediate shipment and we will notify you of the postage if it is outrageous.

HOW TO ORDER: Fax (best method) orders to USA 978 283 8775. Telephone orders to USA 978 281 3222; voice mail available for orders: speak slowly and leave all relevant information. If calling from a cell phone, please leave contact information twice. We will try to confirm receipt of all orders. Email orders to books@hoofcare.com.

(Here's a sneak peak at a couple of the excellent illustrations from the book; double click on the image to enlarge.)

Aintree Peoples Race "Jockey/Farrier" Had Never Sat on a Racehorse Before...

Welsh farrier Mark Galliers DWCF is counting the days now until he will be put to the test in the ultimate racing "reality show." The Welsh farrier was chosen as one of ten jockeys out of 3500 applicants to race in the People's Race on Grand National Day at Aintree in England. The catch: all had to be amateurs. The prize: Almost $200,000 to the charity of the winning jockey's choice.

Mark is farrier at the raceyard of trainer Evan Williams, who is coaching him and providing his mount. Mark's winnings--if he can beat the pawnbroker, the bricklayer, the fireman and other non-jockeys--will go to a Welsh children's charity cancer.

The race sponsor produced this video about the selection process and followed the green jockeys through their crash (sometimes literally) course at the British Racing School in Newmarket.

You can place a bet at Ladbrokes OTB online; click through sports to racing to Grand National and then look for "Peoples Race." I'm not sure if you have to be in the UK to bet through Ladbrokes or not. The race will also be shown live on the BBC's telecast of the Grand National.

Here's a link to the latest reports on Mark's campaign to become super-fit and psyched to win:
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/07/04/11/RACING_Peoples_Galliers.html

Grand National Farrier/Jockey Journal Online

Mark Galliers is the Welsh farrier selected to become an overnight jockey sensation and ride on Grand National Day at Aintree this Saturday in a race that will donate almost $200,000 to the charity of his choice. If Mark wins, that money will go a children's cancer fund.

The Mirror newspaper in England has been publishing a journal of Mark's progress in riding up to 11 horses a day for trainer Evan Williams, who is his coach. Mark's also training on an Equiciser, which is a mechanical horse.

So far, I haven't found any mention of this being a reality television show, but it certainly sounds like one.

Mark's odds went from 3-1 yesterday to 8-1 today. One of the other riders must have received some good publicity! You can bet on Mark, if you can figure out if it's legal or not, through the Ladbrokes site. Speaking of odds, more than 3,500 people applied to ride in this race!

Mark is a Diplomate of the Worshopful Company of Farriers, and has been qualified in the UK since 1993. He's also a rugby player. I'm not sure if that would be a help or a handicap.

There are still something like 68 horses entered for the Grand National. I had never seen this race from start to finish,but last year the BBC posted the entire race video on their web site. It took something like nine minutes for the few horses that finished to get around the course.

Welsh Farrier Will Ride at Aintree on Grand National Day

Welsh farrier Mark Galliers is one of ten private citizens chosen from thousands of applicants to ride in The People's Race on Grand National Day (Saturday, April 14) at Liverpool, England's fabled Aintree racecourse.

Mark has turned into one of the favorites in the race after the following article appeared in England's widely read Sunday Mirror newspaper on April 1, 2007. The "John Smith's" referred to the article is the brewery sponsoring the race. Ladbroke's is a betting agency in England that is offering wagering on the ten less-than-novice riders. Here's the article that appeared on April 1 and shot Mark into the favorite's position:

Today, in conjuction with the Sunday Mirror, John Smith's reveals that Farrier Mark Galliers will have an extra spring in his step when he takes part in the John Smith's People's Race at Aintree on Saturday week. Because Galliers has invented a "go-faster" horseshoe that is set to revolutionise horse racing.

The new shoe is lighter and more aerodynamic. Unlike the traditional metal shoe, it is manufactured in a reusable heavy-duty plastic casing which is fitted with four simple AA batteries. When triggered from a remote-control device fitted behind the horse's head, the batteries send a soothing pulse to the hooves, which helps calm the animal and make it more receptive to the jockey's instructions.

Race sponsors John Smith's - whose brand logo incidentally features a horseshoe - are funding the project which is codenamed Pegasus.

Polar Foil, Galliers' mount in the John Smith's People's Race, will test the new footwear in the nine-furlong charity race on Grand National day at Aintree, with the horseshoe expected to be in general use by the end of the year.

Aintree Managing Director Charles Barnett has welcomed the innovation and it is understood that racehorse owners in the US have also expressed an interest in the new product.

The John Smith's People's Race will see 10 members of the public competing at Aintree on April 14 to win a share of the £100,000 charity prize donated by brewers Scottish Newcastle and Ladbrokes, the bookmaker.

(As said, this article was published in one of England's most popular newspapers on Sunday, April 1.)

Neurectomy Ethics Rear Up Again in California

Digital neurectomy, or "nerving", is a controversial procedure in the horse world, and always has been. It seems to be much more accepted in the western USA than in other places, but many horses, particularly with navicular-type pain, are "nerved" as a salvage procedure to allow them relief from the pain.

The controversy is more over how safe it would be to ride the horse after it has been nerved. I remember Montana farrier instructor/author/legend Scott Simpson lecturing on this subject at a Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium years ago. I wonder if I still have his paper. He had no qualms about roping competitively on a nerved horse.

Around here, some people would like to see a nerved horse branded so that if it changes hands, an unsuspecting rider won't be hurt if the horse stumbles. That said, it is a pretty common procedure. The veterinarian simply severs the branch of the nerves that sensitize the heel part of the foot.

A lawsuit has been reported in California; the story is posted on Bloodhorse.com today. Apparently an Arizona owner claimed a runner who turned out to be nerved and is suing the trainer (who is the son of a farrier) and veterinarian (who happens to be the veterinary officer for the state racing concerns and a former AAEP president). There are more familiar names in this story; the executive director of California's racing board is the wife of a well-known farrer.

The impetus for the lawsuit is not that the horse broke down or that an exercise rider was injured when the horse stumbled. Arizona has a law against nerved runners, so the horse was not allowed to enter a race. Period.

California has no such law. According to California law, the vet and trainer did nothing wrong; there is no law requiring disclosure of nerving on a sale horse or against allowing a nerved horse to race. (This is the same state that is banning toe grabs for welfare reasons.)

Read the full story by clicking here, and then come back to leave a comment (click on the comment button and type in the box) and let's here your two cents.

Dr. Chris Pollitt and Farrier Richard Hansen Will Tour New Zealand on Lecture Circuit

The New Zealand Equine Research Foundation is hosting Australian veterinarian and laminitis researcher Dr. Chris Pollitt and farrier Richard Hansen for a three-stop tour of laminitis education in May. The stops are at racecourses in Hamilton on May 20, Palmerston North on May 23, and Christchurch on May 27.

Lecture topics by Dr. Pollitt include: "The horse's foot - the inside story"; "Laminitis theory - shots around the target"; "Putting out the fire - laminitis prevention"; and "After the crash - lessons from chronic laminitis."

Topics by Richard Hansen: "Chains of Communication - Responsibilities when caring for the laminitic horse - a farrier's view": and "Supporting the Laminitic Horse - Making and applying support shoes."

Dr. Pollitt is professor of companion animal medicine and surgery at the University of Queensland in Australia and director of the Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit.

Richard Hansen is the president of the Australian Farriers and Blacksmiths Association, and the author of Australia's first national certification testing program, which will be launched soon.
The lectures are sponsored by Bomac Laboratories. For more information, call Bev Stern at 06 356 4940 or fax 06 354 2885.