Australian Farrier Blamed for Equine Influenza Outbreak and Nationwide Lockdown of Horses

It is Monday morning in Sydney and the news is out: it is believed that a farrier has been identified as the source of the country's first outbreak of Equine Influenza. The country has been in a national stoppage of horse activity, racing, breeding, and transport since Friday.

According to Australian Olympic rider Heath Ryan, quoted by the Australian Broadcast Company (ABC) and other sources, a farrier shod a Japanese Thoroughbred stallion in quarantine, then proceeded to Centennial Park in Sydney, where perhaps his tools or clothing infected the horses he shod there.

Some of those horses were on their way to a horse trial, where they in turn infected other horses...who then went home to farms strung out all over eastern Australia.

It's still a theory, at this point. It's an intriguing and sobering scenario.

Sadly, it is not known how many horses in Australia may be ill since some people do not want to report their sick horses for fear they will be forced to have them euthanized, according to one event organizer where sick horses are known to have competed. Authorities are desperately trying to track horses that may have come into contact with sick horses.

From the ABC article:

Australian equestrian coach Heath Ryan has five horses at the Warwick event and says the virus spread after a farrier shod an infected overseas stallion at a Sydney quarantine station.

"I think the farrier somehow managed to do his feet and then go on into Centennial Park and not be properly cleaned," he said.

"The Centennial horses in Sydney were shod and then went on to compete at the ranch in the Hunter Valley. And from there it's just gone in all directions."


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Australian Farriers and Blacksmiths Association Advises Farriers to Use Caution During Flu Outbreak

Australia has never had equine influenza, nor has New Zealand. All that changed on Thursday. By Saturday, the entire country was in a lockdown, with all transport of horses, feed, and bedding stopped dead in their hoofprints.

Here's the word from one of the two national farrier associations there:

"The Australian Farriers and Blacksmiths Association (AFBA) wishes to advise farriers that they should take precautions when visiting their client's horses. It is suggested that you ring your local DPI and find out the best procedures to follow, I would suggest that the same procedure that a vet would have to follow would be appropriate.

"However in the meantime it would be a good idea to ring clients before visiting and find out if their horses are showing any signs of illness, however whether they are or not it would be suggested that you purchase some disinfectant and hand sanitiser gel, the gel for hands and disinfectant in a spray bottle that can be put on your shoes, and tools etc."


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Is this a natural swim-trim?

hippo feet, originally uploaded by moocatmoocat.

This was a hard photo to find; hippos are usually standing on their hooves. Hippos are of course known as "river horses" and this shot shows you why.

I wonder if anyone has studied the hoof wall composition of hippos; these hooves are in the water virtually 24/7, although not always in the nonweightbearing state.

Is it someone's job at the zoo to trim these hooves?

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Poetin's Owner Harvested DNA Before Foundered Mare Died; Clone of World Champion Dressage Mare Born in France

One of the most bizarre laminitis stories of recent years has taken yet another zany twist: a clone has been created of the late great world champion dressage mare Poetin, who died of laminitis in the midst of a stormy international sale transaction.

Here are some excerpts from the August 22nd press release sent out by Cryozootech, the French cloners-for-hire:

Cryozootech is happy to announce the birth of the clone of 2003 dressage world champion Poetin 2, a Brandeburg mare that died prematurely in 2005. This achievement illustrates the use of the cloning technique for genetic safeguarding.

Poetin 2 was born in 1997. This Brandeburg mare has an interesting life story:

Poetin 2 from Sandro Hit and Poesie by Brentano, was promised to a bright future: she won the German championship and the world championship in dressage for young horses, with so far unequaled scores (a 10/10 for her trot). She was sold for 2.5 million (Euros) in 2003 to an ING Bank / van der Zwan farm (Netherlands) consortium.

(French owner) Xavier Marie acquired Poetin at a dispersal sale in 2005 after the consortium broke up. Unfortunately, when she reached his place, Poetin 2 had acute laminitis from which she did not recover. She was euthanized in December 2005. A lawsuit ensured.

Knowing of Cryozootech's work for genetic preservation, Xavier Marie asked for her cells to be collected beforehand, with the objective in mind to get a replacement for his horse. Poetin's clone was born on March 30th, 2007. Now she frolics in paddocks of the Haras de Hus near Nantes on the west coast of France.

In other news: The firm reports that their first clone of a gelding has managed to successful breed a mare. Simultaneously, a research pony mare and the first horse clone to be born, is also pregnant, due to foal in 2008.


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Three Chimneys Farm Works to Help Slew 'o Gold Keep His Cool

Here's either the best or worst news of the day.

First, the bad news. Pensioner stallion Slew 'o Gold is suffering from Cushing's disease.

More bad news: the heat wave continues in Kentucky.

Still more bad news: Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky, where Slew 'o Gold stood at stud (as did his father, Seattle Slew, before him) is know for its beautiful barns. Unfortunately they have an open layout and are difficult to heat or cool.

The good news: The farm has wrapped Slew's stall in plastic and installed air conditioning.

I'm happy for Slew 'o Gold, but it makes me wonder about all the other older horses in the hot zone.

Slew 'o Gold will always be remembered for breaking the taboo against running races--and winning--wearing bar shoes.

Read the complete story from Three Chimneys Farm here.

Work and Play for Noted Veterinarian During Saratoga Visit

Linda and Dr. Frank Gravlee say hello to Rags to Riches at Todd Pletcher's barn. Note the strategically placed hay that prevents me from documenting her feet for you.

It was Alabama Stakes week at Saratoga, so Hoofcare and Lameness Journal made sure that someone from Alabama was on hand. Veterinarian and nutritionist Frank Gravlee, founder of Life Data Labs and inventor of Farriers Formula, enjoyed a hero's welcome, as did his wife, Linda, who is CEO of Life Data.

The Gravlees were featured in an article in Thoroughbred Times this summer for their innovative research on Thoroughbred nutrition at their research farm in Alabama. The Gravlees well-bred mares have foals by stallions like Distorted Humor, Royal Academy, and Posse at their sides. One of the foals' first lessons is how to stand still on a horse scale; they are monitored carefully and the mares' feed is scientifically formulated, measured, and administered. The farm's yearlings are headed to Keeneland next month to be sold.

Part of the Gravlees' whirlwind tour of Saratoga was a speaking engagement for Dr. Frank at our Hoofcare@ Saratoga event. After the lecture, Dr. Frank signed copies of his new book, co-authored with Dr Doug Butler, Laminitis and Founder: Prevention and Treatment.

Everyone in Saratoga was very welcoming to the Gravlees. Of course it didn't hurt that the Farriers Formula tractor-trailer rig had been stuck in traffic on Union Avenue outside the racetrack a few days before they arrived. It was just setting the stage!

However, the visit to Saratoga was related to Dr. Gravlee's research into laminitis and equine nutrition, and the publication of the book, rather than to a promotional push for the company.

Dr. Frank Gravlee stopped in the midst of his autograph party to chat with Diane and Curtis Burns. They market the Burns Polyflex shoe (http://www.noanvil.com/), which Curtis designed, worn recently by winning stakes horses like River's Prayer, Octave, Teuflesberg, and Zanjero. Curtis is a flying farrier who pops up everywhere.

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