AVMA, AAEP Soring Policies Place Veterinarians on the Side and at the Side of USDA Inspectors at Tennessee Walking Horse Events

The following information was received from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) today. The article is posted as received from the AVMA.

Soring, illegal for more than 40 years, is the abusive act of intentionally inflicting pain on gaited horses through the use of chemical irritants, broken glass wedged in between a horse's shoe pads and sole, or overly tightened metal hoof bands. The extreme pain caused by these abuses forces the horse to lift its legs faster and higher, perhaps increasing its chance of winning in show rings across the country.

"A zero-tolerance policy being promoted by these shows would set a significant tenor for the entire show season."--AVMA President Rene Carlson

"It's time for this egregious form of animal cruelty to end," says Dr. Rene Carlson, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors are doing everything possible to detect evidence of soring before horses are allowed to compete.

Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, USDA inspectors are only able to attend a small number of the shows being held. It is going to take a team effort to put an end to the inhumane practice of soring horses, so America's veterinarians stand in support of government regulators and the walking horse industry in their horse protection efforts," said Carlson.

Thermographic image showing excessive warmth (seen as red and
orange colors), which may be caused by inflammation from soring.
The pattern seen is consistent with soring using a chemical agent.
(AVMA.org image courtesy of USDA)

In 2011, the USDA documented 587 violations of the Horse Protection Act while attending only 62 of the 650 or so gaited horse events held that year.

The USDA cited participants in the 2011 National Trainers' Show with 49 violations of the Horse Protection Act — the third highest number of violations for a single USDA-inspected show that year.

Prosecution of violators has met strong political opposition, challenging USDA's efforts at enforcement and creating an environment where recidivism is the norm.

Lateral radiographic view of the front left foot of a sored horse.
Notice the large number of nails, which were added to
increase the weight carried by the hoof and accentuate
 the gait, but can also place pressure on the sole, causing pain.
(AVMA.org image courtesy of USDA)

"For that reason, America's veterinarians are standing right beside USDA inspectors in urging the strengthening of the Horse Protection Act. Everyone -- inspectors, judges, trainers, riders and even spectators at these shows must take responsibility for ending soring. A zero-tolerance policy being promoted by these shows would set a significant tenor for the entire show season," Dr. Carlson added.

To assist in the return of the walking horse gait back to its natural beauty, the AVMA has created an educational video, produced in cooperation with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and the USDA, to provide an overview of the issue of soring and highlight the tell-tale signs of when a horse has been sored.

Sole bruising caused by inserting hard objects
between the hoof and shoe to place pressure on the sole
 is a sign of mechanical soring. (AVMA.org image courtesy of USDA)

The video (shown above on The Hoof Blog via YouTube) includes an interview with Elizabeth Graves, a licensed Tennessee Walking Horse judge and gaited horse trainer and Dr. Nat Messer, a member of both the AVMA's and the AAEP's Animal Welfare Committees.

Additional materials, including a factsheet, backgrounder, reporting procedures, and the formal AVMA policy are available for general use.

The AVMA is confident that with appropriate recognition of the inhumane nature of soring; increased reporting of abuse; and stronger legislative and regulatory action, including adequate funding for inspections, the offspring of today's sored horses won't have to suffer tomorrow.

Resources on Soring:
AVMA Official Statement on Soring Practices
AAEP Statement on Soring (2002)
Download the AVMA Backgrounder on Soring Practices in Horses (2012)

Download the AAEP's white paper "Putting the Horse First" Veterinary Recommendations for Ending the Soring of Tennessee Walking Horses (2008)
USDA information on soring and the Horse Protection Act

© 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.

Vote Online for "The Shoe" in HRTV's Santa Anita Horseracing Film Festival!

Santa Anita Park in California and HRTV, the all-horse sports network for North America, have joined forces to run the first-ever non-fiction documentary competition at a racetrack. “A Day at the Races,” is open to film students and filmmakers who have made a short Santa-Anita based film.

One of the entries is called "The Shoe" and is more or less about horseshoeing and features some nice footage and comments by glue-on shoe innovator Wes Champagne, who shoes horses at Santa Anita.

"The Shoe" was made by film student Alex Ehecatl from Mexico.

If you like this little segment, here's what you need to do:
1. Watch the film.
2. Go to the film festival link and vote for it! (http://www.hrtv.com/filmfestival/)
3. (We think you can vote more than once but don't tell anyone we said that.)

You can see other films in the competition at that link as well. The catch is that the online voting ends this weekend, so please vote soon! Or, better yet, now!

“A Day at the Races” entries are being judged by a panel of racing and entertainment professionals. The competition offers a first prize of $10,000, and an additional $10,000 first prize will be awarded to the winner through this on-line poll. 

Who's Alex Ehecatl and why did he make this film? Here's what he said in an email earlier this week:

"I'm a student and I liked horses. My uncle used to be a well-known horseshoer in México and he inspired me to do this documentary. I wrote the script.

"This is just five minutes (of the film) and depending of how well-received is this version and how much money I can raise to finish it. I'm planning in doing a larger version with more information and more people from the horseshoeing world. Thanks for your interest."

Can you invest a minute or so to vote for Alex's film? Thanks!

© 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.  

Follow Hoofcare + Lameness on Twitter: @HoofcareJournal

Read this blog's headlines on the Hoofcare + Lameness Facebook Page

 

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.

Animal Inside Out: Plastinate Anatomy Exhibit Showcases Real-World Horses and Hooved Mammals at London's Natural History Museum

Hoofcare + Lameness had a front row seat at this week's press preview of the Natural History Museum of London's brand new exhibition: Animal Inside Out.

The exhibit opens to the public today but we were allowed to see it without the crowds in our way, so here's a very special report direct from London,just for Hoof Blog readers.

Grass Laminitis: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You (and Your Horse) and Surprise the Researchers

New ad promo and publicity from Boehringer-Ingelheim Vetmedica perhaps oversimplifies grass laminitis. But it might get the attention of horse owners.

When it comes to laminitis, I feel like a whirling dervish: what’s going on in Australia, what’s going on in Europe? what’s going on here in the USA? (whirl)

Hoof Blog's April 1 News Roundup: Headlines from Hoofcare + Lameness

by Fran Jurga | 1 April 2012 | Fran Jurga's Hoof Blog 

It's time for a roundup of headlines from news stories in progress as of April 1, 2012:

HOOF ANATOMY BOOKS RECALLED AS ERROR FOUND: “It’s not a digital cushion, it’s more like an entire sofa,” says leading professor about that softest of all soft tissue structures within hoof. “And the lateral cartilages? Think of them as end tables. With lamps, if the horse has a sidebone." (April 1, 2012)

MUSTAD LAUNCHES NEW PRODUCT: World’s first nail-on hoof boot to be introduced at Kentucky Derby. “Nails are news again!” crow Mustad executives as sales soar. "This product has something for everyone!" (April 1, 2012)

SELF-REPAIRING HOOF IMPLANT: Vettec product engineers report that they have cracked the code on urethane molecular implants for equine hoof wall, guaranteed to repair cracks before they occur. “Wall transplants are next,” they promise, as worldwide search begins for horses with high quality hoof walls to become wall donors at time of death. As we went to press, they were still looking. (April 1, 2012)

FIRST OFFICIAL OLYMPIC HOOF TRIMMER NAMED: The farriers can go fishing this year; the FEI is expected to enforce its global horseshoe ban in time for the 2012 London Olympics this summer, although horses may be able to compete with shoes if accompanied by veterinary prescription, after completing the pre-event soundness inspection without shoes. (April 1, 2012)

American corporations are developing
new policies requiring horse commuter
 employees to clean up after their horses in the
parking lot. "Now we know what those double
lines are for," employees remarked.

“WANTED” HORSE CRISIS PEAKS IN USA: As gas passes $10 per gallon, horse demand soars. “Everyone wants one,” moans auctioneer at New Holland (PA) sale. “And no one’s selling!” Rescue farms are now forced to mow their empty pastures. Equine meat-packing industry advocates charge that the rising gas prices are all a ploy by the anti-slaughter crowd. (April 1, 2012)

AFA BOARD MEMBER ARRESTED EN ROUTE TO OFFICERS RETREAT: “Buddhist Colony? I thought they said the retreat was at a NUDIST Colony!” cries naked farrier in self-defense to state police when pulled over in rural Kentucky for driving in the nude through the gates of the Tron Chri Trim Spa and Retreat. Meanwhile, the American Farrier's Association office has received a Feng Shui makeover to stimulate positive chi. “We should have done this years ago,” hum harmonious directors while practicing yoga poses in matching CJF-embroidered prayer robes. “Who are you calling a downward dog?” snarl disgruntled ex-members, meanwhile, from website chat room. (April 1, 2012)

VET SCHOOL FARRIERS ANNOUNCES NEW CONFERENCE: “Hoof Diseases We Haven’t Heard Of Yet” is the title of the 6th Annual Conference of University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Farriers. (April 1, 2012)

FARRIER APRONS SOLD OUT: Madonna’s on-stage costume based on her new line of provocative farrier aprons sends stock flying out of farrier supply stores. “I prefer used ones. I love the smell of burnt hoof,” purred the superstar singer. (April 1, 2012)

“BREAKOVER: IT’S SO OVER!” Gathered academics at international equine locomotion meeting decide it’s really breakUNDER since fashionably short, blunt toes now dominate sport and racing. “The toes have been bred right off these horses,” veterinarians concur. Farriers threaten international strike: “There’s nothing to trim!” they moan. “Long toes were job security!” (April 1, 2012)

“I CAN GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP AT LAST!” England’s Queen Elizabeth announces after issuing a royal decree banning steel horseshoes on cavalry mounts guarding Buckingham Palace. “Those shoes clattering on the cobblestones wouldn’t let me sleep through the night,” she admitted, adding that she has suffered from insomnia since her coronation 60 years ago but didn’t want to be viewed as anti-horse on any front. EasyCare has reportedly changed the name of its newest boot to "EasyZ" in hopes of winning the contract and raceplate manufacturers are offering their "Queen's Plate" models in urethane. (April 1, 2012)

We hope you enjoyed this special April 1st news roundup.

(Credits: Creative Commons images used: farrier gopher by Josh Grant; horse is a parking lot by cadfael1979. Farrier apron by Sisters in Steel.)
 

© Fran Jurga and Hoofcare Publishing; Fran Jurga's Hoof Blog is a news service for 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). 

Read this blog's headlines on the Hoofcare + Lameness Facebook Page

 

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.

Red Renchin Earns American Association of Professional Farriers Honorary Membership

The following text is an edited press release provided by the American Association of Professional Farriers.

Wisconsin farrier Robert "Red” Renchin, APF CF, of Mequon, Wisconsin, received special recognition recently when he was named as an honorary member of the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF).

Renchin was presented with a horseshoe coat rack, designed and forged by AAPF Director Jennifer Horn, APF, CJF, at a special event hosted by Joy Ream at Palm Beach Farrier Supply in Wellington, Florida on March 17, 2012.

Renchin is known throughout the North American equine industry for his extensive work with hunters and jumpers at all levels of competition. The recently retired farrier operated a multi-farrier business for many years, serving horse owners in southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois.

Over the years, Renchin has trained a number of farriers who have gone on to successful hoofcare careers of their own.

Distinguishing qualities outlined by AAPF about Renchin include:

• Well-respected by, and able to work hand-in-hand with, area veterinarians and other farriers on critical horse care cases;
• A willingness to share his knowledge and train future hoofcare professionals through his multi-farrier business;
• A continuing desire to learn more about all aspects of hoofcare and evaluate new techniques in the farrier field;
• Always willing to go out of his way to help fellow farriers;
• A huge believer in the need for highly effective customer services.

Red Renchin, front and center, holding his coat rack at a special event in his honor March 17 at Palm Beach Farrier Supply in Florida. If someone can ID everyone in the photo, we'd love to add the names.

Horses shod by Renchin have won numerous major competitions, including jumpers that have participated in the Olympics.

Renchin was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame in 1995. He also serves as the technical editor for American Farriers Journal, is a frequent a speaker at the International Hoof-Care Summit, and has served as an outstanding clinician at various hoofcare events around the country. He is a long-time member of the American Farrier’s Association and the Upper Midwest Horseshoers Association.

The American Association of Professional Farriers is a non-profit organization created to represent the interests of professional farriers and others involved in the farrier industry. The primary objectives of the new association are: continuing education, member support and serving as a hoof-care reference for horse owners. The AAPF is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

End of edited press release

© 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.  

Follow Hoofcare + Lameness on Twitter: @HoofcareJournal

Read this blog's headlines on the Hoofcare + Lameness Facebook Page

 

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.