Thursday, April 19, 2012
Sharing the Roads: Equestrian & Motorist Maximize Safety Minimize Risk Source: Illinois Farm Bureau As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, budding trees and blooming flowers aren't the only signs of spring. Increased recreational activities bring people outdoors to commune with nature. A popular recreational activity, especially in rural areas, is horseback riding. As a result, you might find yourself sharing the road with a horse and rider or horse drawn carriage. In Illinois, and many other states, horseback riders may use public roadways. Since they have this right, it's important that automobile drivers know how to share the road with equestrians. Equally important, is that equestrians use extreme caution when traveling on a public roadway. Horses are generally very alert and react quickly to unfamiliar sights and sounds, such as oncoming or passing vehicles. The sight or sound of a vehicle can cause a horse to suddenly jump or run into the driver's path. Be aware, it might not be the vehicle that triggers a horse to react but rather a sinister-looking object alongside the road that startles a horse into a car's path. To help ensure everyone enjoys a safe trip down the road, consider the following suggestions: What can motorists do to minimize risk?
What can equestrians do to enhance their safety on the road?
Equine Center Will Help Students Get Hands On Experience source: The Exponent Purdue veterinary students will have the chance to use their skills in a fast paced environment at the Indiana Downs racetrack in Shelbyville. The $2.3 million regional equine diagnostic and surgical center will be a facility near the Indiana Downs. Carol Willoughby, the director of advancement for the School of Veterinary Medicine, said this will provide students the opportunity to gain experience working with the horse race industry. "It allows veterinary students to take rotations at this facility and get a hands on opportunity to work with high-caliber equine athletes," she said. Laurent Couetil, director of the Equine Sports Medicine Center at Purdue, said he is excited for the opportunity because it opens up more research opportunities. This will allow researchers to test hypotheses they form at Purdue's large animal hospital in the real world. "Having a place near the track where we could be conducting studies from that location where we could process samples, to me, would be a really important step and benefit," he said. Willoughby said four years ago, members of the equine community discussed the desire for a medical clinic close to the Shelbyville track. After the proposal for the center was accepted, a five-year preliminary timeline was set up to receive funding. There is currently no set date for the opening of the equine center. "Three years ago, (the facility) received (financial) backing from (Shelbyville) and the city council," she said. "(Shelbyville) helped with locating the property and Purdue Research Foundation was able to purchase the property." Couetil said everybody is in "fundraising mode" so the center will be up and running as soon as possible. He said there is a possibility the center will be ready a year after the funds are raised. He doesn't think construction should take too long. "(The majority of fundraising) is mainly talking to alumni and friends of the school to be able to generate some interest," he said. "We have tried to raise awareness in different ways, using the website and newsletter." No ground has been broken since the center is in the early developmental stages. Willoughby said Purdue Research Foundation owns the 71 acres of land for the center, but only 20 acres will be used for the diagnostic center's building. The rest of the 51 acres will be used for other equine related facilities. "There are multiple things being talked about," she said. "We are looking at a theriogenology (or a nutrition) center where the agriculture and veterinarian school (would work together and) study the proper nutrition used in equine athletes. There is also a possibility of a rehabilitation center which is very much wanted."
Usda Emergency Loans Available For Horse Farms source: Horsemen's Council of Illinois USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Administration (FSA) issued a press release highlighting equine producers' eligibility for the FSA's emergency loan program. The law making equine producers eligible for emergency loans was originally passed in 2008 as part of the last "farm bill." USDA emergency loans can be made to agricultural producers in counties that have been designated disaster areas by the President or the Secretary of Agriculture. Loans can be used to restore or replace essential property, pay for production costs and living expenses, and refinance debts. This is a federal agricultural program. To qualify for USDA emergency loans you must be an agricultural producer, such as an owner of a horse farm or ranch that breeds horses for profit. An individual who owns a horse only for racing, recreation, or showing would not qualify. Find out more
Enforcement Has Been Stepped Up Across The Country - Safety Cited source: Horsemen's Council of Illinois
Federal rules governing the operation of vehicles weighing over 10,001 lbs., which are used in "commerce," are frequently misunderstood or not well known by many in the horse industry. They can be as complex as the tax code, and it appears enforcement has been stepped up nationwide. Violations get expensive in a hurry. As most horses are hauled in combination vehicles (trucks w/ trailers) that are rated, or weigh, over 10,001# GCVW, these rules may apply to you. To find out the weight rating on your vehicles, look for the manufacturer's statement. It's a sticker located on the driver's side door of your truck and usually visible on the outside of your trailer. Add the two GVWR numbers together to determine your GCVW. If the GCVW of your outfit is over 26,001# additional rules may apply. Hauling for commercial purposes basically means anytime you intend to make a buck. You'll probably be considered to be hauling in "commerce" if:
If you qualify as hauling in commerce and your GCVW is over 10,001# you will need to apply to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a medical card, USDOT number, UCR registration, and you may need to keep an "hours of service" log when driving. More information can be found at www.fmcsa.dot.gov As with most regulations there are exemptions that may apply. If you haul solely for "recreational purposes" these rules won't apply as they are generally waived for recreational vehicle operators. If you race or show for prize money they probably do.
2012 Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference source: Horsemen's Council of Illinois The 2012 Southeastern Trails Conference (SETC) will be held on July 12-14, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky, the "Horse Capital of the World." The SETC 2012 Team has been working on a dynamic program, educational and fun workshops and tours, and some extras that we think trail leaders will enjoy. While in Kentucky, you will have the opportunity to visit the Kentucky Horse Park, some lovely Thoroughbred farms, and local historic and cultural sites, in addition to the workshops and educational speakers you have come to expect from SETC. Visit the SETC website and make your plans today! Click Here
Drought Brings Outbreak Of Horse Disease source: Associated Press Agriculture officials in Arkansas and Louisiana have warned veterinarians to watch for signs of a potentially fatal horse disease if there's another drought this year. The disease is often called pigeon fever because basketball-sized abscesses in the chest and abdomen can give horses a pigeon-breasted look. It's also referred to as dry-land strangles, as cases seem to spike in dry weather. The disease has been reported in at least a dozen states in the past decade. Louisiana usually has fewer than three cases per year, but the state veterinary lab confirmed 33 during last year's drought, said Sam Irwin, spokesman for the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. And, from what veterinarians have told her, the number may be far greater - perhaps as many as 300, Louisiana State University veterinarian Rebecca S. McConnico said. Horse owners such as Kathryn Loewer, who gives riding lessons, runs horsemanship camps, sponsors a youth drill team and boards horses at Soaring Spirit Ranch near Crowley, don't always spend the money to have the state lab confirm their animals' diagnoses. "The treatment wasn't going to be any different," Loewer said. Mark Russell, an equine specialist at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, said he'd heard of about a dozen cases in Arkansas, and there could have been more. "No one, that I could tell, had a lot of experience with treating it," he said. Experts say about 3 percent of infected horses develop internal abscesses, which are fatal if left untreated and often fatal even with treatment. External abscesses are more common but almost never lethal, although treatment can be messy. The abscesses' thick walls defy antibiotics, so the best treatment is having them lanced and drained by a veterinarian and then washing them out regularly with an antiseptic, McConnico said. The disease also can show up as inflammation and a line of sores and bumps in a horse's leg and a series of small, painful pimples spread by contaminated blankets, grooming equipment, saddles and harnesses. It's not clear whether the bacteria that causes the disease is spreading or whether it's in dirt all over and hot, dry weather just increases the opportunity for infection. Brian Miller, a veterinarian who teaches at Colorado State University and runs its Equine Field Service, thinks it's probably everywhere and outbreaks increase when dry weather turns the ground to dust that carries the bacteria into scratches and other small wounds. Once a horse develops abscesses, the disease can be spread by flies landing on the infected areas and then carrying the bacteria to other animals, he and others said. Loewer quarantined her horses after two developed symptoms around the first of the year. That meant turning down an invitation for her drill team to perform. Both sick horses recovered, and none of the others were infected, she said. "I wash my buckets. I bleach my buckets. I bleach my ground," she said, while her horses were still in quarantine. Bleaching the ground is probably not effective, but scrupulous cleanliness - including bleaching any hard surface the horse may touch - is a good idea, McConnico said. Other guidelines include wearing gloves when treating infected horses and changing clothes and shoes, as well as washing hands, before going from sick to healthy animals. Spraying horses with fly repellant also can help since flies can carry the bacteria from an open sore to a small cut on a healthy animal, McConnico said. Loewer said she thinks it's significant that the horses that got sick had weaker immune systems. One is old, having turned 25 in February, and the other was "starved twice - I rescued her from the rescuers," she said. Michael Paton, a veterinarian with the Western Australia Department of Agriculture and Food, has studied the disease for 20 years and said it has two forms. One infects sheep and goats but not horses; the other infects horses but not sheep and goats. Both types can infect cattle and people, though human infections are rare. Vaccines exist for sheep but not horses. Sheila McDonald, a veterinarian in Kelowna, British Columbia, estimated 400 to 500 horses in that area had pigeon fever in 2010 but said she didn't hear of any cases last year. An outbreak in 1990 was followed by 20 years free of pigeon fever, she said. McDonald said the outbreaks tend to be limited, and if flies carry the disease, they don't take it far. "It seems to get on a farm and spread horse to horse, but not too far in the neighborhood," she said. "You may see it next door but not two blocks away."
Illinois Farm Bureau Participates at the Illinois Horse Fair source: Illinois Farm Bureau On March 2-4, the Horsemen's Council of Illinois hosted the 23rd annual Illinois Horse Fair in Springfield at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. This is the largest industry-wide equestrian event in the state. During this year's event, Illinois Farm Bureau again served as a corporate sponsor and participated as a vendor. Our participation provided ample opportunity to distribute information and share the benefits of Farm Bureau membership. In turn, equine industry participants shared with us a number of concerns facing their industry. A few of these concerns include the closing of humane equine harvesting facilities, the growing number of unwanted horses, funding for the racing industry and transportation rules and regulations impacting equine owners that haul horses in Illinois and across state lines. A consistent stream of attendees visited our booth. Many of those, already Farm Bureau members, were pleasantly surprised that Farm Bureau is active on a number of equine issues. Several equine enthusiasts expressed an interest in joining Farm Bureau and becoming active on issues in their county. Overall, the weekend event was successful. Feedback from attendees was very positive and a growing network of equine industry participants and professionals was established. Thank you to everyone who visited our booth!
The bi-monthly Equine e-letter is published by Brenda Matherly, Illinois Farm Bureau®. Please send any changes to matherly@ilfb.org. The Equine E-letter is a publication of the Equine Roundtable and is meant to provide news stories to members of the equine industry. The following stories do not necessarily reflect the views of the Roundtable. Feel free to use this information in your publications and newsletters.
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IFB Policy #65: Equine Agriculture
