- Muscle Massive Wins Hambletonian
- Horse Rescue: Moving a Recumbent Horse
- Cloned Horse Califa May Sire Polo Mounts
- Arthritis Treatment Uses Type II Collagen
- AFIA Forms Equine Committee
- Ammonia Levels Higher in Stalled Horses
Muscle Massive Wins Hambletonian
Muscle Massive and driver Ron Pierce won the 2010 running of the Hambletonian Stakes, a $1.5 million race for three-year-old trotters. Muscle Massive edged favorite Lucky Chucky by half a length for his fourth victory in eight starts. His time of 1:51 was the second-fastest in the race's 85-year history and was less than a second off the record. The mile-long race is part of American harness racing's Triple Crown.
Horse Rescue: Moving a Recumbent Horse
In an emergency situation where a horse is down and needs to be dragged to safety, moving the horse can cause serious injuries if it is not done properly. An article in Hoof Beats says such instances are not common but might include horses trapped in overturned trailers or stuck in wells or other collapsed footing. Pulling directly on the head, hind legs, or tail is not advised. Instead, the article suggests putting a wide tow strap (such as those sold at auto supply stores) over the horse's loins and running the ends between the hind legs for a pull to the rear, or putting the strap over the saddle area and running the ends between the front legs for a pull to the front.
Cloned Horse Califa May Sire Polo Mounts
Polo gelding Califa has been successfully cloned. The full genetic copy is a bay colt born this spring. Owner and rider Mariano Aguerre, a 10-goal polo player, plans to take the colt to Argentina as a yearling and use him for breeding when he is mature.
Arthritis Treatment Uses Type II Collagen
A study conducted at Murray State University showed treatment with type II collagen might be at least as effective in relieving equine arthritis discomfort as treatment with glucosamine and chondroitin. Horses selected for the study on the basis of lameness and other signs of arthritis were placed in one of five groups and supplemented with a placebo, three levels of type II collagen isolated from chicken bones, or a glucosamine/chondroitin preparation. Horses improved on all treatments except the placebo, and improvement was greatest among the horses being supplemented with type II collagen.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has formed a new committee to oversee concerns of the equine sector. The AFIA Equine Committee will address pertinent regulatory, legislative, and trade issues as well as specific topics such as horse abandonment and unwanted horses. The focus will be on policies that affect equine feeds and ingredients, education of members, and support for uniform administration of state laws pertaining to horse feeds.
Ammonia Levels Higher in Stalled Horses
At the University of Glasgow, scientists found elevated levels of exhaled ammonia when ponies were stalled compared to when they were on pasture. The stalls were matted, bedded with straw, or bedded with wood shavings. Researchers said none of the stalls had a distinct ammonia odor. Ambient ammonia levels differed according to type of bedding, but exhaled ammonia levels were statistically similar. The results may indicate that ammonia fumes are reaching the stalled horse's lower airways, but these fumes are only one factor in lower airway inflammation, according to the researchers.
