VHC News Flash 9


FALL EQUINE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 
(PLEASE POST THESE PAGES AT YOUR BARN, TACK SHOP, OR FEED STORE)

WHAT: "Lawsuit Avoidance: Equine and Equestrian Liability Workshop"
ARE YOU PROTECTED? AND....HOW DO YOU FIND OUT?
WHEN: September 29, 2001 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: UVM, Terrill Hall, Rm. 108 (a.m.) and Ellen A. Hardacre Barn in Burlington
COST: $5.00 for lunch (Attendees must preregister by Sept. 26, 2001)
CONTACT: Bonnie Tucker at btucker@zoo.uvm.edu or 802-656-2070 for more information or 570 Main Street, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405-0148

SUMMARY: This workshop will cover topics including: the nature of the horse, negligence law, equine liability statutes and release forms, how the law influences business procedures, and facility evaluation. Participants will receive a "Self Evaluation Equine Facility Liability Worksheet" for use in their own facility. This checklist will allow individuals and businesses to evaluate their facilities for potential liability exposure.
Jan Dawson is a horse trainer, riding instructor, and an attorney. After practicing law for several years, she became a full-time horse trainer and riding instructor She is founder and President of American Association for Horsemanship Safety, Inc. (AAHS). She is the author of Teaching Safe Horsemanship, which is the instructional manual for AAHS clinics. She has also consulted with attorneys as an expert witness in several lawsuits arising out of horse accidents. Jan lives in Fentress, TX.

WHAT: "Secure SeatM: A Safe and Systematic Approach To Teaching Riding"
WHEN: September 30, 2001 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (lunch on your own)
WHERE: Ellen A. Hardacre Barn in Burlington
COST: $15.00 preregistered by Sept. 26, or $25.00 at the door
CONTACT: Bonnie Tucker at btucker@zoo.uvm.edu or 802-656-2070 for more information or 570 Main
Street, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405-0148

SUMMARY: This clinic is well worth your time if you participate in or teach any style of riding. Secure SeatSM is a skill-driven system for teaching riding that can be utilized to teach any type of horse and rider combination to work together in a comfortable, safe, and efficient manner. Secure SeatSM provides an effective method for achieving and maintaining balance with the horse, thereby providing a more willing and comfortable mount.
This particular method teaches riders to evaluate their own body position or alignment and to make corrections as needed. By using the Secure SeatSM system, riders will become more secure in the saddle, have a safer and more enjoyable ride, while developing life long skills in healthy body mechanics.
Clinician: Jan Dawson (see above description).

WHAT: Equine Seminar: "Deworming-The Battle Continues" with Dr. Don Hunt and "The
Story Behind the Pain-A Discussion of a Common Lameness Problem" with Dr. Betsy Greene
WHEN: October 10, 2001 at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: American Legion Post 55, Route 7, Brandon, VT
COST: FREE...but call to reserve a spot, seating is limited
CONTACT: Blue Seal Dealers at 247-3731 or 438-2221 or 388-3139

WHAT: Equine Seminar: "Deworming-The Battle Continues" Dr. Steve Levine and "The
Story Behind the Pain-A Discussion of a Common Lameness Problem" Dr. Betsy Greene
WHEN: October 17, 2001 at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, VT
COST: $4.00/person or $2.00 for 4-Hers
($2.00 of each registration will be donated to a nonprofit horse organization)
CONTACT: Purchase a ticket at the Blue Seal Dealers: Ide's, Fairlee 333-4307/Howard's Home and Garden, St. Johnsbury 748-3127/E.M.Brown, Barton 525-3422/The Farmyard Store, Derby 766-2714/Ide's, Woodinville, NH 603-747-3361

WHAT: Vermont Horse Council Annual Meeting
"Update on Important Equine Issues" with Dr. Todd Johnson, VT State Veterinarian
WHEN: October 21, 2001
12:00 (Director's Meeting)
1 :00 for general members/public
WHERE: Seward's Family Restaurant, Route 7, Rutland, VT
COST: Meal is on your own.
CONTACT: Lynn Dow at Idow@vermontlaw.edu or 802-763-8303 ext.2403

WHAT: Current Issues in Equine Nutrition and Performance Conference:
"Oral Joint Supplements: Panacea or Expensive Fad" Dr. Steve Duren, Kentucky Equine Research
"Poisonous Minerals: Do You Know What You're Feeding?" Dr. Harold Hintz, Cornell University
"Old Nag Syndrome: Understanding and Managing Cushing's disease" Dr. Betsy Greene, UVM
ALSO: Training Demonstrations and Hands-on labs in the afternoon.
WHEN: October 27, 2001 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: A.M. Middlebury College (BIH 216) / P.M. UVM Morgan Horse Farm, Weybridge, VT
COST: $35.00/person includes boxed lunch and a beverage (Must preregister by 8/23/01)
(All proceeds from this event will go to the Don Balch Endowment to support the UVM Morgan Horse Farm)
CONTACT: Bonnie Tucker at btucker@zoo.uvm.edu or 802-656-2070 for more information or 570 Main Street, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405-0148

Cliff Murray Memorial Scholarship
In 1995 the Vermont Horse Council created a scholarship fund to honor the memory of Cliff Murray. Cliff was a founding member of the horse council and a well known, and respected, horseman throughout the state of Vermont, and New England. This scholarship is awarded annually to a young Vermonter who is an active volunteer and participant in equine activities and promotion in Vermont and beyond.

Presently, the VHC is initiating a fund raising drive to replenish this scholarship. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Cliff Murray Memorial Scholarship. Make checks payable to the Vermont Horse Council and mail them to Treasurer Sharon McNeill at 576 Quarterline Rd., West Rutland, VT 05777. (Submitted by Lynn Dow)

Potomac Horse Fever Alert
According to a letter from a local veterinarian, there have been several cases of Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) in Vermont this summer. PHF is a potentially fatal disease that causes severe diarrhea, dehydration, very high fever, and ultimately death. A common fallacy is that only horses exposed to animals at shows, trail rides, and other large horse events need to be vaccinated. Although vaccines may protect a horse from showing clinical signs, these animals can still carry the disease back to the barn and possibly spread it to unvaccinated animals. There is also the possibility of insect vectors as well. The best defense is to have all your horses vaccinated, limit exposure to other animals whenever possible, and practice thorough biosecurity measures in your barn and when traveling. Most veterinarians recommend that ALL horses be vaccinated for PHF biannually. Any horse that has not received this vaccine in the last 6 months should be scheduled for a booster.
(Submitted by Susan McNeill)

West Nile Virus Update
There is both bad and good news regarding the West Nile Virus (WNV). The bad news is that several horses in both Florida and Georgia have succumbed to West Nile Virus. The good news is that Vermont has not reported any cases of the virus found in the state (in bird or horse). Although this is positive news for the state of Vermont, we cannot let our guard down. The mosquito season is not over, and we must make every effort to control the mosquito population around stables. It is important to get rid of standing water around your barn and pastures. Standing water is prime breeding grounds for the mosquito population. A mosquito can breed in puddles that exist for more than 4 days, and in as little as a bottle cap full of water. Standing water can be found in old tires, buckets, clogged gutters, and other unused containers left outdoors. Drain or eliminate anything on your property that traps water. Drill holes in old tires used as feeders on the farm. Water troughs used infrequently should be drained and cleaned on a weekly basis.

After biting infected birds, mosquitoes spread the virus to horses, humans, and other birds. Horses infected with WNV are "dead end" hosts, and cannot spread the disease to other horses or people, and therefore, do not need to be quarantined. Although some horses die, many recover, some never showing any clinical signs. WNV killed 36% of its diagnosed equine victims in 1999, and 38% in 2000. Fort Dodge Animal Health has recently come out with a vaccine that the USDA has approved on a conditional basis. Veterinarians hope this will give them the upper hand in reducing the number of equine cases, which typically occur in late summer and early fall. However, at this time the vaccine is not readily available.

*On August 24th, a horse in CT exhibited clinical signs consistent with WNV, and preliminary lab results indicate a recent exposure to the virus. Additional tests are being sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory for confirmation.
(Submitted by Susan McNeill)

Pan Am Championship
The Pan American Championship was held at the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) in Woodstock on August 23-26, 2001. There were 14 nations represented with 87 horses entered. The continuous 100-mile race began at 5:00 a.m., with the winner, who led for the entire race, crossing the finish line at 7:54 p.m. The USA East team captured the Team Gold and held 6 of the top ten finish spots (two from Vermont). The finish line scene included spectators standing in darkness except for one spotlight directed at the "finish line" banner. Out of the murmuring crowd, someone would yell "here comes another rider!" It would get quiet for a brief moment while eager eyes peered into the darkness looking for some movement or the greenish glow sticks hanging from the horses' breast collars. Once this glow was spotted, the crowd cheered and shouted encouragement to the weary riders. The horse and rider would break from their steady trot into a gallop as the finish line came into sight. Once the horses passed the initial "finish line" vet check (with two checks following) another loud cheer would erupt from the crowd. These horses are the true athletes of the equine world!

The camaraderie and sportsmanship among these riders was refreshing. The most notable example occurred at the finish line after 11 hours, 48 minutes of riding. The 3rd and 4th place riders were coming to the finish line at breakneck speed when Rita Swift broke ahead by three horse lengths. Suddenly the noisy crowd and bright lights sent her horse into a panic and sudden stop (horse and rider had just done the last 6 miles in complete wooded, darkness). The horse danced, spun a few circles, and was spooked by the bright lights. Stagg Newman, (4th place) could have easily passed Rita's nervous horse and crossed the finish line to receive the individual bronze medal. Instead, as a true model of sportsmanship, he stopped his horse and waited until she calmed her mount enough to cross the finish line. Stagg Newman then trotted to fourth place. He commented with a smile, "This is the first time I had to wait to be beaten." during the closing ceremonies, Rita was awarded the bronze medal, while Stagg received a 'top ten finishers' gift. The "Turtle Award" was given to the last horse and rider to cross the finish line (19 hours, 36 minutes and 33 seconds). This person was cheered and congratulated by the crowd and her competitors as earnestly as if she had won the gold medal. The FEI Chairman congratulated GMHA for hosting an exceptional event.

Of the 87 entries, 58 finished the race. The 66% completion rate was the highest completion rate of any FEI sanctioned endurance race. As one would guess, Arabs, 2 Arabs, or Arabian crosses dominated the field, but one Morgan (51st), a mustang (53r8) and a Clydesdale/cross finished the race as well.

Extra Notes:
Long distance riding is the only equine sport in which the animals' health is monitored throughout the event. The horse and rider are not allowed to continue if certain standards are not met at each vet check. Every ride varies in the type of vet checks and recovery criteria used. The routine signs checked include pulse, respiration, dehydration, body heat, soundness, muscle soreness, coordination and gut sounds.
Endurance races are generally 50 or 100 miles courses completed in one day. The horse's health is monitored throughout the entire ride with required stops at numerous vet checkpoints with a specified "hold" time. The first horse to cross the finish line in acceptable condition wins.
A Competitive Trail ride is not a race. It is judged completely on the horse's condition at the finish line as compared to his condition before the ride began. There is a minimum and maximum time in which to complete the race and horses crossing the finish line before or after that time are penalized. Competitive Trail rides can range from 25 to 100 miles with the 100 miles done over three days (40/40/20). The first organized Competitive ride held in the US was sponsored by the Vermont Morgan Horse Club in 1913 and was 154 miles long. To see the results and lots of pictures from the Pan Am ride click here.
(Submitted by Susan McNeill)

Vermont Horse Council becomes Agricultural Partner
The Vermont Department of Agriculture has recognized the Vermont Horse Council as an "Agricultural Partner" in the Vermont Seal of Quality program. This seal is for use by food and agriculturally based businesses, organizations and associations demonstrating a substantial commitment to the benefit of Vermont agriculture (farms, farm stands, producer associations, and others). We look forward to continued productive partnerships with the VT Department of Agriculture.

If you would like more information on the current activities of the Vermont Horse Council, please check out our previous newsletter at: http://www.vthorse.com/vhcpage/vhchome.html

Additional questions may be directed to:
Morris Lasell, President
1031 So. Hill Road
Williamstown, VT 05679

For membership information, contact Sharon McNeill at 576 Quarterline Rd, West Rutland, VT 05777 or phone: (802) 438-6144 or email: missr86@aol.com