Seven More Organizations Support AHC Welfare Code

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 9, 2013

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact: Ashley Furst

202-296-4031

acole@horsecouncil.org

 

Seven More Organizations Support AHC Welfare Code

 

(Washington, D.C.) The American Association of Professional Farriers, American Competitive Trail Horse Association, California Professional Horseman’s Association, Canadian Association of Professional Farriers, EQUUS Foundation, Inc., Maryland Horse Council, and the U.S. Eventing Association are the latest organizations to endorse the American Horse Council’s (AHC) Welfare Code of Practice.

 

“These seven organizations have added their support to the 42 other associations that endorse the Welfare Code of Practice,” said AHC president, Jay Hickey. “The continued support for the Code shows that more-and-more organizations are committed to the common goal of ensuring the welfare of the horse in all their activities.”

 

The AHC Welfare Code of Practice is a broad set of principles designed to establish good welfare procedures for organizations to follow to “Put the Horse First.”  The code outlines in broad strokes what principles organizations are committed to in breeding, training, competing, transporting, enjoying, and caring for their horses.  The code encourages everyone to consider the health, safety, and welfare of their horses in all aspects of their activities, including the social and ethical issues. 

 

The AHC’s code is not intended to supersede an organization’s rules or regulations.  The organization’s more specific rules still govern activities sanctioned and regulated by the organization.  Rather the code is a compliment to any such rules and restates the principles to be followed by breed registries, trade associations, various disciplines and the horse community as a whole in pursuing their equine activities.

 

“By committing to the Code, an organization is reemphasizing that it supports the principles for which the code stands and that it is committed to the responsible ownership, breeding, training, competing, use, transport, care and welfare of the horse.  The AHC encourages all members of the equine industry to support and endorse the Welfare Code of Practice as yet another indication to the horse community, the public, the media, federal and state officials that the industry is committed to ‘Putting the Horse First,’” said Hickey. 

 

To review the AHC Welfare Code of Practice, a list of the 42 organizations supporting the code, and a FAQs page, please visit the AHC Website at www.horsecouncil.org.

 

Link to article on AHC website

 

Find the AHC on Facebook

 

Formulating a Ration for Your Horse Seminar

Formulating a Ration for Your Horse

October 16 and 23, 2013 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Harford County Extension Office

2335 Rock Spring Road in Forest Hill, MD 21050

Is your horse's feed providing just the right combination of nutrients? Do you know how to make sure it is? This workshop will teach you how to select feeds that are best suited to your horse and develop a ration to meet your horse's individual needs. Topics will include: an overview of the horse's digestive anatomy; determining your horse's nutrient requirements based on its current body condition score and workload; selecting hay, concentrates, and supplements that are right for your horse; and calculating how much of each feedstuff to feed to your horse each day. 

This is a two-part class so participants should attend both sessions. Registration is $10 per person and includes

printed materials and refreshments. Space is limited, so advanced registration is requested by October 14. This class is geared toward adults and older youth, but younger horse lovers may attend with a parent or guardian.

 For more details or to register, contact Sara or Robin at 410-638-3255 or sbh@umd.edu.

Nationwide Equine EEE, WNV Case Totals Creeping Up

Thankfully Maryland has only had 1 confirmed case of EEE (Eastern equine encephalitis).  Regardless, this article from The Horse has great info on the nationwide status of EEE and WNV (West Nile virus):
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/32632/nationwide-equine-eee-wnv-case-totals-creeping-up

UPDATE: Hold Order on Barn 16 at Bowie has been lifted

BALTIMORE, 09-24-13---Blood samples on the Bowie Training Center-based horse that was humanely euthanized by the Maryland Department of Agriculture Saturday morning were negative for equine herpesvirus (EHV-1).

The Hold Order on Barn 16 at Bowie has been lifted, meaning the 27 horses stabled in the barn will be allowed to train beginning Wednesday morning, Sept. 25.

Hold Order Placed On Barn 16 At Bowie Training Center Due To Suspected Case Of Equine Herpesvirus

For more information, visit: http://equiery.com/blog/?p=1917

Previcox efficacy

Efficacy of cyclo-oxygenase inhibition by two commercially available firocoxib products in horses

Article first published online: 16 JUL 2013 Equine Veterinary Journal

Results

In the control group, there was no significant change in LPS-induced PGE₂ over time. In contrast, immediately prior to and 1 h after treatment on Day 7, the mean LPS-induced PGE₂ concentration decreased significantly compared to Day 0 values in all treated horses. There was no difference in PGE₂ or plasma firocoxib concentrations between firocoxib treatment groups.

Conclusion

In this model, the canine chewable preparation of firocoxib was as effective as the equine paste formulation at reducing LPS-induced PGE₂ synthesis.

Potential relevance

The canine chewable preparation of firocoxib may be a suitable alternative to the paste formulation in horses for situations where extra-label drug use can be legally justified.

Horseman's IPhone app

If you have an IPhone (not yet available for Android) here is an app courtesy of Zoetis

"EqStable"