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Willowview Hill Farm

News.Foals having a chat

 

It's always fun to share horsey news with fellow horse folks. Please send us your news, wrap up of events and clinics, comings and goings at your barn and don't forget to add a photo or two. We'll share it on our facebook page. If you'd like us to give you press coverage of an event please email us the details as far in advance as possible.

 


EDCC and USEF Launch Biosecurity Video Series

The Equine Disease Communication Center and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) have jointly created a series of videos detailing how horse owners can help prevent the contacting and spreading infectious diseases.

“These videos highlight how practicing biosecurity can help prevent disease spread for all types of shows and events within the horse industry,” said Dr. Nathaniel White II, EDCC Director.

Each of the five videos, hosted by Dr. Katie Flynn, USEF Equine Health and Biosecurity Veterinarian, are between eight-to-10-minutes in run time and highlight topics such as biosecurity prior-during-and-post competition as well as the development and implementation of isolation plans.

EDCC and USEF Launch Biosecurity Video Series

The videos can be found on the EDCC website at this link https://equinediseasecc.org/biosecurity. They will also be available on the EDCC YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@EquineDiseaseCommCenter


Your Vaccination Program May Be Impacted by Climate Change
Learn more during Equine Guelph’s Vaccination Education Month in March
 
Your Vaccination Program May Be Impacted by Climate ChangeHave you noticed bug season starting earlier and finishing later? Have changes in the weather caused more standing water in your paddocks? If you answered yes to these questions and wonder how climate change may impact your horses, not to mention your vaccination program, read on!
 
Each year, Equine Guelph declares March as Vaccination Education Month. Before the vector borne diseases get their wings, it is a good time to visit the Vaccination Equi-Planner (TheHorsePortal.ca/VaccinationTool) kindly sponsored by Zoetis. The interactive healthcare tool helps you start the conversation with your veterinarian by exploring what a customized immunization schedule looks like for your horse. Read the full article...


Yes. The Horse Industry Is Big Business.
 
Check out these results from the 2023 National Equine Economic Impact Study that were recently released by our friends at the American Horse Council (AHC).

Key highlights of the survey include:
 
1. Diverse Economic Sectors Impacted: $177 billion. That’s the total value added in 2023 from the equine industry, up from $122 billion in 2017. The equine industry’s ripple effect extends beyond the traditional sectors, influencing a broad spectrum of industries. From agriculture and tourism to veterinary services and technology, the survey showcase the interconnectedness of the equine world with other economic realms
2. Employment Boost: The survey reveals a substantial impact on employment with 2.2 million jobs linked both directly and indirectly to the equine sector. Not only are breeders, trainers, veterinarians and farriers represented, but so are truck drivers, nutritionists, chemists, police officers and journalists.
3. Slight Downshift in Population: While there is a slight downshift in the total population of horses from 2023 (6.6 million) compared to 2017 (7.2 million), that’s only a slight consideration when compared to the growing numbers in jobs and expenditures.
 
The purpose of the survey is to demonstrate the value of the equine industry in the national and state economies by analyzing the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of horse ownership, recreation, and equine-related services.
 
Data collected will inform public and private investments in equine-related businesses, equine health care, education, land use decisions, tax policy, tourism, employment incentives, etc.
 
The AHC expresses gratitude to all participants, stakeholders and partners who contributed to the success of the 2023 Equine Economic Impact Survey. The results not only underscore the industry’s economic significance, but also serve as a foundation for informed decision-making and strategic planning within the equine community.
 
"The Economic Impact Study is the most effective tool in our advocacy quiver,” says Julie Broadway, president of the AHC. “When the industry needs to take aim at an issue, this data is invaluable in helping us paint the picture of the contributions the industry makes and the breath & depth of its composition." 
 
The 2023 Equine Economic Impact Study can be purchased as a digital download from the AHC website: https://horsecouncil.org/economic-impact-study/


Poll Unveils Startling Insights About Riding Accidents
By Tania Millen, BSc, MJ

An online poll conducted by Horse Community Journals Inc. about the prevalence of riding accidents sheds light on the startling frequency of injuries among equestrians.

The poll garnered responses from 930 equestrians of which a mere 3% of respondents advised they had “never parted ways with their horse” while 44% shared they had suffered serious or major injuries that required prolonged recovery or absence from riding. Results underscore the importance of adopting protective measures to mitigate the risk of injury. Read the full article...


A New Approach for Treating Kissing Spine

Overriding Spinous Process, otherwise known as Kissing Spine can cause back pain and poor performance, especially when two or more vertebrae touch or overlap. Assistant Professor Dr. Nathalie Cote in the department of Large Animal Surgery at Ontario Veterinary College recently presented a new less invasive surgical approach to treat this issue that is showing great preliminary results. Read the full article...


Making Equine Disease Reporting Simple and Easy: How the EDCC Was Created
By Leslie Barlow, EDCC Communication Manager

Turning tragedy and setbacks into something that could help horse owners in the future were the thoughts of Dr. Nathaniel White when he worked alongside industry representatives to create the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC).

The EDCC is an industry-driven service which works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious disease in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real-time information about disease and help prevent the spread of infectious disease. Read the full article...


Free Trial Offer to Professional Horse Trainers – Don’t Be Left Out In The Field and Miss It!
Press Release:
 
Every professional horse trainer seeks to improve the health and performance of their equine partners. Building and keeping your horse in tip-top health and up there on the leaderboard is hard work and having all that focus and energy reap rewards with consistent sparkling performances, is something competitors and coaches yearn to achieve.
 
Here’s a special invitation for pros who aren’t yet in the know, to help realize the most potential in their equine athletes. Don’t be left out in the field, come and get it!
 
Free Trial Offer to Professional Horse Trainers – Don’t Be Left Out In The Field and Miss It!Here's the scoop:
The recent game-changer to help professionals accomplish their goals, comes from the world of horse health supplements. It is the recently launched Grand Postbiotic. Perfected and produced by the well-respected Grand Meadows company, a leader in their own field of expertise, the significant benefits of the ground-breaking Grand Postbiotic are showcased with excellent results that have trainers adopting the supplement as a mainstay item. The bonus of saving money by dropping other supplement products that become no longer necessary is a neat addition to bringing real answers and resounding resolution to the problems their horses suffer. What is particularly interesting are the 7 published trials behind the ingredients in the Grand Postbiotic which is very unusual for a supplement. Read the full article...


MMP Enzymes and Laminitis
Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD

MMP Enzymes and LaminitisMMPs are matrix metalloproteinases – enzymes that break down connective tissue protein/collagen in the body. If you follow news releases and articles about equine laminitis, you have surely seen mention of MMP enzymes since the late 1990s. Turns out they are not the major players as was originally thought.

The basement membrane (BM) in the hoof is a thin layer of connective tissue lining the junction between the dead laminae of the hoof wall, and the live laminae of the inner hoof. This system locks the hoof wall to the tissues inside like Velcro.

In laminitis caused by things like colic/gut infections, black walnut shavings, grain, or experimental fructan overload, it was noted the basement membrane is damaged or destroyed and that the level of MMP enzymes is increased. This led to the theory that the activation of MMP is what causes laminitis. Read the full article...


Horizon Structures Presents Series….Safety and Selection of Horse Hay Feeders
By Nikki Alvin-Smith

Saving up to 30 percent on your hay bill is an appealing reason to opt in to purchase a hay feeder. The University of Minnesota studies showcased that not only users of large square and round bale feeders could benefit from a smaller hay bill, but also horse owners that utilize small squares could get in on the significant savings.



Hay feeders can be labor saving boon, but with so many options on the market, what should the diligent horse owner look for when selecting a feeder and what safety measures should they employ to mitigate the risks of injury, choke or colic to their horses. Here are a few suggestions to help the neophyte equine hay feeder user navigate the world of feeders.

Cows and Horses

Cow feeders may be more readily available and cheaper than horse feeders, but does this make them a good option for use around equines? The answer is a resounding “No!”

Cows necessarily are not as athletic as horses and certainly their legs are shorter and their activities generally more lethargic than our beloved equines. While photos posted on social media of horses standing in the center of an empty round bale feeder may seem funny, the reality is that the gaps in the feeder are large enough for equine hooves to become trapped and can result in catastrophic injury or even death. Read the full Article...


Why Do Horses Eat Dirt?

One of the most frequently asked question from my clients is “Why does my horse want Why Do Horses Eat Dirtto eat dirt? Is she missing something in her diet?” Well, the question can be answered several ways, as there is not one particular reason why horses engage in this perfectly natural activity. Horses are supposed to eat a certain amount of dirt on a daily basis.

• Dirt is a natural part of the equine diet. It contains minerals in bio-available form that the horse needs for various metabolic functions. Some of the minerals, iron for example, are more utilizable from the soil than when added to feeds or stored in forages. Horses that are constantly stabled and deprived of minerals naturally found in dirt may develop deficiencies even when supplied with those minerals in processed feeds.

• Dirt also contains microbes that the horse’s digestive tract can benefit from. Some microbes are located in plant roots so the horse may dig through the dirt to get at the roots of these plants.

• Dirt contains water and salt which can both help a thirsty horse stay hydrated. However, it is always better to make sure horses are supplied with fresh drinking water and salt at all times. Read the full article.


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