Arthroscopic Surgery for Equine Athletes
Arthroscopy, also called arthroscopic surgery, is a common procedure used in the diagnosis and treatment of problems inside a joint. The word arthroscopy comes from two Greek words: arthro, meaning joint, and scope, meaning look. Arthroscopic surgery is a way to take a look inside a joint. This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which examination and treatment of damage is performed using an arthroscope—an endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision.
Most people carry a wish list with them throughout life, filled with thoughts like, “Wouldn’t it be cool…,” or “What if…” but the daily routine keeps us from acting on those dreams. JoDee and Jonathan Watkins of Gray Court, South Carolina were no different until 2013 when they read a book titled, Living the Dream by Daniel Floyd. Between 2013 and 2014, they were inspired to offer up 43% of their income to their church, and, in doing so, their lives began to change. They loved animals, and had long-harbored a dream of setting up a working dog training business and kennel.
Continue reading …IEA Offers Riders a Unique Advantage in Breed Show Competition
July 29, 2021 Comments Off on IEA Offers Riders a Unique Advantage in Breed Show Competition
The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is a unique form of competition that introduces many young equestrians to the horse show world. Student in grades 4-12 are invited to join their local IEA team and compete in three disciplines: Hunt Seat, Western, and Dressage on a local and national level. Unlike most forms of horse showing, IEA riders don’t need to own their own horse, or even tack, because horses are provided to contestants at each competition. IEA’s mission is to introduce students to equestrian sports and to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction. As the association has introduced more equestrians to the compettive world of horse showing, many riders have taken their career beyond the IEA arena into AQHA, APHA, PtHA, NCEA, and beyond.
Continue reading …Equine Law – When Stables or Professionals Part Company With Their Clients
July 27, 2021 Comments Off on Equine Law – When Stables or Professionals Part Company With Their Clients
Stables and equine professionals know it is inevitable – clients move on or lose interest in horses, and the business relationship terminates. Often, but not always, these relationships end on excellent terms. Over the years, disputes and lawsuits have occurred between horse owners and equine professionals involving termination of the relationship. Horse owners want the right to leave immediately and want refunds of overpaid fees. Stables and trainers want advance notice to fill the empty stall, and they want all debts settled before the horse leaves the stable.
This article addresses some of these disputes and offers suggestions for avoiding them.
What’s the Problem With Verbal Contracts?
July 25, 2021 Comments Off on What’s the Problem With Verbal Contracts?
For decades, this author has written articles on the importance of getting equine-related agreements in writing. Some of the articles even shared common characteristics of effective contracts. Still, people in the horse industry continue doing business with nothing in writing, and disputes have occurred. This article explores what can potentially happen when verbal contract disputes become the subject of a legal battle.
Continue reading …Using Bute in Horses – Some Important Things to Know
July 23, 2021 Comments Off on Using Bute in Horses – Some Important Things to Know
Phenylbutazone (“bute”) is an anti-inflammatory drug—a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory similar to aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Banamine, etc. Bute has been used for decades in horses to relieve pain, particularly in musculoskeletal injuries, navicular syndrome, arthritis, and so on. Melinda Freckleton, DVM (a private practitioner in Catlett, Virginia) says this is a drug that is used frequently and is a comparatively safe and effective way to reduce pain and inflammation.
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The acronym, PAC, shows up regularly in local, regional, and political news. But what is a PAC? What is a SuperPAC? Most importantly, why does the AQHA have a PAC?
Continue reading …Taylor Searles and Deanna Green Break Career Win Record
July 19, 2021 Comments Off on Taylor Searles and Deanna Green Break Career Win Record
Taylor Searles and Deanna Green will be familiar names for most of our readers as the two ladies have displayed excellence throughout the Youth and now Amateur division of AQHA competition for most of their lives. They have extended that dominance to the National Collegiate Equestrian Association arena as well, competing for the Western Team of Auburn Equestrian. Recently, both girls broke the record for the most career wins in program history at Auburn University, where they are both seniors this year.
Continue reading …Dental Issues May Cause Performance Problems
July 17, 2021 Comments Off on Dental Issues May Cause Performance Problems
The horse’s teeth are crucial for proper eating/chewing and therefore a big factor in whether or not the horse obtains adequate nutrition. Healthy teeth are important for good health and fitness. Teeth also play a role in performance of an equine athlete because tooth problems can lead to pain, which can lead to certain behaviors that can affect performance. Sometimes a performance problem may be subtle or not readily recognized as being linked to a tooth problem. It’s important to figure these things out, with proper diagnosis and treatment, in order to address and correct the underlying issue.
Continue reading …Should a Cap be Placed on the Number of Embryos Pulled Per Year?
July 15, 2021 Comments Off on Should a Cap be Placed on the Number of Embryos Pulled Per Year?
The practice of pulling embryos from celebrated show horses has become a routine part of our industry–both for the retired mare that can no longer carry a foal and for the mare that’s currently still being shown.
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