Category: Education

Groups Launch Trainer Continuing Education Platform

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The website for the platform is HorsemenU.com.

 

The California Thoroughbred Trainers, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association have teamed up to provide a continuing education platform for Thoroughbred trainers and assistant trainers.

Horsemen U offers approved online CE webinars and issues CE certificates after a course and a short quiz have been completed. Trainers and assistant trainers can register, free of charge, and maintain their CE records in their accounts. The website for the platform is www.HorsemenU.com.

Continuing education has been adopted as one of the core best practices developed by the stakeholders involved in the Mid-Atlantic Strategic Plan to Reduce Equine Fatalities. CE requirements have been implemented in California, Delaware, Maryland, New York, and West Virginia. Pennsylvania and Virginia are in the process of adopting CE regulations.

 

 

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The Elite Program Offering Two April Classes

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Subject: April classes

Trainers’ Exam Prep class at Lone Star Park – April 15-17

Basic Grooming 099 – Lexington, Kentucky – April 22-26

Information and registration:
http://www.purplepowerracing.com ; http://www.groomelite.com

The Elite Program, Inc. through its Groom Elite Education programs has opened registration for two April classes open to the public. A critical current topic in racing is the lack of qualified help to fill open positions in the racing industry. For the third year in a row, The Jockey Club, Magdalena Farm, National HBPA and Keeneland are sponsoring Groom Elite’s Basic Grooming 099 (BG099) April 22-26 at Keeneland and Magdalena Farm in Lexington, Ky.

Basic Grooming will provide anyone wanting to work with racehorses some basic skills necessary to work safely with regal Thoroughbred athletes. Those meeting minimum skill levels in haltering, leading, brushing and picking feet are virtually assured of being offered a job. If you have a strong work ethic, are physically able to walk several miles a day and are willing to start work at 5 AM you will be offered a position with opportunity to move up rapidly from entry level hotwalker to groom, senior groom, shedrow foreman and even assistant trainer if that is a goal. Previous BG099 graduates (with minimal previous horse experience) have become shedrow foremen within 4 months of completing this class. Tuition is only $99 and many employers will reimburse that tuition after the first month of employment. Tuition assistance is available (request an application) for those seriously seeking a job in the racing industry. Class size is limited to 20, so sign up right away to guarantee your spot.

Also, April 15-17, the 18 th Lone Star Park Trainers’ Exam Prep Class will be offered at the Grand Prairie Track. For anyone interested in the Rules of Racing, this class is 3 days of discussion, demonstrations and practice of barn test skills (bandaging) as well as an intensive review of the law under which racing is conducted. With constantly changing rules, particularly medication and claiming rules as well as other rules regarding the welfare and safety of racehorses, this class provides information helpful to owners and others desiring to understand the rules of racing whether they plan to take a trainer’s exam or not.

Class size is limited to 12 to facilitate opportunity for questions and maximum participation. Tuition is $299 if paid online or $330 at the door.

For information or to register, go to or Anyone without internet access may call Dr. “Mac” at 859-321-4377 and sign up over the phone.

Equine Guelph Offers Online Education

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Upcoming Online Educational Offerings

 

Registration is open for Fall equine online courses by Equine Guelph, University of Guelph

 

12-Week Online Courses – register at EquineStudiesOnline.ca

 

Fall 2018 (September 10-December 2) 

Management of the Equine

Environment

Equine Health & Disease Prevention

Equine Nutrition

Equine Behaviour

Equine Functional Anatomy

Stewardship of the Equine Environment

Equine Business Management

Advanced Equine Behaviour

 

Winter 2019* 

Management of the Equine Environment

Equine Health & Disease Prevention

Equine Nutrition

Equine Functional Anatomy

Equine Behaviour

The Equine Industry

Equine Event Management

Global Perspectives in Equine Welfare

Marketing & Communications in the Equine Industry

*tentative offerings

 

 

Short Online Courses at TheHorsePortal.ca

 

Horse Behaviour & Safety for Youth (ages 14-17): July 23 – August 10

Horse Care & Welfare: September 17 – October 5

Sickness Prevention: October 15 – 26

Gut Health & Colic Prevention: November 12 – 30

Horse Behaviour & Safety: January 21- February 8, 2019

 

PDF:  http://www.equineguelph.ca/pdf/courses/Upcoming%20Course%20Offerings_F18_W19-LINKS.pdf

 

 

Paul Husband Presents Free Webinar: How the New 2018 USA Tax Laws Affect Your Horse Business

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March 19, 2018 – Notable equine law and tax attorney, Paul Husband will present a free webinar for all horse owners and equine business professionals on Monday, March 19th at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST.

Hosted by Equestrian Professional, the webinar entitled: “Pros and Cons – How the New 2018 USA Tax Laws Could Affect Your Horse Business” is a must to find out whether the new tax law will be good or bad for your horse operation.  The new tax law – the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed late in 2017 and is now in effect. Yet, most are not informed about how it will affect their business and personal taxes.

 

As stated by Equestrian Professional, “Mr. Husband’s expertise in both equine business and tax matters makes him the ideal speaker for this event.”

 

Hundreds have already registered, and space is filling quickly. To reserve your spot, visit www.equestrianprofessional.com and click “Free Resources” or access the direct link at http://www.equestrianprofessional.com/public/Free-Webinar-Pros-and-Cons-How-the-New-USA-Tax-Law-Could-Affect-Your-Horse-Business.cfm

Paul Husband of Husband Law provides business and litigation services in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Tax Court, as well as tax and business planning for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. He has raised, shown and raced Arabian horses for most of his life, served for 20 years as an American Horse Shows Association Judge, has published numerous tax and equine law articles, reports and publications and is a sought-after public speaker at local and national events. He has been a member of the Board of Advisors and Contributors to The American Horse Council Tax Bulletin, is a member of the Graded Stakes Committee of the Arabian Jockey Club and is Vice President and a Director of the American College of Equine Attorneys.

 

To schedule Mr. Husband for a future speaking event, or to inquire about his tax and legal services, contact: Ph: (818) 955-8585, paul.husband@husbandlaw.com, or visit www.husbandlaw.com.

Free Online Course Offered on Colic Prevention

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Three-week online course will run this winter from Jan. 22-Feb. 11.

Health & Colic Prevention’ online course to the first 50 grooms and trainers to register from each racing sector in Ontario: Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. The three-week online course will run this winter from January 22 – February 11, 2018 on Equine Guelph’s new online training platform, The Horse Portal.

According to the 2016 Equine Guelph Horse Racing Industry Survey, gut issues were ranked as the number three health issue behind respiratory issues and injuries. Not only is colic the number one killer of horses, but it is a major issue facing the horse racing industry. Excessive amounts of grain in the diet and forage variation are thought to contribute to an increased risk of colic and other gut issues. Changes in stabling, exercise level and stress may also cause an increased risk of colic.

“Educating the horse racing community on how to reduce the risk of colic and gut issues will be extremely valuable to grooms and trainers,” says Hugh Mitchell, Chair of Ontario Racing. He adds, “This training will also benefit the health and well-being of the elite equine athletes as well.”

The three-week online short course will be flexible and practical with content appropriate for the racing industry. The course will be delivered from respected experts from the horse racing community. For the first time, trainers and grooms from the three sectors will come together in discussion groups to share expertise and experience with each other.

“Offering the ‘Gut Health & Colic Prevention’ course at no charge will be an appealing way to engage the racing community to try out flexible, online learning on The Horse Portal,” says Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph.

To register, go to www.TheHorsePortal.ca/OntarioRacing and apply the appropriate coupon code for the free course valued at $95. Registration for the 150 free courses will be administered on a first-come-first-served basis to the first 50 trainers and grooms from each sector.

This program is an online training partnership between Ontario Racing and Equine Guelph, with funding provided by Grand River Agricultural Society. Project partners include: Central Ontario Standardbred Association, The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. and Standardbred Canada. The online course is sponsored by Intercity Insurance Services Inc. and Capri Insurance Services Ltd.

UHC New Educational Handouts provide information on finding a horse, horse care, and more

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(Washington, DC)- The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) is pleased to announce the addition of several new educational documents available to the industry and the general public. These handouts are available on the UHC’s website under Before You Buy and Options for Horse Owners, and will provide additional information for both first time horse buyer on how to “Own Responsibly” and what “Owning Responsibly” entails, as well as information for the current horse owner on re-homing horses and more.

“The UHC has transitioned into an organization that individuals and other organizations turn to for information and education,” said UHC Director Ashley Furst. “Buying a horse or pony is a big decision, and also one of the most costly purchases that you will make in your lifetime. We want prospective owners to do the necessary research before purchasing a horse, and felt these short handouts would be helpful in getting started on the journey to horse ownership. We also wanted to educate current horse owners a little more on what their options are should they find themselves no longer able to care for the horses.”

Topics in the handouts include:

  • How to Pick the Perfect Horse
  • Questions to Ask When Rehoming a Horse
  • Implications of Charitable Contributions
  • Basic Horse Care: Shelter
  • Basic Horse Care: Nutrition
  • I can no longer care for my horse, what options are available?
  • Preventative Health Care
  • And more!

 

The handouts will also be available to be customized with an organization’s logo upon request should an organization wish to share the handouts with their own members or other individuals. If you are interested in receiving a handout with your organizations logo, please contact Ashley Furst at afurst@horsecouncil.org.

 

View Article on UHC Website

Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Remington Park

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Contact: C. Reid McLellan, PhD 859-321-4377
When: August 16-18
Tuition: Early Registration by Aug4 $299; After August 4th, $349.
Class size: Limited to 12

Information: http://www.groomelite.com; http://www.purplepowerracing.com

With the 2017 summer Trainers’ Exam Prep Class in Lexington, Kentucky June 28-30 selling out, seven participants have already signed up for one of 12 available spots in the August 16-18 Trainers’ Exam Prep class at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. Registration is open and interested participants are encouraged to sign up early to guarantee a spotin this class at http://www.groomelite.com or http://www.purplepowerracing.com.

Presented by Dr. C. Reid “Mac” McLellan, well known national instructor of Groom Elite classes around the country, the Trainers’ Exam Prep class is three days of concentrated study of the Rules of Racing with specific emphasis on day to day rules of which trainers must be aware. Day one is devoted to horse care and management plus other information included in the barn test portion of the National Trainers’ Exam. Days two and three focus on administrative rules that govern horse racing including Trainer Responsibility, Duties of Racing Officials, Responsibilities of Licensees, Jockeys & Jockey Agents, Medication, Claiming, Racetrack Protocol, Entering with Correct Weight and more.

Lenford Clarke, 2016 graduate of a Florida Trainers’ Exam Prep class recently visited Gulfstream Park’s winner’s circle with his first winner.

Those interested are encouraged to go to  http://www.groomelite.com or http://www.purplepowerracing.com for more information and to register. Anyone without internet access may call 859-252-8648 (Race for Education) or Dr. “Mac”at 859-321-4377 and sign up over the phone.

The Elite Program, Inc. is a 501(C)3 non-profit that provides equine education classes through it’s Groom Elite™ curriculum.  With its initial primary mission (in 2001) to provide education to grooms and hotwalkers or Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racehorses, Groom Elite continually adapts and updates it’s programming that now includes courses for grooms and owners of OTTB show horses and welcomes owners and grooms of any breed. One of it’s more noteable programs is its Second Chances Groom Elite curriculum taught in five adult correctional facilities in partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and it’s local affiliates in which participants learn life lessons while developing an employable skill working with retired racehorses.

AAEP Announces 2017 Education Opportunities for Equine Veterinarians and Students

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Equine practitioners can invest in practical veterinary knowledge in diverse areas of equine medicine through a slate of continuing education events in 2017, sponsored by the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

The schedule includes two Focus meetings, which present the latest evidence-based knowledge within a specific area of medicine; a 360° meeting that combines lectures and wet labs into an intensive “boot camp” experience; and the 63rd Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

360° Diagnosing, Imaging and Treating the Hind Suspensory and Stifle: Everything You Need or Want to Know: July 9-12 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. Meeting sponsors are Boehringer Ingelheim, Dechra Veterinary Products and Sound

In sport horses, hind suspensory and stifle injuries are common but often underdiagnosed. At the AAEP’s 360° Diagnosing, Imaging and Treating the Hind Suspensory and Stifle, you’ll go from “how to” to “can do” with interactive, small-group training that employs a holistic approach to identifying and resolving lameness in these areas.

 

Focus on Colic/Focus on Dentistry: July 16-18 at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington, Ky. Sponsorship provided by Arenus and KEMIN, platinum level sponsors.

Increase your knowledge and ability to diagnose and manage the No.1 killer of horses at AAEP’s Focus on Colic. This meeting is a three-day exploration into the latest evidence-based knowledge to enable practitioners to assess abdominal pain, employ appropriate techniques and manage the condition medically and surgically.

Focus on Dentistry is an in-depth look at equine dental care—providing practitioners the means to perform a thorough oral exam, recognize oral pathologies, develop treatment plans, perform routine dental care and be introduced to advanced dental therapies.

Focus on Dentistry and Focus on Colic will be held jointly, allowing registrants to attend sessions of both meetings for one registration fee.  

 

Focus on Students: July 15-18 at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington, Ky. Sponsorship provided by Arenus and KEMIN, platinum level sponsors.

Future horse doctors will gain hands on experience through clinical dry labs combined with professional development and career networking. Students will also attend sessions of Focus on Colic and Focus on Dentistry.

 

63rd Annual Convention: Nov. 17-21 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas

Anchored by more than 100 hours of CE, the world’s largest education event for equine veterinarians returns to the always-popular city of San Antonio to deliver the latest clinical knowledge in veterinary medicine.

 

To view the complete program for the 360° and Focus meetings or to register, visit https://aaep.org/meetings. The program and registration for the annual convention will be available this summer.

 

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

 

Hay Before Grain, or Vice Versa?

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By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.

 

This is a recurring question that I receive. Which should be fed first – hay or grain?  If you’re feeding correctly, this issue is truly a moot point because the horse should have access to forage in hay and/or pasture 24/7 with no gaps. Therefore, when fed concentrates, the horse’s digestive tract should already have hay flowing through it.

But if you were to feed starchy cereal grains (oats, wheat, barley, etc.) on an empty stomach, the horse would produce more acid than normal, which could potentially lead to ulcers. Furthermore, grains leave the stomach quickly, increasing the risk that they will not be fully digested in the small intestine (especially if large amounts are fed), and end up in the hindgut where starch can be fermented by the resident bacterial population. This can lead to endotoxin-related laminitis.

A better approach is to have hay present in the stomach first. It creates a physical barrier for the grain, making it leave the stomach less quickly. The fiber in the hay mixes with the starch and the whole mass enters the small intestine to be digested. Fiber is not digested until it reaches the hind gut, but its presence slows down the digestion of starch, and obstructs the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, leading to a less dramatic rise in insulin.

Permission to reprint this article is granted, provided attribution is given to Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. No editorial changes may be made without her permission. Dr. Getty appreciates being notified of any publication.

Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. is an independent equine nutritionist with a wide U.S. and international following. Her research-based approach optimizes equine health by aligning physiology and instincts with correct feeding and nutrition practices. Dr. Getty’s goal is to empower the horseperson with the confidence and knowledge to provide the best nutrition for his or her horse’s needs.

Dr. Getty’s fundamental resource book, Feed Your Horse Like a Horse, is now in paperback as well as in hardcover, searchable CD and Kindle versions. All except the Kindle version are available at www.GettyEquineNutrition.com — buy the book there and have it inscribed by the author. Print and Kindle versions are also available at Amazon (www.Amazon.com); find print versions at other online retail bookstores. The seven individual volumes in Dr. Getty’s topic-centered “Spotlight on Equine Nutrition” series are available with special package pricing at her website, and also at Amazon in print and Kindle versions. Dr. Getty’s books make ideal gifts for equestrians!

 

Find a world of useful information for the horseperson at www.GettyEquineNutrition.com: Sign up for Dr. Getty’s informative, free e-newsletter, Forage for Thought; browse her library of reference articles; search her nutrition forum archives; and purchase recordings of her educational teleseminars. Find top-quality supplements, feeders, and other equine-related items, at her online Free Shipping Supplement Store[i]. Reach Dr. Getty directly at gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com.

 

[i] http://horsesupplements.gettyequinenutrition.biz

4 Proactive Steps to a Healthy Horse

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A veterinary-directed wellness plan is an easy way to care for your horse

 

PLYMOUTH, MA – March 21, 2017 – At SmartPak, our mission is to support healthy horses and happy riders. One of the best ways you can help keep your horse healthy is by partnering with your veterinarian to develop an annual wellness program. With spring just around the corner, now is a great time to start thinking about a wellness plan for your horse.

Your veterinarian is the best source of advice on what is right for your individual horse, and will take into account factors such as age, workload, and any existing health conditions. “Working with your veterinarian is important to help spot problems early and keep your horse healthy,” said Dr. Scott Spaulding of Badger Veterinary Hospital, Janesville, Wisconsin. “A well-rounded wellness program includes four key areas to help your veterinarian evaluate your horse’s health: annual physical exam, dental exam, vaccinations, and deworming.”

 

Annual Physical Exam

During an annual physical exam, the veterinarian starts with a thorough visual inspection of the horse, and evaluates basic measures of health such as temperature, pulse, and respiration. Next, the veterinarian will listen to the lungs, evaluate skin and coat health, and discuss any specific concerns. The physical exam is also a great time for your vet to evaluate your horse’s Body Condition Score and discuss the horse’s nutrition program, including grain and hay. “For older horses,” said Dr. Lydia Gray, SmartPak’s Staff Veterinarian/Medical Director, “more frequent exams that include specific tests may be recommended, such as bloodwork to rule out conditions like Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction, also known as Cushing’s Disease.”

 

Annual Dental Exam

Having your veterinarian perform an annual dental exam is equally important. Regular dental care is vital for maintaining your horse’s health, especially in senior horses or those prone to dental issues. Dental problems can lead to weight loss, decreased performance, and sometimes unwanted behavior. Having your horse’s mouth and teeth checked at least once per year is a smart way to spot issues early and take care of them before they cause problems.

 

Annual Vaccinations

Annual vaccinations are essential for the health of the horse and to help prevent disease outbreaks. While the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) core vaccine recommendations are Eastern/Western equine encephalitis, tetanus, West Nile virus, and rabies, it is important to remember to work with your veterinarian to determine a vaccination plan that is optimal for your horse based on your geography and other individual risk factors.

 

Deworming

Having your horse on a deworming plan is also an important part of responsible horse ownership. Your veterinarian is the best resource to develop a deworming program designed specifically for your horse and property. “In order to have an effective parasite control strategy,” said Dr. Gray, “it’s important to work with your veterinarian to create a deworming plan that includes fecal testing and targeted deworming based on those results.”

 

Horses that receive all of these essential services each year are not only staying healthier, they are also meeting all of the Annual Wellness Requirements for ColiCare, SmartPak’s free colic surgery reimbursement program. In addition to the wellness services performed by your veterinarian, simply feed any ColiCare eligible supplement in SmartPaks™ and you could be eligible for up to $7,500 of colic surgery reimbursement. SmartPak recently made it easier than ever to enroll in SmartPak by allowing horse owners to designate an agent, such as a trainer or lessee, to apply for ColiCare on their behalf. Learn more at www.SmartPak.com/ColiCare.

 

 

About SmartPak

From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness. With the success of this simple and convenient feeding system, SmartPak has continued to expand its offering of quality products, including its own line of more than 55 supplement formulas called SmartSupplements, and a wide variety of tack, equipment, and supplies. The company has grown rapidly each year and is now the largest retailer of equestrian products in the United States. SmartPak’s success has been powered by a passion for delivering an unbeatable customer experience, and the company has been recognized with a Bizrate Circle of Excellence award seven years in a row, as well as receiving an “Elite” rating from STELLAService. A nine-time Inc. 500/5000 honoree, SmartPak is the only equine company ever named to the Inc. 500 list.