This is a don’t miss program for our wild ones! We have Ginger Kathrens, Makendra Silverman, Laura Leigh, Craig Downer and Laura Allen. We will be discussing some exciting news that has been occurring over the last few days, as well as the upcoming Calico Complex round-up, a discussion on ROAM (Laura Allen) and John’s article with AP. With all the activity we’ve been having, we are going to give you all the updates/information and then open the lines for calls.

You can also submit questions via the chat function that Elle monitors throughout the program.

9:30p Eastern, Wednesday Nov 18

Listen here:   http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Howling_Ridge_Radio

On-Air Calls:  718.664.6596 (if you want to ask a question on the air, press 1 so we get the signal, otherwise, we will assume you are just listening via phone)

Research conducted at Louisiana State University (LSU) and published late last year has demonstrated the necessity to closely monitor those horses taking the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) phenylbutazone (bute). NSAIDs are drugs that alleviate pain by inhibiting the formation of prostaglandins, the chemical byproducts of inflammation. In bute’s case, the drug is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in the same family of drugs as aspirin. However, bute is typically used in horses instead of aspirin because of its long duration of effect – twelve hours compared to four to six for aspirin.

Veterinarians and horsemen are aware that bute has been shown to cause gastric ulcers. It has also been linked to kidney and liver damage. However, the team at Louisiana State University (LSU), led by Rebecca S. McConnico, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, associate professor, demonstrated that prolonged use of bute can begin to affect individuals as soon as three days into treatment – with serious consequences.

When asked what prompted the study, McConnico explained, “We constantly see cases where we suspect phenylbutazone toxicity. It seemed to many of us that bute has not been tolerated well in a large number of horses.”

McConnico and her associates administered approximately four grams of bute per day to a group of healthy adult horses over a 21-day period. The recommended dosage for a 1,000 pound animal is 2-4 grams per day, with a ceiling of no more than 4 grams per day, according to the manufacturer.

The study was funded by the Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation, Inc., and the foundation was the one that set the parameters for medication amounts.

“Grayson was very particular about that (the amount of bute administered),” explained McConnico. “They knew that there wouldn’t be a statistical difference [at the lower dose]. With research projects, you need to have a large enough difference in treatment versus control groups in order to be able to have the best chance of observing a difference.”

Specifically, what the researchers were looking at was what effect bute has on the right dorsal colon (RDC) of the horse.

“The RDC is mainly for the fermentation of feedstuffs (i.e. hay), absorption of volatile fatty acids, and fluid absorption,” explained McConnico.

Volatile fatty acids are largely thought to be responsible for water absorption in the RDC.

What the group found was that after only three days of receiving bute, blood tests revealed low levels of albumin (protein made by the liver; low levels indicate the body may not be absorbing enough protein, causing liver disease), and low white blood cell count.

According to McConnico, the results demonstrate that there is extreme variability in how horses tolerate bute. “Some horses cannot even tolerate short-term administration of the drug.”

Even though racehorses are more closely monitored than almost any other kind of horses, owners and trainers cannot be expected to easily identify animals that are not tolerating bute – the symptoms would be very subtle. However, a downturn in performance after starting to take bute could be an indication.

“You wouldn’t see the horse at its best physically,” said McConnico.

“These fluctuations could really affect a horse’s ability to perform.” McConnico suggests blood tests after three to five days of treatment. If the horse is being adversely affected by the bute, the treatment should stop immediately.

“There are other drugs out there that are just as effective as bute – without the side effects,” McConnico asserted.

First brought to market in 1949, bute was used to treat gout and many forms of arthritis in humans. It was not long before bute was embraced by the veterinary community.

The state of Illinois approved bute as a race day medication at its pari-mutuel facilities in 1960. Since that time, all racing jurisdictions in the U.S. now permit horses to compete with bute in their system.

On Sunday, May 13, 1979, CBS News aired a “60 Minutes” episode titled “Doping the Horses.” The segment dealt with the practice of running horses on bute. The argument was that the use of bute would increase the number of starts per horse.

The “60 Minutes” segment aired on the heels of Spectacular Bid’s triumph in that year’s Kentucky Derby. “60 Minutes” interviewed various racetrack personalities – among them, sportswriter Russ Harris.

Harris had done his own informal study of the relationship between the average number of breakdowns at Keystone Park before and after the legalization of race day bute. His statistics were notably concerning. According to Harris’ informal research, prior to bute use on race day, horses broke down on an average rate of one every 15 days. After the ban was lifted on the drug, the breakdowns averaged one every four days.

If you go back to when bute was first legalized, the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) has some interesting statistics: in 1960, the average number of starts per horse in the U.S. was 11.31; in 1973 (the year of Secretariat) it was 10.23; in 1998, 7.29; and, in 2008, horses averaged 6.2 starts per runner. That is not to say that bute is directly responsible for the decline in starts per runner, but it does lead to the question of whether bute use may be one of the major contributing factors.

Bute has traditionally been sold to the racing industry as “the same thing as aspirin in humans.” Currently, the RCI classifies bute as a Class 4 drug, defined as a “therapeutic medication with less ability to affect performance than Class 3 drugs.”

According to Dr. Thomas Tobin’s Equine Drugs, Medications, and Performance Altering Substances: Their Performance Effects, Detection and Regulation, “Therapeutic medications are substances used to maintain the health and welfare of horses.”

One reason for bute’s classification by the RCI as a Class 4 drug is because of the drug’s pharmacologic action as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Side effects of a specific drug have no influence on that drug’s RCI classification.

According to Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) Executive Director Dr. Scot Waterman, “From the RMTC and model rules standpoints, phenylbutazone is allowed to be used as a single, intravenous dose 24 hours before a race. The model rules are silent on use of drugs in training, so there is no mention of chronic administration of phenylbutazone, which is what the LSU study refers to. There is currently no mechanism in this country to test for permitted medications in training, so there would be no way to regulate chronic administration … This is where the sport relies on veterinarians, and horsemen need to use their professional judgments because the commission is not looking over their shoulders.”

Waterman continued, “We looked at the scientific literature on bute when developing the 24-hour rule several years ago; we were comfortable that the analgesic (pain killing) effect was gone by the time the race would be run, and that was our chief concern.”

Though bute’s pain-killing effects clear the system quickly, the potential negative side effects of prolonged use may not. McConnico opined, “Phenylbutazone does have a pretty short half-life, but the adverse side effects can be present and remain for long periods of time. When bute was first brought to market, the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) wasn’t as stringent as it is today. This drug (bute) should never have been approved. Today, there are better drugs on the market. Granted, they are more expensive (than bute), but with fewer side effects.”

McConnico’s comments suggest that it might be worthwhile for horsemen to ask their veterinarians about other alternatives to bute — particularly in cases where a horse may not seem to be tolerating bute well.

However, bute is less expensive than some other alternatives, and it does work in a certain population of horses. As a result, its widespread use is not likely to change anytime soon.

Realizing that fact, McConnico warns that, “Horses on bute should be strictly monitored. Some tolerate it quite well, but many do no

Wild horse plans "bloodless genocide"

A wild horse herd in Wyoming. © BLM

The increased pace of wild horse musters in the US has united the equine welfare community like never before, an advocate says.

Equine Welfare Alliance spokesman John Holland described some of the plans laid out by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is responsible for the wild herds, as bloodless genocide.

"The reckless abandon with which the BLM has accelerated its gather programme is breathtaking," Holland said.

"It has, however, had one effect that nobody could have predicted. It is so outrageous and unjustified in its implementation and so staggering in its consequences that it has galvanised and united the entire wild equine community to a level we have never seen before."

The Equine Welfare Alliance, an umbrella organisation representing more than groups, has called for a moratorium on wild horse gathers.

A recent Associated Press report suggests BLM officials have rejected the idea.

The alliance will now consider its legal options.

Holland said the equine welfare community in general and the wild equine advocates, in particular, have long been a fractious, independent bunch and difficult to bring together.

"Moreover, the anti-slaughter effort has traditionally been a different set of advocates than the wild equine movement. The same can be said of other areas of animal advocacy.

Wild horses from the Onaqui Herd in Utah. © BLM

"Yet we are now seeing old adversaries bury the hatchet to pull together to a degree I would never have thought possible. They realize that once the herds have been gathered and their social structures torn apart, they will cease to be wild equines and will simply be sterile, untamed horses and an unnecessary expense to the taxpayers."

The alliance is critical of the so-called Salazar plan, which proposes more aggressive use of long-term contraceptives and relocating wild horses to up to seven new horse reserves on more productive land further east of the western rangelands.

"As to the Salazar plan specifically, we see it as a bloodless genocide at best," Holland said.

He said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has attempted to alter the discussion of what to do with the horses in long-term holding into a discussion of what to do with all the wild horses.

Baltimore Cart Ponies Seized

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City of Baltimore authorities have seized 19 ponies after inspectors discovered the animals residing in allegedly filthy, dilapidated stables. The ponies are all owned by Baltimore street vendors who sell produce from horse-drawn carts.

Baltimore Bureau of Animal Control authorities removed the animals on Tuesday after a routine inspection revealed evidence of rat infestation and other unsanitary conditions in the stables, said Bureau Director Bob Anderson.

"The conditions were a health risk to the horses and the public," Anderson said.

The ponies are residing at an undisclosed location outside the city and are being evaluated by veterinarians.

City officials are meeting with owners to determine where the ponies will permanently reside.

A similar removal took place in 2007 when animal welfare authorities relocated 49 ponies to the Maryland Jockey Club training facility after declaring their stable unsanitary and unsafe.

Read more: "Relocation, Purchases Save Baltimore Cart Ponies from Impoundment

Family that Returned Stolen Horse Gets Replacement

A 7-year-old girl who had to give up her horse when he was identified as stolen has found a new partner in a 16-year-old gelding rescued from slaughter.

Indio has joined his new family.

Mackenzie Gully's new horse, named Indio, arrived at her home in Ava, Mo., yesterday, thanks to the efforts of a rescuer in Montana and donors who raised money to have him shipped from Montana to his new home.

The arrival of Indio draws to a close the Gullys' ordeal, in which a Paint gelding they had purchased for Mackenzie in September turned out to be a stolen barrel racer from Eastern Illinois. The Gullys returned that horse, named Max, to his 14-year-old owner, Kaitlynn Bilskie, at the beginning of October. (Read: "Stolen Horse Recovered; Max Home With 14-Year-Old Owner.")

The Gullys would not take a $4,000 reward Biliskie's family offered, but accepted the offer of Indio, a kid-friendly horse that was rescued from auction in Montana.

"He's a perfect gentleman," said Kim Gully, Mackenzie's mother. "I can't express my thanks enough."

Meanwhile, the investigation into the theft of Max is "open and ongoing," said Deputy Vernon Johnson of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in Missouri. The charge would be possession of stolen property, which carries a penalty of two to seven years in prison.

Keith Caughran, Kaitlynn's stepfather, said there is a description of a suspect but declined to give details. "I'm not going to let this drop, somebody needs to go to prison," he said.

From old broodmares to pasture pets to broken-down campaigners to horses who simply fell through the cracks, America's unwanted horse problem is escalating. Overburdened and under-funded, equine rescues need help.

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has partnered with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to launch the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC). UHVRC is a nonprofit program that will provide tangible relief in the form of core equine vaccines to qualified equine rescue and retirement facilities. Through the UHVRC, qualifying equine rescues can apply to receive Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health vaccines, including Prestige V, PreveNile West Nile virus vaccine and EquiRab.

The goal is to help the rescues by providing a portion of the necessary healthcare so they can better rehabilitate, revitalize and, ultimately, re-home America's unwanted horses. To learn more--and see how your equine rescue can receive vaccines through the program--visit www.UHVRC.org.

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal is for the unwanted horse.

Horses Abandoned in Trailer, Driver Charged

Seven horses that were abandoned in a trailer on the side of the road in Edmonton, Alberta, last week are doing well in foster care and are waiting to be claimed by their owner. Meanwhile, the driver of the trailer has been charged under Alberta's Animal Protection Act.

On Sunday night, Edmonton police received a complaint about an abandoned truck and trailer near an industrial section of the city. A patrol officer responded to the call and discovered the horses standing in manure. They had very little feed and no water.

The horses had been left there at least two days, and possibly three, said acting Det. Gary Benoit. Police likely weren't alerted earlier because the truck and trailer were abandoned near an impound lot. "There are lots of cars just left around there, so nobody really investigated, and it wasn't close enough to a place where someone would have heard noises," he said.

Police have not released the name of the driver of the vehicle, a 74-year old rancher from McBride, British Columbia. The driver, who was delivering the horses from a seller in British Columbia to a buyer in Manitoba, only said that his truck broke down and it was too cold to stay with the truck.

"He never explained why he didn't ask someone for help and that's what we don't understand," Benoit said.

Northlands, an agricultural venue in Edmonton, is fostering the horses temporarily while police try to contact the owners in Manitoba.

"We're more than happy to accommodate them," said Ken Knowles, Northlands president, noting that despite their ordeal, the horses appear to be in good condition.

 NEW JERSEY KILL PEN HORSES

THERE ARE ALWAYS HORSES AVAILABLE AT CAMELOT AUCTION, CRANBURY, NJ - -The proprietor does  maintain a feed lot for gathering horses to ship to slaughter in Can. or Mex.

 These horses are located at Camelot Auction House, 43 Brickyard Road, Cranbury, NJ.  Proprietor is Frank:  (609) 448-5225. 

 At times, in an attempt to find some of these horses homes before they ship, I list them here. The horses are the property of Camelot Auction House -- any interested parties will be dealing with Frank.  In this situation, Helping Hearts is NOT "vetting" prospective buyers NOR are these horses being conveyed with our Adoption Contracts - - my hope it to help these animals avoid an excruciating death and find themselves back in positions where they can be loved and be productive for someone, rather than being the 'cast-off's' they've become, thru no fault of their own.

IF YOU CALL OR GO TO LOOK AT THE HORSES, be polite to the proprietor.  We want to keep the lines of communication open.  He did NOT put these horses in their predicaments, their irresponsible owners did, he's cleaning up their messes.  He's a business man, if you purchase a horse from the KP, you will be paying meat price - he will get that price whether he gets it from you or via the slaughter pipeline.  Also, do not call just to "kick tires" or ask random questions - - call only if you are serious about pulling one of these horses to safety. 

November 11, 2009:   Stats:   32 horses ran thru tonite, a few from Sugar Creek, Ohio.  16 were bought by #10, the kill pen, several are registered.  Following are their hip numbers, a small description and their post-sale price to purchase out of the Kill Pen.  We missed photo of one horse, #930.

 #916 – Paint Gelding, dark bay/white, 9/10 yrs old, sold sound, rode thru nice and quiet.  $200

    #910 – Hafflinger Mare – Cribs –13.3 hh, 8/9 yrs old.  Came from a Mennonite farm in Ohio, rides and drives, Rode Quiet western tack.   $250.00

 #896 – 4 yr old Welsh pony-X filly, approx 13.2 hh, Green broke, just led thru, very cute and feminine. $175.00

 #902 – “English-type” QH/TB refined, Bay w/snip, rode nice and quiet.  8 yrs old, 16 hh, $450.00

 #900***- Registered Sorrel QH Gelding, Chestnut, very fat, very sweet and friendly, foaled 1998, Pine Bar Breeding.  About 15 hh . . . . $450.00

 #930 – 5 yr old Bay TB mare, came thru under saddle – rode nice, no bidding    $200.00

 #907 – 15.2 hh Dun/buckskin QH  mare, approx. 15.1 hh, came fr. Sugar Creek, Oh.  Sold 6 months ago for $1200.  Well Broke . . . .$400.00

 #920 – Bay – Not Sound behind – Walked thru, mare . . . . $100.00

 #913.  Registered Red Roan Appaloosa Mare - -8 yrs old, “Pretty Good Broke”, “Colorado Bred”, good for intermediate rider.  Nice mover.   $450.00

 #903 - - Registered QH filly, 2 yrs., Chestnut, led thru  . . . $275.00

 #908—Registered Black/White Tobiano Pinto mare, 11 yrs, sold sound, sliding stop, rode nice, very nice horse!!  $325.00

 #935—Registered QH mare, chestnut, foaled ’91, left knee a bit big but rode sound, Seller said godo with kids.  Very, Very quiet, sound.    $300.00

 #912 – Bay Mare, Led Thru, May be off - - $275.00

 #911 – TB mare, Dark Bay, 16 hh., 9 yrs., Rode thru western.  Neck reined, rode nice, said would make a  nice barrel horse.   $325.00

 #918 – Beautiful Liver Chestnut “Show Style” Saddlebred, 16. hh, 12 yrs.  Nice/fancy looking, but very quiet.   $250.00