Recent Events
EXTRA, EXTRA !
From the
University of Guelph
I am pleased to inform you that a proposal for equipment has been
chosen from the 6 that were received. The reviewers all
expressed their view that it was a very difficult decision as all of
them were worthy of being funded, and many had value to more than
one project, and all were closely aligned with industry priorities.
The selected proposal was received by Dr. Scott Weese, and this
equipment will help move forward his research in the important area
of biosecurity for the equine industry.
The area of biosecurity is gaining a much higher priority in the
equine industry as a result of several outbreaks of infectious
disease in the U.S. and elsewhere so this is very timely as well.
We will be preparing a press release which we will ask you or a
designate for your group to review prior to release.
I would like to personally thank you and all your members and
donors for this wonderful contribution to the equine research
program here at the University of Guelph, as it will have a very
positive impact on moving forward Dr. Weese's research, with
resulting positive impacts on the industry and the health of our
horses.
Equine Guelph
•
A VISIT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY VETERINARY DEPARTMENT
EFC President Eldon Bienert and Alberta Director
Bob Watson visited the University of Calgary Veterinary department
to view the especial built horse being used to teach about
colic. Funding from the Equine Foundation was used to have this
'horse' made.
On Wednesday, December 7th, EFC President Eldon Bienert of Leduc,
Alberta and EFC Alberta Director Bob Watson of Duchess were given a
tour of the vet facility at the University of Calgary. The occasion
was to view the prototype of the horse which had been especially
built to use in teaching students about colic in horses.
The tour was especially interesting in that it was 'Cadaver
Wednesday', and the classes of students were all very busy.
But what was fully realized was just how important the contributions of the Equine Foundation are to the Canadian Vet schools and just what the funding can do to educate and make a better life for our horses.
Peggy McDonald, Eldon Bienert, Dr. Emma Read (instructor, large
animal surgery), Bob Watson and Dr. Allistair Cribb (Dean, Faculty
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary).
- Marg McDonald
•
3D HELPING RESEARCH JUMP FORWARD
You have seen the marvels of 3-D cinema whether it was Thor’s hammer hurling toward you or maybe it was Superman Returns at the IMAX. Ultra sound technology has also developed 3 – D capabilities and it is evolving faster than a speeding bullet, with more accuracy than a CAT scan. What this means for researchers is a more detailed picture when making diagnosis and an accurate, simple way to track the results of treatment modalities potentially without using a more invasive biopsy.
The new 3-D ultrasound unit can also be used
to monitor and diagnose tendon injuries, as shown in this image.
Photo Credit: Amanda Hathaway
With a recent donation from the Equine
Foundation of Canada, University of Guelph researcher, Dr. Heather
Chalmers, is able to add a new dimension to her research focusing on
early screening of roaring and may lead to earlier treatment.
Roaring, or laryngeal paralysis, is a very common disease which can
affect any breed or discipline of horse. This progressive disease
results in the inability to open the upper airway at exercise which
limits performance and actually leads to a roaring sound. Owners
who hear a gurgling sound or an increase in noise when the horse is
breathing are encouraged to seek
veterinary advice.
The goal of Chalmers’ research is to provide horse owners with a
reliable, easy, readily available and inexpensive way to screen
horses for roaring prior to clinical signs of the disease. This
allows horse owners or a potential horse purchaser to career plan
for their horses, determining potential or limiting factors.
Chalmers’ is very excited about the donation of new equipment this
past summer, “When it comes to ultrasound - 3D allows us to look at
the tissues in greater detail, to get a more accurate assessment of
the size and exact location of abnormalities and to monitor them
accurately over time.”
Assessing the size of the upper airway muscles helps researchers
understand more about their function and disease status. Chalmers
explains, “We know from our own experience, working out in the gym,
a muscle that gets bigger is stronger and more functional. After
interventions the ultra sound will be able to keep track of changes
to see if the smaller diseased muscle has responded with an increase
in size.”
The next step in Chalmers’ research is to solidify the long
suspected link between what is seen on the ultrasound screen and
what can be found under the microscope if a biopsy were performed.
It is important to fully establish: 1) How early disease can be
detected in horses? 2) How accurately it can be done? 3) The rate
at which the disease progresses once detected? 3-D Ultrasound is
helping researchers understand all three of these questions.
Research funding has been provided by Equine Guelph, American
College of Veterinary Radiology, Medel Austria, Robarts Imaging
Institute at the University of Western Ontario and The Equine
Foundation of Canada.
•
The Saskatchewan Morgan Horse Club Association hosted All Breeds Trail Ride at the Sask Landing Provincial Park on Saturday and Sunday, Sept 17th & 18th.
The color of fall was all round us and the horses were keen to go, with 11 riders coming out for a wonderful day of riding along the river and in the coulees.
We cross the highway and rode on the east side, of the park.
The Horse Camp is Great to stay at and ride out from FYI,,, and
the Park People are wonderful too...
We started out with a little history of the families that lived
along the rivers , the Hurley's home stead , John Hurley and his
son's graves, The family that lived in the side of the hill, in
their dug out home. And Tepee rings and many other interesting
facts , ( MUST SEE)
The Geese were down from the north and were swimming along the
rivers edge for us to see and hear. Awesome sight !!! so many
birds..
We stopped for lunch along the river , and after our lunch we headed
into the coulees. We saw deer running ahead of us.
With all the laughing and talking that was going on it surprised me to see any wild life.
On returning to camp , we played a round of Rode apple Golf the
cowboy way !! Only one club per person with dog dishes ,,feed
buckets and watering pails, the brave rides played through, the
laughing was nonstop, and the wood pile traps what a hoot!!! An
one wanting to know the rules just contact me. ( I made them up as I
went )
After supper , we played the Taccky Gift exchange game one of my
favourite games and read some cowboy poetry,
and I got to hand out all the wonderful door prizes that were
donated to us.
Ron Todd, Nanton, AB with his mule.
Many thanks to all the People and Businesses that gave us their
Donations for our ride.. and To everyone who donated money towards
the EFC to help buy Equipment and provide research monies for the
Vet Colleges, and the other good things the EFC does for the Sake of
the Horse.
Supper cooked on a open fire , and all the good salads, and
desserts! No one went hungry.
Then It was my pleasure to announce , The Winner of the Equine
Foundation Of Canada Cooler , this year for raising the most
pledged monies, was Lorna Cummings age 11 from Eston Sask. riding
her 15yr old American Paint named Am Blossom Chu. Kathy Peterson
happily placed the EFC Cooler on her horse .. WAY TO GO COWGIRL!!!!
We had riders from Nanton, Alberta Ron and Alice Todd,,,( Ron rode
their Mule ), Wymark Sk., Esther Derksen, Andrea Wall Lois Wall,
Lacadena Sk., Neil Minogue , Elrose Sk., Brook Hammond Eston Sk.,
Lorna Cummings, Stewart Valley Sk., Joan Ferrel, Kyle Sk. Chandal
Huber ,, and me from Lacadena Kathy Peterson.
Winner of the Cooler Lorna Cumming
shown here with her horse Blossom and ride organizer Kathy Peterson
Photo by Kathy Peterson.
Ron Todd in the wood pile trap playing Rode Apple Golf
I almost forgot? We RAISED $846.00. Thank you every one that
came to ride,
Thank You to Charlene Brown for asking me to look after her trail
ride this year as Charlene and Bill were in Ireland.
Happy Trails to all!!!
Kathy Peterson
•
EQUINE FOUNDATION OF
POKER
September 17th & 18th
2011
Ride boss and host Morris Clark on his Morgan gelding Cody.
Photo by Baerbel Hamilton
It was windy, it was cold
and the sun fought hard to shine through some fairly dismal looking
clouds. But the gloomy
weather didn’t dampen the spirits of some 18 participants who turned
out to show their support for the Equine Foundation of Canada’s
Poker Derby Trail Ride that Saturday morning (September 17th 2011).
Hosted at Irene and
Morris Clarke’s farm in the beautiful
After an initial role of
the dice to start the Poker Derby (participants could also throw
dice for “ghost” hands), the group started off with hot coffee and
morning snacks before embarking on their journey through the
beautifully coloured autumn scenery.
Amongst gold harvested fields and gentle green and rust
coloured rolling hills, the troop headed out behind their
host/leader Morris Clarke, a striking figure of a man upon his well
seasoned and travelled Morgan gelding Cody.
Along the way, the group
stopped for a brief lunch in a small clearing surrounded by trees on
one side and fresh round bales on the other and was met by the “rear
party” to once again, role the dice and take their chance at winning
the evening’s jackpot.
After a short snooze (by both horses and riders) they saddled up,
loaded the wagon and continued on their way under still cloudy skies
and amidst cold blowing winds.
As late afternoon
descended on the valley, the riders were welcomed upon their return
by a wonderful warm fire and tables laden with hardy fare and the
feast was shared by all.
A couple of tables were filled with Silent Auction items hosted by
the Manitoba Morgan Horse Club and as everyone meandered and mingled
around, they threw their last dice and placed their bids on the
great items offered by the auction before tackling the dessert
table.
Soon enough though,
darkness started making its way in and some retreated to their
trailers while others loaded up and headed home.
It was a great day and with some 12 miles of riding behind
them that day, all were tired but still excited about starting the
whole process over again the next morning!
This time however, they were promised sunny skies and Mother
Nature did not disappoint!
The weekend proved to be
a wonderful event where avid riders (and a few non riders) alike
shared the camaraderie and amity of those who also believed in
putting their best foot/hoof forward for a worthy cause…The Equine
Foundation of Canada. A
total of $415 was collected for the EFC that September weekend!
Thank you to all for making the event such a
great success!
•
Equine Foundation of Canada
Southern Alberta Trail Ride
August 2011
Ride Organizer Bob Watson and his wife
Cec enjoy the beautiful Rocky Mountains southwest of Calgary.
The Southern Alberta Equine Foundation of Canada 5th annual fund raiser ride was held August 5th to 7th in beautiful Kananaskis Country in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains south west of Calgary. The weather was nearly perfect. It was scheduled for Mesa Butte the same as in 2010 but when we arrived both the day camp and the group camp were full due to a very large group that arrived before we did. We were told there was room at Sandy McNabb and Little Elbow so we headed for Sandy McNabb the site of our 2008 & 2009 rides. There was lots of room and after everyone got their horses unloaded, settled in stalls, and our campers or motor homes set up, 8 of us headed out for a ride.
We rode north east of the camp behind the Ranger Station in a sort of counter clock wise circle. When we got up on top there are two spots with openings in the trees which have a majestic view of Calgary 40 miles to the north east and the Quirk Creek gas plant 12 miles north. The view is quite impressive especially in the late afternoon with the sun low in the western sky. It was dark by the time we got back to camp and everyone went to bed.
Saturday the 6th was 'Ride' Day' and 10 of us headed out on the Windy Ridge/Death Valley trails, the same route we rode in 2009 except in reverse, i.e. Clockwise versus counter clockwise. We all made it through the creek this year without incident. The west side of this trail, Windy Ridge, is a very challenging climb both up and down but it is worth the effort. The view from the top on a nice sunny day is spectacular. A flatlander in the group who had never ridden in the foothills before was looking up in the tree tops when we neared the summit. I asked what she was looking for and the answer was “Angels”. I told her that around the next bend oxygen masks would automatically drop down from the tree tops. It is pretty thin air up there. We arrived back in camp about 4 P.M. and had our awards ceremony.
Evelyn Harahus of Brooks won the cooler and Fay Calvert, also of Brooks, was second as we had our best ever fund raiser. This was followed by a pot luck supper attended by about 20 people. The 12 riders (not everyone rode each time) were joined by non riding spouses and couples who were unable to participate in the ride this year but came for the fellowship.
Sunday morning we rode again, in the area located between the Friday and Saturday rides, pretty well straight north of the campground. There was some new trail that none of us, including our tail boss, who has ridden this area for 37 years, had been on before. There was a fantastic view on this trail too, it is hard to find a trail that does not have at least one breath taking view.
We headed back to camp and socialized some more and did not leave by the 2:00 P.M. posted time as we were having too much fun. Four riders were able to spend an extra day so they rode on Monday the 8th and had a good time although they got lost a few times as none of them was very familiar with the trails and they went exploring.
Everyone had a great time and talked about 'next year' already looking forward to the 6th annual ride which will be the weekend in August following the civic holiday. We may change the location as we discussed the Cypress Hills south east of Medicine Hat as a possibilty so check the website for details. We hope to see you there.
•
FOURTH ANNUAL EQUINE FOUNDATION TRAIL RIDE
Faithful supporters of EFC, Ed and Lauraine Stein wait with Eldon
Bienert for ride to begin.
Although faced with snow on Saturday, then rain most of Saturday night and into Sunday am, followed by huge mosquitoes while on the ride, this hardy group raised just under the $4,000 mark at the Leduc Schwab Foundation Ride on Sunday, June 5th. (not to mention the nEHV-1 virus threat). These monies will go for the good an welfare of the horse.
Over hill, over dale go the ride participants
Sunday did turn into a very nice day, and while the rain had shortened the ride distance, a great social time was had by all. Of course the food was first class as always, with chief cook Ross on the job (and he even paid for the privilege of doing it).
Albert and Doreen Ohlman are presented their buckets of prizes by
Eldon.
Willa Schwab and Stephanie Abel topped the numbers, with each bringing in $450.00. By mutual agreement the Cooler was awarded to Stephanie (Willa won the 2010 one), while she, Willa, was given a bag full of prizes. Indeed, everyone on the ride received prizes literally by the bucket full.
And the Winner is! It is a tie! Willa Schwab and Stephanie Abel
Ever supportive of the efforts of the Foundation, the SCHWAB.ca group (Leduc) will be matching the number of the top rider. Additional sponsors were:
Intervet/Schering Plough Animal Health a/c John Stephen
The County of Leduc
Dawnville Farms
Elizabeth Younie and Stephanie Abel braved the giant mosquitoes
Thanks to everyone who participated, donated or helped with the event. Especially Sarah who once again looked after the registrations. And Ed Pitts and Karen Abel for all the photos.
The whole group show off their new Schwab caps.
By this fall the University of Calgary Vet College is hoping for completion of the horse prototype to simulate colic conditions for the students to learn from.
This is being built with funding from the Equine Foundation. Watch for announcements on this.
•
OUR GIFTS IN ACTION
To : The Equine Foundation of Canada
Your generous contribution to our Equine Hospital in
2010 has allowed us purchase an equine dental endoscope.
Equine dentistry has rapidly evolved in recent years.
Horse owners are now more aware of the importance of regular,
quality dental care by veterinary professionals for the
wellbeing and longevity of their horses.
Our mission is to provide a stimulating educational
experience for our equine track veterinary students to train
them to provide state of the art dental care in a field
situation.
A complete examination of the equine oral cavity can be
a challenge because it is long and narrow and access to the
areas in the back of the cavity is more difficult.
The endoscope is a long metal rod with a camera at
the tip that magnifies the image at the end (see images at end
of text) . Recent research studies have concluded
that oral cavity endoscopy enhances the detection of equine
dental disease and therefore is an extremely useful aid for the
clinical examination of the equine oral cavity.
The ultimate goal is to detect equine oral and
dental abnormalities early so that they can be treated to
stop the disease process and preserve the tooth,
thereby avoiding extraction or its surgical removal.
The oral endoscope is also an outstanding teaching tool
because, up to now, a small mirror was held in the mouth
for a good visual exam. As the person handling the mirror
was the only one able to visualize the teeth, it was very
difficult for the educator to point out abnormalities to the
student. The endoscope is linked to a monitor or a computer
permitting all attending veterinary students to inspect the
mouth rapidly and comfortably. This not only helps
the veterinary student, but no doubt is appreciated by the
equine patient as the oral examination can be shortened when
teaching!
An additional benefit of the dental endoscope is that
all the images can be recorded in the medical file for either
follow –up examinations or for teaching purposes.
We , at the Equine Hospital, Université de Montréal are
deeply grateful for the continuing financial support by the
Equine Foundation of Canada. Your generous donations
help us towards our mission to provide excellent care for our
equine patients and also a quality education for the
future equine practitioners in Canada.
The equine dental endoscope in use.
Equine charity’s gift to Western Canadian veterinary college doubles in value through matching gift program.
April 15, 2011 (SASKATOON, SASK.) -- A $20,000 donation from the Equine Foundation of Canada (EFC) to support horse health at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine on the University of Saskatchewan campus has helped to raise another $20,000 through a matching gift program.
ABOVE (back
row): Fourth-year
veterinary student Derk Pierik holds "Bonnie," one of the WCVM's
teaching horses that's outfitted with the new overground endoscope. Front row (left to right): WCVM Dean
Dr. Douglas Freeman, EFC vice-president Charlene Dalen-Brown, EHRF
chair Dr. Fernando Marqués and Dr. Jacque Messier, director of the
WCVM Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Photo: Debra
Marshall.
“The Equine Foundation of Canada’s dedicated efforts to support
horse health at the WCVM and at other Canadian veterinary colleges
are exceptional,” said WCVM Dean Dr. Douglas Freeman. “Year after
year, members of the EFC have put the long-term health and welfare
of horses first by investing in veterinary education, research and
clinical services across the country. We admire their commitment and
thank them for supporting our veterinary college.”
AT RIGHT: Dr. Fernando
Marqués (right) and Dr. Dave Wilson (centre) make adjustments to the
overground endoscope's wireless controls while fourth-year
veterinary student Derk Pierik holds "Bonnie," one of the WCVM's
teaching horses.
Photo: Debra Marshall.
• a Holter monitor
that will allow veterinarians to continuously monitor a horse’s
heart activity for 24 hours or longer. The equipment will help
veterinarians diagnose and investigate cardiac arrhythmias and other
cardiac-related symptoms that come and go without any
predictability.
• an overground video endoscope
that gives veterinarians the ability to examine a horse’s upper
airway during exercise. Endoscopic evaluation of horses exercised on
a high-speed treadmill or on a track is the gold standard for
identifying dynamic abnormalities such as dorsal displacement of the
soft palate (DDSP), laryngeal hemiplegia or other upper airway
dysfunctions.
This is the second year that the EFC has qualified for the matching
gift program. The organization contributed $10,000 in 2009 to
support the WCVM’s studies of equine sarcoids — the most commonly
diagnosed skin tumours in horses around the world.
Located at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Sask., the
WCVM is the centre for veterinary education, clinical expertise and
research for Western Canada. The veterinary college’s Equine Health
Research Fund annually invests nearly $200,000 in equine health
research grants, equine fellowships and a summer research program
for undergraduate veterinary students at the WCVM.
For more information or to
access photos, please contact:
Myrna MacDonald, Communications
WCVM, University of Saskatchewan
Tele: 306-225-4479 • Cell: 306-291-9950
·
Dr. Art Ortenburger, Associate Professor of Surgery at the Atlantic
Veterinary College, and Dr. Wendy Duckett,
Associate Professor of Large Animal Medicine, display the
new equipment for laryngeal surgery and equine dentistry purchased
by AVC with a generous grant from the Equine Foundation of Canada.
Looking on is Hooligan the horse.
February 14,
2011
AVC receives
grant for new equine dentistry and laryngeal surgery equipment
Charlottetown,
P.E.I.—A generous donation from the Equine Foundation of Canada has
allowed the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of
Prince Edward Island (UPEI) to purchase new equipment for equine
dentistry and laryngeal surgery.
Equine dentistry should be a routine part of preventive health care for horses, says Dr. Wendy Duckett, Associate Professor of Large Animal Medicine at AVC. An important dental procedure for horses is floating, the process of gently filing sharp edges and/or overgrowths on a horse’s teeth. Because a horse’s teeth keep erupting throughout their lives, they need to be filed—or floated—regularly. If not, the teeth can develop sharp enamel points that can cause painful sores in the animal’s mouth, making eating or wearing a bridle painful.
With this grant from the Equine Foundation of Canada, AVC has purchased a Powerfloat, a mechanized dental device for floating horses’ teeth, as well as new hand floats equipped with tungsten carbide blades.
“Mechanized dentistry floats can safely and quickly deal with routine dental procedures as well as problems such as abnormal tooth overgrowth,” says Duckett.
The grant from
the Equine Foundation of Canada has also allowed the College to
purchase instruments used in equine laryngeal surgery.
Horses may
develop a partial paralysis of the larynx, which causes obstruction
of airflow, says Dr. Art Ortenburger, Associate Professor of Surgery
at AVC. For many horses, the safest treatment is an outpatient
procedure performed while the horse is awake. This procedure
requires two very long and thin instruments that pass through the
horse’s nose to grip the vocal cords, which are then trimmed by a
laser under endoscopic guidance.
“This
treatment is particularly good for the larger draft horse breeds,”
says Dr. Ortenburger. “The relative safety of this procedure for
those heavy horses is much, much better, compared to putting them
under general anesthesia. As with any better way to treat an animal,
students will learn that this is possible for draft horses which
have this problem, and all will benefit.”
The Equine Foundation of Canada aids and promotes the health and
welfare of horses across Canada.
Past support from the Foundation allowed AVC to establish its equine
chiropractic service.
Established in
1986, the Atlantic Veterinary College is committed to improving the
health and well-being of animals and humans through excellence in
education, discovery, professional practice and dedicated service to
the four Atlantic provinces. In 2011 the College celebrates its 25th
anniversary as the veterinary college serving Atlantic Canada.
Media contact:
Anna MacDonald, External Relations Officer, Atlantic Veterinary
College at UPEI, (902) 566-6786,
amacdonald@upei.ca
EFC Donation at Work at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
The DRS in action on the track at Bar None
Ranching. - Photo credit UCVM
Thanks to a generous donation from the Equine Foundation of Canada, the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is the first in Canada to own a Dynamic Respiratory Scope (DRS). The DRS is a wireless endoscope that allows clinicians and researchers to see inside a horse’s upper airway while the horse is at work or exercising. The rider wears a backpack, or it is attached to a sulky or cart and it is then attached to the horse. The backpack transmits video of the horse’s airway. Those images can be recorded and played back, so the DRS can also be used as a teaching tool in the DVM curriculum.
Dr. Renaud Leguillette and the Dynamic
Respiratory Scope in action at the Bar None Ranching Ltd.
Photo credit UCVM
“Often a horse will not perform as it should, or
it will make a sound while working that indicates an issue with its
airway, or breathing, “ says Dr. Renaud Leguillette, assistant
professor. “With this new technology we are able to diagnose the
problem as the horses is working hard, breathing maximally and
working in a specific head carriage.”
Dr. Leguillette uses the DRS for clinical cases through his work
with Moore & Company Veterinary Services of Calgary.