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Equine Science Update Sheds New Light On New Jersey's Horse by Beverly Saadeh Published courtesy of Horse News
Dr. Karyn Malinowski, director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center, made an intriguing connection at Rutgers’ annual Equine Science Update, held at the New Jersey Museum of Agriculture on the Cook Campus Dec. 12. She connected all the dots for the evening’s presentations for the audience of racing, show, 4-H, and pleasure enthusiasts, and in one short statement elevated the horse to a savior for the Garden State.
The horse and the industry it spawns play a critical role in the agricultural and green spaces of the state. Without horse farms and their need for agricultural products such as hay, legumes, straw, grain and pasture, the total acreage for the state’s agriculture economy would receive a mortal blow.
Dr. Malinowski went on to divulge how Rutgers’ Equine Science Center works to ensure the future of the horse in N.J. through research on best welfare practices to keep the animal in peak performance, best farm practices to allow Jersey farms to be good neighbors, right-to-farm issues to keep horse farms from nuisance law suits and representation of all equine sectors to the Department of Agriculture.
Research Is Crucial
The Equine Science Center is committed to the well being of the horse and Dr. Kenneth McKeever, associate professor of Animal Science at Rutgers, did a quick review of past research on medicines affecting the performance of the race horse. He was clear in his challenge of using medications which have not had their effectiveness researched and proven. Without proper research many medications can’t be validated to be in the animal’s best interest for health or performance.
Dr. McKeever reminded the audience of the fast promotion and acceptance of Lasix (furosemide) as a cure-all for exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). The research on Lasix occurred after the fact and its use to stop pulmonary hemorrhaging was not validated. Luckily, the medication has a short life in the horse’s body and does not adversely affect the animal. It has been proven to enhance performance, but not due to effectively stopping EIPH — researchers suspect it has more to do with a weight change from the large volume of water loss brought about by the drug’s diuretic effects.
Amicar (aminocaproic acid) is the new favorite bet to stop EIPH. It is a human drug designed to inhibit clot breakdown and a proposed regulation is currently before the racing commission that would allow a horse receiving Lasix to also receive Amicar. Its efficacy in the horse has not been determined and in humans it has been shown to have life threatening side effects of stroke and cardiac arrest if given during the clot forming stage. Without proper research, it cannot be known if this is a risk in the horse as well.
These were just two of the medications Dr. McKeever reviewed.
Also included were EPO, Ventipulmin, and the practice of milkshaking (feeding sodium bicarbonate). Each drug was discussed in terms of research done on its use in the horse and the potential for benefit or harm.
Emily Lamprecht, a doctorial candidate, has a goal of identifying preventative or early treatment options for horses with joint inflammation due to use trauma. “Joint related lameness is the number one cause of diminished athletic performance and wastage. Current treatments are expensive, even cost prohibitive, and often yield suboptimal results,” she said.
Lamprecht picked nutraceuticals to evaluate as they are popular among the equine community, less costly and easier to access than traditional therapies. Nutraceuticals use naturally occurring substances and, unlike prescription drugs, are not regulated by the FDA. The lack of a watch dog has Lamprecht concerned; 84 percent do not meet their ingredient claims. There has been research done on other species (dogs, humans, rodents), but not the horse.
“A lot of the claims made about the various joint nutraceuticals come from data extrapolated from species other than the horse. This is disturbing because physiological and biomechanical differences warrant research to be done in the horse. Most of the ingredients in these supplements have not been evaluated for bioavailability or efficacy with controlled research in horses,” she said.
Lamprecht found she could use interferon gamma spikes to track inflammation markers in joints. This confirms there is a method to scientifically track if a substance has an effect
With this test, Lamprecht can go on to the next research stage, determining if the acting ingredient is digested and enters into the horse’s system and then if it has an effect on the joint disease. Lamprecht reminded the audience, to always be cautious about accepting product claims.
A Model Horse Farm
Dr. Carey Williams, equine extension specialist at Rutgers, gave an update on the model horse farm being built on Ryder’s Lane for the Equine Science Center. Dr. Williams has been heading up the development of Best Management Practices for horse farms to submit to the state. Last year she defined guidelines on housing, pasture care and stocking rates for horses. This year her group did topographic and ground saturation evaluations at the farm from which they are developing suggestions for fencing and keeping pastures from becoming swamps. They are re-examining everything done on a farm and coming up with new ideas, standards and even equipment. Witness to this was seen in the mower purchased to run behind a tractor. Most farms use a brush hog when mowing large pastures. Dr. Williams and her colleagues found it scalped the tops of uneven ground, creating bald spots and wasting good pasture. The finishing mower they eventually decided on sits on a series of rollers and “floats” across the ground, preserving the forage.
They have also put up diamond mesh fencing and built a new manure storage and composting area. This is a long-term project from which the state will base much of its best practice guidelines. Details of what has been accomplished so far can be found at the Equine Science Center Web site under Ryders Lane farm.
Coming Soon To Your Town…
The wheels at Trenton turn slowly and Mike Westendorf, Ph.D., associate professor, Rutgers, continues to apply patience to the state’s development of an animal waste management rule.
The federal government’s DEP is requiring all states to come up with such a plan. New Jersey’s is close to the proposal stage, at which time it will be available to the public for comment. The Equine Science Center is anticipating hosting a public meeting to go over the proposed regulations and serve as a platform for public comment, once the regulations are announced.
All New Jersey horse farms, no matter how many horses, will need to be aware of the regulations and have an animal waste management plan. The number of horses in an operation and stocking rate will dictate whether the owner needs to file a plan with the soil conservation district or just needs to have addressed the issue and have a plan in the drawer should the state knock on the door. This is an important topic that will be the future of every farm with animals of any form, throughout the nation. Westendorf played the role of messenger during the Equine Science Update, while working hard in Trenton to bring reason to the regulations.
Susan Craft, executive director of the State Agriculture Development Committee, and Paul Gottlieb, Ph.D., associate professor, Rutgers, announced some of the tax reform measures the state legislature is looking at for Farm Land Assessment. There are a number of changes being proposed in an attempt to discourage development of farmland. There seems to be confusion as to the extent and nature of all the tax changes currently under consideration. One thing known for sure, it will require a constitutional amendment to make any changes in this area.
The two hours of presentations topped an enjoyable dinner hosted by the Equine Science Center and was attended by over 160 people this year. Earlier in the evening there was an opportunity to meet the new research weanlings that Dr. Ralston uses in her teaching program, and watch a Standardbred pace on the department’s treadmill. Rutgers’ Equine Science Center; Department of Animal Science and Extension Service prove themselves, every year, to be an invaluable resource to the horse community. Dr. Malinowski and the Equine Science Center are on to something big: the horse is the key to keeping New Jersey agriculture.
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