MHC Newsletter-July-Aug12.Qxd
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Vol. 40, No. 6 Minnesota Horse Council Newsletter July-August 2012 Heaves By: K. Searcy, DVM and E. Van Arsdale, DVM U of M Class of 2012 Heaves, or Recurrent Airway Obstruction re-breathing exam compared to an unaffected RAO), is a chronic allergic and inflammatory horse. For horses that are not easily diagnosed Goals and Objectives of the lung disease of horses. Heaves can affect any based on clinical signs, a procedure called Minnesota Horse Council age of horse, but sport horses in their prime bronchoalveolar lavage can be performed to Promote and/or support equine educational activities (over 7 years old) or older horses are most collect a fluid sample from the lungs for micro- Improve communication in all often affected, and some horses may be geneti- scopic analysis. horse related activities with the cally predisposed. general public Controlling the environment is important in Gather information of value to RAO develops due to contaminants in the air. It controlling RAO. Affected horses should live equine related activities is not infectious and cannot be passed from outside as much as possible. If stalled, horses Distribute gathered information as appropriate horse to horse. Stabled horses fed hay are more should be removed prior to stall cleaning, and Provide expertise, consult prone to the disease as this environment should not be stalled near indoor arenas; both and advise increases the amount of dust and irritants practices limit exposure to dust. Hay exposure Establish, develop and enhance equine trails and other infra- inhaled by the horses. The dust causes irritation should be minimized through pasture access, structure and encourage their and an allergic response in the airway which complete feeds, or hay cubes. If it is not practi- prudent use decreases the airway diameter. Breathing cal to reduce hay consumption, then the hay 2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS through these narrowed airways causes dis- can be soaked for 15 minutes with water to OFFICERS comfort and makes it impossible for affected weigh down dust particles, reducing the President horses to breathe easily. chances of dust inhalation. Tracy Turner 651-351-7206 tracyturner@mnhorsecouncil.org Exercise intolerance is often one of the first For some horses, medications may be neces- 1st Vice President signs observed. Due to the difficulty when sary to improve breathing. A combination of Darrell Mead 763-420-3697 breathing, horses can’t maintain oxygen levels anti-inflammatory agents and bronchodilators darrellmead@mnhorsecouncil.org when exercising. Signs may include listless- is often recommended. Bronchodilators allow 2nd Vice President ness, flaring nostrils, and inability to perform at the airways to relax and can be given via horse- Mark Ward 651-436-6557 markward@mnhorsecouncil.org a previous level of activity. Some horses will sized inhalers, much like human asthma treat- Secretary have a cough or nasal discharge, and symptoms ment. Corticosteroids are given at the same Dawn Moore 952-949-6659 can come and go. Some horses have a change time to decrease the airway irritation and dawnmoore@mnhorsecouncil.org in muscle definition known as a “heave” line; a swelling. These can be given via inhaler or as Treasurer distinct line that outlines the bottom of a oral medications. Additional treatments can Tim Bonham 612-721-1007 horse’s abdomen. include drugs to breakdown the mucus, cough timbonham@mnhorsecouncil.org expectorants, and Vitamin C. DIRECTORS A full respiratory evaluation is needed to deter- Charlyn Cadwell..........763-479-3240 mine if your horse has RAO or a different lung With proper environmental changes (i.e. Carol Dobbelaire.........763-684-0709 disorder, as treatment recommendations vary improved barn ventilation, pasture access, and Glen Eaton...................952-922-8666 depending upon the disease. The lungs of outdoor housing) and drug therapy, chances are David Fleishhaker...........651-450-6710 affected horses may have abnormal sounds of very good that the horse can return to full func- Judy Jensen.....................763-972-6397 crackles, wheezes, and gurgles due to the nar- tion as a low to mid-level athlete. RAO is best Trina Joyce..................612-729-7798 rowed airways and excessive mucus. If a managed by preventing the allergens from Sue McDonough..........651-699-8117 horse’s symptoms are very mild, a veterinarian entering the lungs. Medications will typically Marian Robinson.........763-588-0297 may hyperventilate the horse by placing a large only be needed for 2 to 4 weeks if the exposure Jan Schatzlein..............612-825-2459 bag over its nostrils. Hyperventilation ampli- to irritating allergens is minimized. Missie Schwartz...........612-868-6041 fies the sounds coming from the airways and Tom Tweeten...............952-226-4190 lungs and helps to assess lung function. A horse Reprinted from the July 2012 Jennifer Willey.............612-669-7564 with RAO may take longer to recover from the University of Minnesota Horse Newsletter www.minnesotahorsemensdirectory.com www.mnhorsecouncil.org www.mnhorseexpo.org 2 For Horse’s Sake July-August 2012 Minnesota Horse Council News GRANT APPLICATIONS DUE OCTOBER 1 The Minnesota Horse Council (MHC) uses the revenue from the 1. Short cover letter which must include: Minnesota Horse Expo to offer grants to charitable/non-profit a. Full name and address of your organization equine-related organizations in Minnesota. Grants of up to b. Name, address, phone number and email of a contact $7,000 are given as "seed money" to inspire new projects, capi- person within your organization tal improvements, or expansions of existing projects or services. c. Short summary of the organization's history, including a statement of goals and objectives. Schedule d. Short description of the organization's current activities All applications must be received by October 1. During including indication that they are equine-related and not December, Grants will be chosen by the MHC and all applicants breed specific. notified. Grant recipients will receive a Letter of Award signed e. Location of the facilities where activities will be conducted by the MHC Treasurer. At the MHC Annual Meeting in January, f. Description of facilities, including whether they are the Grants will be formally announced. Monies will be paid only owned, or leased (from whom and how long a lease) upon actual initiation of the project. This will be arranged g. Short summary of the project you are proposing between the recipient and the MHC Treasurer. Funds must be h. Short description of the people served by the project used within the year. (who and how many) Eligible Organizations i. Dollar amount of grant requested Equine related 2. Additional page with general information about your Charitable Organizations: Non-profit, Federal 501c3 or organization State of Minnesota registered charity a. Summary copy of your most recent operating budget or Non breed specific financial plan. Non discriminatory practices followed, with equal b. List of officers, directors, and managing employees opportunity for all c. Proof that your organization is non-profit/charitable, such Must not have received an MHC Grant in the past 3 years as a copy of IRS 501c tax status, Minnesota Sales Tax Operations congruent with MHC Goals and Objectives: exemption approval, or MN Secretary of State Registra- - Improve communication with the general public for all tion for Business Corporations (M-SS1) indicating non- horse-related activity. profit charter number. (If not yet received, send a copy of - Gather information of value for horse-related activities and your application.) disseminate that information to horse owners via printed d. Proof that your activities are available to all people material, online, or clinics and seminars. Sample equine- regardless of race, religion, age, gender, disability or related topics: public and private trails, zoning regulation, sexual orientation, e.g., copy of publicity describing your stable safety, legislation, veterinary health, vehicle safety, activities which includes such a non-discrimination legal concerns of horse-owning, humane treatment. statement. - Provide expertise, consultation, and advice in horse-related matters. 3. Additional pages with detailed information about your - Promote and support equine educational activities proposed project a. Clear and specific description of the project (not more Eligible Proposals than three pages). Capital expenditures to build or expand facilities on non- b. Proposed schedule for the project profit owned property c. Detailed budget giving expenditures to start the project New projects or services d. Description of anticipated operating and maintenance Expansion of existing projects or services costs for future years, and details of what income you Research projects will use to meet these costs. Proposals will NOT be accepted for day-to-day operating e. Clear statement as to who will own and operate this project. expenses, normal maintenance and upkeep, year-end or hi-point awards, or improvements to private property. Please include all this information so we can give your proposal our full consideration. We will attempt to notify you if some Applying for a Grant required information is missing, but our volunteer time is limit- Please send the information listed below directly to the Grants ed so it is your responsibility to include all requested informa- Committee at following address: tion. Remember to be brief and succinct. Please feel free to