Bluegrass Equine DIGEST ca.uky.edu/equine ❙ TheHorse.com ❙ MAY 2015

Does Season Impact Old Articles of Interest Horses’ Immune Function? McCue, Squires Publish Equine Embryo Transfer easons impact horses in a variety Researchers know that season im- Manual of fairly obvious ways: Maybe pacts horses’ body weight, voluntary S your horse drops some weight feed intake, and adrenocorticotropic Emerging Equine Diseases: in the winter due to the cold, blows up hormone (ACTH, which plays a role in What You Should Know like a balloon on spring grass, gets a bit pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction lazy in the summer heat, or becomes [PPID], or equine Cushing’s disease) Graduate Student Spotlight: frisky as cooler fall temperatures ar- levels, among others. Kristin M. Pfahl rive. But did you know that season They’ve discovered seasonal changes Integrated Parasite Control: can also impact horses in less appar- in other species, too. Siard said scien- How to Strike a Balance ent internal ways, such as their im- tists have determined that baboons’ mune response? Researchers from the C-reactive protein (an inflammatory Weed of the Month: ­University of Kentucky Gluck Equine cytokine; cytokines are “messenger Hemp Dogbane Research Center, in Lexington, recently molecules” by which cells of the im- sought to determine whether age can mune system signal and instruct one Gluck Center Collaborates intensify those seasonal effects. another) and interleukin-6 (another in- With UK Libraries, Keeneland In a presentation April 30, Melissa flammatory cytokine) levels are lower Library for Arabian Roots Siard, a PhD candidate working under in December compared to July. Exhibit the direction of Amanda Adams, PhD, So she and her colleagues wanted to at the Gluck Center, presented findings determine if aged horses experience UK Veterinary Diagnostic Lab from a study investigating season’s im- similar fluctuations. The team sought Part of Larger Animal Health pact on senior horses’ immune function. to identify the relation between season Monitoring Network and lymphocyte (cells that govern the body’s immune response) proliferation UK Lecture Series Conver- and function. Further, because they sation With Reiner Shawn knew that cortisol (the “stress” hor- Flarida Held April 27 mone) and ACTH levels vary seasonally, UK Equine Farm and Facilities they investigated whether hormone lev- Expo to be Held June 2 els impact immune function. The team employed eight senior and Follow Us on Twitter eight adult horses for their study and collected blood monthly from each ani- The Equine Genetic Toolbox mal. They also tested the aged horses for PPID to compare affected and unaf- Upcoming Events fected horses’ immune responses. For their first objective, the team found that: ­highest in May and July and lowest ■ Both groups of horses collectively in ­December; had higher lymphocyte prolifera- ■ Older horses had higher average tion (immune cells’ ability to divide IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α in response to a stimulus, such as a (TNF-α, another cytokine) produc- pathogen) in October and November tion as well as a higher percentage of and lower lymphocyte proliferation lymphocytes producing IFN-γ and in May. TNF-α than adult horses; ■ Old horses’ interferon-gamma ■ Old horses’ TNF-α levels were highest (IFN-γ, another type of inflamma- in August and October and lowest in In the study, senior horses' inflammation levels tory cytokine) production was high- December and January; and increased in the spring and their lymphocyte est in March, June, and October ■ There were no significant differenc- ­proliferation increased in the fall. and lowest in January, August, and es in immune response between old

ISTOCK.COM December; adult horses’ levels were non-PPID and PPID horses.

1 Bluegrass Equine Digest ❙ ca.uky.edu/equine ❙ TheHorse.com ❙ May 2015

Immune Function Conclusions Based on their results, the team reached several conclusions, Siard said, MASTHEAD Siard said these results indicate that including: both age and season impact horses’ lym- ■ Senior horses had increased inflam- ■ University of Kentucky Ag Equine phocyte function. She said she suspects mation compared to adults; Programs ■  these impacts could be due to a number The older horses’ inflammation levels Jenny Evans, MFA, co-managing editor of factors, including stress hormone increased in the spring and lymphocyte and ­interim executive director of the levels, vitamin D and melatonin levels, proliferation increased in the fall; and Gluck Equine Research Foundation, available forage sources, temperature, ■ Adult horses did not have increased [email protected] and more. lymphocyte proliferation compared to Holly Wiemers, MA, APR, co-managing For their second objective, the team seniors. editor and communications direc- tor of UK Ag Equine Programs, holly. determined that: Siard said future research could [email protected] ■ Cortisol levels did not vary signifi- help determine whether seasonality cantly for old or young horses, but did could impact senior horses’ response to ■ Bluegrass Equine Digest vary seasonally with increases in April ­vaccination. Advisory Board for old horses and in April and July for “The seasonality of lymphocyte func- Bob Coleman, PhD, PAS, associate profes- adult horses; and tion could indicate when horses are sor, director of undergraduate studies ■ There was a trend toward age impact- more likely to be susceptible to disease as for equine science and management ing ACTH levels, but both groups ex- well as when inflammatory disorders are and extension horse specialist perienced a significant increase in more likely to flare up,” she explained. David Horohov, MS, PhD, interim chair of UK's Department of Veterinary Science ACTH levels in October. “This research provides a foundational and interim director of the UK Gluck These seasonal hormone changes understanding of the fluctuations of the Equine Research Center suggest a possible relationship with im- immune systems of senior horses, in Ray Smith, PhD, professor and forage mune seasonal changes. However, the hopes that we can better manage their extension specialist in the department researchers found few correlations be- health by predicting in advance when of plant and soil sciences tween the hormones and immune mark- they may be immunocompromised.” Ed Squires, PhD, Dipl. ACT (hon.), profes- sor, UK Gluck Equine Research Center ers, suggesting hormones do not play a Jill Stowe, PhD, director of UK Ag Equine strong role in regulating immune func- >Erica Larson is the news editor for The Horse Programs and associate professor tion seasonally. and TheHorse.com. in the department of agricultural ­economics

■ Bluegrass Equine Digest McCue, Squires Publish Equine Embryo Editorial Committee Craig Carter, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVPM, Transfer Manual director and professor of the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Laurie Lawrence, PhD, professor in atrick McCue, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, a professor at Col- the department of animal and food Porado State University (CSU), and Edward Squires, MS, sciences PhD, Dipl. ACT (Hon.), a professor at the University of Ken- Krista Lea, MS, assistant coordinator of tucky Gluck Equine Research Center, recently teamed up to UK’s Horse Pasture Evaluation Program publish a manual titled Equine Embryo Transfer. in the department of plant and soil Targeted toward veterinary practitioners and students, sciences William W. Witt, PhD, professor emeritus the manual is based on a combination of basic science, ap- in the department of plant and soil plied research, and clinical experience gained from the com- sciences mercial equine embryo transfer program at CSU and other programs around the world. ■ The Horse: Your Guide to In the preface, McCue and Squires write, “It is our hope Equine Health Care that experienced practitioners will find useful tips in this Alexandra Beckstett, Managing Editor manual to enhance embryo collection success or post-transfer pregnancy rates. New Brian Turner, Layout and Design graduates and current students may utilize the manual to gain a basic understanding of reproductive principles as well as clinical techniques.” The Bluegrass Equine Digest is a registered Chapter topics range from a brief history to future directions of equine embryo trademark of the University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs and Gluck Equine Research Center. The transfer. The manual contains all the information needed to set up and succeed in an Bluegrass Equine Digest is produced by the University equine embryo transfer program. The manual’s format and size allows the technician of Kentucky in partnership with TheHorse.com and or veterinarian to have it in the clinic or laboratory as a readily available reference sponsor Zoetis. It is published monthly to provide up-to-date information on equine research from guide. the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, The 172-page manual was published by Teton NewMedia and can be purchased on Food and Environment. Research material is meant Amazon. to be shared. However, materials are copyrighted and require reprint permission from UK Ag Equine Programs. Past issues of the Bluegrass Equine Digest >Jenny Evans, MFA, is the interim executive director of the Gluck Equine Research Foundation and are available at www2.ca.uky.edu/equine/bed. marketing and promotion specialist senior at the Gluck Equine Research Center.

2 Bluegrass Equine Digest ❙ ca.uky.edu/equine ❙ TheHorse.com ❙ May 2015

emergent diseases are zoo- “Countries at greatest risk, Emerging Equine Diseases: notic, meaning they can be obviously, are those with a transmitted between horses significant import/export What You Should Know and people and, thus, are trade in semen as well as important to public health. live animals,” said Tim- ot long ago, we didn’t said, “horses are not exempt Such conditions include oney, and that includes the Nknow that some now- when it comes to emergent acute equine respiratory United States. So how can common equine diseases diseases.” syndrome and equine granu- we reduce the risk of a new even existed. Potomac horse locytic ehrlichiosis, Timoney disease being imported into fever, hendra virus infection, Emergent Infectious said. our home nation? and contagious equine me- Diseases in Horses “Monitoring, surveillance, tritis, among others, were all Since 1969, many Mitigating Emergent and prompt reporting of sus- once considered emergent ­diseases—most of which are Disease Risk pect cases of foreign animal, diseases. Today there are commonplace today—have “The horse is a global trav- emergent, or re-emergent likely many more conditions been documented for the eler and, consequently, can diseases to the appropriate just waiting to make their first time in horses around be responsible for spreading authorities is of critical sig- first appearance or spread the world. And, Timoney a disease over a much larger nificance in safeguarding the across an international said, “the list will continue geographic area than was health integrity of a nation’s border into a previously to grow. Of that, there’s no initially the case,” Timoney equine industry,” Timoney unaffected country. question.” said. “The threat posed by said. At the recent 2015 Uni- Some of the emergent an emergent disease being The equine practitioner versity of Kentucky Equine diseases identified since the introduced into a coun- plays a key role in any sur- Showcase, held in Lex- late 1960s only affect breed- try’s equine population is veillance program. He said ington, Peter J. Timoney, ing animals (such as mare ­significant.” field veterinarians are on the FRCVS, PhD, shared some reproductive loss syndrome He explained that market “front line” when it comes to important insight into and contagious equine forces have contributed to identifying suspect emer- emerging equine diseases. metritis), while others can horses becoming an inter- gent disease cases and are Timoney is a professor and affect any horse, young or national commodity and, critically important as “first- former department chair old (such as Potomac horse thus, have increased the risk responders” when faced with and director of the Universi- fever and coronavirus). of disease spreading over such cases. ty of Kentucky Gluck Equine More importantly, some international borders. Other factors crucial to a Research Center, also in Lexington. Disease Causal Agent(s) Where and When Reported What is an Emergent Equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis Anaplasma phagocytophilum United States in 1969 Disease? Equine encephalosis Encephalosis virus South Africa in 1970 Emergent diseases are those that are recorded for Contagious equine metritis Taylorella equigenitalis and pos- Ireland and the United Kingdom in 1977; the first time in a population sibly T. asinigenitalis United States in 1978 (such as Potomac horse fe- ver or hendra virus) or those Getah virus infection Getah virus Japan in 1978 that might have been around Potomac horse fever (equine Neorickettsia risticii United States in 1984 for a period of time, but had ­neorickettsiosis) not been diagnosed (like mare reproductive loss syn- Enterocolitis Clostridium difficile, C. perfrin- United States in 1987; Europe and the gens A, B, C, and D United States (re-emergence) in 1993 drome or contagious equine metritis), Timoney said. Nocardioform placentitis Crossiella equi, Amycolatopsis United States in 1986 and (re-emergence) Factors contributing to kentuckyensis, A. lexingtonensis, in 2003 disease emergence include: Cellulomonas cellulans ■ Microbial change and Acute equine respiratory syndrome Hendra virus Australia in 1994 adaptation; ■ Host susceptibility to Proliferative enteropathy Lawsonia intracellularis Canada in 2000 infection; ■ Climate change; Mare reproductive loss syndrome Eastern tent caterpillar United States in 2001 ■ Altered ecosystems; Airway disease Nicoletella semolina Europe in 2004 ■ Changing population ­demographics, Equine amionitis and fetal loss Processionary caterpillar Australia in 2004 ■ International movement Cryptococcal infections Cryptococcus gattii Canada in 2005 and trade; and ■ Land use and economic Equine coronavirus enteritis Coronavirus Japan in 2011 development. Theiler’s disease Theiler’s disease-associated virus United States in 2013 And, of course, Timoney

3 Bluegrass Equine Digest ❙ ca.uky.edu/equine ❙ TheHorse.com ❙ May 2015

Emerging Equine Diseases Timoney encouraged owners to un- dertake a thorough import-risk analysis Integrated Parasite prior to bringing horses, semen, em- Control: How to successful disease surveillance program bryos, and other related items into the include: country and to utilize pre-export and Strike a Balance ■ A good understanding of endemic post-import quarantines and testing. and transboundary diseases; eworming protocols have changed ■ Prompt reporting of suspected cases Take-Home Message Dradically over the past decade, of emergent diseases; Many equine diseases have emerged thanks to research into how to best man- ■ Laboratory confirmation of an since the late 1960s, and it’s probable age parasite control within herds and in- emergent disease case as soon that scientists will discover many more dividual horses. One of the pioneers of as possible—don’t­ wait, Timoney in the future. While we might not nec- this research is Martin Nielsen, DVM, stressed; and essarily be able to prevent their spread, PhD, Dipl. EVPC, Dipl. ACVM, profes- ■ Constant vigilance for the presence of we can certainly take steps to reduce sor at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck an emergent disease. their likelihood of jumping internation- Equine Research Center. He described He also noted that it’s important for al borders. current parasite control recommenda- horse owners to “become educated. tions and emerging technologies in this Don’t expect someone else to be your >Erica Larson is the news editor for The Horse field during the 2014 American Associa- sole source of information.” and TheHorse.com. tion of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 6-10 in Salt Lake City, Utah. For a parasite control strategy to be ef- grad student spotlight fective, the owner and practitioner must balance treatment and surveillance. Kristin M. Pfahl “Monitoring of dewormer efficacy is re- quired for herd health,” Nielsen began. From: Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania “Egg counts are here to stay!” Degrees and institute where received: He first listed individual worm types BS, Biology, Slippery Rock University and described some significant points MS, Veterinary Science, University of about each for horse owners and veteri- narians to consider: Kentucky, August 2015 ■ Ascarids (roundworms) This year’s Kristin Pfahl, MS, has lived in Lexington, Kentucky, since foals are infecting next year’s foals, May 2004 when she came to work for Carol McLeod, DVM. said Nielsen, because ascarid eggs In September of that year, Pfahl was hired at the University are environmentally resistant (i.e., of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She began capable of withstanding fairly warm working toward her master’s degree in 2009 at the UK Gluck summer temperatures and cold ex- Equine Research Center under Udeni Balasuriya, BVSc, MS, tremes in winter). Of the deworming PhD, professor of virology. drugs used, ivermectin and moxidec- Pfahl has worked part-time to complete research for her master’s degree, which focuses on tin are ineffective for controlling these evaluating and validating a commercially-available competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent worms; pyrantel salts might or might assay (cELISA) for detecting antibodies specific to equine arteritis virus (EAV). EAV causes equine not work; and benzimidazoles are still viral arteritis (EVA), which is an upper respiratory tract and reproductive disease in horses. EVA doing a pretty good job, he said. negatively impacts the breeding industry by causing abortions in pregnant mares and establish- ■ Small strongyles (­cyathostomins) ing carrier states in stallions. There are 50 different small strongyle Exported horses as well as those at public auctions require EVA testing. The virus neutral- species, the larvae of which encyst in ization test, which detects virus antibodies, is most common and recommended by the World the walls of horses’ large intestines. Organisation for Animal Health. This test requires large amounts of time and finances, however, Ivermectin and moxidectin do not and is not standardized between laboratories. control these worms as effectively as “The purpose of my project was to further validate a new test method that is already com- they did in the past, and Nielsen said mercially available but not widely accepted,” Pfahl said. “The cELISA test method has a faster we are now seeing shorter egg reap- turnaround time, it can be standardized, and it is less expensive than the virus neutralization test, pearance intervals after deworming. among other benefits.” On a majority of farms, neither­ pyran- Pfahl said she chose to pursue a master’s degree in veterinary science so she could apply the tel salts nor benzimidazoles are effec- knowledge and understanding of virology to her career as a veterinary diagnostician. tive against small strongyles. “This project has really emphasized to me the importance of applied research to the improve- ■ Tapeworms These parasites are pres- ment of veterinary diagnostic testing,” she said. ent in 20-80% of horses, depending on After completing her degree, Pfahl will relocate to California. There she hopes to continue geographic location, and can cause working at a diagnostic laboratory or within the biotechnology industry. spasmodic colic in the cecum (the part of the gut between the small and large >Hannah Forte is a communication intern with UK Ag Equine Programs and the Gluck Equine intestines) and impaction of the ileum Research Center and an undergraduate student majoring in community and leadership develop- (the last segment of the small intes- ment at UK. tine before the cecum). Veterinarians

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Integrated Parasite Control Weed of the Month have not reported resistance of tapeworms to praziquantel Common name: Hemp dogbane and pyrantel salts because there are no methods to measure resistance, Nielsen said. Scientific name: Apocynum cannabinum L. ■ Large strongyles These are now very rare because of all de- Life Cycle: Perennial wormer classes’ efficacy against them. Origin: North America Nielsen notes that there is no single drug to treat all parasite Poisonous: Yes categories. Therefore, owners and veterinarians must perform routine fecal egg counts to know which parasites are not being Hemp dogbane, sometimes called Indian hemp, grows throughout well-addressed by parasite drugs used on their farm. most of North America. This creeping perennial broadleaf weed can Veterinarians and horse owners frequently ask whether any reach 5 feet tall. Mature plants of the current larvicidal approaches are effective in controlling are woody at the base. This small strongyles in the face of widespread parasite resistance ­species is frequently found in in herds they manage. Are there ways they should be adjusting pastures and rangeland. It re- their approach, or is it a lost cause? produces from seeds and buds In one recent study, Nielsen said researchers in Tennessee on creeping, horizontal roots evaluated the two available larvicidal treatment regimens— and from crown buds of the moxidectin and the five-day double dose of fenbendazole—in parent plant. Hemp dogbane a population of horses harboring small strongyles that were forms colonies of plants from resistant to a single dose of fenbendazole. The group found the creeping roots. that the five-day fenbendazole regimen was 33.4% effective for Hemp dogbane has small treating encysted small strongyles in the intestinal lining, as white flowers in its terminal. compared to 61.7% with moxidectin. While moxidectin efficacy Leaves and stems contain a white, milky sap. This plant has more was within the expected range, the fenbendazole regimen’s ef- branching than other milkweed plants, and the leaves contain few, if ficacy was significantly below historic levels. This trend is likely any, hairs. to be found elsewhere, Nielsen noted. Hemp dogbane is poisonous to horses, with the leaves being toxic The best way to battle this trend is to know where your hors- at all times. Dried leaves in hay are also toxic. The toxic substance es stand with serial testing. “To accurately determine fecal egg is a glycoside and might cause digestive disturbances, diarrhea, and count reduction testing (FECRT), it is necessary to do both a overall weakness. pretreatment and follow-up egg count 10-14 days after treat- Controlling hemp dogbane in pastures is very difficult. Mowing is ment,” Nielsen said. Many people are only looking at pretreat- generally ineffective, and treatment with herbicides might require mul- ment egg counts, yet post-treatment egg counts are important tiple applications. Consult your local Cooperative Extension Service for evaluating drug efficacy, he explained. personnel for a list of herbicidal controls in your area. Nielsen also pointed out that performing egg counts for a clinical diagnosis on a sick horse is useless: “The mere pres- >William W. Witt, PhD, professor emeritus in Plant and Soil Sciences, ence of parasite eggs and/or larvae in the feces does not equate provided this information. with parasitic disease,” he said. A negative fecal egg count does not necessarily mean the horse is worm-free, just that the adult worms are not laying eggs at that time. And, just because a horse has a positive fecal egg count doesn’t mean that a para- counts for treatment should be somewhere between 100 to site infection is the reason for an illness. 500 eggs per gram (epg). He finished with a few take-home messages: ■ We cannot eliminate worm burdens entirely: “An immune ■ Parasite drug resistance is not an individual diagnosis. Many system that coevolves with parasites is best, as the worms individuals within a herd must be tested to confirm­resistance. stimulate and improve the immune system,” Nielsen said. ■ Twenty percent of horses excrete 80% of the total egg out- One recently applied technique for monitoring ascarid bur- put in a herd. Egg counts are very useful for identifying high dens in foals is abdominal ultrasound. Nielsen’s team complet- strongyle egg shedders within a herd of adult horses. ed a study in which they used this technique with good results. ■ Obtain egg counts in foals at weaning age. “They can have Nielsen also described a technology called the Parasight sys- ascarids, strongyles, or both,” Nielsen said. “In a majority of tem, which can quantify egg counts in a smartphone photo of situations there is no single anthelmintic that would effec- a fluorescent-stained fecal sample. This will be available in the tively treat both, so testing is required in order to select the near future, he said. correct dewormer.” Because internal parasites are here to stay, an integrated par- ■ Research results suggest that the cutoff point in fecal egg asite control program is critical to providing science-based pre- ventive health care. This relies on vigilant monitoring through once or twice yearly fecal egg count reduction testing balanced Parasite and Growth Rates in Foals—and More with deworming programs designed to treat the specific needs Dr. Martin Nielsen shares cutting-edge information about equine of each individual horse and farm. parasite control in this seminar. Does your dewormer work? Find out at TheHorse.com/35723. >Nancy S. Loving, DVM, owns Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, and has a special interest in managing the care of sport horses.

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Gluck Center Collaborates With UK Libraries, Arabian Roots

Keeneland Library for Arabian Roots Exhibit The Pedigree of Kentucky Thoroughbreds

A new exhibit at William T. Young Library traces the heritage of the modern Thoroughbred horses bred in Kentucky to a stock of Arabian horses imported to England between the late 17th PHYSICAL EXHIBIT RUN DATES EXHIBIT OVERVIEW

and early 18th centuries. As part of the University of Kentucky Libraries and the UK College of April 27 - July 31, 2015 The exhibit highlights the William T. Young Library centrality of Arabian horses to Arts and Sciences' continued focus on the Year of the Middle East, “Arabian Roots: The Pedigree Core 1 of the Hub the history of the Thoroughbred breeding industry, features of Kentucky Thoroughbreds” illustrates prominent sires’ bloodlines and shows links to Central prominent early Thoroughbred sires, and spotlights select Kentucky horses. The exhibit opened April 27. celebrated Kentucky VIRTUAL EXHIBIT URL Thoroughbreds.

“Arabian Roots” includes wall panels along with display cases featuring artifacts and books http://uknowledge.uky.edu/ world_yome_arabian_roots

on some of the Central Kentucky sires. The exhibit panels show the evolving Thoroughbred from EXHIBIT DEVELOPED BY:

the Darley Arabian through William T. Young’s famed Storm Cat. The physical exhibit, which runs University of Kentucky Libraries through July 31, is located in Core 1 of The Hub in Young Library. EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION The Keeneland Library

“Arabian Roots” also includes a virtual exhibit that can be found in UKnowledge, the univer- April 27, 2015 at 1:00 PM Maxwell H. Gluck Equine William T. Young Library Research Center Core 1 of the Hub sity’s institutional repository at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/world_yome_arabian_roots. IN COLLABORATION WITH: A satellite exhibit with additional artifacts is also on display in the John A. Morris Library at the

The Pyramid Society Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center. EXHIBIT RESEARCH GUIDE All exhibits and events are free and open to the public. International Museum of the Horse http://libguides.uky.edu/ Special Collections Research Center “Arabian Roots” was developed by UK Libraries, The Keeneland Library, and the Gluck Equine arabian_roots Digital Lab Research Center in collaboration with the Pyramid Society and the International Museum of the Horse.

>Whitney Hale is an information specialist senior in the University of Kentucky public relations office.

Arabian Sires 11 Kentucky Thoroughbreds The Foundation of Thoroughbred Breeding Storm Cat by Storm Bird, out of Terlingua Race Record – 8: 4-3-0

Arabian horses have always been, and still are, the best Storm Cat showed great promise as a horses in the world; from them 2-year-old, but his racing career ended early are descended the finest horses due to injuries. He finished first or second in in Europe, in Africa, and in Asia.

seven of his eight starts in 1985.

T. Hornby Morland, 1810, from The Arab Horse by Spencer Borden UK Libraries William T. Young Library SF293.A8 B7 1906 Storm Cat claimed victory at the Young America Stakes at Meadowlands, and

placed second by a Storm Cat

“Imported Arab Horse” nose to Tasso in the Keeneland Library

Storm Cat, Chris McCarron up

Tony Leonard Photographic Collection Keeneland Library A History of the English Turf Brent Gamma Photographic Collection By Theodore Andrea Cook Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center SF345 .C77

After sustaining injuries that year, Storm Cat retired from racing to Overbrook Farm in As his offspring registered more

Lexington. In his early years at stud, he wins and his sons proved successful Two millennia after the commanded moderate stud fees. stallions in their own right, Storm domestication of the first Cat’s stud fee rose to $500,000. horses, the Arabian appeared, becoming one of the oldest Storm Cat was the leading sire in North recognizable breeds in America in 1999 and 2000. As of 2013, ancient art and the he had sired 8 champions, 108 winners archaeological record. of group or graded stakes races, and 180 stakes winners around the world with earnings exceeding $125 million. From the earliest history of “Winter’s Arabian” Broadside the breed, Arabians were Lexington, Kentucky March 1824 He is descended on both sides of his valued for their endurance, UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center pedigree from the Darley Arabian. brilliant performance in

warfare, and elite status Storm Cat died at the age of 30 at among horses. Overbrook Farm. A tapestry depicting

No horse has had as great of

William T. Young and Storm Cat hangs

effect on the history of light horse From A Gift from the Desert: The Art, History, and Culture of the Arabian Horse Storm Cat in William T. Young Library atrium. By Sandra L. Olsen and Cynthia Culbertson breeds as has the Arabian breed. The Keeneland Library Keeneland Library

SF293.A8 O47 2010 Tony Leonard Photographic Collection Bill Cooke, 2010, from A Gift from the Desert: The Art, History, and Culture of the Arabian Horse By Sandra L. Olsen and Cynthia Culbertson The Keeneland Library SF293.A8 O47 2010

UK Veterinary ­network—the National Animal Health network enables labs to test for diseas- Laboratory Network (NAHLN)—that es that pose serious threats to animal ­Diagnostic Lab Part of tracks disease progress and performs di- health, such as the recent avian influen- Larger Animal­ Health agnostic tests on thousands of samples za epidemics as well as foot-and-mouth each year. The network is a cooperative disease, classical swine fever, mad cow Monitoring­ Network­ effort between two federal agencies with- disease, and many others.” ith the recent poultry and canine in the U.S. Department of ­Agriculture— Carter said the network is a vital early Winfluenza outbreaks, the Univer- the Animal and Plant Health Inspection warning system for emerging and for- sity of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Service and the National Institute of eign animal disease, diseases that can be Food and Environment’s Veterinary Di- Food and Agriculture—and the Ameri- accidentally or deliberately introduced agnostic Lab (UKVDL) has been on high can Association of Veterinary Labora- to the United States from abroad. With- alert. But the lab is always in-the-know tory Diagnosticians. out an early warning system, foot-and- on animal disease situations, including “The NAHLN is a strategic partner- mouth disease, for instance, could easily equine diseases, throughout the state ship of veterinary labs around the coun- cost U.S. agriculture more than $125 bil- and the country. try,” said Craig Carter, DVM, PhD, Dipl. lion in decreased revenues for corn and The UKVDL is part of a larger ACVPM, director of the UKVDL. “The soybeans and more than 150,000 lost

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UK Veterinary Lab establish a framework for animal health “By keeping a watchful eye on animal monitoring that provides critical infor- disease in Kentucky and elsewhere in mation sharing and an emergency re- the United States, we can also increase jobs over the course of an outbreak. sponse system that can protect animal consumer confidence in animal agricul- “Being able to quickly identify disease, agriculture.” ture and ensure positive relationships warn of its presence, and stop the spread The early detection of animal diseases with our global trading partners,” Carter is a very important part of ensuring a can also help protect human health. For said. safe, stable, and nutritious food supply example, avian influenza virus has the in the United States,” Carter said. “As potential for mutating into a strain that >Aimee Nielson is an agriculture communica- part of the larger network, we’ve helped can infect people. tion specialist at the University of Kentucky.

UK Lecture Series Notoriously superstitious—always Previous series speakers include Keene- showing in a green shirt—Flarida’s stat- land’s Nick Nicholson, accomplished Conversation­ With ed focus is on working hard at home and equestrienne Nina Bonnie, Keeneland’s Reiner Shawn Flarida being the best horseman he can be. His Ted Bassett, Zenyatta owners Jerry and official website is thegreenshirt.com. Ann Moss, Olympian Reed Kessler, and a Held April 27 The Distinguished Lecture Series be- double header featuring both Thorough- gan in fall 2009 and has become one bred trainer Graham Motion and three- hawn Flarida, National Reining of UK Ag Equine Programs’ signature day eventer Buck Davidson.­ SHorse Association’s (NRHA) leading events. It is designed to showcase impor- rider, all-time money earner, and a mem- tant figures from the equine industry in >Holly Wiemers, MA, APR, is communications ber of the NRHA Hall of Fame, spoke at an informal setting. director for UK Ag Equine Programs. the University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs’ Distinguished Industry Lec- ture Series April 27 in the Gluck Equine Research Center’s au- ditorium. The talk was moder-

ated by the College of A g C omm COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, Agriculture, Food and FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT www.ca.uky.edu/equine www.ca.uky.edu [email protected]

Environment’s equine /UK tton industry advisory

committee chair and S t eve Pa long-time program Shawn Flarida supporter Norm Luba. UK Ag Equine Programs It was live-streamed on the college’s ­YouTube channel, and an archived ver- sion of the talk is available at youtube. World-class research in equine com/watch?v=R6T1Bwf6oCo. Sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medi- health, nutrition, economics, cal Institute, the event was free and at- forages and more tracted approximately 75 attendees. Flarida is the first-ever Five Million Dollar Rider. He has five NRHA open Undergraduate and graduate futurity championships to his name and has won the All-American Quarter Horse opportunities and seven Congress futurity 11 times. student teams and clubs Additionally, he was an individual and team gold medal winner at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Year-round programs and Spain, riding for Team USA. In 2010 he educational materials for was the high scoring rider in the World Equestrian Games team competition horse owners, farm managers and led Team USA to the gold medal. and equine professionals Flarida knew from a very early age The horse what he wanted to do when he grew up. is at the heart In 1988 he graduated from high school and went to work for his brother, Mike of everything Flarida, who had an established and suc- we do. cessful business as a reining trainer. In The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization. 1989 Flarida branched out on his own.

7 OR YOU COULD JUST USE WEST NILE-INNOVATOR® Mosquitoes may be small, but as transmitters of West Nile virus, they can cause big problems for your horse. Talk with your veterinarian about WEST NILE-INNOVATOR ®, the West Nile vaccine that has helped protect more horses than any other. 1

1 Data on file, sales report data from 2001 through October 2012, Zoetis Inc. All trademarks are the property of Zoetis, Inc., its affiliates and/or its licensors. ©2013 Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. EQB13005 WestNileInnovator.com/Horse Bluegrass Equine Digest ❙ ca.uky.edu/equine ❙ TheHorse.com ❙ May 2015

UK Equine Farm and UK Ag Equine Programs presents in conjuction with McPeek Racing Facilities Expo to be 7th Annual Equine Farm & Facilities Expo McPeek Racing specializes in selection, management and training Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30-8 p.m. Held June 2 of Thoroughbred racehorses.Kenny meal provided McPeek serves on the board of UK Magdalena Farm, 2651 Russell Cave Road, Lexington Ag Equine Programs and has been RSVP appreciated to Fayette County niversity of Kentucky (UK) Ag Equine training racehorses since 1985. Extension Office Programs will host an Equine Farm (859)257-5582 U [email protected] and Facilities Expo from 3:30 to 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 2 at McPeek Racing’s Magdalena Farm in Lexington. Horse owners and farm managers will have the opportunity to walk through a vendor trade show and see a range of equipment and supplies for horse farms of all sizes. UK specialists will provide hands-on instruction about practical as- pects of equine operation management. Agenda: There will also be farm tours. 3:30-5 p.m., Registration & Trade Show 4-5 p.m., Farm Tours “The expo provides horse owners the 5 p.m., Welcome, Kenny McPeek, “What I look for in a yearling” chance to attend an informative event on 5:45 p.m., Meal and Announcements the grounds of a working horse farm,” 6:30-8 p.m., Educational Stations: • Dr. Bob Coleman, “Footing for where your horses work” said Ray Smith, PhD, forage extension • Dr. J.D. Green, “Pasture weed management” specialist for the College of Agriculture, • Mr. Ryan Martin, “Landscape decisions on horse farms” Food and Environment. “We appreci- ate Kenny McPeek for hosting this event and for opening the farm’s gates to the ­public.” Nick Carter, Fayette County agriculture and natural resources extension agent, Now You Can Follow us on Twitter, Too said the expo is a unique opportunity for owners of farms of all sizes to learn about The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment has sev- a range of topics. “There are not many eral equine-related social media pages with the latest news and events information. other venues around that allow horse The UK Ag Equine Programs recently joined Twitter. Follow us at UKAgEquine. owners this kind of opportunity,” he said. The UK Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center is also on Twitter at UKGluckCenter. UK experts will lead demonstrations Got Facebook? Like these pages administered by us: on subjects including footing for where University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs: UK Ag Equine Programs is an overarch- horses work, pasture weed management, ing framework for all things equine at the University of Kentucky, including the under- and landscape decisions on horse farms. graduate degree program, equine-related student organizations, equine research, and In addition, McPeek will share what he outreach activities. looks for in a Thoroughbred yearling. University of Kentucky Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center: The mission of There will also be a number of informa- the Gluck Center is scientific discovery, education and dissemination of knowledge for the tional booths staffed by UK ­specialists. benefit of the health and well-being of horses. McPeek Racing specializes in the selec- University of Kentucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program: The University of Ken- tion, management, and training of Thor- tucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program is a service program offered to horse farms in oughbred racehorses. McPeek serves on Kentucky with the goal of overall improved pasture management. Regardless of breed or UK Ag Equine Programs’ board and has discipline, the programs goals are to: provide detailed pasture management recommenda- been training racehorses since 1985. tion to horse farm owners and managers; help improve pastureland to increase quality The farm is located at 2651 Russell and quantity of pasture as a feed source and reduce the need for stored feeds such as Cave Road in Lexington. Learn more hay and grain; and assess the potential risk of fescue toxicity of individual pastures to about it at http://mcpeekracing.com. pregnant broodmares. Admission to the expo is free, and a Kentucky Equine Networking Association (created by the Kentucky Horse Council meal will be provided. Reservations are and University of Kentucky): The mission of the Kentucky Equine Networking Associa- appreciated. Contact the Fayette County tion (KENA) is to provide an educational and social venue for equine professionals and Extension office at 859/257-5582 to re- other horse enthusiasts from all disciplines to share ideas and business strategies, and serve a spot. For more information about obtain current knowledge on horse and farm management with the principal objective of this and other UK Ag Equine Programs enhancing individual horse ownership and the horse industry at large. events, visit ca.uky.edu/equine or e-mail Saddle Up SAFELY: Saddle Up SAFELY is a rider safety awareness program sponsored [email protected]. by UK HealthCare, UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and many community organizations. It aims to make a great sport safer though education about safe riding and >Holly Wiemers, MA, APR, is communications horse handling practices. director for UK Ag Equine Programs.

9 Bluegrass Equine Digest ❙ ca.uky.edu/equine ❙ TheHorse.com ❙ May 2015

The Equine Genetic Toolbox Upcoming events June 2, 3:30-8 p.m. athryn Graves, PhD, associate professor and Equine Farm and Facility Expo, McPeek Racing Farm, Lexington, K Kentucky director of the Animal Ge- netic Testing and Research Laboratory at the University of Kentucky, spoke about muscle function, dwarfism, carriers of an undesirable genetic testing at the 6th and more. trait. Tests for complicated Annual Kentucky Breeders’ During her presentation traits, such as performance, Short Course, in Lexington, Graves spent a substantial and complex diseases, such Kentucky. Genetic testing amount of time discuss- as laminitis or developmen- encompasses any test that ing coat color genetics in tal disorders, are on the detects differences at an particular. She broke down horizon. However, the cur- individual’s DNA level. This the genes and characteris- rent tests available are useful includes parentage, heritable tics of various coat colors, tools to avoid producing disease, and trait testing. as well as the homozygotes horses with heritable diseas- DNA is made up of ISTOCK.COM (an organism with identical es, and breeders should use four nucleotides, or basic Breeders can use color gene tests to pairs of genes, or alleles, for them if one of those diseases produce horses with desirable coats. structural units, labeled A, a specific trait) of mutations. is present in their breed. C, G, and T. Microsatellites normal horses for a disease She also discussed cloning They can use the color gene are DNA segments made of mutation or color variation. and the reasons for its use. tests to produce horses with short, repetitive nucleotide The closer a marker is to the She said cloning can be used coat colors that make them sequences (e.g., CACACACA).­ gene, the greater the linkage to recover a valuable breed- more marketable or to avoid Researchers can use mic- (association). The researcher ing animal, create a breed- problems caused by some rosatellites to study par- can then use the gene map ing animal from a gelding of the coat color mutations entage, because each one to look for genes near mark- or infertile mare, recreate that are deleterious when has a number of possible ers and to sequence the a successful performance homozygous. The bottom variants (alleles) based on gene. animal, or to reproduce an line is that breeders need to the number of repeats. The Another type of marker is animal because of emotional take advantage of the genetic Animal Genetic Testing and a single nucleotide polymor- attachment. tools available to increase Research Laboratory uses 17 phism (SNP)—a single base Graves concluded by their chances for the best microsatellites to generate change in the DNA sequence explaining that genetic possible outcomes. DNA profiles for individual that can have profound ef- testing is still in its early horses as well as to confirm fects on phenotype (all of an stages. She said that, moving >Hannah Forte is a communication parentage. organism’s observable char- forward, it is important to intern with UK Ag Equine Programs Scientists can also use acteristics). Many SNPs are not try to eliminate genetic and the Gluck Equine Research microsatellites to find responsible for coat color disease genes in horses too Center and an undergraduate mutations by comparing variants but can also be quickly. There is the danger student majoring in commu- the alleles of microsatellites associated with other traits of eliminating good traits nity and leadership development present in affected versus such as fertility, body type, accidently by removing all at UK.

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