2010 AAEPWrap-Up sponsored by

Equine Welfare

By Erica Larson Equine Welfare Issues: An Overview One of the AAEP’s ongoing goals is to address the welfare issues that many hors- es and their owners face. Midge Leitch, VMD, of Londonderry Equine Clinic in Pennsylvania and immediate past chair of the AAEP Welfare Committee, described three key steps the AAEP has taken—and continues to take—to improve equine wel- fare in the United States. The Unwanted Horse: The Beginning She began by describing the phrase, “un- wanted horse.” The first time that many Americans heard this was in 2005, when the AAEP hosted the first Unwanted Horse ee dings y me rri am /AAEP Proc Summit, a one-day conference at which presenters and attendees addressed appar-

ent welfare issues in the industry. co u r te sy dr. j a The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) An “Equitarian” conducts a deworming clinic for horse owners in the developing world. was born out of the summit. According to addressing the issues and recommending “The AAEP Welfare Committee is mem- the UHC website, the group “represents a steps to bring an end to these inhumane ber-driven,” Leitch said, explaining that the broad alliance of equine organizations that practices. As a direct result of the white pa- issues the committee explores are those have united under the auspices of Ameri- per, the USDA introduced thermography that the membership considers top prior- can Horse Council to educate the horse in- as a screening process to detect inflamma- ity. A recent survey of the AAEP member- dustry about the unwanted horse issue.” tion or irritation of the lower legs during ship showed the top five concerns within The UHC has supported and continues pre-competition examinations. In 2009 the veterinary community to be unwanted to back the welfare mission through mea- the task force addressed the more recently horses, slaughter-related problems, racing sures that include hosting low-cost gelding utilized soring technique of pressure shoe- issues (such as breakdowns, retirement clinics, developing a welfare speaker series ing—a method that that makes a horse’s and medication abuse), the soring of Ten- and launching/distributing a newsletter forefeet tender and results in the same ex- nessee Walking Horses and American Sad- designed to educate readers about respon- aggerated gait known as the “big lick.” dlebreds and wild horse management. sible ownership, including breeding prac- She added that the USDA’s Animal and Leitch said that in May 2010 the Welfare tices and equine welfare. Plant Health Inspection Service, in its ef- Committee convened at a meeting to exam- Tennessee Walking Horse Issues Next on forts to enforce the HPA by inspecting ine responses to the membership survey. Leitch’s agenda were the steps taken by horses at competitions for any signs of sor- Stemming from the discussions that took the AAEP to improve the welfare of Ten- ing or pressure shoeing, has most recently place, the committee agreed to begin: nessee Walking Horses, which are often implemented a protocol that sets mini- n Drafting a position paper on principles the victims of soring (deliberate injury to a mum uniform penalties for soring, using of equine welfare; horse’s legs to achieve an exaggerated “big foreign substances on horses or failing to n Examining nonracing performance lick” gait) and other illegal practices. She pass equipment and shoeing inspections.­ horse medication, procedures, and noted that many members of the Tennes- “It is gratifying to see that both the ­treatments; see Walking Horse community have been ­USDA and elements of the Tennessee n Expanding media assistance programs, operating in violation of the Horse Protec- Walking Horse industry have been recep- crisis communications, and emergency tion Act (HPA) of 1970 by continuing to tive to the recommendations of this task response; practice soring techniques on their horses. force,” Leitch said. n Responding to the BLM’s (Bureau of The AAEP Welfare Committee con- Equine Welfare Committee The final aspect Land Management) request to review vened a task force to evaluate the problem of equine welfare that Leitch discussed the care and handling of animals within in December 2007, she noted, and by July, was goal-setting for the AAEP Welfare its Wild Horse and Burro Program;­ 2008 the group had drafted a white paper Committee. n Pursuing federal legislation to ­strengthen

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the HPA (a task that was referred to the welfare risk exists under specific circum- and licensing, and transitioning racehors- AAEP Public Policy Committee); stances, science cannot determine what es into second careers, Palmer reported. n Providing education to AAEP members type of risk is acceptable.” In other words, “The welfare and safety issues of racing, about abuse and neglect, rehabilitating defining appropriate welfare risk is sub- while extremely important, are only one malnourished horses and assisting res- jective and innately complex. segment of our larger responsibility to be cue and retirement facilities; Palmer explained that the ethics of horse good stewards of the horse,” he said. “Rec- n Engaging the horse industry as a whole racing, for example, has come under fire. ommendations by the AAEP Racing Com- in recognizing and prohibiting abusive Some organizations label racing as objec- mittee are applicable to all performance training and treatment procedures; and tionable due to equine welfare concerns. horse disciplines. The fundamental as- n Developing proactive programs for re- At the same time, the American Veterinary sumption underlying AAEP Racing Com- sponding to current, as well as future Medical Association views the sport as ac- mittee recommendations is: What is good (or new) welfare issues. ceptable. Such conundrums illustrate the for the horse is good for the sport. “It is our mission that all members rec- complexity of equine welfare issues. “This is the lens through which we must ognize the importance of equine welfare Palmer added that the racing industry view the everyday welfare challenges of in their daily personal and professional has been working to improve the safety equestrian sport,” he added. “Although lives and advocate for its advancement and welfare of the horses involved. winning is the obvious goal of competitive throughout their careers,” Leitch con- “The NTRA (National Thoroughbred equine sporting events, we must remain cluded. “Knowing the issues and under- Racing Association) created the Safety and focused upon the fundamental obligations standing the facts, the perceptions and Integrity Alliance in 2008 to address five inherent in our stewardship to the horse. the actions provides all of us the ability to major areas that were felt to be critical to To the degree that we lose sight of that comment on and discuss the many con- the safety and integrity concerns of racing focus, both the horse and the sport as a cerns of our clients. If we—the collective fans,” Palmer said. The five areas the alli- whole will suffer.” horse world—do not lead, a poorly in- ance opted to focus on were all veterinary- formed (non-equestrian) public will deter- Equine Welfare: One European mine the outcome.” Perspective The fundamental The horse industry in the United States Responsible Horse Ownership and assumption underlying is not the only one dealing with an equine Racing Reform welfare problem. Some European coun- Responsible ownership is one of the AAEP Racing Committee tries are also facing challenges in assuring keys to addressing the country’s equine all horses have a good quality of life, ac- welfare problems, said Scott Palmer, VMD, recommendations is: What cording to Joe Collins, MVB, PhD, MRCVS, of the New Jersey Equine Clinic. He noted is good for the horse is CertEP, CertVR, who recently conducted that racing is one segment of the horse in- his PhD study at University College Dub- dustry that regularly is subject to public good for the sport. lin’s Veterinary Sciences Center. criticism, mostly due to catastrophic inju- Collins and his colleagues visited spe- ries sustained by race horses. Palmer de- Dr. scott palmer cific locations where poor equine welfare scribed responsible horse ownership and was evident, including horse fairs and the need for reform in some aspects of the related: medication and testing, injury sale venues, horse farms and horse dealer racing industry at the meeting. reporting and prevention, safety research, premises, animal sanctuaries and rescue “Responsible horse ownership must creating a safer racing environment, and centers, and horse competition events. As first address the basic needs of the horse, the care of retired racehorses. in the United States, some horses were including food, shelter, and health care,” The AAEP Racing Committee has found to be malnourished, living in less- Palmer said. “Their well-being must be a drafted white papers on Thoroughbred, than-ideal conditions, or dead. priority, and we need to recognize that this Quarter Horse, and Standardbred racing, Additionally, Collins conducted an stewardship represents significant time which address welfare issues specific to in-depth study of the number of horses and financial commitment.” these racehorses, he noted. The group also processed and of the disposal of horses. He described the basic needs of the recently drafted “Clinical Guidelines for Collins said that the recorded number horse, the financial hardships that some Veterinarians Practicing in a Pari-Mutuel of horses slaughtered in Ireland for hu- horse owners face, and the challenges that Environment,” a document designed to man consumption abroad each year has arise because understanding of equine help vets who are making welfare and eth- been on the rise—from 614 slaughtered welfare and definitions of appropriate ical decisions at the track that will support in 2005 to 3,163 in 2009. He added that standards of care vary among individuals the health and welfare of the horse. it is unclear how many horses are ex- and organizations. The Jockey Club and the Grayson- ported to Great Britain for processing in “Both science and society have a role to ­Jockey Club Research Foundation held a ­government-approved plants there, as play in deciding what constitutes an ap- Safety and Welfare Summit recently that there is essentially free movement of horses propriate level of animal welfare,” Palmer addressed topics such as racing equipment between the two countries. Currently, five wrote in his study. “Whereas science can and safety, racetrack environment and ­government-approved processing plants determine what type or degree of animal training practices, continuing ­education are open in Ireland, with a sixth scheduled

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to open in mid-2011, Collins said. USEF competitions are illegal by virtue of “Veterinarians have a responsibility to In addition to observing the welfare their claims to alter performance. maintain the integrity of their profession situation in Ireland, Collins and his team Restricted substances are medications and not dispense bottles of medications conducted a survey of horse owners about allowed for use with quantitative (mea- just because these medications are ‘legal’ the current state of equine welfare in their surable) limits and “require a medication at the horse show,” Miller said. region. He said that respondents suggested form to be completed and turned into Miller added that veterinarians are additional regulation and enforcement was the appropriate show official.” These are responsible for educating clients about the best way to address poor equine wel- the drugs with the greatest potential for the medications they prescribe and for fare. He explained that respondents said misuse as owners, exhibitors, and train- helping clients understand when medi- a “lack of awareness, or the desire not to ers mistake “legal” with “safe.” Restricted cation is safe for the horse to be used in know (about the current welfare situation substances include certain non-steroidal ­competition. in their region),” was a recurring trend that anti-­inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), dex- She is adamant that “a lame or sick likely adds to the equine welfare crisis. amethasone, and methocarbamol. horse should never be asked or allowed to Collins said that “there was a consensus In addition to the national governing compete, and it is the responsibility of ev- among industry players in Ireland that body’s medication rules, Miller discussed ery individual involved in equestrian sport welfare standards for horses ... should be how the Fédération Equestre Internation- to preserve the health, safety, and welfare raised, but there was little agreement on ale (FEI) approved its 2011 Prohibited of the equine athletes.” how and whether that could be achieved.” Substance List in early November 2010 He added that while work is ongoing to at the organization’s General Assembly in The Equitarians’ Vision for 2011 educate owners about responsible horse Chinese Taipei. The list does not allow the and the Future keeping, veterinarians must step up and use of NSAIDs in competition, but the FEI More than 100 million horses, donkeys, use their voices to advocate for improved agreed to provide a greater level of guid- and mules worldwide spend their days standards of equine welfare. ance regarding the detection times for working for a living: not necessarily work- “The fundamental issue underpinning the post-event usage of certain NSAIDs, ing on their sliding stops, tempi changes, all horse health and welfare issues was the or jumping technique, but working to pro- need to adopt and enforce a robust system vide their human families with a means of of horse identification, ensuring that own- A lame or sick horse transportation and a source of livelihood. ers are legally linked to the horses in their These equids represent not only the family care,” Collins said. should never be asked or horse but also an animal that is a major allowed to compete. player in the global agriculture market. Use and Abuse of Medications at Unfortunately, these animals don’t al- Horse Shows Dr. marjorie miller ways receive health care that meets the “The use of medication in horses com- standards many veterinarians or horse peting at equestrian events is a very polar- ­specifically phenylbutazone (Bute) and owners would consider acceptable. But a izing topic,” said Marjorie W. Miller, DVM, flunixin meglumine (Banamine), in com- group of veterinarians (“The Equitarians,” an equine veterinarian from Bradenton, monly-used low dosages. The list also bans led by Jay Merriam, DVM, of the Massachu- Fla., with 20 years experience in perfor- the use of salicylic acid (the root com- setts Equine Clinic) has taken on the task mance horse practice.” Some people be- pound in aspirin) at events. of helping these working horses, mules, lieve that medication has no place in eques- The Veterinarian’s Role “Veterinarians have and donkeys. In turn, they’re helping the trian sports, and others believe that the a primary role in protecting the health and animals’ owners. Merriam described this judicious use of medication is in the best welfare of the horse, and decisions regard- movement and explained how veterinar- interest of equine health and welfare.”­ ing the dispensing or administration of ians and equine enthusiasts in general can Miller discussed medication rules from therapeutic medications should be based become involved in the mission.­ several equestrian governing bodies as upon the specific health concerns of each With the support of the AAEP, The Don- well as the role of vets in equestrian sport. individual horse,” Miller said. “All medica- key Sanctuary, Humane Society Veterinary National and International Rules Miller tion should be dispensed within the con- Medical Association, and the University of began by reviewing the United States text of a valid client-patient relationship.” Mexico (UNAM), a week-long Equitarian Equestrian Federation (USEF) medica- A valid client-patient relationship re- Workshop was held in Vera Cruz, Mexico, tion definitions. A forbidden substance is quires the veterinarian to take responsibil- in October 2010. The purpose was to train anything that “contains an ingredient or a ity for medical and treatment judgments practitioners to work in field conditions drug that might affect the performance of for the horse, the client to agree to follow with actual communities where working a horse or pony by acting as a stimulant, the veterinarian’s instructions, the veteri- equids are the source of work and sur- depressant, tranquilizer, local anesthetic, narian to have knowledge of the horse and vival. Twenty-six veterinarians from North or psychotropic (a mood- and/or behavior- its medical condition obtained by exami- America and an equal number from Mex- altering substance), is potentially danger- nation, and the veterinarian to be avail- ico joined with the faculty of the ­UNAM ous to the horse, or interferes with drug able for follow-up and have emergency veterinary school to teach and serve. detection procedures.” By definition, even coverage in the event of adverse reactions Some key components of the session products claiming to be nontestable at or failure of the therapy. were learning to interact with indigenous

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­communities and to see, identify, and treat ­provide basic health care. To do this, they Merriam credits some of the Equitar- many health conditions unique to equines are continuously looking for veterinarians ians’ success to the fact that they meet living in tropical conditions. to travel to Third World countries and as- the specific needs of a community (rather “A struggling horse owner in the devel- sist with the effort. Additionally, Merriam than only providing one type of assistance oping world has to make a living and sup- said, time in the field is essential for local on a global scale), and they take the time port his family on less than we spend on caretakers and veterinarians to develop to develop trusting relationships with lattés,” Merriam said. “But he knows his and hone their veterinary care skills. horse owners. He added that many equid animals and wants the best (for them).” “The AAEP recently established a work- owners return to the clinics each time the Merriam recalled one case in Samana, ing equids initiative with the British Equitarians visit their community. Some Dominican Republic, when a mule with a Equine Veterinary Association that will owners even travel miles­—often by foot— scrotal hernia the size of a volleyball was become a central source for connecting to bring their horses to the clinics. presented for surgery. member veterinarians with ongoing proj- “There is a need for veterinary care, “The team assembled, and repaired (the ects, as well as allow donors of supplies to parasite control, and nutrition (for the 100 mule) on the grass in the middle of the direct them where they are needed,” Mer- million working equids worldwide),” Mer- town square,” Merriam said. “As the animal riam explained. “They have also joined riam concluded. “Education of caregivers, recovered, the owner approached and said with six other organizations to support the veterinarians, and health care workers is his thanks, and added ‘I am old, my family Equitarian Workshop and similar educa- the key to improving the lives of these ani- feeds me, and if I die, they will survive. But tional endeavors on an annual basis. mals and their families.” h if the mule dies, we all die.’ The man had “Clinical skills and expertise get better not been able to pick coconuts for several with practice and field training,” he add- MORE ONLINE See TheHorse.com/AAEP2010 weeks, but was soon back to work.” ed. “Organizations working in developing ■ Equitarian Initiative Table Topic, The Equitarians, in addition to provid- countries need skilled, practiced hands to TheHorse.com/17693 ing health care for the working equids, both perform and teach required proce- ■ Watch the Equine Welfare video, TheHorse. aim to teach the owners about proper dures,” and vets traveling to these areas com/Video.aspx?vID=485 daily care for their horses and how to can provide guidance to local caretakers.

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