newsletter of the rirdc program 12/138 DECEMBER 2012

in this issue: • climate change – what about horse owners? • horse riding and transfer of weeds • early parasite detection now a possibility page 2 rirdc equine research news december 2012

industry profile Brian Stewart

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Horse Program Committee Member, Brian Stewart, has spent twenty years away from home, working overseas in the industry in Macau, Singapore and Hong Kong. He’s been back in Australia for the last year as the Head of Equine Welfare and Veterinary Services for Racing Victoria, and says he is excited by the ongoing potential for equine research in Australia.

what’s your background? connections with the racing and equine Brian Stewart research industries. I was going to be a cattle vet, but I drifted the local industry is seen as a leader in I serve as the Chairman of the into racing. I was interested in , and these areas. racing just seemed to follow on from there. International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians, a worldwide regulatory what are some of the I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and compliance association. committee s priorities? in Veterinary Science from Melbourne ’ University in 1979, and worked in the local I am also the Chairman of the International Equine Therapeutics Research Australia racetrack practice for about ten years. Federation of Horse Racing Authorities’ (ETRA) is a consortium of three (IFHRA) International Movement of Horses Universities and the four Australian In the 1980s I went overseas to work at the Committee, which aims for the free and Racing Laboratories, with funding from Macau Jockey Club for a few years, then safe movement of horses. RIRDC. The primary role of ETRA is moved to the Singapore Turf Club as the to determine the pharmacokinetics of Chief Veterinary Officer for nine years. I am also a member of the IFHRA’s equine therapeutic drugs by using horses Racehorse Welfare Committee After that I went to Hong Kong to of racing ages. become head of the new Department racing is obviously an important The work that ETRA has done to date of International Liaison and Veterinary partner in horse research how – is extremely worthwhile, and I believe Regulation. do you see their responsibility playing out? it needs to be developed and funded I returned to Australia after 20 years further into the future. The work overseas in December last year, taking I see it as very important and something has been received extremely well by up the role of Racing Victoria’s Head that needs to be promoted and developed industry, and has made us a world leader Veterinarian. within the horse racing industry. in terms of service to the racing industry. what made you come back to Horse racing, especially at the moment, I would also like to focus on minimising australia? is particularly focused on horse welfare severe and fatal injuries to horses on the and safety. Research is essential to ensure racecourse. Over the past ten years my career objective has been to achieve a leadership role in the horseracing industry that could provide the opportunity to have a major impact on rirdc horse program advisory committee improving the integrity of the industry and the health and welfare of racehorses. Dr John McCaffrey (Chair) Elizabeth Owens Consultant Equine Veterinarian Sales and Marketing Manager I believe these issues are fundamental Symbio Alliance for the survival and growth of the racing Dr Nigel Perkins (Research Manager) Animal nutritionist, Australian Director industry and require pro-active and national champion dressage rider sophisticated management. AusVet Animal Health Services Dr Brian Stewart Ass/Prof Guy Lester I want to achieve these objectives by Head of Equine Welfare and Head of the Equine Section contributing to the development of the Veterinary Services Department of Veterinary & Australian horseracing industry, as well Racing Victoria Ltd. Biomedical Sciences as the greater horse industry in Australia. Murdoch University Dr Dave Alden Senior Research Manager what skills do you bring to Leslie Young Established Rural Industries the rirdc horse committee? Managing Director RIRDC Doncaster Bloodstock Services I feel that I bring extensive industry Racehorse owner, manager, breeder Helen Moffett experience both local and international. and journalist Project Manager My time overseas means I have excellent RIRDC december 2012 equine research news page 3 horse research news horse riding and transfer of weeds Horse riding in national parks and conservation areas is a popular activity for many Australians. However there are concerns about the risk of weeds being transferred into these areas via seeds in horse manure. Management strategies based on practical scientific knowledge are required to promote recreational riding with the minimum impact on natural ecosystems. A study funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Horse Program and led by Dr Chris Pollitt from the University of Queensland has investigated the viability of weed seeds in horse manure in a Seedlings at 21 days glass house trial. It asked the question ‘Do horse faeces contain viable seeds This research found that the potential which may be germinated under suitable for spread of weed species via horse conditions or persist in surface soil?’ ingestion is very high. It has broadened Samples of manure were collected from the data on the number of herbaceous horses in three locations in the Brisbane weed species seeds that can survive in area and the seeds in the manure were horse manure and also suggests that, germinated and analysed after 36 days in general, seeds of grass species retain of growth. From this, the number of viability better than seed of flowering viable seeds for each manure sample plants after ingestion. was determined and, where possible, The report recommends that further the species identified. studies are undertaken to determine the extent that horses contribute to weeds in conservation areas by documenting the weeds found along horse riding tracks and comparing them to the paddock data obtained in this trial.

Management strategies based on The report Transfer of weeds to empirical data can then be developed Queensland native forests by horse by users and caretakers of native faeces is available on the RIRDC website Seedlings of pigweed (centre), emu vegetation, to minimise weed transfer www.rirdc.gov.au for download (free) foot (left fore/centre/ground) and by horse faeces in areas used for or purchase ($25). RIRDC publication Queensland blue couch recreational horse riding. number 11/109. rirdc's horse program is australia's national horse research and development program ‒ a partnership between industry and government that delivers significant benefits back to you. current contributors: The Australian Government, Australian Racing Board, Racing Information Services Australia, Australian Breeders Club, Australian Society, Equine Veterinarians Australia, Equestrian Federation of Australia. page 4 rirdc equine research news december 2012

rirdc horse research climate change – what about horse owners?

How do horse owners feel about climate change? How much do they know? How much preparation for climatic change are they undertaking?

The research project ‘Climate Change for Horse Owners,’ funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Horse Program and managed by the Horse Federation of South Australia (HorseSA), aimed to discover some answers to these questions.

One of the key problems for horse owners when it comes to climate change and its potential impacts on their horse keeping practices is a lack of information.

This is surprising because, for horse keepers, the quality and availability of pasture grasses, baled hay and Horse owners are increasingly dealing with urban neighbours manufactured feed, and maintenance of racetracks and grounds are major areas of potential impact. Without If good horse husbandry means creating • What action horse keepers have research, development of resource tools equine friendly ecosystems, how can been considering taking in the short and science-led guidance, the horse horse owners prepare? or long term industry collectively stands to suffer unnecessary economic loss and miss out HorseSA says as a first step they sought • What barriers have prevented those on market opportunities. to engage with horse owners and actions organisations to discuss climate change • What horse owner education, Also, as the distance between the horse impacts and the need to develop research, government policy or other keeping populations and capital cities adaptive practices. A key part of this help horse keepers need. and major regional centres decreases, was to survey the horse owners are finding that their about their practices around, knowledge In the survey report, prepared by focus on good environmental practice of and attitudes towards climate change. Dr Kirrilly Thompson, it was noted is necessarily becoming greater. Where that while many people shied away Sixty-nine people responded to the horse owners once dwelt in broadacre or from using the term climate change, survey, the majority from South Australia rangeland areas, smaller grazing spaces many people had already made some and Western Australia. They were asked: bring sustainability and environmental changes to their horse properties in management into sharp focus. • If and how horse keepers have been response to major weather events, Horse owners are considering practices impacted by any major climate/ including selecting land care actions to protect drinking water quality and weather events in the past 10-20 years such as rotational grazing of pastures or protecting waterways with fences. remnant habitats, as well as to respond • What action was taken by horse to neighbourhood concerns about dust, keepers in response to any weather It also showed emergency events such mud and erosion. or climate events as fire, flood and cyclone are the highest

december 2012 equine research news page 5

concerns expressed by horse owners. This is followed by aspects around Participants at the Horses & Climate Impacts workshop. Left to right: Dr Gary Muscatello, John Rothwell, Nicole Halsey, Dr Peter Hayman. horse events including heat stress, biosecurity and insurance.

Following on from this survey a workshop, Horses & Climate Impacts, was held to identify horse keepers’ attitudes, practices and knowledge in relation to meeting climate change challenges, identify gaps in research and, importantly, engage horse owners in a way that could lead to a positive approach towards commencement of adaptation measures.

Information and ideas were shared throughout the day which will help the horse industry and community plan for Participants in break out groups discussing priorities for horse owners the future. in relation to climate change. Left to right: John Newton, Aaron Bain, Karen Aspery, Pauline Williams, Jane Myers, Gary Kairn. Jane Myers travelled from Brisbane to share some experiences gained from and decrease due to temperature and Owners project has been very much researching horse keeping practices humidity changes. Cyclones and storms a starting point. in the UK and Europe, including a that carry these vectors are also difficult commercial project that recycles stable HorseSA is keen to hear from anyone to predict. waste for resale as clean bedding. who teaches horse care and would The review suggested that other things be interested in joining an industry The project also included a to consider will be maintenance feeding collaboration group. Contact literature review, conducted by as pasture is likely to be available for [email protected]. the South Australian Research and less time due to shorter growing seasons Development Institute’s Senior The workshop presentations, survey across Australia. Careful planning and Researcher Melissa Rebbeck. report and literature review have been track design will be important to reduce uploaded to www.horseslandwater.com. She concluded that disease seems both heat stress on horses and heat to be the biggest threat to long term impact on synthetic tracks. The fact sheet Climate Change for horse health. HorseSA are now in the process of Horse Owners is available on the RIRDC While much of the literature review developing an action plan to map website www.rirdc.gov.au for download relates to disease, it is difficult to predict out next steps, and are keen to or purchase (free). RIRDC publication what insect vectors* will increase stress the Climate Change for Horse number 12-077.

page 6 rirdc equine research news december 2012

rirdc horse research early parasite detection now a possibility

The horse industry is set to gain better tools for diagnosing disease after developing new tests for identifying parasites as part of a Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Horse Program research project.

Cyathostomins (also known as small strongyles) are a group of small parasites that live in the large intestines of horses. They are dormant during immature stages but cause a serious wasting disease once the larvae develop, and are considered the most common and pathogenic* of the various parasite species that infect horses globally.

A serious limitation to parasite control is the lack of efficient methods to diagnose the presence of infection and disease aetiology*. Current methods cannot detect the immature stages and diagnosis of adult stages is by microscopic examination of faeces for their eggs.

Improved diagnosis could lead to better A coiled larva targeted treatment and reduced use of anti-parasitic drugs, lowering treatment costs and preserving the utility of The research is funded from industry conditions are at high risk and these drugs against which resistance is revenue which is matched by typically carry higher burdens than developing. funds provided by the Australian stabled horses. Young and old Government. In kind contributions horses are most at risk of disease. Researchers hope that in the longer were from Charles Sturt University and term this research will underpin the These parasites occur in all climatic the Moredun Research Institute (MRI) development of superior diagnostic zones and all horse owners in all in Scotland. tests for infection of horses by adult regions of Australia have to treat cyathostomins, benefiting horse owners where are small strongyles parasitic infection in their horses. an issue? through improved decision making for Patterns in other countries suggest that parasite control. A diagnostic test to All horses are hosts for parasites larval disease is a syndrome of horses detect larval disease will improve the and infection with cyathostomins kept in cooler climates, but formal capacity of veterinarians to provide occurs in more than 80 per cent studies in Australia are lacking. It treatment. of horses. Horses kept in grazing certainly occurs in NSW. december 2012 equine research news page 7

Researcher Nicholas Sangster The head of an adult worm project objectives positive or negative, larval positive or While this may start as an experimental negative) was required to develop and tool, it has a place in equine medicine The aim was to use disease markers for validate tests now and in the future. and welfare. parasite infection and develop superior Researchers also recorded the presence tests to diagnose disease by: This work opens the future to developing of parasites other than cyathostomins as a set of tests each one specific for the • building a collection of worms, sera* this would provide a means of checking various stages of cyathostomins. and faeces from a range of infected if cross reactions occur in tests. and uninfected horses Horses with larval cyathostominosis implications suffer serious weight loss and display • identifying proteins specifically This work has provided a better oedema*. In the past they have been associated with adult worm and understanding of cyathostominosis and investigated as welfare cases and larval infection has identified two biomarkers with availability of definitive diagnosis will • evaluating the potential of diagnostic potential. This will require improve diagnosis and treatment. biomarkers* as diagnostic proteins further work, but the reagents* are now The authors recommend that the larval and evaluate the feasibility of available as a result of the project. There test should be established in Australia developing a diagnostic test is potential to patent this knowledge. and offered commercially to equine • validating proteins identified by The project proved the utility of veterinarians. MRI collaborators as markers sophisticated protein chemistry coupled of antibody responses to larval with database mining to describe equine infection in Australian horses. proteins associated with disease. This to buy rirdc Forty one horses were examined at opens opportunities to study a wide books and post mortem, and in addition to faeces range of diseases and to develop equine- reports: and serum, the worm burdens of adult specific test reagents. Order online at www.rirdc.gov.au and larvae parasites were recorded for There is now a functional test for larval or call 1300 634 313. Many books each. Samples from horses with known cyathostominosis. This test should be and reports are also available to infection status were used for the testing. commercialised in Australia and Charles download free of charge from Inclusion of horses with all four Sturt University has the capacity to www.rirdc.gov.au combinations of infection status (adult achieve this under licence from MRI. page 8 rirdc equine research news december 2012

current rirdc horse projects Maternal metabolic status and the The role of kisspeptins in vernal Gene expression in horses with Recurrent occurrence of OCD in Thoroughbred foals transition management in mares Laryngeal Neuropathy (RLN) Researcher: Wayne Bryden Researcher: Scott Norman Researcher: Liz Walmsley Organisation: University of Queensland Organisation: Charles Sturt University Organisation: University of Melbourne

Short term and future athletic performance Efficacy of IV and aerosolised Use of the guinea pig as a laboratory of the critically ill equine neonate recombinant equine TNF-α for model for EAFL (Extension of PRJ-530 Researcher: Jane Axon treating EIPH and 2592) Organisation: Scone Equine Hospital Researcher: Ron Slocombe Researcher: Judy Cawdell-Smith Organisation: University of Melbourne Organisation: University of Queensland The Science of : Implications for rider safety and horse welfare Measurement of Racetrack Surface Targeting blood cell activation Researcher: Paul McGreevy Using Instrumented Horseshoes and clotting dysfunction in equine Organisation: University of Sydney Researcher: Jonathan Merritt endotoxaemia Organisation: University of Melbourne Researcher: Simon Bailey Finite element analysis modelling of third Organisation: University of Melbourne metacarpal bone invivo stresses Working towards a more accurate Researcher: Chris Whitton diagnosis of inflammatory airway Health and Safety in Australian Racing: Organisation: University of Melbourne disease Evaluation of Safety Vests Researcher: Cristy Secombe Researcher: Caroline Foote Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Organisation: Murdoch University Organisation: Equine Consulting bacterial isolates from horses Services Researcher: Tony Mogg What role does rotavirus play Organisation: University of Sydney in equine diarrhoea in Australian Macrocyclic lactone resistance in horses? Australian horses An adenoviral vector vaccine against Researcher: Sally Symes Researcher: Glen Coleman Rhodococcus equi Organisation: University of Melbourne Organisation: University of Queensland Research: Mary Barton Organisation: University of South Australia Laminitis treatment by regional drug delivery to the horse’s foot The report RIRDC Completed Bone repair in thoroughbred racehorses: Researcher: Chris Pollitt effects of training and rest Organisation: University of Projects in 2011–12 and Research Researcher: Chris Whitton Queensland in Progress at June 2012 is now Organisation: University of Melbourne available on the RIRDC website Determining forces generated using ww.rirdc.gov.au for download Developing training programs to prevent a padded whip and impacts on (free) or purchase ($25). RIRDC injury in young racehorses the horse Researcher: Lisa Kidd Researcher: Glenys Noble publication number 12/092 Organisation: University of Queensland Organisation: Charles Sturt University

more information on rirdc horse projects can be found at www.rirdc.gov.au

glossary rirdc equine research news is the official Aetiology – the cause, set of causes, Proteomics – the large-scale study of newsletter of the rural or manner of causation of a disease proteins, particularly their structures and industries research and or condition. functions. development corporation Biomarker – an indicator of a biological Reagents – substance or compound that is horse r&d committee. state added to a system in order to bring about a chemical reaction, or added to see if a Subscription is free, and available Oedema – an excessive accumulation reaction occurs in either printed or electronic form. of serous fluid in the intercellular spaces To subscribe, please send your details of tissue Sera – plural of serum and newsletter preference (printed Pathogenic – able to cause or produce Vectors – a Latin word for carrier; in or electronic) to: disease. epidemiology an organism, often an RIRDC Equine Research News invertebrate arthropod, that transmits a PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Pharmacokinetics – the process by pathogen from reservoir to host. Phone: 02 6271 4100 which a drug is absorbed, distributed, Fax: 02 6271 4199 metabolized, and eliminated by the body, Email: [email protected] or the study of this process. Website: www.rirdc.gov.au ISSN: 1324-759X