Stable Sheet V5 Issue 1

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EQUINE NUTRITION RESEARCH AT MINER INSTITUTE: GL= UCOSE AND INSULIN RESPONSE TO HAY-BASED DIETS

Last December, Miner Institute began an equine nutriti= on research trial in collaboration with the Univers= ity of Limerick in Ireland and Virginia Tech, VA= . This will be the first equine nutrition trial conducted at Miner (but hopefully = not the last!). The study focuses on carbohydrates in hay, in particular the non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) component. The Morgan horse, like those h= ere at Miner is well known for being an ‘easy keeper’ and is though= t to be predisposed to metabolic disorders arising from ingestion of high carbohydrates in feed. NSC has been implicated in pasture laminitis, insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome, PSSM and Cushing’s syndrome. T= he objective of this trial is to investigate the insulin response of the horse= s to two hays with different NSC concentrations.

For the study two different hays were chosen, one rela= tively high in NSC (>20%) and one relatively low in NSC (<10%), and the hays= are fed at 1.75% of the horses’ initial pre-trial bodyweight. The horses = are fed two meals per day, morning and evening, mimicking common feeding practi= ce, and given turnout without grazing (snow comes in handy) for 1-2 hours during the day. The horses are physically monitored using the 9 point body conditi= on scoring system developed by Dr. Henneke, and weighed regularly on a walk on scale. After weighing pre and post turnout over the course of a few days we realized that their weight fluctuates during the day by as much as 30lbs! So keep this in mind when feeding by bodyweight and take an average! In additi= on to these physical measurements, we are also measuring the ratio of their ne= ck circumference to neck length. This ratio will change as the horse’s n= eck becomes ‘cresty’, a condition often seen in horses with potenti= al insulin resistance. This measurement needs to be taken with the horse’= ;s poll level with its withers (not designed with the Morgan in mind!). We don’t expect this ratio to change much in these horses, given that the hays are not excessively high in sugar, intake is controlled and the durati= on of the trial is relatively short.

We are taking samples of the hay we feed and sending t= hem to Equi-Analytical Labs, Ithaca, NY to be analysed for NSC. = The results come back as water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), ethanol soluble carbohydrates (ESC) and starch. WSC includes the ESC fraction and also fructans. So fructan content can be estimated indirectly by subtracting ESC from WSC. Forages are also analysed in house here at Miner for their digestibility, protein, ash and organic matter content. Blood was drawn on = day 1 and 21 of each three week diet period and analysed for glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and triglycerides. On these days we took blood over the course of the morning meal, i.e. at 0 hour prior to feeding = and again, 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours after feeding. In this way, we hope to capture = the glucose curve as it peaks after feeding and declines in response to rising insulin. On days 7 and 14 of the study blood was also drawn, but just once. This was to provide a resting baseline level for our measurements.

Research has shown that a 50% higher NSC concentration= in grain increases the glucose/ insulin response in horses, and in Virginia, researchers have also shown that starch and sugar diets opposed to fat and fiber diets may predispose horses to obesity and decreased insulin sensitiv= ity. Decreased insulin sensitivity and ultimately insulin resistance are the com= mon factors in metabolic disorders. Insulin resistance and obesity are associat= ed (although both can occur independently), as insulin plays an inhibitory rol= e in the breakdown of fats and release of non-esterified fatty acids from tissue. NEFAs are used as an energy source for the horse in a fasted state, i.e. overnight between evening and morning feedings. When glucose is sufficient after a meal, insulin effectively switches off mobilization of NEFAs while = it tries to get the glucose cleared from the blood.

But what is NSC? And what affects its presence in fora= ge? Non-structural carbohydrates include the monosaccharides and disaccharides = or simple sugars, (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), and the more complex polysacharrides (starch and fructans). During daylight hours, plants are continually generating simple sugars by photosynthesis. Plants then use the= se sugars as fuel for metabolism, growth and reproduction. However if sunlight= is in abundance, but temperatures are too cold for growth, or poor quality soi= l is not providing enough nutrients the plant stores its glucose and fructose as starch or fructan. Starch is self-limiting, meaning that once the leaves re= ach capacity they stop producing starch. Fructan on the other hand is not self-limiting, so provided the sun is shining, even on cold, autumn days wh= en nutrients are low, fructan concentrations are rising. Both starch and fruct= an when given as a single dose bolus have been shown to bring on laminitis in healthy ponies with no previous history of laminitis. With the exception of= the grain overload model of laminitis, horses don’t tend to receive a high concentration of sugar in one lump, they trickle feed at pasture and hay fed horses typically get 1-3 meals per day. So our investigation here at Miner = is a preliminary look at how the horses respond to different sugar concentration= s in their daily forage intake. Our study is due to finish up on the 31st of Jan= uary (when I reluctantly return to Ireland…) and hopefully we’ll have some results to discuss in further issues of Stable Sheet. Further informa= tion on NSC in grass and hay can be found at www.safergrass.org

—Lindsay Perry

Student Intern from University of Limerick, Ireland

RABIES!

A recent article in the magazine Equus, plus a brief r= eport on the evening news about a rabid bat got me thinking that we often dismiss this disease as just part of spring vaccinations, but it is much more than that. I’ll offer some basic rabies facts below.

All mammals can get rabies; some are more susceptible = than others, but if the blood is warm (like you, me, your horse, dog and cat), rabies is possible.

There are more than a dozen varieties of host-specific rabies- in the North Country, we know of= bats, raccoons, skunks, and fox. Most disease transmission occurs within a species (i.e.- skunk-to-skunk) and only rarely from horse-to-horse or horse-to-huma= n.

Once the virus has reached the central nervous system = (brain and spinal cord) of the horse, the sick horse will present with one or both= of the forms of rabies. If infec= ted near the face (i.e.- bitten on the muzzle) it is more likely to show acute, furious signs such as aggression, hyperactivity, and facial paralysis. When the point of entry for rabies= is further from the CNS such as on the leg, it will exhibit dumb, paralytic si= gns such as depression, lack of coordination, inability to stand, paralysis and excessive salivation. The virus is excreted through saliva and is most often passed through a bite wound.

There is no test to determine if a live horse is rabid= , it can only be done through a post-mortem exam of brain tissue. As well, there= is no treatment for unvaccinated horses. If a vaccinated horse has known expos= ure to a rabid animal, they should immediately receive a booster and then they = are quarantined for 6 months. One= half a year is because the rabies virus can lay dormant for that long in the body before making the animal sick.

One of the biggest risks to humans if a horse has rabi= es is that it is often misdiagnosed when the horse shows early signs. It can look like a poisoning, EPM, or another neurological condition. ALWAYS, if the ho= rse has unexplained neurological symptoms, rabies should be suspected!

My close encounter with rabies was years ago (1992 I t= hink) here at Miner where our resident llama was down in his pen at night check w= ith what appeared to be bloat. When the vet came to check on him in the early morning, it was decided to end his suffering, but fortunately he wanted to = rule out rabies. Several post-exposure shots later, I’m happy to say IR= 17;m still here (along with the other 4 people who joined me at the health clini= c), but the experience continues to make me keenly aware that rabies doesn̵= 7;t just happen in other states, on other farms, it is right in our own backyar= d.

—Karen Lassell, Equine Manager, Miner Institute

EMBRYO TRANSFER- IS IT AN OPTION FOR YOUR MARE?<= o:p>

Perhaps many of you reading this are gearing up for the upcoming breeding season and some may have even thought about embryo transfer. I’ll give= you an overview of ET, protocols used to synchronize mares, go over the procedu= re of the flush, and give you some advantages and current weaknesses of this reproductive technology. Embr= yo transfer refers to the procedure used to collect a fertilized ovum (the emb= ryo) from a donor mare and transfer it to the uterus of a recipient mare with the aid of synchronized ovulation. Embryo transfer is widely accepted as a mean= s to increase the number of progeny from genetically valuable mares, for produci= ng foals from mares in performance careers without interrupting competition, a= nd for obtaining foals from mares that are incapable of carrying a pregnancy to term for various reasons. Cur= rently most breed associations in the US accept ET foals, though exceptions are the Jockey Club (Thoroughbreds), the US Trotting Association (Standardbreds), a= nd the American Miniature Horse Association.&= nbsp; A key advancement in the past 10 years has been the ability to trans= port embryos at 5°C for up to 24h without any detrimental effects to the emb= ryo and a dramatic increase in the number of embryos being transported as a result. This has made ET more accessible because embryos can be flushed at any location and then shipped off-site to a specialized embryo transfer center where synchronized recipie= nt mares are available and professional expertise to aid in the transfer of the embryo.

The usual procedure for performing ET begins with synchronization of ovulation between the donor and recipient mares, followe= d by insemination of the donor mare. On day 7 or 8 after ovulation, the uterus of the donor mare is flushed and the retrieved embryo is then transferred into the uterus of the recipient mare. Embryo collection is performed at this time because the embryo does not enter the uterus from the oviduct until as late as day 6 or 7. On the other hand older embryos are not collected because they are t= oo large and more prone to damage during collection and transfer. Under ideal circumstances, one can expect an embryo recovery rate of 50-70% and an ET success rate of 50-70% resulting in an overall pregnancy rate of 25-50% per cycle. Several factors affect these rates= such as the day of recovery, number of ovulations, age of donor, quality of sire’s semen, synchrony of the donor and recipient mares, embryo qual= ity, and management of the recipient.

The most important factors affecting the probability of recovery are the timing of insemination and the fertility of the donor mare= and stallion. That’s a fanc= y way of saying that the mare must get pregnant in the first place! When artificial insemination is us= ed on the donor mare, stallion fertility is influenced by semen dose, quality, and method of preservation. As a = note, more than 70% of flushes should yield an embryo if the donor is a young fer= tile mare inseminated with fresh semen from a fertile stallion. It is essential that the donor mar= e be in good condition for breeding. The mare should have a normal reproductive cycle and if you are unsure of the fertility, a Breeding Soundness Exam should be done on the mare. Embryo recovery rates drop dramati= cally when aged mares, over 14 years of age, sub-fertile mares, or mares insemina= ted with chilled transported or frozen-thawed semen.

The most important factor affecting the probability of pregnancy after the transfer is donor-recipient synchrony. As for the recipient mare, she sho= uld be relatively young, in good general health, 3-11 years of age (since age is a predisposing factor to endometrial degeneration), exhibit normal reproducti= ve cycles, and have no history of reproductive problems. The recipient mare should be at le= ast as large or somewhat larger than the donor mare; studies have shown that mismatches have detrimental affects on both intrauterine and postnatal development. This leads to ph= ysical and behavioral immaturity at birth. Inappropriate maternal size will lead to under- or overgrowth of the fetus, depending on the direction of the difference, which will be maintain= ed into maturity.

To get started with ET, you must first synchronize your donor and recipient mares and inseminate the donor. Synchronization is a key factor as described above. Numerous stu= dies have shown that recipients ovulating between one day before (+1) and three = days after (-3) the donor mare are equally likely to become pregnant after recei= ving the embryo. Outside this wind= ow, pregnancy rates drop significantly. In order to achieve this time frame, there are several synchronizati= on protocols that can be used and hormones, unless one has a large recipient h= erd to choose from in natural ovulatory synchrony with the donor mare. The best option that allows for ma= ximum control is the P&E protocol, which uses both progesterone and estradiol-17b. This is the mo= st effective method of synchronization as it inhibits follicular development m= ore uniformly than progesterone alone, resulting in less variation of ovulation= time in treated mares. Available t= hrough veterinary prescription, progesterone and estradiol-17b in oil are administ= ered intramuscularly daily for 10 days, with prostaglandin being given on the la= st day of treatment at the same time as the 10th dose. By day 18 of the overall P&E treatment, 90% of mares will have a 35mm follicle present. If hCG is administered on the morn= ing of the 18th day, approximately 70-75% of mares ovulate on the evening of day 1= 9 or early morning of day 20. To h= elp ensure that a recipient mare will be available at the time of transfer, it = is advisable that you use at least two recipients.

The procedure we use to flush and collect the embryo f= rom the donor mare is consistent with industry standards, though there may be s= ome variations from the protocol I describe.&n= bsp; This is merely what we find works well and is the least labor intensive. In preparation of = the embryo recovery, the donor mare is placed in a set of breeding stocks, and = her tail is wrapped and tied or elevated out of the way. The mare is then washed with a bet= adine scrub to insure a clean environment before inserting the catheter. A sterile examination/insemination sleeve is worn and lubricated before inserting the catheter. The cervix of the donor mare is carefully dilated to allow the introduction of a Foley-type catheter. Once the catheter has been maneuve= red through the cervix, the balloon cuff is inflated with approximately 50 cc of air and the catheter is retracted so that the inflated cuff blocks the inte= rnal cervical os, sealing off the uterine body.= The entire uterus is then allowed to gravity fill with 1 – 2 L= of flushing media (this should be at 30-37°C). A variety of ready-to-use equine e= mbryo flushing mediums are available commercially which helps ensure proper measurements of solutes and ideal water quality. After the uterus is filled, it is massaged per rectum to get the embryo out any uterine folds and into the fl= ush media. Most people use a cent= ral Y-piece, allowing the flushing medium to flow into the uterine catheter thr= ough one line and after opening or closing a series of clamps on the appropriate lines, the media goes out through a different set of tubing through an in-l= ine embryo filter, then into a large graduated cylinder that enables measuremen= t of the volume recovered after the flush. About 90% of the original volume should be returned. The uterus is filled and drained repeatedly 3 or 4 times in close succession. After the last lavage, the mare is= given oxytocin to promote uterine contractions to expel any remaining flushing medium. The final approximate= 50 mL of medium retained in the filter is then searched for embryos using a dissecting microscope with magnification of 10x-40x. Pour the media gently into a steri= le petri dish with a grid (you can scribe a grid on the backside with a nail or knife, this helps ensure that you have searched all sectors). Good luck embryo hunting!

Once an embryo is found, it is loaded/aspirated into a= 0.25 mL or 0.50 mL straw (used for frozen semen). The straw is loaded with 3 columns= of medium separated by air spaces, with the embryo in the second column of medium. (See Figure 1) The first column serves to lubricate the end of the pipette while the third ensures that the embryo is flushed out and away from the pipette and serves to minimize move= ment of the embryo. The embryo can= be transferred to the recipient in the medium in which it was collected, thoug= h a “holding medium” is sometimes used. The holding medium is a better environment if there is any delay before the transfer and the embryo underg= oes a series of “washes” as it is transferred to the holding medium which help to get rid of any microorganisms introduced during the recovery process or present in the mare’s uterus. It is recommended that transfer or packaging of the embryo occur within one hour after collection. Transcervical transfer of an embry= o is usually performed using a transfer pipette after loading the straw into it.= Deposit the embryo into the mare&#= 8217;s uterus; there is no obvious advantage to direct the transfer pipette into a uterine horn. Just as you wou= ld to breed the mare, ensure that the pipette enters the uterus without the introduction of contaminants picked up by the recipient’s vulva or vagina. One needs to have the= ability to maneuver the pipette through the constricted cervical canal without caus= ing excessive dilation or trauma. It is presumed that the two most frequent causes of failure to establish pregnancy after transfer are bacterial contamination of uterus and hormonal disturban= ces initiated by excessive dilation or manipulation of the cervix. Many people routinely treat mares = with systemic antibiotics pre- and post transfer to reduce the likelihood of bacterial contamination, but the high pregnancy rates achieved by experienc= ed operators in the absence of any supportive treatments suggest that antibiot= ics are unnecessary if the technique is performed smoothly and cleanly.

Some key advantages include the fact that ET can incre= ase a mare’s genetic potential. A mare is capable of producing one foal per year, whereas a stallion can sire dozens to hundreds of progeny per year.&nb= sp; Although ET is unlikely to alter this imbalance, some breed associat= ions will allow the registration of more than one foal per year by the same mare. Another key advantage i= s for mares in performance careers. Embryo transfer allows a mare to be taken out of competition for only one to two weeks, yet enables her to have a foal on the ground without ever coming out of work for an extended time frame. Once she is flushed and the embryo is recovered, she can then return to her performance career. The last key advantage is for potentially sub-fertile mares or mares with physical problems that prevent them from having a foal to carry on her genetics. ET may be used as a therapeutic alternative for mares that repeatedly experience early embryonic death or chronic abortions. The physic= al restraints might include anything from leg or hoof problems that prohibit t= hem from bearing the extra weight or even a hernia as with a case we had here l= ast season. There are many great advantages to using ET and a number of reasons that make many mares excelle= nt candidates, remembering that the success rate is much lower with “problem” mares.

There are a few areas of embryo transfer that could use improvement such as superovulation and cryopreservation. Generally mares ovulate only a sin= gle follicle per cycle, though some mares will double or triple ovulate spontaneously; in some breeds such as Thoroughbreds and Warm bloods, rates = of spontaneous multiple ovulation may come close to or even exceed 30%. Since this is not a controlled fac= tor, superovulation is a great asset to this reproductive technology that we nee= d to become more knowledgeable about and improve the efficacy of the procedures. Superovulation of= mares could reduce embryo transfer costs and increase embryo yield in mares whose breed associations will permit the registration of more than one foal per y= ear. The failure to develop a better me= thod to induce multiple ovulations in mares was a major reason there was a delay= ed adoption of ET in equine practice. To coincide with superovulation, if we could also become proficient = at the cryopreservation of embryos, it could increase the efficiency of ET. Embryo cryopreservation has the potential to simplify ET considerably by allowing flushing and transfer of embryos to occur at both a separate time and place. Equine embryos recovered at days 5= or 6 tolerate the freezing/thawing process better than those of day 7 or 8. However recovery rates at these ea= rly days are quite low as the embryo has often times not left the oviduct. Unfortunately, superovulation and cryopreservation are techniques that have frustrated researchers and practitioners since the start of equine ET. While there have been recent advances made, there is still significant room for improvement.

Hopefully this overview of embryo transfer has given y= ou insight on the procedure, synchronization protocols, advantages and weaknesses. Now that you know= all about it, keep in mind that great candidate the next time you see her. Good luck with the upcoming breedi= ng season and let us know if you have any questions.

—Ryan Brooks, Equine Intern,= ryanb@vt.edu

UHC ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF NEW BROCHURE AND "= OWN RESPONSIBLY" HANDBOOK

WASHINGTO= N, DC. The Unwanted Horse Coal= ition (UHC) today announced the release of its new informational brochure and handbook, Own Responsibly: Guidance for current and potential horse owners = from the Unwanted Horse Coalition. “We’ve updated the brochure to reflect the growth the coalition has experienced over the last year,” said Dr. Tom Lenz, UHC chairman. “The Own Responsibly handbook is the first of its kind in the industry. It not only covers major components of h= orse ownership and care, it tackles some really important issues that a lot of h= orse owners don’t begin to consider until they’re in a hard situation.” Own Responsibly is a result of the collaborative efforts = of members of the UHC, veterinarians, and other horse professionals in order to provide a comprehensive, go-to resource for current and future horse owners. The handbook addresses basic horse care, options for owners, important questions to ask, second careers, success stories, euthanasia, tax ramifications of charitable donations, and programs that extend the useful = life of horses. “Own Responsibly should be a part if every horse enthusiast’s equine library,” said Lenz. “It is clearly a= nd concisely written, not to mention that it is an example of the fact that gr= eat things are accomplished when horse people get together and work toward a mu= tual goal. The handbook exemplifies the mission of the Unwanted Horse Coalition.” The brochure and handbook may be downloaded from the UHC website, found at www.un= wantedhorsecoalition.org. Hardcopies of the brochure may be requested by directly contacting the coalition by calling the American Horse Council at 202-296-4031. The Unwant= ed Horse Coalition is a broad alliance of equine organizations that have joined together under the American Horse Council. Its mission it to reduce the num= ber of unwanted horses and to improve their welfare through education and the efforts of organizations committed to the health, safety, and responsible c= are and disposition of these horses.

RENOVATING HORSE PASTURES<= /p>

Karen recently had me look at a soil analysis from a s= mall horse pasture at her Saranac, NY farm. The pasture hadn’t been fertil= ized or limed in a long time, perhaps never. I took one look at the soil analysis and said “Ugh”. Here’s a summary of the soil analysis:

4&nb= sp; pH 5.5:&nbs= p; Very acid.

4&nb= sp; Phosphorus: Very low.

4&nb= sp; Potassium: Very low

4&nb= sp; Magnesium: Low

4&nb= sp; Calcium: Very low.

4&nb= sp; Aluminum: Very high

As you can see, everything is low or very low except aluminum, which is very high but that’s not good. When soils are very acid (below a pH of 6.0, with 7.0 being neutral), not only are essential nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium less available to plants, but to= xic metals including aluminum, manganese and iron are more available. When corn= is grown in very acid soils, the first sign of problems often isn’t a visible nutrient deficiency, but sick-looking plants resulting from aluminum toxicity.

Fortunately, very high metal levels as well as low cal= cium and low pH can all be corrected by the application of agricultural lime. However, ag lime is just finely pulverized limestone and takes time to work. Because of the relatively high amount of lime needed to raise the pH from 5= .5 to the recommended 6.2, I suggested that she compare the availability and c= ost of regular vs. pelleted lime. Pelleted lime is more expensive than regular = ag lime, but spreads a lot easier and might increase soil pH more quickly. The total recommendation is 3.5 tons of lime per acre, but I wouldn’t sug= gest applying more than 2 tons per acre unless the pasture is plowed to work the lime into the soil.

Fertilizer is also important, but until soil pH is inc= reased the efficiency of applied nutrients will be poor. Also, since this pasture hasn’t recently (or ever) been fertilized, Karen won’t know how much good fertilization will do. It’s possible that the grasses growi= ng in the pasture aren’t productive species, so fertilizing them may not= be economical. For this reason I recommend a “go slow” approach, choosing one of the best-appearing sections of the pasture and applying abo= ut 300 lbs per acre of a 15-15-15 analysis fertilizer. Fertilizers are extreme= ly expensive this year, so a cautious approach is best. If the fertilized area responds well, then more pasture can be fertilized the next time. In genera= l, low-fertility pastures such as this one should be fertilized each year, with the best time just as the grass starts to grow in the spring.

It might take a couple of years for Karen’s past= ure to show much of a change, but if she starts with lime application and uses a moderate rate of fertilizer, considerable improvement is possible.

—Ev Thomas, Agronomist/VP of Agricultural Programs=

AHC SUPPORTS TIGHTENING OF SLAUGHTER HORSE REGUL= ATIONS

WASHINGTON, DC - January 8, 2008 - The American Horse Council has told the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it supports the Department’s proposal to amend the regulations governing the commerci= al transportation of equines for slaughter. The proposed changes would extend the regulatory protections provided by the Commercial Transport of Equines to Slaughter Ac= t to horses bound for slaughter, but delivered first to an assembly point, feedl= ot, or stockyard.

“The AHC was one of the principal organizations involved in passing the Commercial Transport of Horses to Slaughter Act. The AHC was also involved in working with USDA in drafting the rules adopted un= der the Act to regulate the transport of equines for slaughter in December, 2001,” said Jay Hickey, AHC President.

The rules presently require that shippers certify the fitness of these horses to travel and provide them with water, food, and re= st for 6 hours prior to being loaded for transport. Horses cannot be shipped f= or more than 28 hours without being off-loaded for 6 hours and given the chanc= e to rest, eat and drink. While in transport, horses must be checked at least ev= ery 6 hours to ensure that no horse has fallen or is in distress. Trucks used to transport horses to processing facilities must allow for the segregation of stallions and aggressive horses from others.

The rules prohibited the use of double-deck trailers to commercially transport horses to slaughter after December 7, 2006.

“The current rules apply only to the transport of horses directly to the slaughter plant, not to any initial shipment to an assembly point, feedlot or stockyard during the shipping process,” sa= id Hickey. “USDA felt that this was a gap in the protections of the Act = and the AHC agrees.”

The proposed change would broaden the protections to i= nclude all horses “being transferred to a slaughter facility, including an assembly point, feedlot, or stockyard.” In effect, the proposed chang= es would move-up the point at which the regulations apply in the process of mo= ving horses from sales, farms, and other points to a slaughter facility. This wo= uld provide horses delivered to intermediate points en route to slaughter with = the same protections regarding food, water, hour limits, and the prohibition on double-decker trucks as those horses moved directly to plants.

The rules do not – and would not under the propo= sed changes – apply to the transport of horses for other purposes, such as breeding, racing, show or recreation.

As the national association representing all segments = of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Co= uncil works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1= 969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day. The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtu= ally every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farrie= rs, breed registries and horsemen's associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils.

American Horse Council Press Release

American Horse Council

Contact: AHC@horsecouncil.o= rg

MARKETING HORSES

There are numerous factors that will help to determine= if your efforts in the horse industry will result in either a successful endea= vor or a money draining and expensive proposition. Several critical factors to consid= er include presentation of yourself, your facilities and your product (usually horses); a well thought out marketing plan; and fortuitous choices in place= ment or methods used in sales. Alo= ng with these considerations, the vigilant marketer also will be familiar with seller responsibilities, warranties, waivers and disclaimers, and in worst = case scenarios, potential fraud. Finally, after all of the preparation, advertising, and salesmanship have been completed, focuses will need to shift to retention of established customer base while continued efforts to seek out new clientele are put into action.

PRESENTATI= ON

Whether you are selling one or a thousand horses a yea= r, your reputation will have a huge impact on your success in the industry. The old saying, “Word of mou= th can be your best friend or your worst enemy” still holds true in all aspe= cts of business. If you have the reputation of being knowledgeable about the current horse market and capabl= e of choosing and/or training your animals in a proper manner, past customers wi= ll be more likely to recommend your services to additional friends or contacts. Furthermore, client= ele frequently value honesty and trustworthiness above both salesmanship and horsemanship. The customers may not need to “always be right,” = but they do need to feel that they are being treated in a fair and equitable manner. When you consider tha= t the average disgruntled customer will share his bad experience with nine other people, it becomes critical to establish and maintain a strong reputation a= nd to pay attention to customer service.

The presentation of your facility and the actions of y= our employees may be of either great benefit or a detriment to your reputation. The barn does not= need to be outfitted with brass light fixtures and oak panels to make a favorable impression. However, cleanlin= ess, organization, obvious attention to the health and safety of people and hors= es in a low cost but functional stable will outshine a disheveled and unkempt expensive facility every time. The appearance and attitudes of employees may contribute to the atmosphere as w= ell.

Horse presentation is a critical factor in success. In addition to the level of traini= ng, all horses should be on a balanced nutritional ration, regular vaccination, deworming and farrier programs and exercise protocol. If the horse is under saddle, it w= ill need to be fit and ready to show. If you must explain that “He just needs a little tuning up,= 221; you have probably knocked money off the top of your asking price.

MARKETING = PLAN

Proper identification of the target market will enhanc= e the likelihood of success in your program.&nbs= p; It is necessary to research the market by attending sales, checking = out the competition, and talking to people in the industry to establish fair ma= rket values. One of the most frequently cited reasons for business failure is a lacking or nonexistent advertising program. An effective advertising campaign for even the smalles= t of equine businesses will extend over an entire twelve-month period. Research through breed organizatio= ns, state and county extension agents, local clubs and organizations, the Ameri= can Horse Council, and the Chamber of Commerce can help you to become familiar = with your market. Often, the major= ity of your business will come from within a 150-200 mile radius.

Some tips regarding ad placement include: 1) running smaller ads on a more frequent basis rather than a one shot deal, 2) targeting appropriate time periods for running more ads (i.e. prior to breeding season for stallion advertisements), and 3) planning ahead.&nb= sp; Several magazines have a three-month lead-time for publication. Carefully plan the content and lay= out of your advertisement. Take your= ideas from favorable existing ads that have a clear and concise message, and are = easy to read. If you use pictures,= use professional quality photographs, and be sure to put a contact name and pho= ne number in the advertisement.

Throughout the planning process, it will also be neces= sary to establish reasonable prices that your market will support. Whether you choose to market horses= by auction or private treaty, you will usually have two prices in mind. Usually the minimum amount that yo= u will accept is the base price (i.e. cost of breeding fees, veterinary and board bills). The second price might factor in extras, such as training and profit. If the base price of your horses c= annot be met within the available market, it is a distinct sign that you must reevaluate your product, methods, or geographical location. Selling horses below costs investe= d will certainly not result in a profit margin at the end of the year. Auctions allow the seller to place= a reserve or minimum bid on their horse in order to prevent a sale well below= the base price. These are not usu= ally published, therefore allowing a fair shot to both the seller and the buyer. An additional way to establish value for your horse is to employ a certified equine appraiser.

METHODS OF= SALE

The methods utilized most frequently for marketing the= ir horses are private treaty and auctions.&nb= sp; In the case of “on the farm” sales, be sure the horse is prepared to be shown at all times. Advertising printed in classifieds, newsletters, and posted at horse shows, tack shops and feed stores usually serve the low number marketer. The internet has become a huge med= ium for connecting buyers and sellers, but also sellers and scam artists! An effective ad will emphasize good points, include the price, and a number of contact methods. On the inter= net, choose sites that both offer diversity as well as breed or discipline speci= fic. Picture ads may cost a little bit, but are cited often by purchasers as what caught their eye and made them take a second look. Bad pictures are worse t= han no pictures, however! Often, people don’t like to include the price in the ad, but usually the first question from their callers, if they bother to contact you at all, is some f= orm of “What are ya asking…”&nb= sp; Ideally, of course, your farm should be neat and clean, and have a specific place designated to show the horses (i.e. arena or walking ring).<= o:p>

There are several options if you market your animals t= hrough auctions. You yourself can ta= ke the horse through the ring, and be the one to field all questions, or you can t= urn the horse(s) over to a consignor. The consignor acts as an agent for the owner and has authority to si= gn the bill of sale and collect money. The consignment agreement usually provides limited power of attorney, commission, board fees and responsibility for care of the horse. The horse will be listed in a cata= logue. However, if you “no saleR= 21; the horse (RNA=3D reserve not attained) or the horse does not reach the min= imum bid, you are still responsible for a commission to the agent and the sales agency. Unfortunately with this method, as a seller you have less control o= ver the final destination of your horse.

RESPONSIBI= LITIES/WARRANTIES

“Buyer beware” is the most common percepti= on in horse transactions today. An express warranty can actually translate to “money back guarantee̶= 1; if what was said about the horse resulted in a purchase. These situations often go to litig= ation if a “guarantee” of soundness or gentleness is stated during the purchase and is later found to be untrue.&= nbsp; The statements need to be factual and realistic rather than opinion = for the express warranty to hold up in court.&= nbsp; However, be aware that a seller can actually create a warranty unintentionally by providing information to the potential client. An implied warranty is similar, bu= t is usually related to a specific purpose or use of the horse. The difference, however, is determ= ined by what is not said. For exam= ple, a horse purchased for a young rider may have an implied warranty of gentlenes= s, while broodmare prospects will have an implied warranty for fertility. If the owner withholds knowledge a= s to why the animal would not be suitable for the stated purpose, silence may cr= eate another money back guarantee.

Things may get interesting, if, for instance the buyer= finds out the “show jumping prospect” is not sound, but decides to br= eed her. At this point, the impli= ed or express warranty becomes void, since the buyer exercised control over the mare. In addition, the longer= the buyer has the horse in his possession, the less likely the courts will rule= in favor of the express or implied warranty.&= nbsp; It will be harder to prove that the condition existed prior to the t= ransfer of ownership (i.e. the new owner could have caused the problem).=

If the situation deteriorates to the point of fraud, t= he buyer will have to prove: 1) = The seller made a false representation (i.e. the horse is sound), 2) The seller knew it was false, 3) The seller intended the buyer to rely on the representation, 4) The buyer relied on the false representation and, 5) The buyer was injured by the sellers misrepresentation. How can such a situation be avoide= d? A written report from your veterin= arian regarding health and soundness may transfer potential liability from the seller to the veterinarian. The seller can disclaim (in writing) any implied or express warranty by stating that the h= orse is being sold “as is.” A similar statement is usually written in the Terms and Conditions section of most auction catalogues. The seller may also demand that the buyer inspect the horse thorough= ly, and if the buyer refuses to do this, he may in fact be waiving his right to= any warranty.

FOOD FOR T= HOUGHT

Business research has shown that approximately 65% of clientele for an average business are made up of established, repeat customers. Almost 90% of dissatisfied customers will not return to make another purchase; therefore = it is very important the sellers value the customer service aspect. While it may be impossible to sati= sfy everybody all of the time, there are many things that can be done to build = the satisfied customer base. The attention to detail and a strong reputation for honesty and integrity will = go a lot further than trying to impress only the “important” clients. Treat everyone as a potential client, and choose not to make snap judgments based on appearance, knowledge or background of your potential client. If you act professionally for no o= ther reason than common courtesy and respect to the customer, remember also, that you n= ever know whom they know.

—Dr. Betsy Greene=

Equine Extension Specialist, University of Vermont

20TH ANNUAL EQUINE REPRODUCTION WORKSHOP: April 4 & 5, 2008

The UVM Morgan Horse Farm in Wey= bridge, Vermont, the William H. Miner Agricultur= al Research Institute of Chazy, New York an= d the Middlebury Large Animal Clinic of Middlebury, Vermont will host their 20th annual Reproduction Workshop beginning the afternoon of Friday, April 4 and contin= uing for a full day on Saturday, April 5, 2008.

Dr. Donald Hunt and associates are skilled veterinary practitioners in equine reproduction and physiology. They will discuss mana= ging the uses of lights, hormones, and ultrasound in your breeding program, anat= omy and physiology of the mare and stallion, embryo transfer, artificial insemination and foaling/neonatal care.

The topics covered by Dr. Josie Davis of the Universit= y of Vermont’s Equine Studies Program and Kati= e Ballard, Director of Research and Equine Program Coordinator at Miner Institute, will include updates on materials, techniques and procedures for collecting, processing and transporting fresh-cooled and frozen stallion semen.

The staff of the UVM Morgan Horse Farm, Miner Institut= e and the Veterinarians will guide workshop participants through hands-on participation and demonstrations of ultrasound, teasing procedures, semen collection and processing, artificial insemination and frozen semen handlin= g. The important step of training the inexperienced stallion to the breeding phantom is also demonstrated.

The registration fee of $250 includes workshop materia= ls and meals. Spaces are limited to = 25 participants. Call the UVM Mo= rgan Horse Farm at (802) 388-2011, Monday-Friday, for further information.

EVERYTHING EQUINE EXPO

To be held again at the Champlain Valley Exposition, E= ssex Junction, Vt. The region’s largest educational horse show, featuring 60 seminars wi= th national and local equine experts including workshops and demonstrations wi= th Olympic rider, noted author, Jane Savoie, 175 exhibitors, 4-H kid’s corner, Breyer’s Model Horse Tour, all new this year on Sunday- the Versatile Horse competition, silent auction and more. “Horsin’ Around” equine variety show on Saturday, 7 pm, separate admission required. Hours: Saturday, 8:30 am to 6 pm, Sunday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Adv= ance tickets, $6, day of show, $8, kids under 5 free with adult.

For more information, www.cvexpo.org or call (802) 878-5545. Tickets will be available starting on March 1.

FOR SALE

HD Graphite (Legacy’s Viking x UVM Valkyrie) 6 y= ear old, 14.2 hand black Morgan gelding. Solid start in the basics with a few g= ood dressage scores under his belt. Enjoys trail riding and has been started ov= er fences. Green broke to drive and is a nice carriage driving prospect. Easy-going temperament, good with vet, farrier, bathing and clipping. “Bob” is a great all around guy for a young rider or amateur ad= ult looking for a fun, but not too challenging horse to compete with or just en= joy! $6,000 more pictures and a video a= vailable upon request. Contact Karen Lassell 518-846-7121 x120 or email lassell@w= hminer.com.