Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Compounded Horse Medications: Legal and Ethical Issues Free Webinar at TheHorse.com, June 1

Lexington, Ky. (May 17, 2011)—Compounded medications fulfill a critically important role in horse health care. While many of these tailored medications are prepared appropriately and lawfully, other compounds aren't what their manufacturers claim they are; several investigations have found that compounded medications can contain more or less active ingredient than intended, resulting in problems ranging from lack of efficacy to death of horses receiving the medication.

When are compounded medications appropriate, and when are they illegal? What can tip you off that a compounded medication might not be safe for your horse? Find out in TheHorse.com's free webinar on compounded horse medications on June 1, 8-9 p.m. EST (brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica).

Presenter: Scott Stanley, PhD, Professor of Equine Analytical Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, has focused his research efforts in the fields of equine analytical chemistry and pharmacology, and he has published more than 100 scientific research papers on topics of drug detection, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and veterinary compounding. His current research interests relate to the use of biomarkers for the detection of biopharmaceutical agents. Stanley will also be available to answer questions online via live text chat during this event, and he will be assisted by:

John Tuttle, DVM, Equine Technical Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. After spending 15 years in mixed and equine-only private veterinary practices, he entered industry veterinary work as a technical services veterinarian with Fort Dodge Animal Health, followed by his current position at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. His main interests include equine preventive medicine and herd health.

Sign up now for this Webinar at www.TheHorse.com/Webinars. Your registration allows you to watch the video presentation and ask questions live during the presentation, and you can submit your questions via e-mail prior to the Webinar to be answered during the live event. We hope you can join us!

Any questions about the webinar can be directed to THWebinars@TheHorse.com.

Minimum System Requirements:

·         256 megabytes (MB) of RAM; 512 MB recommended.

·         Broadband Internet connection or access to a high-speed network highly recommended.

·         Speakers/headphones on your computer to hear the audio.

·         Flash Player 8 or higher.

KHC CONTINUES TO COORDINATE KENTUCKY SUPPORT TO HORSES AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS

Lexington, KY, May 17, 2011 – The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) provides a central coordination point for Kentucky equine rescue efforts to support horses affected by hurricanes, tornados, floods, fire and other natural disasters. KHC has experience responding to equine crisis through the US Disaster Relief Fund and the Save Our Horses (SoHo) Fund.

“Supporting the efforts of other states to address the needs of horses impacted by natural disaster is the best way we can help them recover.  By coordinating fund raising efforts within the state, we enable Kentuckians to show their concern for all horses,” remarked Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council.

The Kentucky Horse Council has been speaking with representatives from the Alabama Horse Council regarding the extensive tornado damage and destruction across the state.  The Alabama Horse Council is coordinating efforts to provide feed for those horses affected by the raging storms and they need financial assistance.

Through the US Disaster Relief Fund, the Kentucky Horse Council will purchase hay needed to care for horses that have either been displaced by the storms, or whose owners are unable to care for them as a result of the storms.   

“Several individuals have been going door to door checking on horse owners.  This is a really time consuming task that only reaches a few affected individuals.  The goal of the Alabama Horse Council, at this time, is to organize a means for all affected Alabama horse owners to get the help they need following a standard procedure,” commented Dr. Gary Koepp, Alabama Horse Council Disaster Coordinator.

Currently the Alabama Horse Council is working with the Department of Agriculture and Alabama Extension to identify the best method by which to provide assistance to horse owners affected by the tornados.

When any state needs assistance due to a natural disaster, KHC notifies its members and the Kentucky horse community and begins the process of responding to the needs of the affected horses, typically by purchasing feed which the local response agencies then distributes to affected horses.

For current information or to donate visit www.kentuckyhorse.org/disaster-relief/.

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL - The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts, equine professional networking opportunities through KENA, trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs, and personal liability insurance and other membership benefits.  The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.

Reining: World: McCutcheon and Schmersal to represent U.S. at Inaugural FEI World Reining Final - By Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY - The inaugural FEI World Reining Final gets underway in Malmo, Sweden this week as part of a four-day reining event at Bökeberg, Skåne. The United States will be represented by two of its top reining athletes, Tom McCutcheon and Craig Schmersal.

World Champion and Team Gold medalist from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, McCutcheon heads to Malmo with the momentum of a banner year at his back. He was named 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year and his WEG horse, Gunners Special Nite, was crowned 2010 Farnam/USEF Horse of the Year. Gunners Special Nite won't be making this trip, so McCutcheon will be relying on Darlins Not Painted, a 9-year-old American Paint Horse mare owned by Turnabout Farm.

"I always look forward to the opportunity to represent the U.S.," said McCutcheon. "It's always great to show in front of European reining fans, they're loud and they love reining!"

McCutcheon will be joined by WEG Teammate and Individual Silver medalist, Craig Schmersal, who will ride Miss Lil Addy Tude in her first overseas appearance. The 9-year-old American Quarter Horse mare just finished second in the CRI5* at the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, proving she can be a formidable opponent in a big venue.

The Final in Malmo marks another important opportunity for the U.S. Reiners to prove their prowess on the world stage. Each National Federation is only invited to send two athletes (with one horse each) to contend for $100,000 in prize money. The one-round event takes place at 19:00 CEST on Saturday May 21.