McMath goes two better - 9 wins out of 12

Jan. 4, 2010

Mark Purdon and Grant Payne might have trained a record seven winners at Auckland Trotting Club's meeting at Alexandra Park on New Year's Eve but Brian McMath of Flair Equine Nasal Strips went two better, creating his own New Zealand harness racing record.

- Read full article.

FEI Dressage News

December 8, 2009

Princess Haya Calls For "Time Out:" Progressive List Rediscussed at 2010 General Assembly

To read this important, open letter from Princess Haya, please click on this link: Message from Princess Haya

How to Train Effectively and Compete Successfully in the Classic Long-Format

December 3, 2009  |  USEA Annual Meeting & Convention  |  Reston, VA

Dr. David Marlin (right) spoke today about how to train effectively and compete successfully in the classic format event. His presentation was comprised of four points:

1. The demands of long-format eventing

“The long-format has not been around much for the past few years in here, in Europe, and the rest of the world, and I’m one of the people that really misses it,” Marlin said.

He went on to describe not “what” the long format event is, but more “why” the long format was and still is. While most of the modern information we know about the long-format came from studies leading up to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, one of the most useful tools to come from the long-format is the use of heart rate to monitor a horse's fitness and performance level.

2. Factors that effect how hard a horse works during competition

“People often don’t know to what extent different factors can affect how hard a horse is working,” Marlin said. He went on to discuss factors from horse’s breed, age, weight, size, and level of fitness, to terrain and climate, to rider’s weight, fitness, and experience level.

3. Training and preparation of horses and avoiding injuries

“Out in the wild, horses run for 30 seconds at a time at gallop, and sometimes go for days at a time without galloping at all,” Marlin said. “They do short bursts of exercise. But we exercise them for hours each day for months on end. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be riding horses, and training and competing them, what I’m saying is that we need to be smarter about training, because the current rate of injury is unacceptable, and it’s also unnecessary.”

He went on to describe how the low-intensity long-distance training actually exacerbates wear and tear, and doesn't encourage respiratory and pulmonary fitness. Instead, tapering training regiments heading into competition fosters strength building, as well as fitness building.

4. Optimizing your training to improve your horses performance

Finally, Dr. Marlin reviewed methods of hydration and feeding before and after training and competition, pace and pattern of exercise, and also brought light to just how strenuous long travel can be on your horse and how much it can affect his performance. “I think people under-estimate what travel can take out of horses,” he said.

FEI delays implementation of new prohibited substances list to
5 April 2010

Lausanne  |  December 1, 2009

The FEI has announced today (1 December) that the FEI Bureau has passed a Resolution delaying implementation of the new Equine Prohibited Substances List and the accompanying Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations until 5 April 2010. This Resolution has been passed in order to allow for broader debate and consultation on the policy change approved at the recent FEI General Assembly regarding the restricted use of a small number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
 
The FEI recognizes that a number of issues arise as a result of this policy change, which was voted in by a majority of 53-48 at the meeting in Copenhagen on 19 November. The change in policy will affect National Federations and organizers who must comply with state laws as well as international competition rules. It has implications for the breeding industry and the selection of horses and may impact on all those concerned with animal welfare. It also affects the laboratories involved in the testing procedures. The decision, which reversed the 1993 ban on phenylbutazone, has provoked considerable debate among FEI stakeholders.
 
The FEI acknowledges that these concerns are all legitimate and feels that there is clearly a need for further debate on the issue. The delayed implementation of the new Equine Prohibited Substances List will also allow for supplementary research to be carried out on the use of NSAIDs in the competition horse.
 
“The FEI has been criticized for not providing sufficient time for consultation on the substances that differentiate the new policy from the old and there has also been widespread unease about the late publication of the progressive list”, FEI President HRH Princess Haya said today. “Views that have been expressed since the vote are being taken extremely seriously by the FEI as legitimate welfare concerns and we give similar importance to our membership’s decision to effect a policy change. In light of both these considerations, we felt it was only fair to delay implementation of the new list to allow everyone to have their say and let other veterinary experts look at the science behind this policy change.
 
“The controversy surrounding the List has almost completely overshadowed the clean sport campaign, which received overwhelming support at the General Assembly. Now we can allow the focus to return to the wonderful work that has been undertaken by the Joint-Commissions chaired by Professor Arne Ljungqvist and Lord Stevens, which has provided a clear roadmap for the delivery of clean sport.”

Overwhelming support for Clean Sport Campaign at FEI General Assembly

Copenhagen DEN  |  Nov. 19, 2009

In a landmark moment for equestrian sport, the FEI General Assembly today voted overwhelmingly in favour of new Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations which will ensure the welfare of the horse and guarantee a fair playing field. A series of far reaching recommendations – part of the Clean Sport Campaign led by the Ljungqvist and Stevens Commissions – were also adopted by a massive majority amongst the 105 National Federations represented in Copenhagen.
 
Delegates also approved in a close vote a new Prohibited Substances List itemising more than 1000 substances not allowed in competition. The adoption of the so-called “Progressive List” now permits in-competition use of a limited number of medications under strictly prescribed limits.
 
FEI President HRH Princess Haya thanked the delegates on behalf of the sport for their support of the Clean Sport Campaign. “This is a true landmark moment in the history of our sport,” HRH Princess Haya commented. “The overwhelming support of the National Federations for the Clean Sport Campaign is proof that we are moving in the right direction thanks to the incredible work done by the Ljungqvist and Stevens Commissions. This vote has given us the power to roll out Clean Sport and allow us to restore the public image of our sport as a clean and uncorrupt product.”
 
The Clean Sport Campaign is the result of a year-long consultation process which has brought together the viewpoints and expertise of the entire FEI Family and the professional recommendations of the Commissions led by Prof. Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the IOC Medical Commission and vice president of the World Anti Doping Agency, and Lord Stevens, formed Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
 
Professor Ljungqvist said, “Ultimately it was down to the equestrian community to make the final decision and they have voted in support of the package as a whole. The two Commissions have put in an enormous amount of work to come up with these recommendations and it is particularly gratifying that we have received such overwhelming support for the Clean Sport Campaign from the National Federations.”
 
Lord Stevens stated afterwards, “We said yesterday that the FEI needed to adopt these recommendations before it could be given a clean bill of health. They have been approved by a massive majority and now the sport can move forward.”
 
Voting Facts and Figures:

Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations: 95 in favour, 5 against
105 NFs represented (101 participated, 100 valid, 1 abstention)
 
Commissions Recommendations: 90 in favour, 8 against
103 NFs represented (100 participated, 99 valid, 1 abstention)
 
Lists of Prohibited Substances: 53 in favour of Progressive List, 48 in favour of other List
105 NFs represented (102 participated, 101 valid, 1 abstention)
 
FEI Veterinary Regulations: 86 in favour, 9 against
105 NFs represented (102 participated, 95 valid, 7 abstentions)

FEI Statement on Horse Welfare

Copenhagen DEN  | Nov. 17, 2009

The FEI condemns all training methods and practices that are contrary to horse welfare. The welfare of the horse has always been and will always be at the core of every aspect of the Federation’s work as the international governing body for equestrian sport.
 
During its meeting in Copenhagen (DEN) on 15 November, the FEI Bureau had extensive discussion on the issue of hyperflexion. The FEI Bureau insists that, with immediate effect, stewards in all disciplines use the disciplinary measures available to them, such as verbal warnings and yellow warning cards *, to prevent any infringement of FEI rules.
 
The FEI is now engaged with World Horse Welfare, a leading international equestrian organisation, in addition to continued consultation with riders, trainers, officials and veterinarians to thoroughly research the issues. The further education of stewards will also continue to ensure that welfare issues at FEI events are dealt with promptly and professionally.
 
The FEI acknowledges and welcomes public opinion and will continue to ensure that the welfare of the horse, which has been central to this debate, will remain its absolute priority.
 
 
* If a rider receives two yellow warning cards within one year, he / she is automatically suspended for a period of two months immediately following the event at which the second yellow warning card was received.

The Roars and Gurgles, Wheezes and Coughs

US Eventing Association Annual Meeting
Reston, VA
Sponsored by Flair, LLC, makers of the Flair® Nasal Strips

Horses make all kinds of noises in their aerobic work. In this seminar, presented by Dr. David Marlin, you'll find out what those noises mean, and what you can do to help your horse breath easier and perform better. To read more about the USEA Annual Meeting and download the complete schedule, click here.

Date: Friday, December 4, 2009

Time: 11:00 am - Noon

 YOU'RE INVITED
to a special educational seminar

 Breathing: The Forgotten Key to Performance and Health

Location: Women's Pro Rodeo Association World Finals
                Tulsa Expo Square, Ford Truck Expo Teaching Area
                Tulsa, OK

Date:        Thursday, November 12, 2009

Time:        1:00 - 2:00 pm

- View Invitation

Understanding and Management of Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) in the 3-Day Event Horses

Presented by: Dr. Tammi S. Epp, DVM, PhD.

Dr. Epp, will provide foundational understanding of EIPH in horses which will provide a basis for understanding the significance of the condition in eventing horses and what can be done to manage the condition at all levels of training.

Dr. Epp is a former staff member at Kansas State University where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Degree and a PhD in Equine Exercise Physiology/Sports Medicine. She holds additional certifications in Animal Chiropractic, Veterinary Acupuncture, Equine Rehabilitation, and Equine Massage Therapy. Dr. Epp has conducted research in many aspects of equine health, including locomotion analysis, EIPH treatments, acupuncture efficacy, and the effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acids.

FLAIR® Nasal Strips approved in Australia

On March 19, 2009 the Australian Racing Board approved the use of FLAIR Nasal Strips during racing. This approval underscores the Board's committment to providing horsemen with drug-free, scientifically proven products that support the health of racehorses on race day and in training.

Havemeyer Foundation Workshop on EIPH held in Vancouver Canada

The first Havemeyer Foundation Workshop on EIPH was held in March of 2006 in Vancouver Canada.  20 participants represented the main horse regions from around the world. EIPH is not limited to racehorses, but is a ubiquitous consequence of exercise in all horses in almost all disciplines. EIPH may justify EIPH being considered the most common exercise-related injury that occurrs in horses.  The Handbook from the second Workshop builds on the progress of the first Workshop and provides new articles, concepts and treatments related to EIPH.  The Handbook can be viewed at Education Articles

FLAIR, LLC, Donates FLAIR Nasal Strips to the 2008 U.S. Eventing Team

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) would like to thank FLAIR, LLC, for their generous donation of FLAIR Nasal Strips for the 2008 U.S. eventing team. Clinical and university studies in equine science and sports medicine research have shown that the use of FLAIR Strips reduces airway resistance, fatigue, lung stress and bleeding in horses during physical exertion. Studies have also shown that horses wearing FLAIR Strips conserve oxygen during exercise and experience a shorter recovery time following exercise.

USEF's Week In Review e-newsletter 6-12-2008