Horses heat up 10 times faster than people – study

A hot humid day. One rider. One horse. Both are exercising at a moderate level. Who is more likely to overheat? 

It might surprise you to know that your horse gets hotter much faster than you and is more susceptible to the negative effects of heat stress.

Professor Michael Lindinger, an animal and exercise physiologist at the University of Guelph, explains: “It only takes 17 minutes of moderate intensity exercise in hot, humid weather to raise a horse’s temperature to dangerous levels. That’s three to 10 times faster than in humans. Horses feel the heat much worse than we do.”

And the effects can be serious. If a horse’s body temperature shoots up from the normal 37 to 38 C to 41 C, temperatures within working muscles may be as high as 43 C, a temperature at which proteins in muscle begin to denature (cook). Horses suffering excessive heat stress may experience hypotension, colic and renal failure.

Lindinger, a faculty member in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, became interested in the effects of heat on horses when he was a lead researcher on the Canadian research team that contributed information on the response of the horse to heat and humidity for the Atlanta Summer Olympics. He recently presented a workshop on the topic at Equine Guelph’s outdoor Equine Expo on June 4 at U of G’s Arkell Research Station.

Horses are more susceptible to heat for several reasons, explains Lindinger. First, they are larger and have a higher percentage of active muscle than people do during exercise. When muscles are being used, they produce a lot of heat.

Horses also rely to a significant extent on sweating to cool them off. They can sweat 15 to 20 litres per hour in cool, dry conditions and up to 30 litres per hour in hot, humid conditions, but only 25 to 30 per cent of the sweat produced is effective in cooling the horse by evaporation.

“Because so much more sweat is produced than can be evaporated, the rest just drips off the horse’s body,” says Lindinger. “By comparison, up to 50 per cent of the sweat people produce is evaporated from our bodies during exercise and helps to cool us.”

The salts in horse sweat are also four times as concentrated as in human sweat. Lindinger refers to a photograph of an area where endurance horses had been standing while their sweaty bodies were repeatedly scraped and cooled with water. As the liquids evaporated from the ground, the soil surface was left white because of the salt in the horses’ sweat.

“Those salts have to be replaced,” he says. “Just giving the horse water will not rehydrate a dehydrated horse. When horses drink plain water, it dilutes their body fluids, and their bodies respond by trying to get rid of more water and more electrolytes.”

Horses also pant to dissipate heat, but Lindinger says this is effective only if the air is at least five degrees cooler than the horse’s body temperature.

His tips for protecting horses from the harmful effects of summer heat begin with teaching your horse to drink an electrolyte solution (water with the right proportion of salts dissolved in it) to replace sweat losses. “Start with a small amount in the water, allowing the horse to get used to the taste, and gradually increase it over days and weeks until you have reached the manufacturer’s recommendation.”

Keeping your horse properly hydrated is the most important step in protecting it against the harmful effects of heat, he says.

Keeping your horse properly hydrated is the most important step in protecting it against the harmful effects of heat.

If you’re preparing for a competition, Lindinger recommends trying to acclimatize your horse to the heat by spending four hours daily, at least five days a week for three weeks, in hot conditions. For best results, exercise the horse for an hour during the second hour of each of those days.

“Many riders will train their horses in the mornings or evenings, when it’s cool, then go to a competition held during the hottest part of the day. You need to get horses used to being ridden in the heat and allow them to develop the full spectrum of beneficial adaptations that come with heat acclimation.”

Lindinger says that horses who have been through a process of heat acclimation will lose more heat through sweating and respiration and will be better able to stay hydrated because they are more likely to drink.

When your horse is hot, look for shade and breezes to help cool it down, but never use a blanket or “cooler” on a horse that is sweating, he adds, suggesting the best way to cool a horse quickly is to rinse the horse’s body repeatedly with cold water and scrape off the excess water.

“You can cool the horse two degrees in 10 minutes this way: pour on the water, scrape it off, pour on more, and just keep repeating it,” says Lindinger. “The scraping part is important because otherwise the water will be trapped in the horse’s hair and will quickly warm up. By scraping and pouring on fresh, cold water you keep the cooling process going.”

Just as equestrians pack a canteen of water, some sunscreen and a hat with a brim for summer riding adventures, Lindinger says they should also equip themselves with the tools needed to protect their horses from the heat and humidity. If you prepare your horse in advance and have a plan to cool him down if he becomes overheated, he says, even the hot, muggy days of summer can be great riding fun.

The sport of horse racing is to celebrate its 350th anniversary in the US this year.

Painting by Frederick Elmiger titled “First Horse Race, Garden City, Long Island”, from a series of New York City’s early history.

In 1665, the construction of the Newmarket course in Salisbury, New York, a section of what is now known as the Hempstead Plains of Long Island, NY, was established.

This first race meeting in North America was supervised by New York’s colonial governor, Richard Nicolls. The area is now occupied by the present Nassau County, New York, region of Greater Westbury and East Garden City.

In celebration of the anniversary, The Jockey Club’s fan development platform America’s Best Racing (ABR) has launched a four-part series of digital video ads filmed and produced at historic Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky.

The occasion of the first race meeting in the US was marked by a painting by US artist Frederick Elmiger, showing a group of dignitaries assembled on the lawn of the Newmarket racecourse as riders on horseback gather in the background. The figure in a long red coat is probably intended to represent Governor Nicholls.

Other significant events in 1665:

March 4, 1665: The Second Anglo-Dutch War began.

April 10, 1665: The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society began publication, the first scientific journal in English.

April 12, 1665: Margaret Porteous is the first person recorded to die in the Great Plague of London. This last major outbreak of Bubonic plague in the British Isles has possibly been introduced by Dutch prisoners of war. Two-thirds of Londoners leave the city, but more than 68,000 die. Plague spreads to Derby.

March 11, 1665: A new legal code was approved for the Dutch and English towns of New York guaranteeing all Protestants the right to continue their religious observances unhindered.

July 3, 1665: The first documented case of cyclopia is found in a horse.

August 27, 1665: Ye Bare & Ye Cubbe, the first play in English in the American colonies, is performed in Pungoteague, Va.

September 17, 1665: Charles II of Spain becomes King while not yet 4 years old.

Triple Crown Winner-First in 37 Years

ELMONT, N.Y. – American Pharoah accomplished one of the rare feats in sport Saturday, becoming the first horse in 37 years and just the 12th horse ever to win the Triple Crown.

The heavily favored colt completed the quest by running away from seven rivals in the Belmont Stakes, three weeks after a rain-soaked dash in the Preakness and five weeks after a gritty,stretch-duel victory in the Kentucky Derby.

American Pharoah's name now moves into the history books alongside equine immortals like Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Citation and War Admiral. And horse racing finally has the superstar it has hungered for – a fluid athlete with a massive stride who seems to float over the ground.

The last horse to win all three of North America's biggest races was Affirmed in 1978. Since then, 13 horses have come to this historic track having won the first two legs of the Crown. All had failed (with I'll Have Another scratched prior to the 2012 running), raising doubts whether the quest was still attainable for the modern thoroughbred.

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Victor Espinoza reacts after crossing the finish line with American Pharoah to win the Triple Crown. (AP)

In front of a roaring crowd, American Pharoah eradicated those doubts in stirring fashion, going wire-to-wire at the Belmont, beating second-place finisher Frosted by 5½ lengths.

Pharoah didn't break well from the gate, but it didn't matter. Jockey Victor Espinoza steered him to the lead, which he never relinquished.

As he came down the stretch, American Pharoah never slowed, widening his lead to win going away in a time of 2:26.65 – the quickest Belmont time since 1992.

The result gave triumphant closure to trainer Bob Baffert's 18-year quest to win the Triple Crown. Three times previously, he had won the Derby and Preakness only to encounter Belmont heartbreak. In 1997, his Silver Charm was passed in deep stretch. In '98, Real Quiet was nipped at the wire. And in 2002, front-running War Emblem stumbled leaving the gate and was never a factor.

Now the 62-year-old Californian finally has his Triple.

It also marked a breakthrough for the 43-year-old Espinoza in his third stab at winning the Triple Crown. Espinoza had been the rider on War Emblem, and on California Chrome last year. He is the first native of Mexico to win the Triple Crown.

And it was a triumph for American Pharoah's owner, Ahmed Zayat, who in less than a decade has become one of the most impactful owners in thoroughbred racing. The 52-year-old Egyptian immigrant had finished second in four Triple Crown races before this year – three times in the Derby (2009, '11 and '12) and once in the Belmont (‘12).

One of Zayat's Derby runner-ups, Pioneerof The Nile, is the sire of American Pharoah. The Zayat homebred established himself as a special horse very quickly.

American Pharoah finished fifth in his debut race as a 2-year-old last August, and has been simply brilliant ever since. This was his seventh straight victory at six different racetracks.

After dominating the competition in Arkansas in March and April, American Pharoah came to Kentucky as the Derby favorite. It took a vigorous ride by Espinoza to budge Pharoah past Firing Line and Dortmund in the stretch at Churchill Downs, but the colt showed his tenacity in winning the roses. He then came back two weeks later and obliterated the field in the Preakness, dancing over a sloppy track to set the stage for this history-making Belmont triumph.

Now he is a racing immortal with the other Triple Crown winners: Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977) and Affirmed.

It took 37 years for a new horse to join the sport's most selective fraternity. American Pharoah is a worthy inclusion.

Another Big Race This Weekend

It’s a battle of the heavy horses Clydesdales will be going head-to-head with Shire horses on the racetrack.

The breeds will be going up against each other in a two-furlong race on 6 June at Lingfield Park.

Shires have raced at the track before, and Clydesdales have run at Exeter, but it will be the first time the two breeds have competed at a racecourse.

“This race is about proving the versatility of these great horses along with highlighting their endangerment as breeds. We are determined to show that these fantastic horses have a place in the 21st century. This year’s theme of Shire vs Clyde showcases the differences in these two types and introduces a bit of friendly rivalry between the breeds,” said Jacquie Gardiner, from Hurst Green Shires, organisers of the race.

“The history of the Shire and Clydesdale is intertwined. The Clydesdale was developed for use from the Scottish borders and upwards and the Shire was for middle England but both became very popular as working horses for industry and agriculture.

“Their slightly different build made them suited to the different types of ground they were working with. With the onset of the Great War, huge numbers were requisitioned from around the country to serve in the army. This and the subsequent mechanisation of farming left the breeds at critical numbers in the 1970s. A breeding program and some very determined farmers and producers saved these beautiful animals for future generations but they remain endangered.”

Andrew Perkins, of Lingfield Park Resort added: “I’m thrilled we are once again able to stage this fabulous race.

“The fact that there is even more of a competitive twist this year with the Shires v. the Clydesdales, will make it even more exciting.’

As well as the heavy horse race there will be seven thoroughbred races on the all-weather and turf tracks throughout the day.

Julie Reilly, of sponsors Showerking, said: “We are very grateful to the owners of these animals for making this event possible — there is nothing more thrilling than watching those feathers fly down the track. There will be plenty of opportunity for the public to meet the contestants after the race and we’re looking forward to showing them off.”

Once again top National Hunt jockeys will be taking to the saddle to steer the heavy horses to victory.

But who has the faster turn of foot, the Shires or Clydesdales? Find out on 6 June…

American Pharoah will attempt to become the 12th Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978

Story by: NYRA Press Office

American Pharoah will attempt to become the 12th Triple Crown winner and first since Affirmed in 1978 when he contests the 147th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park.

  

 

With an approximate post time of 6:50, American Pharoah's date with destiny will air live on NBC as part of a 2 ½-hour broadcast beginning at 4:30 p.m. NBC Sports Network will also provide coverage of the day's racing, which includes five Grade 1 races in addition to the Belmont.

 

 

The 1 ½-mile Belmont, carded as race 11 on a 13-race program, will be involved in a multitude of guaranteed pools. The race will be the final leg of a Guaranteed $300,000 Daily Double starting with the Belmont Gold Cup Invitational on Friday, and a $1 million Pick Six, and $1.5 million Pick Four on Saturday.

 

 

Since Affirmed capped off his historic run 37 years ago, 13 horses have won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes only to have the "Test of the Champion" elude them. American Pharoah's Hall of Fame trainer, Bob Baffert, has sent out three of the 13: Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998), and War Emblem (2002).

 

 

"I'm reminded every year of Real Quiet and Silver Charm," said Baffert, who trains the homebred for Zayat Stables. "[American Pharoah] is a different horse than they were. You really don't know until the whole series is over how good the horses are. I'm just hoping I brought the right horse here, but we won't know until halfway into the race."

 

 

Many with imposing resumes have tried and failed.

 

 

Real Quiet was defeated by a nose at the hands of his arch-rival Victory Gallop, whom he had beaten in the first two legs of his Triple Crown run. The uber-popular Smarty Jones was denied in the 2004 edition of the Belmont by 36-1 longshot Birdstone. Four years later, the seemingly invincible Big Brown was eased in the stretch in his Triple Crown attempt.

 

 

Most recently, in 2014, California Chrome had his bid for the Triple Crown thwarted by Tonalist, who returns to the scene of his greatest triumph earlier on the June 6 card in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap.

 

 

Now entering the Belmont on a six-race win streak, all in graded stakes, American Pharoah wasn't always on the path to stardom. His career began inauspiciously on August 9 at Del Mar, when he finished fifth as the 7-5 favorite in a 6 ½-furlong sprint. But his fortunes changed quickly when, one start later, he became a Grade 1 winner by taking the Del Mar Futurity by 4 ¾ lengths.

 

 

The son of Pioneerof the Nile made it back-to-back Grade 1 wins with a 3 ¼-length score in the FrontRunner at Santa Anita Park, but the race proved to be the final start of his 2-year-old campaign after he was forced to miss the Breeders' Cup Juvenile because of a foot injury. Despite his absence from the premier juvenile race in the country, American Phaorah was named Champion 2-Year-Old Male.

 

 

Returning on March 14 at Oaklawn Park in his 3-year-old debut, American Pharoah picked up right where he left off, splashing home to victory in the Grade 2 Rebel by 6 ¼ lengths. He then dominated in his final prep for the Kentucky Derby - the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn - winning by eight lengths under wraps at the finish.

 

 

His brilliance earned him the role of favorite in the "Run for the Roses," and the bay colt ran true to his odds, prevailing by a hard-fought length over Firing Line after a wide trip. The victory wasn't as mesmerizing as his past romps, but it proved he could get in a dogfight and come out on top.

 

 

In the Preakness, American Pharoah delivered a memorable performance. A severe thunderstorm erupted minutes before the race leaving the track a sea of slop. Breaking from the rail, American Pharoah was urged to the front by his rider, Victor Espinoza, and was pressured through fast early fractions. Grade 3 Lexington winner Divining Rod took a run at him leaving the far turn, but the bay colt remained resilient, drawing off to a seven-length score.

 

 

"He's a horse I've never had to talk people into how good he is," said Baffert. "I've been wowed by the way he trains all winter and in the spring, and he continues to show his stuff. When I lead him over, I sort of feel like I have an edge, but coming in here and going one-and-a-half miles, it's a completely different story. We don't know how any of them are going to handle it because none of them have been that far. We just hope and dream from here on out."

 

 

American Pharoah, listed as the 3-5 morning-line favorite, will again be ridden by Espinoza, who was aboard War Emblem and California Chrome for their Triple Crown runs. The duo will depart from post 5 against seven rivals.

 

 

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who earned his first Classic victory in the 2007 Belmont with filly Rags to Riches and won the race again with Palace Malice in 2013, will saddle two runners: Madefromlucky and Materiality.

 

 

Madefromlucky, owned by Cheyenne Stables and Mac Nichol, will hope to follow the path Tonalist took to his Belmont triumph. In his last start, the chestnut son of Lookin At Lucky won the Grade 2 Peter Pan at Belmont, just as Tonalist did before upsetting California Chrome.

 

 

Alto Racing's Materiality enters the Belmont off a troubled fifth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. The son of Afleet Alex, who won the 2005 Belmont, was unbeaten heading into the Derby and coming off a 1 ½-lengths victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, for which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 110.

 

 

Pletcher had considered entering the bay colt in the Preakness, but ultimately decided to keep him in New York.

 

 

"With those kinds of decisions you just never know, but with the downpour and everything [at the Preakness], I was happy we were safely at home," said Pletcher, who finished second a very close second in last year's Belmont with Commissioner.

 

 

Madefromlucky, who is out of a full-sister to Tapit, sire of Tonalist, will be ridden by Javier Castellano from post 3. He is listed at 12-1 on the morning line. Standing at 6-1 on the morning line, Materiality will break from post 8 with Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard.

 

 

Kentucky Derby fourth-place finisher Frosted will go out for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and Godolphin Racing. The son of Tapit made a dramatic turnaround earlier this year to win the Grade 1 TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial by two lengths on April 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

 

 

Entering the Wood, the 3-year-old colt was coming off a confounding performance in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park, in which he appeared poised to win before fading rapidly in the stretch.

 

 

"The Wood was a really satisfying win for the whole team because of all the time and effort, and all the times we watched the Fountain of Youth and tried to figure out what happened," said McLaughlin, who sent out Jazil to victory in the 2006 Belmont after a fourth-place finish in the Derby. "We ran good [in the Derby] breaking from a wide post in an 18-horse field and going six wide on the far turn. And we wish there was more pace. He ran a great race, but we were a little disappointed; we wanted to win."

 

 

Frosted, 5-1 second-choice on the morning line, will leave from post 6 with Joel Rosario in the irons.

 

 

Preakness runner-up Tale of Verve will give trainer Dallas Stewart his third chance in as many years at Belmont glory. The Charles Fipke homebred entered the Preakness off a solitary maiden win, but charged home to be second at odds of 28-1.

 

 

"We've been good, but we've got to get it done. We've got to march over there and get it done," said Stewart, who finished second in a Triple Crown race for the third straight year. "I think he's a horse that's really bred for the distance. He can take it. He's got the stamina, he's got the pedigree. I think he's got the ability, so it's going to be a real good race for him. I'm feeling real good about it."

 

Standing at 15-1 on the morning line, Tale of Verve will be ridden by Hall of Famer and three-time Belmont winner Gary Stevens from post 2.

 

Bred in Ireland and based predominantly in the United Arab Emirates, Mubtaahij will go out for globe-trotting trainer Mike de Kock off an eighth-place finish in the Derby. The Dubawi colt dominated in the Group 2 UAE Derby, winning by eight lengths before making his North American debut in the Kentucky Derby, in which he was beaten 9 ½ lengths by American Pharoah.

 

 

Keen Ice, seventh in the Derby, will represent Kentucky-based horseman Dale Romans and Donegal Racing. The son of Curlin has only a maiden win to his credit, but closed strongly after enduring a difficult trip in the Derby. He was beaten 8 ¾ lengths by American Pharoah.

 

 

Two-time Belmont winner and Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito will saddle longshot Frammento, who was most recently 11th in the Derby. History is on Frammento's side, as both of Zito's Belmont wins spoiled Triple Crown bids - first with Birdstone then again with Da' Tara in 2008 - but the chestnut colt has yet to win a race since breaking his maiden on October 4 at Keeneland.

 

 

With the field for the Belmont set, American Pharoah's legacy hangs in the balance. Baffert is cautiously optimistic.

 

 

"We know we're against it. This is a very tough race with a lot of very nice horses in it. Like Pat Riley said, 'In championship games there is winning and there is misery,' so that's what we're looking at right now," said Baffert. "I'm soaking it in. It's exciting. I never thought I'd be back here again in this position, but the way he won his races, and then the Preakness, he was so dominating that day. When he's right, he likes to dominate. He's that kind of horse. Hopefully, he can bring it one more time."

Two horses have died in a crash at Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria.

The RSPCA is now appealing for information after the accident on a “flashing lane” at the fair this afternoon (Friday 5 June).

The “flashing lane” is where horses are ridden and driven at high-speed to show them off to potential buyers.One horse died in the accident and another horse had to be put down by a vet from Redwings.

The identity of the people involved in the crash is unknown, as they had left before RSPCA officers and the vet arrived.

“We believe one horse was pulling a sulky while the other is thought to have been being ridden,” said RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy. “Our inspectors didn’t witness the incident but were on the scene shortly afterwards.

“We want to hear from anyone who did see what happened. They can approach us at the event or call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

RSPCA chief inspector Melloy said: “Two horses have died as a result of this incident, but it could have been worse still.“People must ensure that they are in control when they are riding or driving horses on the flashing lane at speed. “Failing to do so can easily result in serious injury and even death.”

The RSPCA is working with four other equine welfare organisations at Appleby Horse Fair — Redwings, the Blue Cross, The Donkey Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare.

The fair has been in existence for at least 300 years and is largest horse fair in Britain and among the oldest in Europe. It attracts around 40,000 visitors each year, including around 10,000 from the travelling community. This year it runs from 4-10 June.

FOSH PRESIDENT TERESA BIPPEN ESCAPES WITH HER LIFE AFTER CLOSE CALL WITH RECKLESS RAGE OF TRAINER

This 5’2″ lady from Missouri joined by a Tennessee educator was exercising her constitutional rights by protesting against Animal Cruelty of “Big Lick” Tennessee Walking Horses when a burly man driving a 3/4 ton Chevrolet Dually truck, in an apparent reckless fit of rage,  almost killed her.

LADIES PROTESTING AGAINST ANIMAL CRUELTY OF “BIG LICK” TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE

According to an eye witness, the driver of black Chevrolet truck snapped in a fit of uncontrollable fury.  He gunned his powerful engine, accelerated and swerved right at Ms. Teresa Bippen,  barely missing her.

The driver came up Lion Parkway last Saturday, and turned left on to Maury County Park Drive.   He was following a big rig owned by “Big Lick” heavy hitter Mr. David “Duke” Thorson who owns ThorWorks Industries, Inc.

The first thing the driver and the people riding with him saw were these Posters which apparently infuriated them.

Then they came in contact with a man wearing a cowboy hat on the right and a lady in a straw hat on the left.   The truck driver and passengers were greeted with “Big Lick, Big Lie” and “Animal Abusers”, and people holding signs condemning the “Big Lick” Animal Cruelty.

The driver of the black truck made an obscene gesture (flipped the bird) at the man in the hat, and the occupant sitting on the back passenger side lowered his window and hurled personal insults at the female protestors on the left side of the road.

As the black truck approached the intersection with a crossing road,  the driver slowed as he approached two female protestors on the right side of the road.

In the photo below, the truck driver can be clearly seen talking to one of the lady protestors through the driver’s side window.  At the same time a passenger on the near side on the back seat wearing a yellow shirt is speaking to two protestors.

According to an eyewitness,  the gist of the conversation was:

Protestor:   “Big Lick hurts horses.   Soring hurts horses.”   (The driver’s face turned red,  and he was yelling at the female protestor.

Driver:    What right do you have to tell me what to do with my horses?    How do you know what goes on with these horses?

Protestor:    Because I own a Tennessee Walking Horse.

Driver:     How do you know what I do with my horses?

Protestor:  Because I have been in “Big Lick” barns and seen what they do.

At that point, according to an observer,   the driver reportedly “erupted” in rage, and clenched both hands on the steering wheel, gunned the engine, and accelerated while turning the truck’s front wheels and swerving toward Ms. Teresa Bippen,  putting her in fear for her life.. The male and female protestors in the foreground looked on in horror,  and yelled out at what the driver is doing as Ms. Bippen was standing in the direct path of the truck.

The Maury County Deputy Sheriff reacts toward the truck yelling at the driver, and pursuing the truck and hitting on it to stop.

    “STOP THAT TRUCK”.

And on the far left,  a Columbia Police officer leaps from his patrol cruiser,  and pursues the black Chevrolet Dually on foot.  The two Columbia Police officers assist the Maury County Deputy who hits on the side of the truck,  and continues to yell at the driver to stop.

Finally,  the driver is made to stop and gets out of Truck.

He is interrogated by the Maury County Deputy and the two City of Columbia Police officers.

DRIVER OF THE 3/4 TON BLACK CHEVROLET DUALLY TRUCK

As of late Saturday,  the Maury County Sheriff had not released the name of the person driving the black truck nor made it official regarding what,  if any,  charges would be filed against the driver.

STATEMENT BY MS. TERESA BIPPEN

“I am grateful that I was not killed.   I praise the Maury County and Columbia Police Department officers for their quick reactions in taking control of a volatile dangerous situation.    No one should be put in fear of their life because they exercise their constitutional rights to protest against “Big Lick” Animal Cruelty.  My hope is that the person who recklessly endangered my life and well-being is prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law”.

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New case of Equine Herpes Virus reported in Oregon

 PLANTS, ANIMALS, INSECTS

 JUNE 1ST, 2015

 454 VIEWS

A new case of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) has been confirmed in Oregon over the weekend according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The 14-year old Quarter Horse gelding from Marion County is hospitalized at the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Large Animal Hospital after being admitted for sudden onset of neurologic signs of the disease. The horse has tested positive for both the wild type and the more serious neuropathogenic form of EHV-1.

Despite other cases of EHV-1 in Oregon in recent weeks, this detection is being classified as a new case because of the length of time and lack of strong epidemiological links to previous EHV-1 instances. The affected horse has not travelled or attended any shows or events for at least four months. The stable has been quarantined and all horses involved remain under active observation by owners and their veterinarians for clinical signs of disease.

Six of the eight quarantines associated with the previous EHV-1 cases have been released and two are pending.

EHV-1 is not transmissible to people. The virus is naturally occurring and widespread in the equine population. It is a common virus and may lie dormant for long periods of time and then re-activate during a period of stress, which can result in clinical disease. EHV-1 can cause respiratory disease, abortions in pregnant mares, neurologic disease, and in severe cases, death. The most common way for EHV-1 to spread is by direct horse-to-horse contact. The virus can also spread through contaminated equipment, clothing, and hands. Symptoms include fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance, lethargy, and the inability to rise. While there is no cure, the symptoms of the disease may be treatable.

All horse owners are encouraged to practice strict biosecurity measures and hygiene if they travel to shows and competitions with their animals. Concerned owners should contact their veterinarian if they have questions.