Within hours of Saturday's freak fatal breakdown of Eight Belles, the lone filly entered in this year's 134th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville and aired world-wide on NBC, the attention-loving, hypocritical airheads at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), wasted no time in attempting to grab a few headlines and tug on a few heart strings by faxing a list of hysterical "demands" to the offices of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority (KHRA). Endlessly seeking media exposure, PETA sends out numerous press releases every week.

The despicable and self-appointed do-gooders and supposed animal-lovers, who are hell-bent on denying the world meat and dairy, and who also, in essence, oppose aquariums, circuses, hunting, fishing, fur, leather, medical research using animals--and even the use of seeing-eye dogs--attempted to inflame the Eight Belles situation and prey upon the emotional reactions of those who witnessed or were upset or traumatized by the unfortunate injuries sustained by the second-place-finishing Thoroughbred. In its letter, PETA accused the horse's jockey, Gabriel Saez, of intentional cruelty, claiming the filly was "doubtlessly injured before the finish." PETA also asked that Saez be suspended while Eight Belles' death is investigated.

Saezwas riding Eight Belles when she broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter of a mile past the wire. She was immediately and humanely euthanized on the racetrack.

PETA's letter to the KHRA also sought a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of racehorses, and a move to softer, artificial surfaces for all courses.

But while PETA and their packs of vocal and vacuous poster-waving, fax-forwarding, partisans would have you believe that horse racing is the most horrific happening since Hitler, the truth is the PETA organization is itself a house of horrors that trumps any tragedy ever associated with racing horses.

According to a Newsweek report appearing on Newsweek.com on April 28, the PETA organization has practiced euthanasia for years. In fact, according to Newsweek, since 1998, PETA has killed more than 17,000 animals, nearly 85 percent of all those it has rescued. PETA may want to change their name to PUTA: People for the Unethical Treatment of Animals.

Attorney Nathan Winograd, quoted in the Newsweekstory, summed up PETA's hypocrisy best, saying, "(PETA has) become (the) leading killers of cats and dogs, and the animal-loving public unwittingly foots the bill through taxes and donations."

No wonder PETA is constantly attacking and harassing others. The best defense is a good offense--especially when the animal carcases are piling up at your own backdoor. So pardon me if I don't dash off my membership dues to the PETA people anytime soon. Besides I don't own nearly enough sandals, caftans, or pitchouli to be an official plackard-carrying PETA member, and more importantly, I prefer to think for myself.

I am not saying that horse racing is without fault when it comes to the sad and shocking and sickening situation that happened moments after the running of the "most exciting two minutes in sports." In reality, for the horse racing industry, horses breaking down is a matter that should not be easily dismissed or deflected. It is absolutely a very complex issue and deserves immediate and exhaustive investigation. But another reality is that a mainstream audience isn't interested in hearing that or waiting for the facts to unfold. The public-at-large demands answers now or demands that horse racing be no more. A silly and knee-jerk reaction that is not unexpected, but nevertheless dangerous to the many good, honest, and caring people and horse lovers who make their living in the industry.

But when a majestic, innocent, obliging animal like Eight Belles is euthanized in front of an audience of millions, set against the backdrop of a perceived subculture of aristocracy and gentry, the reaction is going to be one of swiftness and assured outrage--regardless of why it actually happened. For the price of fame, prestige, and widespread exposure, horse owners and the horse industry as a whole now wear a very large bullseye on their collective back.  

It may be days or weeks or even months before we know the full story of what really happened to Eight Belles--and we may never know with 100% certainty--but for now, we do know this: The only filly entered in this year's Kentucky Derby on Saturday made a magnificent showing against 19 male competitors before an adoring audience of millions and then unexpectedly, inexplicably, unbelievably, fell down after crossing the finish line in second place and suffered condylarfractures of both front ankles and ultimately and sadly she could not be saved.

I have attended numerous horse races for over two decades and until Saturday had only seen a horse break down on the track one time in all of those years. And as of this posting, I am unaware of a single person coming forward to say that they have ever seen a similar occurrence on the racetrack as what happened to Eight Belles. Horses do not finish races, gallop out another half-mile while cooling down, and then, while slowing down, suddenly and mysteriously break both front legs. It just doesn't happen like that, except that it did on Saturday. I was there. And I pray that it never ever happens again. The horses don't deserve that. The horse racing industry doesn't deserve that. No matter what the people at PETA say to the contrary.

So before PETA casts the first stone at the Thoroughbred racing industry, they should look inward and be outraged over their own hypocritical practice of killing thousands of animals each and every year. After all, just because PETA doesn't euthanize their animals before a national viewing audience and instead prefers to do it quietly out of sight in a backroom lab somewhere in Virginia, it doesn't make it any less real or troubling.

Photo copyright Associated Press (AP). All rights reserved.

The problem of mud fever is difficult to combat in horses that are living out, since the bacteria that are usually present on the surface of the skin don't normally become a problem until they meet wet and muddy conditions. If it is at all possible to bring the horse in, even for a few hours ie long enough for the limbs to dry out completely and remain dry for a short period of time, it will actually help to minimise the problem. If there is no possibility of bringing your horse in, the alternative is to try one of the various barrier creams and powders currently available on the market. These products claim to waterproof the skin, and help to protect against mud fever.

If an infection is already present, gently wash the area to loosen scabs, do not pick the scabs off, (yuck, I do apologise, but it has to be said!) Then dry the limbs thoroughly and apply an anti-bacterial cream, powder or ointment. This will help to stop the infection from spreading. Please note that any cream, powder or ointment applied will not penetrate the scab. So if scabs are still present, then so is an infection.

In severe cases, it may be necessary to seek veterinary assistance and stable the horse all the time, or only allow the horse to be turned out onto a dry all-weather surface.

Creams Ointments and Powders to try:

Mudgard from NAF: Natural Animal Feeds - barrier cream (use in conjunction with NAF MSM ointment and NAF teatree oil shampoo)

Horse lovers in and around North Somerset are in for a treat with the launch next month of a series of talks by leading experts on key aspects of horse welfare.

The series will open on February 18 2008 with a talk by Dr Alistair Barr on fractures in horses' legs. The next event, on March 4, will deal with dietary issues and will be given by Kate Lugsden of Bailey's Horse Feeds, who are sponsoring the series. Equine artificial insemination will be the subject of a talk on March 25 by surgeon Tim Randle, while on April 8 Professor Christine Nicol will discuss the prevention of abnormal behaviour in horses. Clinician Geoff Lane will focus on the care of horses' teeth on April 15, and equine rehabilitation will be the subject of the final talk on April 29 by Dr Cathy Fuller and Sam Franklin.

All six events are being organised by the University of Bristol's renowned School of Veterinary Science at Langford. The School incorporates the Bristol Equine Centre, which the University has been developing over the past decade into one of the world's foremost facilities of its kind.

Professor Avril Waterman-Pearson, Head of the Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, said: "The Equine Centre is of national and international importance for its teaching, research and clinical work, but it's also part of the local equine community.

"We're keen to develop our relationship with all those who care for and work with horses. These talks will be a great way of opening up the Equine Centre to more people who share our enthusiasm and want to learn more."

Professor Waterman-Pearson added that money raised from the events would be put towards the development of a new equine surgery suite and intensive care unit at Langford. This will complement the diagnostic facilities, equine sports medicine unit and clinical stables that already form parts of the Equine Centre.

All the events will take place at the School of Veterinary Science at Langford, starting at 7pm with welcome drinks. Tickets cost £8 and can be booked in advance by telephoning Bristol 928 9502.

Article from: www.bristol.ac.uk 

Further information about the conference and booking forms can be found here Animal Health Trust 

What is Strangles?

Strangles (Streptococcus equi) is a highly contagious disease. It is
treatable, but can be fatal. Younger horses are generally more at
risk, but any horse can develop the disease. The incubation period of
Strangles is around 2 weeks, but outbreaks can occur up to 3 weeks or
more after an initial outbreak. New rescued horses should be closely
monitored and swabbed for signs of the disease.

What to look out for: nasal discharge, a high temperature depression,
lack of appetite, cough and swollen glands on the head and neck, these
can develop into abcesses. Once abcesses have formed, they will need
to be lanced by a veterinary surgeon. If you suspect strangles,
contact your vet immediately. Strangles can be transmitted not just
through one horses contact with another, but also through contact via
humans, tack, equipment and feed. So all tack and stable equipment
will need to be disinfected and a strict disinfection routine will
need to be carried out by anyone who has contact with the horse who
then has contact with other equines. ie disinfection of hands, boots
etc. Also people from other areas outside
the infected yard should stay away from the infected area. Any
vehicles leaving the yard should also be disinfected. Strangles is
known to survive longer in water, and outbreaks often occur as a
result of a shared water source.

Treatment is possible with antibiotics but vets generally do not
recommend this due to the fact that antibiotics kill off good bacteria
in the system.Horses kept comfortable and with a good supply of feed
and water will generally fight off the disease with their own immune
system but will need to be monitored carefully, and you will need to
keep in close contact with your vet.

Vaccination: You will need to discuss a vaccination programme with
your vet to see if he thinks vaccination is necessary. Horses at high
risk, ie rescued horses of unknown origin will need to have two
initial vaccinations four weeks apart, followed by a re-vaccination
with a single dose four times a year at three month intervals. If no
outbreak occurs, no additional vaccinations after this are required.

Strangles is also known as 'bastard' strangles. It's not hard to see why!

Puffa, The AHT, & The British Horse Society - Serious About Strangles Campaign

"The AHT and The British Horse Society have joined forces to launch a campaign to increase awareness of Strangles and raise vital funds. Together they plan to raise £250,000 to accelerate research into the development of diagnosis and prevention – ultimately to eliminate the disease. Your donation can help us reach this crucial target." (from www.seriousaboutstrangles.com) Visit Serious About Strangles for further information.

If you would like to learn about keeping your horses in a more natural way, read Paddock Paradise - a guide to natural horse boarding by Jaime Jackson.

"The barefoot grazing idea outlined in his book is very simple, but very clever. He suggests making a track around the perimeter of your field for your horses to live on all year long.

Food, water, shelter etc are positioned around it, in different places, so encouraging the horses to remain on the move all the time. The idea is quite amazing, so simple but yet unique in the horse world today.

Paddock Paradise is well worth reading in order to gain greater understanding of this barefoot grazing concept. The theory is all there, it is then just a matter of transfering that theory into practice, in your own particular situation."

From successful-natural-horsecare.com