HORSE MANAGEMENT NEWSLETTER AND MORE!!!
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Topics in this issue:
1) Note on tapeworm dewormers
2) Feature: EPSM
3) Recommended products and services: Safety stirrups
4) Rally and rating tips: Required equipment tips
5) Questions and answers: Supporting upper level members, insurance,
fundraising and more
6) Recommended books, videos, and CD-ROMs:
7) Fun and educational websites: UK sites
8) Featured rule: Jewelry

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Praziquantel safety issues
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Last month's issue included a recommendation to include a dewormer that
targets tapeworms into your deworming routine. The drug praziquantel is now
being combined with ivermectin (Zimectrin Gold and Equimax paste) or
moxidectin (ComboCare Gel) to kill tapeworms in addition to a broad spectrum
of other internal parasites. Since then, I have heard one report of horses
who developed a sensitivity on their lips from the Zimectrin Gold that got
spit out on their muzzles. A second source said that the praziquantel drug
has a much lower margin of overdose safety than we're used to with straight
ivermectin pastes. Please consult your vet for current recommendations or
advisories before giving these drugs to your horses. If anybody has had
other experiences with this drug, please let me know by replying to this
email and describing the incident.

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EPSM: Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy
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by Stormy May

What the heck? No, it's not EPM (Equine Prozotal Myelitis), it's not EIA
(Equine Infectious Anemia) or even USEF (United States Equestrian
Federation, formerly USAE, formerly AHSA). So what is EPSM and why does it
warrant an article in the Horse Management Newsletter?

EPSM is the cause of many fairly common symptoms in horses including many
cases of tying up (azoturia), "shivers", muscle atrophy, and a
stringhalt-like gait. Sometimes symptoms are as mysterious as a general
reluctance to work or a "bad attitude". EPSM can be found in any age of
horse and is most common in heavily muscled horses like draft breeds and
warmbloods. It has been diagnosed in many other breeds as well, so if your
horse has been showing some strange signs, especially in the hind end, read
on.

EPSM is a condition where horses seem to not be able to get enough muscle
energy from carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the main energy source in the
typical horse diet of grains, sweet feeds, and pelleted horse feeds. By
replacing most of the carbohydrates in the horse's diet with fats, EPSM
horses will often have a complete reversal of their symptoms.

The basic EPSM diet includes adding approximately 5 pounds of alfalfa
pellets and 2 cups of oil (corn or vegetable) per 1,000 pounds of the
horse's weight to the daily ration of hay and/or pasture. Oil is a very
dense source of calories so depending on the horse's weight after switching
to this diet, the hay or grass may need to be cut back. It is also
recommended to add a daily dose of 1mg selenium and 1IU (International Unit)
vitamin E supplement per 1,000 pounds of the horse's weight. Selenium
levels differ around the country depending on where the hay is grown. If
you know your hay or pasture is high in selenium then don't add a selenium
supplement.

Some people have switched their whole barn to the EPSM diet even though they
only had one EPSM horse. Often, they will notice an improvement in more
than just the EPSM horses. Nutritional researchers have found no
ill-effects of a high fat diet and have found indications that this may be a
better diet for all horses.

Once an EPSM horse has been switched to the high fat diet, he may show
improvements in as little as a couple of weeks, or it might take up to 6
months to show results. If after 6 months, no changes are noticed, diet is
unlikely to help this particular horse. The earlier the horse is started on
the diet, the better the chance for improvement.

If you would like to find out if your horse has EPSM, a veterinarian can do
a muscle biopsy to test for the disease. Alternatively, you can switch your
horse to the EPSM diet and watch for changes.

To learn more about the disease and different diet alternatives, visit Dr.
Beth Valentine's discussion boards online at
http://www.ruralheritage.com/vet_clinic/index.htm or do an internet search
for EPSM.

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Recommended products and services: Safety stirrups
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From the DCs digest:
We had an accident with peacock [style safety stirrups] that is worth
alerting people about. A child was riding next to a woven wire fence. The
"button" on the stirrup caught the fence. The stirrup actually bent before
the stirrup leather slipped off the stirrup bar (with the catch
appropriately open). The horse did not panic and the child was not hurt
(Thank Goodness!) but this is another place where the peacock [safety
stirrups] were not the safest choice. (You could argue that riding near the
woven wire fence was unsafe--but the point is that this accident happened
and now more people are alerted to the possibility.)

Rae Birr
Big Bay PC, Lakeshore region

This is a valid concern with these types of stirrups. Not only can they
catch on things you're riding past, I have also seen them catch frequently
on the rider's boot laces and clothes while mounting and dismounting. Their
other drawback, is that the rubber and leather pieces tend to stretch,
crack, and need frequent replacement. There are many other styles of safety
stirrups that don't pose this hazard. My personal favorite is the style
with an "S" curve to the outside bar. These are sometimes called
"Australian style" safety stirrups. These take a little getting used to, as
you can't lean your toe against the outside bar, but it isn't noticeable
once you get used to them and there is nothing to break, replace, or catch.

Stay safe,
Stormy

Thanks to Julie Shiebany for sending along this topic.

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Rally and rating tips:
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When the club puts together or reorganizes their rally equipment kits, tape
a label of all the contents on the inside or outside of each box's lid. If
someone in the club can laminate the list it will last much longer. After
each rally, appoint team members to restock and/or reorganize each kit
according to the list on the lids. Use the overnight HM Required Equipment
Checklist as a guideline (Pg. 63 HM Handbook). All of the one day Required
Equipment Checklist requirements are included in the overnight checklist.

Each club should have at least one rally set that includes the items in the:
Equine First Aid Kit
Human First Aid Kit
Utility Box
Extra Equipment
Tack Room Equipment
Tack Cleaning Kit

Before each rally, make sure to gather together:
Grooming Kits for each horse
Cleaning Equipment (manure fork, broom, wheelbarrow)
Stall Equipment for each horse
and
Feeding Equipment for each horse

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Questions and answers
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Hello Ms. Stormy,

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Now that the first of the year
has come I am trying to get a handle on our clubs coming year. We have one
B who wants to go for her HA. How do we best support this person?

I am also trying to think of some fundraiser that doesn't require so much
manpower [as running a schooling show/clinic] in an effort to keep the
sponsors from being burnt out. Any thoughts?

Thank you for your time and help
Laurie Dillier, DC Sierra Gold Pony Club

Greetings Ms. Laurie,

Great questions. To best support the HA candidate, most importantly give
her lots of teaching opportunities, especially teaching mounted lessons with
a mentor instructor watching/helping. Secondly, encourage her to go to all
the upper level camps and preps. I'd also suggest to have her volunteer for
an equine vet. Even a couple of weeks riding on rounds really opens their
eyes to the vet sections of the test, and then they have a captive vet to
brain-pick. If your club library has books that are on the recommended
reading list for any of the levels through HA they would be good to loan
her. If USEA has any more instructor training workshops in the area I'd
suggest she audit those, they are very valuable
(http://www.eventingusa.com/education/icp.htm). Lastly, if she can network
and find another HA or H candidate nearby, study partners make the book work
a lot more motivational. Even if they just meet once a month, it's worth
it.

As far as fundraising, one possibility that jumped out at me from this
month's issue of USPC news is giftwrapping for a store like Barnes and Noble
or Walmart at holiday time. This is a great way to get non-horsey parents
involved with fundraising. Contact your local stores for more information
on this service. From what I understand, Barnes and Noble will supply the
booth, wrapping paper, tape, and customers. All the club has to do is spend
time wrapping gifts outside the store in exchange for donations. Book your
dates well ahead of time though. Another idea is holding pony rides at non
horse related events. You'd have to get insurance and look further into the
legalities of it. I have contacts if you want help with that. The other
thing that came up is working with Girl Scouts to help the scouts get their
horse badges. Maybe people within the club have some contacts. I don't
know if that's a paying thing or not. Both of these also increase the
visibility of Pony Club in the community and can lead to new members.
Another idea is to get product donations from local businesses and then
raffle them off as prizes. Most mid to large size businesses have a quota
of stuff to donate each year, it's just a matter of timing your asking
right. You could then pre-sell raffle tickets, and/or hold the raffle from
a booth at a local event. One last fundraising thought. I've been
researching a lot of grants for my next movie project, and there is a TON of
money out there just waiting to be given to the right non-profit groups. If
you have a creative grant writer in the group, or someone willing to learn,
that could be your whole budget right there.

Keep the dollars flowing,
Stormy

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Hi Stormy,

Is it approximately three yards of cheese cloth for a shipping wrap? We are
going to have the kids make them at the February meeting. I told them to
bring sheet cotton, cheese cloth, spray adhesive and a flannel or poly
cotton wrap approximately 16' long. Correct?

April Smith, DC Northern Mines PC

Hi April,

For an average horse, a person needs about 10 sheets of cotton (they come in
a 12 pack), and I recommend 19 feet for the wrap. 16 will do the job, but
you won't have any extra to help make it nice and tight.

If you are frugal with your cheese cloth, you can use probably about 1 yard
per wrap. If the parents just get a pack of cheesecloth, there's more than
enough for one shipping wrap.

I'm still not totally sold on spray adhesive. It's handy but I don't know
how long it lasts and I could imagine if it is in close contact with a
horse's leg for a few hours under a wrap, there might be some allergic
reactions. Even if you do use spray adhesive, I'd recommend getting some
strong thread or dental floss with a big needle and just loosely sewing the
cheesecloth and padding together. It doesn't have to look good, just hold
it all together.

For more complete information, see the May 2003 Horse Management Newsletter
at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HorseManagementNewsletter/message/2

Enjoy the activity!
Stormy

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Hi Stormy,

Can you please send information on insurance carriers for horses. I have no
experience with this, and as no one at our barn has their horse insured I'm
not sure where to begin.
Thanks.
Heidi Byer, Marin County PC

Hi Heidi,

There are several companies that offer different types of insurance. If you
start here: http://special.equisearch.com/insurance/ there is some good
information and links to many insurance companies there. Another site where
you can get information is: http://horsesdaily.com/insurance/ .
This one is by an agent promoting her own business. Here is one more
"advertising" article: http://www.equisearch.com/farm/legal/eqinsuranc29/

The company that I used when insuring a horse was American Bankers but in
reading an article just now, it looks as if they don't do equine mortality
insurance anymore. You can read about it here:
http://horsesdaily.com/insurance/pr/3-31-03-announcement.html

Get protected,
Stormy

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Hi Stormy,

I have 2 questions for you.

1) Is there a PC recommendation for the replacement of helmets (barring that
no injuries were sustained in one)? I thought I had read somewhere that the
helmets be replaced every 2 years. Also, 2) How about those cross-country
vests? If a vest fits properly, how long can it serve safely? I was told
that the protective material in the vest is the same as that in the helmets.

Thank you very much
Patsy Sisco, Durham-Chico PC

Hi Patsy,

Easy questions, I love it!!!

1) USPC recommends replacing the helmet every 5 years but this is certainly
not a requirement. If the helmet is carefully stored in a cool environment
and not subjected to normal wear and tear it can last much longer.
Sometimes show helmets can be cared for like this. If it gets left in hot
cars, thrown around the tackroom and such, 5 years is a good guideline.
Besides, every kid wants a new helmet after 5 years anyway.

2) I have not heard any guidelines for replacement of vests. The following
guidelines are taken from the USPC Activities FAQ by Wayne Quarles:

"USPC expects Regions and Clubs to allow Pony Club members to wear a riding
vest. Currently there is no conclusive medical evidence that riding vests
will necessarily prevent injuries. We have received expert medical opinions
that riding vests will not prevent or abate many forms of spinal,
neurological, orthopedic injuries. Additionally, the use of riding vests
may contribute to heat exhaustion and distress in excessive temperatures.
It is also possible that an improperly worn or fitted riding vest may impair
a rider's mobility and/or vision.

USPC cautions Regions and Clubs that they MAY NOT require or mandate the use
of a riding vest (except during USEA-sanctioned Eventing competitions where
they must be worn during the cross-country phase).

USPC believes that the decision of wearing a riding vest, and in what
situations it should be worn in order to achieve any benefit it may provide,
must be the decision of each individual rider and his/her parent or legal
guardian.

Currently there are several body protectors on the market that meet the ASTM
F 1937-98 Standard as certified by SEI and/or other accepted testing
organizations."

Spread the word,
Stormy

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Recommended books, videos, and CD-ROMs!
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In a past issue, a reader was looking for a guide to tack fitting. Alane
Alchorn, CHMJ from the Mid-Cal region, technical advisor on bits, and all
around fantastic horsewoman recently read the "Allen Illustrated Guide to
Training Aids" by Hilary Vernon and wrote:

A very pleasant surprise is the Allen's "Illustrated Guide," as it includes
a paragraph or more on fitting for each item it describes, and the
illustrations are spot-on.

Thanks Alane!

The guide can be ordered through the USPC bookstore at:
http://store.yahoo.com/uspcbooks/training.html

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Fun and educational websites
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From the Pony Club in the United Kingdom comes:
www.pcuk.org
This site has some fun games online, including a points of the horse quiz,
colors quiz, horse tack quiz and more.

Enter the site below for all sorts of British Pony Club fun and facts. Once
you enter the site, try out the HorseKnowledge link for some great
information. It includes information relevant for all USPC rating levels
from D1-A!
http://www.websouthwest.co.uk/ponyclub/
Thanks to the Sierra Pacific regional HMO, Liz Tapia for finding this link.

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Featured rule: Jewelry
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Please take note: There will be no new Horse Management Handbook this year.
The 2002 HM Handbook (with all current addenda) is still the most current
copy for use at rallies until further notice. If you need a copy, it can be
downloaded from the USPC website at: www.ponyclub.org under the
Publications: Rulebooks: Horse Management (2002) links.

2002 Horse Management Handbook page 33 section 21 E: Jewelry

The following jewelry is allowed at USPC rallies:

Medic alert bracelets or necklaces
Watches
Wedding Rings
Stud earrings in the ear ONLY

Any other type of jewelry is inappropriate and will be penalized with
points. The following jewelry is NOT permitted at rallies:

Hoops of any size (including ear cuffs) or jewelry that dangles
Anything in the face or airway

Competitors wearing jewelry that is not permitted will be assessed points
and the jewelry must be removed. If the competitor elects not to remove
jewelry that is not permitted, s/he will be disqualified from the entire
competition and must leave the grounds, if possible. (See Section 39, page
40).

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Call for submissions
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Help make this newsletter the best it can be. Do you have any issues you'd
like to see addressed here? How about ideas for recommended products, books,
or videos? Want to submit your own article, or a question for the questions
and answers section? Send them to: stormy@... and I'll keep a log
of topics and articles for upcoming issues.

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