Bulletin Board: 08/00

Turnout, Breed Type May Affect Intestinal Stones, Study Says
There may be a correlation between the development of intestinal stones and the amount of time a horse spends outside, according to a study in the June publication of The American Veterinary Medical Association. Other factors may include alfalfa and breed types, specifically Arabians and Miniatures.

That study was conducted by Dr. Noah Cohen at Texas A&M. Another recent study in California found greater incidence of intestinal stones in Arabs/Arab crosses, Morgans, Saddlebreds and donkeys.

Information on the study can be found on the website of The Piedra Foundation (www.piedra.org), an equine health organization. The site will also provide information on the foundation’s fall event, the Dan Evans Memorial Equine Conference, to be held September 9 in Del Mar, Calif., which this year will highlight intestinal problems and alternative/complementary equine medicine.

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Certification In Management
Certification in stable management is now being offered by the American Riding Instructors Association, which already offers certification for instructors at three levels in 11 teaching specialties.

Those who wish certification in stable management must pass tests to verify their knowledge and abilities in barn organization, safety, handling of common equine ailments/ injuries, nutrition and horse care.

Testing for instructors and stable management is held throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, an annual three-day skills seminar will be held in Naples, Fla., November 18-20. For information visit www.riding-instructor.com or phone 941/948-3232.

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Morabs Require DNA Test
The Purebred Morab Horse Association has adopted a DNA testing program that will affect all PMHA registrations. Those with foals born this year and after will be required to include a DNA test as part of the registration to provide a source of identification.

Morabs registered prior to 2000 will not be required to submit a test unless they are used as breeding stock. All Morgans and Arabians used as breeding stock must have a blood typing test or DNA test on file with their respective breeds. Visit www.puremorab.com or call 920/853-3086 for information.

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Olympic Executives
The latest issue of Olympic Review is dedicated to women in sports. It notes that 11 women occupy executive positions on their respective National Olympic Committees worldwide. Only two, however, are president of their NOC. There are six women equestrians in NOC executive roles, including the Infanta Do??a Pilar de Borb??n of Spain, president of the FEI, and Princess Anne of Great Britain, former FEI president.

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New York Shows Use Local Promotion
The Lake Placid/I Love New York horse shows, held in early July in Lake Placid, N.Y., in the picturesque Adirondack Mountains have come up with unique ways to attract the interest of residents.

Merchants in the village have taken part in a window-decorating contest with equestrian themes for 13 years, with a $100 prize and a blue ribbon. Each business that enters the contest gets free admission to the shows.

A doggie costume contest has been held for eight years on the second Saturday of the back-to-back shows, and all people with leashed dogs in costume are admitted to the show free, with contest winners also receiving ribbons and, of course, doggie treats for the entries.

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Record AHSA Membership
Membership in American Horse Shows Association stood at 70,000 in June, a 5% increase over 1999. The AHSA regulates equestrian competition in 19 breeds and disciplines, recognizing more than 2,600 competitions each year.

The AHSA also announced its lifetime membership dues will go from $1,500 to $2,000 on December 1. “Lifetime membership dues have become an increasingly better value, and this will continue over the years,” stated AHSA President Alan F. Balch.

Kevin Carlon, AHSA executive director since March 1999, resigned his position in June. Lori Rawls, assistant executive director finance, will fill the position until a successor is named.

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