LWS Mclean

Cheering from Canada !!! Really proud of our friend Adele from McCormick Stables in the Amateur Road Pony (under 50”) class this afternoon. Her smile lit up Freedom Hall !!!

Info for Canadian Saddle & Harness Exhibitors showing in the US.

In a continued effort to streamline sanctioning protocols that more effectively align with the needs of the trotting breed show horse industry, Equine Sports Council has refined their equine welfare policy. This common-sense approach allows for continued use of regular therapies while competing at ESC shows, and at the same time implementing new technologies that reduce the need for Medication Reports up to 50%.

Based on data collected in 2024, the average age of horses competing in our sport is 12.5 years old. Our equine partners are often stabled on concrete, and unlike the Olympic and Racing industries, our show horses are judged not only on performance, but also on quality, conformation, and overall presence. Taking those factors into consideration, ESC sought advice and guidance from veterinary pharmacologists, chemists, top industry veterinarians and professional trainers to develop a more comprehensive equine welfare policy for the trotting breeds.

Equine Sports Council has grouped medications in two major categories, Generally Controlled and Strictly Controlled. Approximately 60 medications are classified as Generally Controlled, which fall into three withdrawal categories.

1) Generally Controlled – Use per guidelines with No Medical Report or Withdrawal Time

This category allows for several regular therapies to continue without a withdrawal from the medication. Horses being treated for cushing’s disease, navicular, certain allergies, arthritis, and hormone therapies will be permitted to remain on their regimen without withdrawal. ESC recommends that an annual prescription be put on file using a single Medication Report. Additionally, in an effort to support horses who may be sensitive to the compounded effect of Bute or Banamine over a 5-day period, ESC is allowing a single dose of either medication 6 hours before competing, provided that no other NSAIDS have been given in the preceding 36 hours.

2) Generally Controlled – 24 Hour Withdrawal & Medical Report filed by the Agent

Included in this category are respiratory medications, antihistamines, corticosteroids and mild sedatives for ship and clip. An agent may submit the Medical Report and administer the medication under authority of the prescribing veterinarian. These medications have a longer efficacy and may be detectable for 7-30 days, therefore require a medication report.

3) Generally Controlled – 24 Hour or Vet Calculated Half-Life Withdrawal

This group of medications require that a Medical Report be filed by the Agent with a 24-hour Withdrawal. If the horse is being treated for an illness or injury, and a 24-hour withdrawal is not attainable, the prescribing veterinarian may use these medications, and the vet is responsible filing the Medication Report and determining the appropriate withdrawal period from competition. The industry-standard formula for determining that a medication's efficacy has expired in plasma and it no longer has a material affect is the half-life of the drug (as determined by the manufacturer), plus 5 times the half-life amount (t1/2 +5). For example, Xylazine (Rompun, Sedazdine and AnaSed), when given IV, has a half-life in horses of 50 minutes. Using this formula, (50 minutes + 50min x 5), approximately 94-97% of the drug will have been eliminated from the plasma and the horse would be eligible for competition within about 6 hours provided there are no other medications in their system that might lengthen that withdrawal time.

ESC has classified approximately 170 substances as Strictly Controlled. Recognizing that every horse and medication’s efficacy is unique, the prescribing veterinarian may use these medications to treat a horse for a clinical illness or injury and the vet is responsible for determining the appropriate withdrawal period from competition. The industry-standard formula for determining the medication's efficacy expiration is the half-life of the drug (as determined by the manufacturer), plus 5 times the half-life amount (t1/2+5). Medication Reports are required at the time of administration of a Strictly Controlled drug and must include an attestation from the veterinarian regarding the diagnosis, prescription, and recommended withdrawal period to ensure a proper rest period for the horse or pony.

ESC has zero tolerance for Banned Medications and Substances, and there should be no detectible levels present. If withdraw times are not available for a banned substance, it is the responsibility of the agent or prescribing vet to obtain that information.

Equine Sports Council will provide a Subject Matter Expert to consult with our industry’s veterinarians during ESC sanctioned shows that are being drug tested. ESC's goal is to take a common-sense approach to supporting our equine partner’s health, while maintaining a fair playing field and successful experience for both horse and rider.

These new Drug and Medication Policies take effect June 1, 2025 and will be enforced at the Rock Creek Horse Show in June and the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show in August. Visit https://equinesportscouncil.org/rxguidelines to access the searchable Medication Database and do not hesitate to contact us with questions at 855-EQUINE1 or [email protected]

Amen

Turnout is one of the most polarizing topics in modern horse keeping. So, let’s skip the debate. We’ve gathered some results from veterinary science, peer-reviewed journals, and international welfare assessments. These are real numbers, from real studies, so you can make strategic decisions rooted in evidence, not tradition.

-A 25% reduction in soft tissue injuries was found in adult horses turned out for at least 12 hours daily, compared to those kept in stalls greater than 12 hours daily. (Reilly & Bryk-Lucy, 2021)

-Comparing turnout duration, a study found that horses with only 2 hours of turnout exhibited significantly higher energy levels, anxiety, and behaviors such as rearing, bucking, and fence running, whereas horses receiving over 12 hours of turnout were more likely to walk, graze, and remain calm. (Hockenhull & Creighton, 2010)

-Foals receiving inconsistent turnout (9 to 23 hours per day) had 4.6 times more musculoskeletal injuries than those with 24/7 access to turnout. Furthermore, for every extra acre of turnout, there was a 24% reduction in injury risk. (Brown-Douglas et al., 2022)

-A study on 2-year-old horses found that those kept in individual stalls required more time to get used to training activities and showed more unwanted behaviors, like resistance or agitation, than horses kept on pasture. The stalled horses needed an average of 26 minutes of training time, while the pastured horses needed only 19 minutes, to complete the same task. Additionally, the stalled horses were more likely to show unwanted behaviors during training (8 instances on average compared to just 2 for pastured horses). (Rivera et al., 2002)

-Stall-kept livestock experience a higher incidence of hoof-related issues, including uneven hoof growth and lameness, while those with access to turnout demonstrated healthier, more balanced hoof development. (Black, R.A. et al., 2017)

-A European welfare study using the AWIN protocol assessed 315 horses in group-housing turnout systems. Only 2.3% of these horses exhibited signs of lameness, compared to lameness rates as high as 33% in stalled horses across various studies. (AWIN Welfare Assessment, 2023)

-Within just one day of moving from group turnout to individual stalling, equine cortisol levels spike, and their white blood cell count shows significant changes, including a 25% increase in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and a decrease in infection-fighting cells like monocytes and T cells. Additionally, behaviors indicative of stress, such as oral manipulation, neighing, pawing, and apathy, became evident in most horses within a week. (Schmucker et al., 2022)

-Horses with regular turnout showed higher heart rate variability, indicating improved balance in their autonomic nervous system and greater stress resilience. (Rietmann et al., 2004)

-Welsh ponies who received daily pasture turnout in a herd exhibited fewer stress-related behaviors, were significantly calmer, less fearful, less reactive, more interactive with humans, and more adaptable in learning tasks compared to ponies housed in impoverished environments (stalls with limited turnout). Even three months after the study, ponies in the enriched group retained these positive behaviors and demonstrated higher curiosity and superior learning performance. (Lansade et al., 2014)

Can you find a single peer-reviewed study that shows horses kept stabled 24/7 are sounder, healthier, or happier than those with regular turnout? Even the most finely tuned, performance-focused horses are still horses. Just like any other, they require room to roam, stretch their legs, and engage in natural behaviors such as grazing and socializing.

It’s important to recognize that no horse truly dislikes turnout. If a horse resists going outside, it’s due to improper conditioning, previous negative experiences, or being overwhelmed by a sudden change in environment: what’s known as "flooding." Horses who’ve been confined for extended periods or who’ve never had proper exposure to outdoor spaces may react with anxiety or reluctance. These reactions stem from fear, not from an inherent dislike of turnout. With patience and gradual exposure, every horse can be reconditioned to embrace the outdoors. After all, instincts tell them to roam, graze, and move, it's in their nature.

Of course, there are times when limiting a horse's movement is necessary, such as during health issues or transportation. In these instances, it’s crucial to understand the physiological and psychological changes that occur so we can minimize stress and discomfort.

Turnout is a biological necessity. To support our horses’ overall health and well-being, we must prioritize their freedom to move. After all, a healthy, happy horse is one that has the opportunity to be just that: a horse.

Sir Kisses
by Northern Kiss out of Midd’s Silva {WC, RWC Sir William Robert}

“There are no accidental meetings between souls.”