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Preparing for the New Year
January 2011
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Off to a Great Start
The New Year is off to a great start. We are busy revamping websites, adding course content, and introducing new product packaging.
Course Cost Reduced
We are excited to offer reduced cost on all Florida 5 day Hoof Care Courses. The new cost of a full 5 day course held at our Florida center only is just $595.00, that is $200.00 off the regular price. Check out our calendar for Florida dates.
Teleconferencing for 2011
We will be offering FREE teleconferencing to any and all students of AEP. This includes all Level I and Level II students and any Horse Owner that has attended a three or five day course.
Here is how it will works. You simply choose the teleconference you wish to attend and register to be a participant. Space will be limited, so if you decide to participate, be sure to register early. You will be sent an access code, time of the conference, and the phone number to call. When you call, you will be asked to enter your access code. You will then enter the conference where you will hear the latest information on the topic of that particular conference. You will also be able to participate by asking questions.
We will be providing more information on teleconferencing in next month's newsletter. Check out our website often for the postings of teleconference dates and topics.
We will also be holding teleconferences exclusively for our Level II students, which will include case studies, and advanced techniques in the treatment of hoof disorders.
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Now's the time to Detox
It's that time of the year, the days are shorter, the air is colder, and everyone is moving just a bit slower. Even our horses are moving less. In many areas around the world, cold and snow make it difficult to exercise our horses, but the fact is that our horses are working harder at this time of the year, working to keep warm.
It is also a fact that many horses do not drink enough water during the winter months, and as a result, become a little dehydrated. This mild dehydration seems to most to cause no real health problems, unless the horse's metabolism is already stressed. The truth is the problems that are caused by mild dehydration show themselves in very subtle ways: dry skin, cracked hooves, droopy eyes, and overall dullness are some of the signs.
Does your horse show any of these signs?
If your horse is one that struggles with the seasonal change, as many do, I suggest you keep a close eye on the amount of water your horse is drinking at this time of year. One way to help hydrate your horse is to put them on a 30 day program of Hydropathics HD. HD stands for hydrate and detoxify. Our Hydropathic HD contains a blend of natural grains and flavoring that encourage your horse to drink, along with an appropriate homeopathic combination remedy to aid in metabolic stabilization. Experience has shown us that many horses continue with a healthy daily water intake after completing the 30 day program.
If you have a horse that is prone to bouts of laminitis in early spring, I suggest you follow up with a 30 day treatment of Hydropathics CF,
CF stands for Chronic Founder. The homeopathic remedy in our CF formula will aid in preventing the onset of laminitis. It works by improving the efficiency of the liver and kidneys, and stabilizing your horse's metabolism.
We detox our horses at least twice a year to insure that our horses have the best chance of remaining healthy when faced with the stresses of environmental/seasonal change.
In order to help you keep your horse healthy this winter season and prepare for the coming spring, we are offering considerable savings on all of our Hydropathics products. Order now and save 35% on all Hydropathics products.
Visit the Hydropathics website for more information.
Hydropathics/Silvetrasol Team Up!
Above photo shows skin infection on a 21 year old Arab/Quarter horse rescue. This horse was placed on Hydropathics HD and treated topically with Silvetrasol. These photos show improvement in 45 days. Silvetrasol, it's not just for hooves!
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Knife Sharpeners on Hand
For those of us that take on the responsibility of trimming our own horse's hooves, or who trim professionally, knife sharpening can sometimes be a daunting task. It need not be. There are several types of knife sharpeners on the market, ranging from simply files, to diamond dust, and carbide. We sell a diamond dust sharpener as a service to our customers. I feel it does a fine job of honing the edge of the KC Brand hoof knife. If you are using a quality hoof knife, you want to keep it sharp and have it last for a reasonable time. The KC Brand knife is, in my opinion, the best knife for the money and will last for a very long time if cared for. Well, here is a tip on sharpening to help you keep the KC Brand knife sharp, and eliminate the need of buying a knife sharpener.
I have discovered that I actually had the the best means for sharpening my farriers knife on hand from the start, it is the edge of my farriers rasp!
View our how-to video by following the link below.
View How-To Video Here
If you have not tried the KC Brand Knife, or if you want to start the New Year with a fresh blade, here is your chance. We are offering the KC Brand Knife on sale this month for $18.00 ea. They are regularly $28.00! Don't pass this sale up. Buy Today!
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Greetings!
Happy New Year! And what a Great Year it will be.
Like most of you, we at the Institute have made our New Year's resolutions for the coming year, and here are just a few of them.
Our first resolution is to improve communications between the hoof care enthusiast and the Institute.
We are committed to sending out a newsletter monthly in 2011. Each newsletter will contain useful information that will help you to better care for your horse. We will include the latest information on hoof care, plus deep discounts on courses and products.
We are committed to doing whatever it takes to make available Applied Equine Podiatry for the improvement of the quality of life of today's horse. We can only achieve this by making education in Holistic Hoof Care readily available, affordable, and fun.
We will be putting considerable effort into internet distance learning, with the introduction of a hoof care blog, informative on line video clips, and new articles.
To help the Horse Enthusiast that desires hands-on experience, or wishes to enter the field of Applied Equine Podiatry as a professional, we have reduced the tuition to all Florida courses.
With the ever changing economy, so many people are looking for ways to cut horse keeping costs. Implementing Applied Equine Podiatry does just that.
We are looking forward to the coming year with new vigor, and enthusiasm.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Keith "KC" La Pierre, RJF, MIAEP
Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry, Inc. |
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MRSA and Horses
What is MRSA?
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (Staph, aureus). In order to understand MRSA, it is best to first understand what Staph aureus is. It is a bacterium that is normally found on the skin and in the nasal passages of humans and some animals, including horses. The Centers for Disease Control has estimated that 25-30% of humans carry Staph. aureus. What illness is caused by Staph. aureus?Under normal circumstances, this bacterium does not cause illness or health problems to humans or horses. However, under certain conditions, these bacteria can cause wound infections and disease. These conditions include damage to the skin surface, scrapes, cuts and bites. In horses, these conditions include puncture wounds and damage of the hoof that exposes corium. A compromised immune system can also hinder the body's ability to fight infection. If infection does occur, antibiotics are often called upon for treatment. With horses and their hooves, we are faced with the added problem of relatively poor circulation, which makes it difficult to treat hoof infections systemically. How does my horse get Staph. aureus?Staph. aureus is not a common bacterium in horses, but recent research has presented startling evidence to support taking precautions. Your horse can get Staph. aureus the same way you do: through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated environments, or recent invasive medical procedures. In horses, this could include the common practice of paring away horn to expose an abscess, or cutting of the frog to the quick (drawing blood). Any procedure that invades the corium of the foot, can be defined as an invasive procedure. Now that I know what Staph. aureus is, what is MRSA?
As stated above, MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staph. aureaus (MRSA). This type of bacteria is a new strain of Staph. aureus that is resistant to antibiotics, such a penicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, and tetrcycline. These antibiotics are commonly used to treat skin and hoof infections. Over time, a certain strain of common Staph. aureus became resistant to the common antibiotics and topical treatments. This type of Staph aureus became known as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA.
Is MRSA dangerous for my horse or I?
People and horses can carry MRSA on their skin or in their nose and have no visible signs of illness, this called colonization. Under normal circumstances when you and your horse are healthy, MRSA causes no significant illness. If you or your horse is sick, has skin damage, or has had surgery, MRSA can cause a life-threatening disease.
How common is MRSA?
Both human to animal and animal to human transmission of MRSA are known to be possible. It is not yet determined whether horses are an important primary source of MRSA infections in humans. This is unlikely though, since recent studies show that horses have a strain of MRSA that is uncommon in the human population. With the increased awareness of the presence of MRSA in horses, it is likely that we will see an increase in the number of reported cases. What are the symptoms of MRSA infection?MRSA most commonly causes skin infections, such as abscesses or boils, or wound infections. Infections of the hoof may affect the frog, or horn corium. Re-occurring difficult to treat abscessing with apparent infection may be suspect. How is MRSA infection in my horse treated?
Treatment varies from case to case. Horses with skin or hoof infections may be treated with topical cleaning agents and antibiotic ointments. What can I do to protect myself and my family?
It is best to follow the instructions given to you by your veterinarian and hoof care provider if any were given. Basic precautions are listed below to decrease or avoid the transmission of these bacteria, either between horse and human, or human and horse. - Wash you hands with warm water and soap for at least 15 seconds after working with or handling your horse.
- Treat stalls, hand tools, aprons, and other equipment with topical cleanser (Silvetrasol).
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with bandages, especially when handling horses.
- Do not share treats with your horses (carrots, apples, ect.)
- Do not allow your horse to lick your face or your wounds.
- Avoid direct contact with cuts and scrapes on your horse and wear gloves to clean and treat them.
- Take extra personal hygiene precautions when handling ill horses.
What should I do as a Hoof Care Provider?Remember that healthy people and horses rarely develop the disease under normal circumstances. When dealing with a hoof wound, abscess or infection following some simple rules will help protect you. - Follow all wound care instructions given by the veterinarian.
- Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. You can use Silvetrasol as a hand wash, or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the infected animal's bandage or touching the infected area.
- If possible, wear disposable gloves when cleaning the affected area and applying the dressing.
- Clean washable items that become soiled with hot water and laundry detergent (use bleach if possible). Drying laundry in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria.
- Use Silvetrasol to clean any surfaces contaminated by wounds, or drainage, especially hoof knives, aprons, rasps, rasp handles, and foot wear.
- If you or your client has recently had surgery or is immunocompromised, you should avoid contact with infected animals, and any contaminated items, such as bandages, hoof packing, discarded hoof wear, or other related items.
Silvetrasol Kills MRSAThe active ingredient in Silvetrasol is proven to kill MRSA. Silvetrasol is safe to use on all open wounds, and for treating all hoof infections. Though highly toxic to bacteria, fungus, and virus, it is non-toxic to humans and animals. Safely treats thrush, white line disease, fungal infections, and skin infections. Adapted from educational materials from: University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine - Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
- University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
- University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry
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Improved Sprayer, and Double the Product
For 2011, we are pleased to announce the introduction of a new sprayer / bottle combination for the Silvetrasol Hoof and Wound Wash. The new sprayer delivers 1.4 ml of Silvetrasol with each pull of the trigger, providing exceptionally good coverage to the affected area. Responding to demand, we have also increased the bottle size from 8 oz. to 16.9 oz. / 500ml, all while keeping the retail price at just $21.95 per bottle. That is only a $2.00 increase in price for twice the product!
As an incentive to try our new Sprayer/Bottle combination Silvetrasol is on sale this month for just $14.25 per 16.9 oz / 500 ml bottle. Retail price: $21.95 Buy Now.
New for 2011 is Silvetrasol available in one (1) gallon refills. Offered as a concentrate, the Silvetrasol gallon refill comes to you in a plastic gallon jug which you simple add distilled water to. The cost of the gallon concentrate refill is $92.00, that's a 40% savings. Buy three or more gallons for $69.00 each, that's a 55% savings! Silvetrasol Concentrate must be ordered through our office by calling 352-498-4030.
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Combat excess moisture & grow more hoof
In many areas around the world, poor weather means limited turn out for many horses. Taking a horse from wet pasture to a dry box stall leads us to believe that we are doing the best we can for our horses, and for many, this is likely true, but the type of bedding plays a major role in the health of the foot. Taking a horse from a wet environment to a stall bed with kiln dried shavings can be detrimental to the hoof. Rapid drying of horn can cause a breakdown of the keratin bonds that help to strengthen the hoof capsule. One way to prevent this from occurring is to use Perfect Hoof Wear, or a good quality hoof pack. The Perfect Hoof Wear helps to slow moisture loss, which can occur when the horn is in direct contact with kiln dried products such a shavings or saw dust. The PHW also helps by stimulating growth in those months when the horse is moving less, due to cold or heavy snow. Remember that PHW can be slippery on wet concrete or tarmac, so precautions should be taken. I often recommend that a good quality clay hoof packing be used in the hooves when the horse is brought in from a wet paddock and placed in a dry stall.After cleaning out the bottom of the foot, spray with Silvetrasol and wait for a few minutes, then simply fill the bottom of the foot, and cover with a piece of brown paper bag. This will allow the foot to dry more slowly, preventing cracking and infection. This a great time of the year to use the PHW to facilitate hoof growth. This month we are offering the Perfect Hoof Wear Standard kits on sale of $39.00 each, regular price is $59.95. We are also offering the PHW single poly wraps for just $10.00 each. Offer expires FEB 15, 2011. Order today! 
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| Save up to 35% | We are pleased to offer huge savings on following items: KC Brand Hoof Knife, all Hydropathics Remedies, Perfect Hoof Wear Standard Kit, Perfect Hoof Wear Single Poly Hoof Wraps, and Silvetrasol 16.9 oz with new sprayer. See above for individual item pricing.
| | Offer Expires: February 15, 2011 |
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