 |
|
Full Swing in February
Now that the winter circuits are in full swing around the country, many EMO clients are out and about with their horses.
In this month's newsletter, we're providing you with the latest updates in equine transportation and the USDA Animal Traceability Program that begins next month. Be sure to read the new regulations and make sure that you're fully prepared to meet the requirements if you trailer your horse from state-to-state.
Speaking of competition, did you know that as many as 60 percent of show horses have gastric ulcers? This is a surprising number to me and a problem that many of us have encountered as we've prepared our horses to compete and traveled the circuits.
Our feature article this month explores equine gastric ulcer syndrome and the challenges horse owners face in diagnosis, treatment and insurance.
This month I've traveled to Florida to show on the HITS Ocala Winter circuit and attended the EMO Grand Prix there. EMO also sponsored grand prix competition in California, and we're so happy to support these fantastic horses, owners and riders at the top of the sport.
Our field agents continue their travels on the various show circuits around the country this month, so please don't hesitate to contact them with any questions you might have.
We wish you continued success in achieving your goals for 2013!
EMO...Ride with the leaders!
E. Sue Bopp
 |
 Recent studies reveal that gastric ulcers occur in 60 percent of show horses. |
EQUINE GASTRIC ULCERS AND INSURANCE COVERAGE
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome poses a serious problem for sport horses and may affect your insurance coverage.
As researchers spend more time studying gastric ulcers in horses, one thing becomes clear: they're more common than most people think.
Most domesticated horses-and nearly all show horses-live a much different life than their ancestors who roamed the plains and continuously grazed. In their natural state, horses' stomachs are digesting forage throughout the day, therefore there's a steady flow of acid for digestion and neutralizing saliva.
When a horse lives a life convenient for humans, residing in a barn, eating two or three meals per day, traveling to shows and working hard at an athletic endeavor, it's easy to see how these changes can negatively impact his digestive system.
In a recent study published in The Horse magazine, researchers at the Center for Equine Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, found in adult horses gastric ulcers occur in Thoroughbred racehorses 80-90 percent of the time, followed by endurance horses (70%) and show horses (60%). There's evidence that "exercise increases gastric acid production and decreases blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract."
So, it's not surprising that in the world of competition, a horse is subjected to a variety of risk factors that predispose him to equine gastric ulcer syndrome from the moment he steps into the barn from the field to begin training.
To continue reading more about equine gastric ulcer syndrome and insurance, click here.
|
 EMO: Meet Field Agent Nate Rolf
Nathan Rolfe is a licensed agent who joined EMO in the summer of 2010. He's spent time on farms and around horses since he was 8 years old. Nathan attended the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Georgia. During his tenure in college, Nathan was twice named the Track and Field team captain, as well as earning All-American honors in the throwing events.
While at the University of Georgia, Nathan met Haylie Jayne, a Hunter/Jumper rider from Elgin, Illinois. Following their graduation from Georgia in December 2009, Nathan and Haylie were married on the Jayne's farm.
Recently, Nate has been spending more time in the saddle. "I've had a really good time learning to ride, and Haylie is a great and patient trainer," he said. "Getting to be in Wellington, Florida, travel to the end of the year indoor horse shows, and traveling to the World Cup Finals has been really interesting and fun. Seeing the pinnacle of any sport is very impressive."
Nate also assists with his family's breeding program. "In retrospect, dealing with loading, unloading and breeding of the stallions helped me get over a subtle fear I've always had of the horses," he noted. "We have bred 30 horses since 2011, and it's really fun to handle and work with the babies during the summers."
Haylie and Nate now spend their winters in Florida and their summers in Illinois.
|
EMO: Tip of the Month
USDA Adopts Animal Disease Traceability Program
Last month we talked about the new Interstate Event Permit for horse owners who frequently travel out-of-state. On the heels of that announcement comes the news that the United States Department of Agriculture will begin implementing a new ID program for horses on March 11.
The USDA's Animal Disease Traceability Program (ADTP) will improve the Department's ability to trace livestock, including horses, in the event of a disease outbreak.
The new system applies to all livestock crossing state lines. Under the new federal regulations, horses moving between states must be identified before travel and accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) or state-approved identity document.
So, what does this mean for you? The ADTP shouldn't mean drastic changes, as most states already require a health certificate to travel over state lines. But you should be aware that some requirements may change depending on where you're traveling with your horse.
Many horse owners have the option of obtaining an Equine Interstate Event Permit, which allows a horse to travel freely for six months within 15 Mid-Atlantic and Southern states from Texas to Virginia, as well as New York.
Others out West have a six-month Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Interstate Movement Permit, which is available for travel between Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Washington.
In a nutshell, the new system is transitioning livestock transportation oversight from the states to the federal government, which will better track and monitor disease outbreaks in cattle and horses and, hopefully, minimize their effects.
The person or entity responsible for moving the horse interstate must ensure that each animal has an ICVI (or another approved document) to enable tracking in the event of a disease outbreak.
You might recall a few years ago when the USDA promoted the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), which was a voluntary program to ID and track equine movement. That program never really took off, so USDA leaders reconsidered their approach and developed the ADTP, a less invasive and more practical system.
The USDA leaders expect a transition period to give livestock owners time to understand the rules and make any changes necessary to comply.
To be properly identified on a ICVI, a description includes, but is not limited to: name, age, breed, color, gender, distinctive markings, and unique and permanent forms of identification, such as brands, tattoos, scars, cowlicks, blemishes, or biometric measurements). ID documentation can include written descriptions, digital photographs, brands, tattoos, electronic identification methods and interstate certificates of veterinary inspection.
There are exclusions to the new requirements for the following horses:
* Horses used as a mode of transportation (horseback, horse and buggy) for travel to another location that return directly to the original location.
* Horses moved from a farm or stable for veterinary treatment that are returned to the same location without change in ownership
* Horses moved directly from a location in one state through another state to a second location in the original state
* Horses moved between shipping and receiving states with another form of identification or documentation other than an ICVI, e.g., a Coggins test.
For more information about the ADTP, visit the American Horse Council or the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website for general information and FAQ. |
|
EMO Congratulates
Michael Hughes and Luxina
$50,000 EMO Grand Prix Winners!
Michael Hughes is joined by his father, Eamonn Hughes, E. Sue Bopp of EMO and Kim Crabtree of Zoetis to present the first-place ribbon and awards to Michael Hughes and Luxina for their win in HITS Ocala's $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis.
The EMO Agency, Inc., wishes to congratulate junior rider Michael Hughes, 17, who topped a star-studded field on February 10 in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Ocala IV.
Hughes, of Allendale, New Jersey, had two rides in Sunday's main event and captured the win aboard Christina Fried's Luxina.
"It's really exciting to win a Sunday grand prix like this," said Hughes. "My horses jumped great, and it was a pretty challenging track. There were so many great riders here today who I've looked up to over the years, so it's great to be competing against them and to do so well."
|
|
EMO Congratulates
Mandy Porter and Con Capilot
$50,000 EMO Grand Prix Winners!
HITS' Tony Hitchcock and EMO's Bil Hartman present Mandy Porter with the winning awards after she and Con Capilot claimed victory in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
The EMO Agency, Inc., wishes to congratulate Mandy Porter and Plum Creek Hollow Farm's Con Capilot for their excellent performance in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix on January 27 at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.
The pair have been competing together for three years, although Con Capilot took his eighth year off due to injury. "But he matured that year too," said Mandy. "He just turned 10, and he's really coming into his own. He's super careful, so I know I can push him to be quick.
"Every time I challenge him, he tries really hard to answer the question and answer correctly," added Porter. She admitted that the mantra she played in her head through the jump-off round was, "Be like Rich Fellers! Be like Rich Fellers! Just keep galloping!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EMO's E. Sue Bopp and Chawton at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival circuit (Florida).
|
President
Vice President EMO WEST: Vice President
OFFICE AGENTS: Mortality/Vet Services
|
The EMO Agency, Inc. 400 Rosedale Court Warrenton, VA 20186 (800) 347-3552
(540) 347-3552
FAX: (540) 347-5906
|
Hunting For Insurance?
Did you know you can request a quote for up to five horses with one easy step?
Just access The EMO Agency website and fill out our easy-to-use form to obtain a quote on mortality, loss of use, major medical and surgical coverage.
Are you paying more than you should for insurance?
|
EMO
Out 'N About 
Sue Bopp and Jonathan Rabon at the 2012 USHJA Annual Meeting.
Join EMO Staff and Agents at these upcoming events:
- FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Circuit, Wellington, Florida, January 9-March 31 (Martha Hall and Blake Boyd)
- HITS Ocala, February 14-28, in Ocala, Florida (Sue Bopp)
- HITS Desert Circuit, January 22-March 17, in Thermal, California (Mike Moran, Bil Hartman & Daran Lockhart)
- Gulf Coast Winter Series, February 6-March 10 in Gulfport, Mississippi (Jonathan Rabon)
- Great Southwest Winter Series, February 6-24, in Katy, Texas (Mike Moran)
|
Thinking Green? Don't forget you can pay for your insurance online with echeck!
|
 Stop by for a visit if you're in the neighborhood!
|
|
February Featured Client
Professional hunter rider and EMO client Liza Boyd is always on the lookout for a promising show hunter. So it was quite a pleasant surprise when Boyd discovered Fieona's talents literally in her own backyard in Camden, South Carolina. Fiona and Boyd's brother Hardin Towell had been partners in the jumper ring for many years, and for that reason Boyd hadn't given the 9-year-old Oldenburg mare a second glance.
"Fieona had always been Hardin's jumper, and she was good at that," said Boyd. "She was a little slow, though, so she wasn't going to go on to do the 1.60m classes, so we decided to make her a hunter. She's slow and high and round, and she just loves it. I'm so pleased for our first week here, to have this kind of result."
In their debut week in the High Performance Working Hunter section at WEF, Boyd and Fieona--owned by Jack Towell and Kelly Maloney--earned the championship with never less than a third-placed ribbon in any class. Boyd also earned the reserve championship with Quatrain, also a former jumper.
"I like having these horses out of the jumper ring because I know there's nothing they can't jump," said Boyd. "They're very brave, and they're good in the handy. I just change their frame a little bit, let them poke their nose out a little more, get them a little fatter and just let them have fun. They're both brave, good, solid horses and I'm so lucky to have both of them."
|
 Do you have an EMO- insured horse who's made you proud? Let us know, and you and your horse could be featured on our Facebook page or in our newsletter!
|
|
