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Springing Into Summer
We've been enjoying a lot of " liquid sunshine" here in Virginia lately, and we had an abundance at the recent Keswick Horse Show that I attended. It's not pleasant to show or race in the rain, but the silver lining to that dark cloud brings us the green grass that we need (and our horses love), as well as the relief from the heat.
Although we were sad not to have the possibility for a Triple Crown winner in 2013, the Preakness Stakes last Saturday was a great comeback for jockey Gary Stevens and Calumet Farm and a wonderful win for Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas.
Our May newsletter focuses on stress and the performance horse, a subject we should be mindful of when we care for our horses. In addition, May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and as we approach the summer months and tick season in many areas, our "Tip of the Month" gives you some up-to-date and valuable information.
As we approach Memorial Day, let us not forget those who have given their lives to enable us all to enjoy the freedom to live in America.
As always, we appreciate your continued loyalty to EMO and welcome any suggestions you may have.
EMO...Ride with the leaders!
E. Sue Bopp
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 Hand-grazing your horse as often as possible while at horse shows is a great way to reduce stress. |
Stress and the Performance Horse
Identifying the causes of stress--and then reducing them--goes a long way toward keeping your horse at his peak performance.
Now that April showers are finished and May flowers are in full bloom, the summer show season is right around the corner. For many of us, this is the time when we gear our horses up for the height of show season, finalize our competition schedules and ink in our year-end goals.
Perhaps we've increased the frequency and duration of lessons and training these past few weeks and have attended a few clinics and local shows in preparation for the big summer competitions. Similarly, there's been more activity at the barn, as others prepare for their own events, with more horses and people coming and going during odd hours of the day.
Yes, all of these activities may simply be the natural state of an active show barn, but for your horse, these changes add stress to the already unnatural lifestyle that we've created for him as a performance horse.
Some horses seem to take these changes in stride, but others spend these months in a constant state of low-grade stress. So, it's up to you to observe the physical and psychological stresses your horse may be coping with and do your best to minimize the ones that might be adversely affecting him.
To read about how you can help reduce stress in your horse's life, click here.
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 EMO: Meet Agent Shannon Dodson
A Virginia native, Shannon grew up in the Warrenton area. Born into a family with two older brothers, growing up was far from dolls and tea sets. Instead, she played t-ball, football and was a member of a local swim club.
"Often, I helped my father care for our beef cattle, which he continues to raise today," said Shannon.
"I like to think that my relationship with EMO has as much history as the area I grew up in," she added. "Starting when I was in high school, working for the agency was one of my very first jobs. After school hours became winter and summer break hours when I went on to attend college at George Mason University."
Shortly after graduating with a degree in public relations, Shannon became an agent in the Farm and Liability Department.
"EMO has always felt like family to me, and it's a true pleasure working alongside my 'sidekick' Stephanie Dean to help service the needs of the clients we insure," said Shannon.
In her free time, Shannon enjoys taking photographs and exhibiting them in local galleries in the Virginia/Washington D.C. area. When she's not caught with a camera in hand, she's usually attending concerts with friends or spending time with family on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
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EMO: Tip of the Month
"Fight The Bite"
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Lyme disease is one of the fastest-growing diseases in the United States, and for humans and horses alike who live in areas endemic to certain ticks, it poses a significant health threat.
Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, passed to humans and animals through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (sometimes called deer ticks), which initially get the disease from mice.
While ticks don't jump or fly, they are masters at connecting with warm-blooded hosts such as humans, horses and pets. They readily climb bushes and reside on tall vegetation, waiting for a mammal to pass by.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in 2011, 96 percent of human Lyme disease cases were reported from 13 states with a U.S. total of 24,364 confirmed cases.
States with the highest incidence of Lyme disease included: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Lyme disease in humans and horses, if caught early, usually responds favorably to antibiotics. The current treatment protocols are tetracycline or doxycycline, either prescribed orally or intravenously.
Tests for Lyme disease are continually improving, and researchers at Cornell University developed a new Lyme multiplex assay test in 2012 that can detect antibodies as early as two to four weeks following infection, and it can distinguish between early and late stage infections.
Currently, there are no vaccines available for humans or horses, but there is one for dogs.
Tick Prevention in Humans:
- Wear long, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing
- Use insect repellent containing DEET
- Use permethrin on clothing
- Check for ticks after being outdoors
- Avoid areas with high grass and wooded/bushy areas
- Use the center of the trail when hiking
- Immediately remove any attached ticks
Common Lyme Disease Symptoms in Humans:
- A bull's-eye Rash
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle/Joint Aches
- Fatigue
- Memory Loss
- Nervous System Issues
Tick Prevention in Horses:
- Use fly repellants containing permethrin
- Groom horses daily and check for ticks, especially at the base of the mane/tail, belly, throatlatch and ears
- Immediately remove ticks
- Keep fields regularly mown to prevent tall grass
- Remove dead wood and brush from pastures
- Use rodent control measures
Common Lyme Disease Symptoms in Horses:
- Shifting leg lameness
- Muscle Pain
- Lethargy
- Dermal Hypersensitivity
- Behavioral Changes
- Weight Loss
- Neurological Deficits
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EMO's E. Sue Bopp and Chawton at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival circuit (Florida).
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President
Vice President EMO WEST: Vice President
OFFICE AGENTS: Mortality/Vet Services
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The EMO Agency, Inc. 400 Rosedale Court Warrenton, VA 20186 (800) 347-3552
(540) 347-3552
FAX: (540) 347-5906
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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?
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EMO
Out 'N About 
Sue Bopp and Jonathan Rabon at the USHJA Annual Meeting.
Join EMO Staff and Agents at these upcoming events:
- The Southwest Classic, May 22-26 in Tyler, Texas (Mike Moran)
- Devon Horse Show & Country Fair, May 31-June 1 in Devon, Pennsylvania (Sue Bopp)
- Upperville Colt & Horse Show, June 3-9 in Upperville, Virginia (Sue Bopp and Jonathan Rabon)
- Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity, June 6-9 in Tryon, North Carolina (Martha Hall)
- Atlanta Summer Classics, June 12-23 in Conyers, Georgia (Jonathan Rabon)
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Thinking Green? Don't forget you can pay for your insurance online with echeck!
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 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!
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