Equestrian Life May 2018 Issue

feed and veterinary
SEIB Insurance Brokers and
Katie Jerram-Hunnable
support new equine DNA test
Dr Debbie Guest, Head of Stem Cell Research
at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) in
Newmarket is developing a new DNA test
to identify thoroughbred racehorses with
an increased risk of fracture. Scientists from
the AHT’s Equine Genetics Team recently
established that there is a link between DNA
and the likelihood of fracture in racehorses.
This new test will provide a breakthrough in
managing the risks associated with fracture
in racehorses.
The new DNA test will be able to identify
whether a thoroughbred is at an increased
risk of fracture by taking a simple DNA
swab. To validate this new test, the AHT are
testing both a control group of horses that
have finished their racing careers sound, and
horses that have sustained fractures whilst
in racing. The aim is to test a total of around
250 horses in each group.
As part of the control group, top race and
show horse, HM The Queen’s, Barbers
Shop had a DNA swab taken last week.
Katie Jerram said: “We were delighted
that Barbers Shop could take part in such
valuable research. This new test will
be brilliant for the future of British
thoroughbreds.”
Dr Debbie Guest said: “We are
really excited about this research
and the new DNA test will be a
valuable new tool to help racehorse
health. Our goal is to reduce the
number of fractures sustained by
racehorses both on and off the track.
At present 11% of horses in training
will sustain a fracture during their
career. By finding out early on that
a horse has a higher risk of fracture,
it enables people to have a better
understanding of how to manage the horse
and prevent a fracture occurring.”
Debbie and her team will be attending
qualifiers for the SEIB Racehorse to Riding
Horse finals this year including those at Bury
Farm, Vale View and the Land Rover Burghley
Horse Trials. The team will be taking DNA
swabs from horses with owners wishing to
participate in the research.
If you have an ex-racehorse that has retired
sound from racing with no known fractures
and you would like to take part in the
development of this new test by having your
horse swabbed please contact Dr Debbie
Guest Debbie.guest@aht.org.uk.
Leading equine Insurance brokers, SEIB
Insurance Brokers provide cover for horses,
horse boxes, yards and much more. Visit
www.seib.co.uk or call 01708 850000.
PHOTO: SUE ROBB
Xena Blossoms
with Good
Health and
Happiness
Xena has been a resident at
World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm
Rescue and Rehoming Centre
in Norfolk for 10 months and
in this time she has grown in
confidence, allowing her lovely
personality and kind-nature to
shine through.
“Xena is such a gentle giant;
she loves standing for a groom
and a fuss. It is such a privilege
for an animal that has been
treated so badly to find it within
themselves to trust you. I have
developed a real soft spot for
her and can’t wait to meet her
foal when he or she arrives,” said
Lorraine.
With her rehabilitation and
handling progressing well,
Xena’s weight
has increased
to 744kg due to
her pregnancy
Lorraine is working on gaining
Xena’s confidence with having
her feet picked up. She is happy
to have all four of her feet picked
up but still requires sedation
to be attended to by the farrier.
With lots of practice Xena is
slowly but surely getting there
but she does struggle to balance
with the extra weight due to her
pregnancy.
As the centre awaits the birth of
Xena’s foal, World Horse Welfare
would like horse owners to stop
and think before breeding a foal
of their own.
In the UK, there are far more
horses and ponies than there
are homes for them and every
new horse or pony bred could
potentially push another into
a vulnerable welfare situation.
World Horse Welfare had a
record number of foals born
from horses coming into the
charity’s care in 2017 and many
of those are now youngsters
looking for a new home
where they can continue their
education. If you are interested
in taking on a youngster
then please visit World Horse
Welfare’s website to find out
more.
Additionally the supplement
helps support the reproductive
system of mares and stallions,
while supporting fermentation
of feeds and forages in the
caecum, enabling your horse to
extract the maximum nutrients
from all feed sources.
A 5kg tub of Lifeforce Formula
retails at £90, for a three month
supply.
For further information please
visit www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk or
telephone 01780 764512.
26 May 2018 Equestrian Life