EIPH and the use of furosemide
Animal welfare as opposed to drug-free racing – that is the challenging decision that will have to be made by racing authorities in countries where the drug, furosemide (Lasix or Salix), is banned from being administered on race days.

If you happen to be a racehorse trainer, exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is a fact of life. EIPH is the term used for spontaneous bleeding that occurs in a horse's airways and lungs during exercise, the result of blood pressure changes in the lung that are unique to horses. At least 80% of racehorses develop this condition at some stage during their careers. If severe, it affects racing performance and adversely affects the health of racehorses. Furthermore, approximately 60% of all sudden deaths that occur on the racetrack, are attributed to pulmonary haemorrhage.

The use of drugs to enhance the performance of competition horses is frowned upon throughout the world, and efforts to contain this are increasing. The racehorse industry is no exception and in most countries the use of drugs in an attempt to improve performance, is prohibited. This also applies to the drug furosemide, which may not be used on race days in most countries (with the exception of North America), as it is believed that this drug -enhances the horse's performance. -Furosemide has been used for many years by racehorse trainers in an attempt to prevent EIPH, but few studies were ever performed to prove or -disprove its effect on the condition.

In a novel study conducted recently in South Africa, it was proven that -furosemide does in fact decrease the frequency and -severity of EIPH. The study leaders, Kenneth Hinchcliff, BVSc, PhD, Dipl ACVIM, professor and dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Melbourne, Paul -Morley, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVIM, Colorado State -University and Alan Guthrie, BVSc, PhD, -University of -Pretoria, conducted what is considered the "gold standard" of scientific studies by -performing a randomised, controlled -clinical study where the effects of the drug were evaluated under actual conditions.

"It is likely that racing jurisdictions will -reconsider, in one way or another, their -position on the use of furosemide," the study leaders concluded. "The challenge will now be for countries such as England, Hong Kong and South Africa that do not currently permit race-day use of furosemide. The challenge that they will face is balancing the animal-welfare aspect of being able to prevent or reduce the condition, against the imperatives for drug-free racing." – Paul van Dam

Percheron ná vier dekades ingevoer
Vir die eerste keer in meer as vier dekades, is 'n Percheron na Suid-Afrika ingevoer. Volgens Johan van der Merwe, die voorsitter van die Percherontelersgenootskap van Suid-Afrika, is dit 'n aanduiding van die hernude belangstelling in hierdie swaar trekperdras.

Die nuwe "immigrant" is Sympa De -Bellevue wat deur die Summerwindstoet, buite Pretoria, uit Frankryk ingevoer is. -Volgens die mede-eienaars van die stoet, Jannie -Engelbrecht en Johan Henning, is -hierdie hings vanuit top genetiese materiaal in Frankryk.

Op die jaarvergadering van die genootskap tydens die Hoefslagfees op Geyerspan in Lichtenburg, het die voorsitter, Johan van der Merwe, gesê dat hierdie in der waarheid 'n gedenkwaardige jaar vir die ras is. Een van die hoogtepunte is die viering van die genootskap se sewentigste bestaansjaar. 'n Nuwe embleem vir die genootskap is op die jaarvergadering goedgekeur en sy webtuiste is herontwerp.

Johan van der Merwe van die Paarl en -Gerrie van Zyl van Goudiniweg is onderskeidelik as voorsitter en onder-voorsitter herkies tydens die jaarvergadering. Die res van die bestuur is Anton Botes, Jannie -Engelbrecht, Mandé Siderfin en Lettie Kruger (sekretaris). – -Hennie Basson

FEI CIC 3-star horse trials
Equestrian history was made on the weekend of 1 and 2 August when the first ever -Federation Equestrian International (FEI) CIC 3-star horse trials were held at Northern Farm Equestrian Park. For those that are unfamiliar, a CIC 3-star competition is the highest level currently in the sport of eventing in South Africa. It is exactly on par with international standards.

The Northern Farm Event was the first -qualifier for the World Equestrian Games which will be held in Kentucky in 2010. Of the seven starters, five -qualified.

Paul Hart, the reigning South African -eventing champion, won this landmark event riding his horse Air Holidays Font Wiseguy. Second was Graham Winn on his Warmblood gelding, Fairway Electrica Zorba, and third was Heidi Wood from KwaZulu-Natal on her horse, Quantum Leap. Douglas Welsh from KwaZulu-Natal also qualified with both his horses, Trinity Sport of Kings and Trinity Kings Courier. – Suzanne Boswell

Nuutjie op wynplaas
D aar sal binne-kort vir die eerste keer 'n driefase perdesportbyeenkoms saam met 'n aantal -tradisionele skou-items en die vertoning van outydse perderytuie aangebied word. Dit sal op 15 November plaasvind wanneer die Westelike Provinsie se "eventing" -kampioenskappe deel sal uitmaak van die -vierde agtereen-volgende Perd- en Wynfees op die Nelson Wynlandgoed buite die Paarl.

Die vorige dag word die dressuurkompetisie afgehandel, terwyl die hindernis en skouspring op die tweede en laaste dag volg. Alles geskied op 'n baan wat verlede jaar ontwerp is deur David Evans van Engeland en Andile Balula en Wayne Thurgood. David was ook verlede jaar vir die bou van die baan vir die Olimpiese Spele in Hongkong verantwoordelik.

Volgens Alan Nelson, die mede-organiseerder van die geleentheid, sal minstens twee spoggerige Landau-koetse tydens hierdie fees deur Friesperde getrek word. Boonop sal die groot aantal toeskouers wat hier verwag word ook van die landgoed se bekroonde wyne kan geniet. Die Nelson Wynlandgoed is verlede jaar as die Boland se top-wynlandgoed aangewys. – Hennie Basson

Boerperde hou streekskampioenskappe
Die afgelope SA Boerperd Natal streeks-kampioenskappe in Newcastle was 'n hoogtepunt op die SA Boerperd-kalender. Dit was 'n baie suksesvolle skou waaraan 170 perde deelgeneem het en telers en vertoners van sovêr as Gauteng, Mpumalanga en die Vrystaat opgedaag het. Die gehalte en afron-ding van die perde was van hoë gehalte en die 3-gang en 5-gang kampioenskappe was -senutergend en opwindend.

Verskeie deelnemers en hulle perde het uitstekende resultate in die dressuur-afde-ling behaal. Die perde wat aan die tradisionele 3-gang, 5-gang en enkeltuig klasse- en kampioen-skappe deelneem se beweging word, soos in die dressuur-afdeling, ook deur lang, veerkragtige treë wat grond dek, gekenmerk. Die enigste verskil is dat daar van hulle 'n -matige tot hoë knie-aksie verwag word.

Die skou is voorafgegaan deur 'n SA -Boerperd hingskeuring waartydens 17 jong hingste van 2,5 jaar tot 3,5 jaar voor 'n paneel keurders verskyn om aan die rasstandaard -gemeet te word. Elke geregistreerde SA -Boerperd word geëvalueer vir moontlike goedkeuring alvorens hy geregistreer word en dan die SA Boerperd brandmerk op die regterboud kry.

Die 5-gang kampioenskappe is deur Calela Ditto, eiendom van die Calela Stoet van die Jacobsz-familie van Ermelo gewen en -vertoon deur Samson Masina. Die tradisionele 3-gang asook die tradisionele enkeltuig is deur -Vlampie's Cha-Cha, eienaar SAB Krog Stoet gewen en vertoon deur Carinda Cloete in die 3-gang en Diederick Cloete in die enkeltuig. Die universele 3-gang is deur Silhoeet -Tsunami van die Anushka Stoet gewen en vertoon deur Carinda Cloete.

Die tradisionele grootkampioen hings in die hand is deur Vyfhoek De la Rey van -Elizabeth Esterhuyse gewen. Die tradisionele groot-kampioen merrie in die hand is deur Sanlouw Gemmer van die Sanlouw Stoet van Manie Louwrens gewen.

Die universele grootkampioen hings in die hand was Boschendal Zorba, eiendom van Jannie Bosch van die Boschendal Stoet. Die universele grootkampioen merrie in die hand is deur Bakgat Jambalaya van Rikus Scheepers gewen. – Liezelle Whitehead

New dressage rules
The new dressage rule book came into -effect on 1 August 2009. The things bound to have the biggest impact on riders at a -national scale, are the following :
• 2009 dressage tests: Many dressage tests have been changed and the format altered. See the Sanef website for the latest tests.
• Whip length: Whip length may not exceed a total maximum length of 120 cm (including the tassle) and for pony riders total maximum length is 100 cm (including the tassle). The use of one whip, as above, in the practice area is allowed at all shows. Only the rider when riding, walking, leading or lungeing a horse (standard length lunge whip allowed), is allowed to carry a whip (maximum 120 cm) anywhere on the showground. The groom may also walk, lead and lunge a horse as above. Other parties are allowed to carry a whip, provided it is not in connection with the training of the horse.
• Bridle numbers: A number will be allocated for each show to each horse by the show organiser. Each horse must keep the same identification number allocated by the -organisers on arrival and throughout the competition. This number is to be worn on the left side of the horse's bridle or halter and the number display device to be provided by the rider. It is compulsory that the number be worn by the horse while actively competing and at any time while working in the exercise and schooling areas or being walked in hand, so that they can be identified by stewards and officials.
• Warm-up etiquette: These guidelines have been published as an addendum in the rule-book. All riders are to pass left-shoulder-to-left-shoulder in all warm-up areas (similar to all international events). The etiquette guidelines are to be displayed outside the entrance to all warm-up areas. It is advisable for clubs, riding schools and stable yards to have the "pass left shoulder to left shoulder" printed and displayed clearly at all riding arenas, in order to help with the cross-over to the internationally agreed -system.

Another chance at life
A 10-year-old wild mare which was stuck in a donga, was saved by a group of -locals in Kaapsehoop. She had been trapped in the donga for nearly 24 hours. When -village -local, Simon Buttons, stumbled upon the animal, she was in great distress. He -immediately -contacted the Kaapsehoop Wild Horse Fund, while trying with the help of the Komatiland plantation workers to move her into a comfortable position.

Reinette van Niekerk of the Wild Horse Fund and Joyce Thompson of -Supercare Cleaning Services, soon arrived and assisted the mare. The Wild Horse Fund was established six years ago by Maxi Erasmus to protect and -conserve the wild equines in this area, and is dependent on the generosity of the community to keep afloat. Donations can be paid into the Capitec Wild Horse Fund Savings account no 117 965 2841 – Desireé Rorke, Lowvelder -online

Produk geregistreer
SA Horseman het onlangs heelwat korrespondensie ontvang omtrent die advertensie vir die produk "The African Horse Sickness Solution – Immunity 101 & 105". SA Horseman het onlangs die volgende skrywe van die verspreiders, Theus en Heila Badenhorst, ontvang: "Dit is met groot blydskap dat ek u en die lesers meedeel dat een van die mense wat dit (die produk) met welslae gebruik het, ons in kontak geplaas het met professionele konsultante wat ons met registrasie kon help.

"Die rede vir die spoedige registrasie is die feit dat die produk geen geskeduleerde bestanddele bevat nie en dus in die kategorie Komplementêre medisyne by die Medicine Control Council val (Wet 101 van 1965). Die registrasie van so 'n produk behels net ‘n verklaring van wat dit bevat, wie dit vervaardig, waar dit vervaardig word en sekere beperkinge ten opsigte van die benaming en stellings rondom die effektiwiteit teen spesifieke siektetoestande.

"Ons is dus geregtig om die produk as 'n immuunstelsel-versterker op winkelrakke uit te stal. Ons maak voortaan geen stellings dat dit enige siektetoestande kan genees nie. Dit word slegs as komplementêre medisyne aangewend … Die produk sal voortaan bekend staan as "Immunity Solution 101 & 105" en nie meer "The African Horse Sickness Solution – Immunity 101 & 105 nie"