Riding School Research Articles

Aspen Plus® and economic modeling of equine waste utilization for localized hot water heating via fast pyrolysis

Aspen Plus® based simulation models have been developed to design a pyrolysis process for on-site production and utilization of pyrolysis oil from equine waste at the Equine Rehabilitation Center at Morrisville State College (MSC). The results indicate that utilization of all the available waste from the site's 41 horses requires a 6 oven dry metric ton per day (ODMTPD) pyrolysis system but it will require a 15 ODMTPD system for waste generated by an additional 150 horses at the expanded area including the College and its vicinity. For this a dual fluidized bed combustion reduction integrated pyrolysis system (CRIPS) developed at USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) was identified as the technology of choice for pyrolysis oil production. The Aspen Plus® model was further used to consider the combustion of the produced pyrolysis oil (bio-oil) in the existing boilers that generate hot water for space heating at the Equine Center. The model results show the potential for both the equine facility and the College to displace diesel fuel (fossil) with renewable pyrolysis oil and alleviate a costly waste disposal problem. We predict that all the heat required to operate the pyrolyzer could be supplied by non-condensable gas and about 40% of the biochar co-produced with bio-oil. Techno-economic Analysis shows neither design is economical at current market conditions; however the 15 ODMTPD CRIPS design would break even when diesel prices reach $11.40/gal. This can be further improved to $7.50/gal if the design capacity is maintained at 6 ODMTPD but operated at 4950 h per annum.

Effects of gastric distension on intraabdominal pressures in horses

To determine the effect of gastric distension on intraabdominal pressures (IAP) measured directly from the intraperitoneal space. Prospective, experimental study. A university-based equine research facility. Ten healthy adult horses, 5 males and 5 females. Intraabdominal pressures were measured through an intraperitoneal cannula zeroed at a height midway between the height of the tuber ishii and point of the shoulder at 6 time points: at rest, after placement of a nasogastric tube, and after instillation of each 5 L increment up to a total of 20 L of water. Simultaneously, mean arterial pressures (MAP) were obtained using a tail cuff, and abdominal perfusion pressures (APP) were calculated using the measured IAP minus the measured MAP. Baseline direct IAP measurements were subatmospheric (-4.5 ± 3.0 cm H2 O). IAPs were not significantly affected by placement of a nasogastric tube (-2.69, 95% CI [-3.24, -2.14], P = 0.4195), but were significantly increased after placement of 5 L (-1.73, 95% CI [-2.28, -1.18], P = 0.0015), 10 L (-0.54, 95% CI [-1.09,0.01], P = 0.0001), 15 L (0.89, 95% CI [0.34, 1.44], P = 0.0001), or 20 L (3.08, 95% CI [2.53, 3.63], P = 0.0001) of water into the stomach. APPs were not significantly different for any volume of fluid infused into the stomach (P = 0.05 for all comparisons). IAPs were significantly increased when > 5 L of water was infused into the stomach. These results indicate the need for further research in clinical cases to determine the relationship between gastric pressures and the development of intraabdominal hypertension in horses.

Pest Management Perceptions and Practices for Equine Farms in North and Central Florida

Equine facilities have unique pest management problems due to facility structure and horse husbandry practices. In Florida, homes on small equine farms are generally located in close proximity to pastures, stalls or run-in sheds, manure piles, and other fly breeding habitats. So, homeowners have a high risk of exposure to pathogens that can be transmitted by filth flies to humans. Integrated pest management for equine farms requires accurate diagnosis of pest problems and the coordinated use of science-based management practices, but a recent survey shows that many equine property owners don’t know enough about the identification, biology, and presence of filth fly pests on their properties to develop successful IPM programs. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Erika T. Machtinger, Norman C. Leppla, and Cindy Saunders, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2013.
 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in983

Clinical observations and management of a severe equine herpesvirus type 1 outbreak with abortion and encephalomyelitis

Latent equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection is common in horse populations worldwide and estimated to reach a prevalence nearing 90% in some areas. The virus causes acute outbreaks of disease that are characterized by abortion and sporadic cases of myeloencephalopathy (EHM), both severe threats to equine facilities. Different strains vary in their abortigenic and neuropathogenic potential and the simultaneous occurrence of EHM and abortion is rare. In this report, we present clinical observations collected during an EHV-1 outbreak caused by a so-called “neuropathogenic” EHV-1 G2254/D752 polymerase (Pol) variant, which has become more prevalent in recent years and is less frequently associated with abortions. In this outbreak with 61 clinically affected horses, 6/7 pregnant mares aborted and 8 horses developed EHM. Three abortions occurred after development of EHM symptoms. Virus detection was performed by nested PCR targeting gB from nasal swabs (11 positive), blood serum (6 positive) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (9 positive) of a total of 42 horses sampled. All 6 fetuses tested positive for EHV-1 by PCR and 4 by virus isolation. Paired serum neutralization test (SNT) on day 12 and 28 after the index case showed a significant (≥ 4-fold) increase in twelve horses (n = 42; 28.6%). This outbreak with abortions and EHM cases on a single equine facility provided a unique opportunity for the documentation of clinical disease progression as well as diagnostic procedures.

Detection of equid herpesviruses 2 and 5 in a herd of 266 Lipizzaners in association with ocular findings

A herd of Lipizzaners (n=266) in three locations [Federal stud Piber (Styria), Heldenberg (Lower Austria) and the Spanish Riding School Vienna (Vienna)] were examined for ocular diseases and tested for herpesviruses (HVs) in PBMCs, nasal- and conjunctival swabs. In 167 (62.8%) horses equid herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2) nucleic acid was identified in at least one of the investigated samples, and 136 (51.1%) horses were positive for equid herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5) nucleic acid in at least one of the samples. One hundred and five (39.5%) of the horses mentioned above were identified with EHV-2/EHV-5 double infections. The results were correlated with potential influence factors such as age, gender, location, and housing. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of horses diagnosed with HV infections stabled in one location (Piber); also, housing in free stalls was associated with a higher rate of HV infections. Horses carrying EHV-2 or EHV-5 nucleic acid were significantly younger than the negative group. Statistical analysis of PCR results and ophthalmic findings did not prove a significant association between any disease pattern and presence of the equid gammaherpesviruses EHV-2 and EHV-5. The results of this herd survey indicate that horses younger than eight years of age, housed in free stalls with high population densities have a significantly increased risk for infection with EHV-2 and EHV-5. However no prediction can be made whether this results in ophthalmic disease. This is the first ophthalmic-virologic survey of this magnitude in a single horse breed.

Host location by Spalangia cameroni (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in equine associated substrates

House flies, (Musca domestica L.) and stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans L.) are common pests on equine facilities. Biological control of these flies with pupal parasitoids has become increasingly popular with horse owners but has not been evaluated on equine facilities. Little is known of the substrate preferences of filth fly parasitoids on equine facilities, but the success of release programs may be affected by microhabitat preferences. Spalangia cameroni Perkins was evaluated for location preferences for parasitization of house fly and stable fly puparia in six substrates commonly found on equine farms in Florida. Substrates were evaluated at 20:1 and 5:1 H:P ratios and during the experiment parasitoids had access to all substrates simultaneously. No differences were observed between filth fly host species in any of the measured parameters: total host mortality, parasitoid progeny production and residual host mortality. Significant effects of H:P ratio on host mortality and residual mortality were found but not on progeny production. While there were significantly more hosts killed in the aged shavings than the fresh shavings at the 20:1 ratio, no differences were observed at the 5:1 ratio. Additionally, no differences were found in progeny production across substrates at the 20:1 ratio, but higher reproductive success was observed in several substrates at the 5:1 ratio. These results demonstrate that S. cameroni had substrate preferences but that these preferences were absent with reduced host density. This parasitoid species appears to be effective at parasitizing hosts in the common equine substrates of Florida.

Effects of compressive abdominal bandaging and transrectal palpation on intra‐abdominal pressures in horses

To determine the effect of an abdominal support wrap and transrectal abdominal palpation on intra-abdominal pressures (IAPs) measured directly from the peritoneal space. Prospective, experimental study. A university-based equine research facility. Ten healthy adult horses, 5 males and 5 females. IAPs were measured through an intraperitoneal cannula zeroed at a height midway between the height of the tuber ishii and point of the shoulder. Triplicate measurements were obtained at rest, during transrectal palpation, after placement of an abdominal support wrap, and during transrectal palpation with the support wrap still in place. Simultaneous mean arterial pressures were obtained using a tail cuff and abdominal perfusion pressures were calculated using the measured IAP minus the measured mean arterial pressures. Baseline direct pressure measurements were subatmospheric (-4.5 ± 3.0 cm H(2) O). IAPs were not significantly affected by transrectal palpation, but were significantly increased after placement of an abdominal support wrap (-1.19 ± 3.01 cm H(2) O; P = 0.01). Abdominal perfusion pressures were not significantly affected by either transrectal palpation or application of the support wrap. IAPs were significantly increased after application of an abdominal support wrap commonly used after exploratory laparotomy. Further investigations are warranted to determine the clinical implications of abdominal bandaging on IAP and its implications on postoperative complications including intra-abdominal hypertension. However, transrectal abdominal palpation likely does not contribute to abdominal hypertension in normal horses.

The State of Development of Equestrian Tourism in the Lublin Region in the Context of Environmental Conditions

Abstract Introduction. In recent years spending free time in the Lublin Region has been more frequently related to equestrian tourism based on the infrastructure of the existing centres. Papers published so far focus mainly on a detailed description of features of horses used for equestrian tourism. Few papers have analysed offers and issues related to the promotion of this form of tourism. There is no paper discussing the spatial distribution of equestrian tourism centres, or analysing their offer at the regional scale. In response to this, a study was undertaken with special consideration of the features of the natural environment. Material and methods. In the period from October 2010 to April 2011, secondary information (statistics, registers, scientific papers) was analysed and primary material (field inventory, diagnostic interviews and an opinion poll) on the state of equestrian tourism in the Lublin Region was collected. Results. The analysis of the spatial distribution of 61 equestrian tourism centres subject to the inventory reveals that the highest number of centres function in the Zamooeæ and Biała Podlaska poviats. The comparison of offers in the scope of equestrian tourism in the Lublin Region shows that the basic offer of the region includes four kinds of services: horse riding, sleigh riding, chaise riding and horse riding courses. The highest number of horse treks is offered by centres in the Biała Podlaska poviat. Conclusions. In view of the data obtained, an asset in the scope of the development of equestrian tourism is the structure of offers directed at tourists and the infrastructure that already exists. Moreover, the development of this form of tourism is favoured by the features of the natural environment; the majority of trails and centres are located in environmentally valuable areas. Particularly the landscape, the filtrating-detoxicating properties of plant assemblages, their bioclimate and aesthetic value should contribute to the development of a complex offer (appropriate promotional package) of equestrian tourism in the Lublin Region

Ophthalmological findings in a closed herd of Lipizzaners

There are no studies on the ophthalmic health status in the Lipizzaner breed. To perform an ophthalmological survey in a closed herd in 3 housing systems. All horses at the Federal Stud Piber, Heldenberg and the Spanish Riding School Vienna were subjected to ophthalmological examination. Findings were documented and correlated with factors such as age, gender, location and housing situation. The interrelation of abnormalities of different regions was determined by calculating accuracy. Pedigree analysis of horses affected by cataract was performed. A total of 267 horses met the inclusion criteria of this study. Of these, 172 horses were stabled in Piber, 72 in Vienna and 23 in Heldenberg. Ophthalmological examination revealed 203 cases with ocular findings, predominantly involving the conjunctiva (44.6%), cornea (21.7%) and fundus (37.5%). In 24 (8.9%) horses a diagnosis of cataract was made. There was no interrelation between different eye diseases. Horses stabled at Piber were significantly more affected by conjunctival and fundic abnormalities. Fewer abnormalities were found in horses stabled in open boxes. Access to free stalls resulted in more cases of conjunctivitis. Pedigree analysis showed no evidence of inbreeding as a cause of cataract formation. Acquired corneal abnormalities were over-represented in this study. This survey may serve as a basis for further research on the pathogenesis of ophthalmic diseases in Lipizzaners.

Not Likely to Flourish

Delayed OpeningWithin a few short weeks our columns will again teem with record of base ball and cricket matches. Again green fields of Hoboken will be made lively and attractive by voices of participants in these manly outdoor exercises and sports. From present appearances, approaching season bid fair to be one of most brilliant that we have yet had.-New York Clipper, March 15, 1862The December National Association of Base Ball Players meeting that concluded 1861 season had not provided any grounds for Clipper's spring optimism. Attendance had dropped dramatically since previous year. Out-of-town clubs stayed home, and many member clubs had disbanded or suspended play as their players went to war. Clipper, explaining (in same article) its rosy forecast, predicted:The rebellion has culminated. Its rapid downfall is but a question of time. As a consequence, there is a feeling of hope of better times coming, that yields an exultation and joyousness that tells well for a thorough enjoyment of ordinary sports and pastimes in which we are prone to indulge during summer season.A month later, even as New York Sunday Mercury was proclaiming on April 13 that New York and Brooklyn clubs were full of life and vigor, and there is every prospect ahead of as lively a base ball season as has ever been witnessed, reports were coming in of then-shocking casualties (13,000 on side alone) at inconclusive Battle of Shiloh on April 6-7, leaving such prophecies in tatters, and renewing question of what new season would bring.In event, a more traditional roadblock-spring rains-set season back, as Sunday Mercury noted on May 4. It was notable that one of cancelled matches was opener for Excelsior of South Brooklyn, championship contender of 1860, which played no matches at all in 1861 due to heavy losses to military. Drier weather in May still produced only practices and intrasquad matches, and though Powhatan and Star Clubs of Brooklyn kicked offthe season with a match on 22nd, Brooklyn Daily Eagle complained on May 23: The season is well advanced and but few contests have taken place; it is high time that ball should be opened. Daily Eagle, however, blamed slow start not on war but on the system of waiting until summer months to play matches, which is getting out of date. Sunday Mercury, too, on June 1 took a look around and noted lessened impact of war, at least on supply of players: ...the hegira of warlike ball-players is nothing near as great as in 1861, necessity not being as pressing as it was a year ago.The GroundsWhile sporting press could be suspected of making rosy estimates of health of all various outdoor sports for sake of their circulations, a group in Brooklyn was putting its money where its mouth was. In February, indomitable skaters of Skating Association (which operated Pond, a prime locale for iceskating craze that had been gaining momentum over past few winters) announced an ambitious project aimed at providing year-round revenue: organization of Union Skating, Riding School, Base Ball, Gymnastic, and Boating Association.1 Clipper of February 22 published a detailed description of project:The design is to construct a body of water on site of present pond, but at least three times its size in extent. In centre of this, a large and commodious building will be erected, in Swiss style of architecture, which will contain facilities for refreshments, retiring, dressing, reading, and conversation. This central building will be entirely surrounded by water, communication with it being by handsome bridges from each end, to streets opposite. By this means surface of water will be much greater. Adjoining lake there are to be two large ball grounds laid out, one for base ball-the largest-and other for cricket clubs. …

A Brief Conversation with Frank Westerman

march–april 2012 | 7 A ward-winning literary journalist Frank Westerman (b. 1964, Emmen, the Netherlands) began his career as a freelance journalist working in Africa, eastern Europe, and Latin America. In 1993 he became a correspondent in Belgrade during the war in Yugoslavia. He has published seven books, two of which are available in English: Engineers of the Soul, about Soviet writers under Stalin, and Ararat, in which Westerman considers science and religion, fact and faith, while climbing this biblical mountain on the Turkish-Armenian border. WLT: You not only cross but combine genres. Your work to date includes journalism, history, and literary journalism. In fact, one of your books, Ararat, won awards in at least three categories: literature, travel, and popular science. Do you write any fiction, or have any plans to do so? Frank Westerman: Hardly. I feel no constraints in telling true stories. I think it’s the “how-you-tell-it” that makes the story. Sticking to facts imposes only one literary limitation: thou shalt not fabricate. But you do fully depend on style, composition ,timing,suggestion,seduction,imagination.“Agoodstory tells itself”—no way! “Reality is bigger than life”—usually it is. The nonfiction writer works on the basis of Michelangelo’s old adage that the sculpture (in this case the story) is already there—you only need to free it from the rock. WLT: In your most recent book, Dier, bovendier, forthcoming in English in July as Brother Mendel’s Perfect Horse, how did you decide to tell the story of twentieth-century tragedies through the story of the Lipizzaner horse? FW: I’ve been riding and training horses, including Lipizzaners , since I was a boy. As the backbone or carrier for my book, I focused on a white stallion I once knew, and three generations of his equine ancestors. Being the Austrian emperor’s private breed, famous for performing at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School, the Lipizzaners lost their protector during World War I andhave,eversince,servedas(war)bountyforMussolini,Hitler ,Tito,andCeaușescu,insuccession.Thesewhitehorsesmirror the quest for racial purity and the nature/nurture debate, whether in the hands of fascists or communists. By following their fate through the twentieth century, I took a core sample from recent history and set out to “read” it, the way a geologist can see how the ice ages came and went in the layers of a single sample. I think I’ve come up with a kind of true fable, which, like all animal stories, is about us, humans. WLT: Who are your influences, both literary and journalistic? FW: Jorge Luis Borges, for how he molds exactness into language; Ryszard Kapuściński, for his ability to give specific incidents a universal glow; and Curzio Malaparte, for his superb style. WLT: What new projects are you working on now? FW: I’m currently writing a book “on the origin of stories .” I think I have a clear-cut case that started with its own big bang: the explosion of a mountain lake in west Cameroon in 1986 that wiped out all human and animal life in the valley below. There was no damage to property or plants, but 1,833 people died. Today, twenty-five years later, three different, conflicting stories have sprouted from this enigmatic event. The first one emerged among the many volcanologists who continue to study the lake for clues. The second version is the incorporation of this collective death into the doctrine of the suffering of Christ, by Catholic and evangelical missionaries. The third story has been created by the survivors, based on their own, existing myths of vengeful ancestors who live in the afterworld at the bottom of the numerous deep lakes in the area. My take on it: how do words and phrases cluster to stories and eventually legends? I’m not aiming to weigh the three different accounts in the balance; that’s up to the reader. However, I believe our quintessential need for stories surpasses the “who’s right” issue. I do aim at writing a suspensful nonfiction account that deals a blow to Europe’s new and fashionable ethnocentrism. A Brief Conversation with Frank Westerman notebook photo...

A Brief Conversation with Frank Westerman

march–april 2012 | 7 A ward-winning literary journalist Frank Westerman (b. 1964, Emmen, the Netherlands) began his career as a freelance journalist working in Africa, eastern Europe, and Latin America. In 1993 he became a correspondent in Belgrade during the war in Yugoslavia. He has published seven books, two of which are available in English: Engineers of the Soul, about Soviet writers under Stalin, and Ararat, in which Westerman considers science and religion, fact and faith, while climbing this biblical mountain on the Turkish-Armenian border. WLT: You not only cross but combine genres. Your work to date includes journalism, history, and literary journalism. In fact, one of your books, Ararat, won awards in at least three categories: literature, travel, and popular science. Do you write any fiction, or have any plans to do so? Frank Westerman: Hardly. I feel no constraints in telling true stories. I think it’s the “how-you-tell-it” that makes the story. Sticking to facts imposes only one literary limitation: thou shalt not fabricate. But you do fully depend on style, composition ,timing,suggestion,seduction,imagination.“Agoodstory tells itself”—no way! “Reality is bigger than life”—usually it is. The nonfiction writer works on the basis of Michelangelo’s old adage that the sculpture (in this case the story) is already there—you only need to free it from the rock. WLT: In your most recent book, Dier, bovendier, forthcoming in English in July as Brother Mendel’s Perfect Horse, how did you decide to tell the story of twentieth-century tragedies through the story of the Lipizzaner horse? FW: I’ve been riding and training horses, including Lipizzaners , since I was a boy. As the backbone or carrier for my book, I focused on a white stallion I once knew, and three generations of his equine ancestors. Being the Austrian emperor’s private breed, famous for performing at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School, the Lipizzaners lost their protector during World War I andhave,eversince,servedas(war)bountyforMussolini,Hitler ,Tito,andCeaușescu,insuccession.Thesewhitehorsesmirror the quest for racial purity and the nature/nurture debate, whether in the hands of fascists or communists. By following their fate through the twentieth century, I took a core sample from recent history and set out to “read” it, the way a geologist can see how the ice ages came and went in the layers of a single sample. I think I’ve come up with a kind of true fable, which, like all animal stories, is about us, humans. WLT: Who are your influences, both literary and journalistic? FW: Jorge Luis Borges, for how he molds exactness into language; Ryszard Kapuściński, for his ability to give specific incidents a universal glow; and Curzio Malaparte, for his superb style. WLT: What new projects are you working on now? FW: I’m currently writing a book “on the origin of stories .” I think I have a clear-cut case that started with its own big bang: the explosion of a mountain lake in west Cameroon in 1986 that wiped out all human and animal life in the valley below. There was no damage to property or plants, but 1,833 people died. Today, twenty-five years later, three different, conflicting stories have sprouted from this enigmatic event. The first one emerged among the many volcanologists who continue to study the lake for clues. The second version is the incorporation of this collective death into the doctrine of the suffering of Christ, by Catholic and evangelical missionaries. The third story has been created by the survivors, based on their own, existing myths of vengeful ancestors who live in the afterworld at the bottom of the numerous deep lakes in the area. My take on it: how do words and phrases cluster to stories and eventually legends? I’m not aiming to weigh the three different accounts in the balance; that’s up to the reader. However, I believe our quintessential need for stories surpasses the “who’s right” issue. I do aim at writing a suspensful nonfiction account that deals a blow to Europe’s new and fashionable ethnocentrism. A Brief Conversation with Frank Westerman notebook photo...

Equine influenza: a clinical perspective in Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre

The clinical signs of horses diagnosed with equine influenza (EI) at Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre (CPEC) and the events surrounding their diagnosis are described. This was the site of the first case of EI diagnosed outside of the Eastern Creek Animal Quarantine Station. The clinical data demonstrate the rapid spread of the disease after a sufficient viral load had developed from the initial cases within CPEC.

Significant features of the epidemiology of equine influenza in New South Wales, Australia, 2007

Equine influenza (EI) was first diagnosed in the Australian horse population on 24 August 2007 at Centennial Park Equestrian Centre (CPEC) in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. By then, the virus had already spread to many properties in NSW and southern Queensland. The outbreak in NSW affected approximately 6000 premises populated by approximately 47,000 horses. Analyses undertaken by the epidemiology section, a distinct unit within the planning section of the State Disease Control Headquarters, included the attack risk on affected properties, the level of under-reporting of affected properties and a risk assessment of the movement of horses out of the Special Restricted Area. We describe the epidemiological features and the lessons learned from the outbreak in NSW.

Seasonal Abundance of Stable Flies and Filth Fly Pupal Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) at Florida Equine Facilities

Beginning in November 2007 and continuing until December 2009, weekly stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), surveillance was conducted at four equine facilities near Ocala, FL, by using alsynite sticky traps for adults and by searching immature developmental sites for pupae. Adult stable fly trap captures were highly variable throughout the year, ranging from 0 to 1,400 flies per trap per farm. The greatest adult stable fly activity was observed during the spring months of March and April, with weekly three-trap means of 121 and 136 flies per farm, respectively. The importance of cultural control measures was most apparent on the only farm with no reported insecticide use and the lowest stable fly trap captures, where an intense daily sanitation and composting program was conducted. A survey of on-site filth fly pupae revealed that 99.9% of all parasitoids recovered were Spalangia spp., consisting of Spalangia cameroni Perkins (56.5%), Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis (34.0%), Spalangia endius Walker (5.8%), and Spalangia nigra Latreille (3.7%). The implications of these findings are discussed.

The Ability of Selected Pupal Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to Locate Stable Fly Hosts in a Soiled Equine Bedding Substrate: Table 1.

The ability of Spalangia cameroni Perkins, Spalangia endius Walker, and Muscidifurax raptorellus Kogan and Legner to locate and attack stable fly hosts was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Postfeeding third-instar stable fly larvae were released and allowed to pupate in two arena types: large 4.8 liter chambers containing a field-collected, soiled equine bedding substrate; or 120-ml plastic cups containing wood chips. At the time of fly pupariation, parasitoids were released and permitted 72 h to locate and attack hosts. On average, parasitism rates of freely accessible stable fly pupae in cups were not significantly different between parasitoid species. However, parasitism rates in chambers containing either Spalangia spp. were ≈50-fold more than M. raptorellus. Additional intraspecies analysis revealed that parasitism rates both by S. cameroni and S. endius were not significantly different when pupae were freely accessible or within bedding, whereas M. raptorellus attacked significantly more pupae in cups than in the larger chambers where hosts were distributed within bedding. These results suggest that Spalangia spp. are more suited to successfully locate and attack hosts in habitats created by equine husbandry in Florida. Therefore, commercially available parasitoid mixtures containing Muscidifurax spp. may be ineffective if used as a control measure at Florida equine facilities.

Host Blood Meal Identification by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Dispersal Evidence of Stable Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) Between Livestock Facilities

A species-specific multiplex polymerase chain reaction targeting the cytochrome b gene of cattle, horses, humans, and dogs was developed to determine the blood meal sources of stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), collected from Florida equine facilities. Of 595 presumptive blood-fed stable flies analyzed, successful host amplification was obtained in 350, for a field host-detection efficiency of 58.8%. The majority of analyzed stable flies had fed on cattle (64.6%), followed by horses (24.3%), humans (9.5%), and dogs (1.6%). A survey of animal-enclosed pastures occurring within 3 km of stable fly collection sites revealed that the nearest cattle were between 0.8 and 1.5 km from the four horse farm sampling sites. Cattle-feeding frequencies were greater on farms where cattle were located at distances of 0.8 km, suggesting that between farm differences in host-feeding frequency is related to the number of and distance from a particular host type. Time course evaluations of previously laboratory-fed stable flies demonstrated that host-detection efficiency with this system was 100, 50, and 0% when flies were evaluated at 16, 24, and 48 h postblood feeding, respectively. The results of this study suggest short-term stable fly dispersal of up to 1.5 km in a 48-h time period. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Assessing Permethrin Resistance in the Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) in Florida by Using Laboratory Selections and Field Evaluations

Insecticide resistance in the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae),has been demonstrated previously, but mostly with insecticides that are no longer used, such as the organochlorines. Resistance to commonly used pyrethroids has been evaluated twice, but only in the midwestern United States. Stable fly susceptibility to a commonly used pyrethroid, permethrin, was determined in Florida to assess the possibility of resistance development. Diagnostic concentration evaluations of three stable fly field strains demonstrated a maximum of 57 and 21% survival to permethrin residues of 3x and 10x the LC99 of a susceptible strain, respectively. Stable flies from an equine facility with no reported insecticide use demonstrated approximately 20% survival with a 3x diagnostic concentration. Despite a distance of 91-km between field collection sites, survival profiles of field-collected stable fly strains were similar. Although an established stable fly colony collected from a local dairy previously expressed low level resistance to permethrin residues, five generations of laboratory permethrin selection increased resistance 15-fold.

Development, application, and validation of a survey for infectious disease control practices at equine boarding facilities

To develop a questionnaire for self-assessment of biosecurity practices at equine boarding facilities and to evaluate infectious disease control practices in these facilities in Colorado. Cross-sectional study. 64 equine boarding facilities in Colorado. Survey questions were rated according to importance for prevention and containment of equine infectious diseases. Point values (range, 0 to 20) were assigned for possible responses, with greater values given for optimal infection control methods. Questionnaires were mailed to equine boarding facilities in Colorado advertised on the World Wide Web. Survey responses were compared with assessments made by a member of the research team during visits to 30 randomly selected facilities. Agreement among results was analyzed via a kappa test and rated as poor, fair, moderate, substantial, or nearly perfect. Survey responses were received for 64 of 163 (39%) equine boarding facilities. Scores ranged from 106 to 402 points (maximum possible score, 418). Most facilities received better scores for movement and housing of equids than for other sections of the survey. Respondents at 24 of 48 (50%) facilities that routinely received new equids reported isolation of new arrivals. Agreement between self-assessment by survey respondents and evaluation by a member of the research team was determined to be fair to substantial. Most equine boarding facilities have opportunities to improve measures for prevention or containment of contagious diseases (eg, isolation of newly arrived equids and use of written health management protocols). Most self-assessments of infection control practices were accurate.

Performance parameters and post exercise heart rate recovery in Warmblood sports horses of different performance levels

Standardised exercise tests are used for fitness evaluation of sports horses. Standards are described for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds; however, limited information is available for Warmbloods. To establish normative standards of performance parameters and heart rate recovery (HRR) in Warmblood riding horses of different levels of fitness using a submaximal incremental exercise test (SIET) performed on a treadmill. A SIET was carried out with 29 healthy and treadmill-accustomed Warmbloods: eleven 3-day event horses (TDE) and 18 horses from the National Equestrian Centre (NEC) competing in amateur jumping and/or dressage events. After a warm-up phase, horses performed 2 stages at trot and 3-5 stages at gallop at 6% incline. The first stage lasted 120 s, all others 90 s. Velocity (V) and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously and blood lactate concentration (LAC) at the end of each exercise stage. V at HR 150 and 200 beats/min (V(150), V(200)), V and HR at 2 and 4 mmol/l LAC (V(2), V(4) and HR(2), HR(4), respectively) were calculated and compared between discipline groups. For reference values, horses were divided on the basis of the V(4) -results in good (GP) and average performers (AP) (performance groups). Five minute passive HRR was compared between performance groups. Fifteen NEC horses were retested within 1-3 months. Groups were compared with t tests and P < 0.05 considered significant. Three-day event horses had higher V(150), V(2) and V(4) values than NEC. GP had higher values in all performance parameters compared to AP. No differences were found between test and retest. GP mean recovery HR was different from that of AP from 120 s of recovery onwards. Treadmill SIETs are suitable to objectify aerobic capacity in Warmblood riding horses. Normative standards were assessed for well and averagely-trained horses. The results can be referred to when diagnosing patients with exercise intolerance.