The National Research Council has released the sixth revised edition of the Nutrient Requirements of Horses. This newest edition gives an extensive review of new research information that has been developed since the 1989 version. Extensive reviews on different nutrients and how they impact different classes of horses along with an expanded section on feeding management are all included in this newest edition. Instead of a computer disk being provided to allow people to use the nutrient requirement program which was part of the 1989 edition, you can now access the computer program at http://www.nap.edu/ and download the web-based program for access as needed. The book still contains a series of tables that list requirements for the various classes of horses however the web-based program has the ability to customize to the needs of specific horses. If you are interested in ordering a copy of the NRC's Nutrient Requirements of Horses, please contact the CTHS office. (Posted on February 1, 2008)
Over the past year it seems like the topic of anabolic steroids has been a source of discussion on many fronts. Athletes, whether human or animal, all seem to be part of an increased awareness regarding the use of anabolic steroids. On Friday, the RMTC (Racing Medication and Testing Consortium) set December 31, 2008 as a deadline for the U.S. nationwide adoption of rules regulating the use of anabolic steroids in racehorses. As quoted in the release, the RMTC and the RCI (Racing Commissioners International) called for the regulation of four androgenic anabolic steroids and bans the use of any other anabolic steroids in racehorses.
Earlier this year, Keeneland's January sale was the first to institute a new policy whereby buyers had the right to request testing for exogenous anabolic steroids in weanling and yearling purchases. Under the new policy, administration of anabolic steroids to weanlings and yearlings is banned within 45 days of the date of sale.
For further information regarding the RMTC news release regarding their call for, "Uniformity and a Timeline for the National Regulation of Anabolic Steroids in Racehorses", please visit their website at http://www.rmtcnet.com/ (Posted on February 4, 2008)
The January 26th, 2008, issue of The Blood-Horse is reporting in its Dispatches section that the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) have released several recommendations for the Sales Integrity Task Force. The recommendations call for a ban on anabolic steroids in all sales horses, full disclosure of ownership and medical records, and the licensing of bloodstock consignors and agents. The TOC felt that the Sales Integrity Task Force needed to go further in its self-regulatory policies. (Posted February 6, 2008)
The January 26th issue of The Blood-Horse also contains the "2007 Leading Sires in Canada" based on the available statistics up to December 31, 2007. Four of Alberta's stallions are listed in the top ten, three of which are new to our province. Listed as the second "2007 Leading Sire in Canada" is Gilded Time, standing at Bar None Ranches, followed by Kiridashi in sixth place who stands at Noren's Heart Valley Farm. In seventh place is Cape Canaveral, who can be found at Highfield Stock Farm and in ninth place Kissin Kris who stands at Esquirol Farms.
Under "2007 Leading Synthetic Sires", Kiradashi is ranked seventh and Gilded Time is in the fiftieth spot.
Alberta is home to approximately 29% of Canada's active stallions which in actual numbers means about 100 thoroughbred stallions are standing in this province. (Posted February 7, 2008)
As we move into a provincial election, horse racing seems to be one of the areas where information regarding the contributions the industry makes to the Alberta economy would be useful for the general public to be aware of. In Horse Racing Alberta's 2006 Annual Report, the economic benefits associated with the horse racing industry in Alberta were estimated as being $385 million. This amount was the result of expenditures made by horse owners in breeding, raising and racing horses, monies spent at horse races; and other spending from businesses and people related to horse racing. It is an industry where over 8,000 people are involved directly or indirectly in Alberta's horse breeding and racing.
In the same report, over $200 million of the economic benefits can be traced back to Alberta rural communities as there are over 500 breeding and training operations involved in developing horses for the racing industry. This number includes Thoroughbred, Standardbred and Quarter Horse breeds. (Posted February 8, 2008)
The Breeds and Industry Division of Equine Canada met on February 10 and the 11th at the Westin Hotel in Calgary. Representatives from across the country and from every possible equine organization appeared to be represented at this event.
On Saturday, the delegate assembly listened to a variety of presentations on subjects of relevance to everyone involved with equines. Shirley DeVenz, Information Manager for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency presented an overview of the National Animal Health Strategy. This is a new initiative that is to provide a framework to improve Canadian animal health and welfare while balancing public health needs. Delegates had an opportunity to give equine industry priorities and issues that the NAHS needs to address. The role of the National Farm Animal Care Council and their work in re-establishing the Code of Practice were presented by Jackie Wepruk.
The Alberta Equine Welfare Industry Report was presented by Susan Church, Manager of Alberta Farm Animal Care. In December of 2006, the Alberta Equestrian Federation and Alberta Farm Animal Care led an initiative to develop an agreed upon industry strategy to manage public pressure related to horse welfare and horse slaughter for food in Canada. In light of recent events in the U.S. this was a very timely topic.
Sunday afternoon topics were on the National Equine ID project along with a presentation on the recent research into micro-chip placement in horses. If any members are interested in receiving information on any of these presentations, please contact the CTHS office. (Posted February 11, 2008)
In reading the February 2 issue of The Blood-Horse, anabolic steroids continue to be in the news as the US Thoroughbred industry struggles with the model rule. Although there is agreement that the use of anabolic steroids should be regulated, what the rules should look like and when they should be implemented continues to be problematic. Even as discussions are continuing, some states are, according to a recent Blood-Horse article, moving forward. Pennsylvania will begin testing Thoroughbreds as of April 1 with horsemen having four months' notice of the enforcement date of the model rule. Virginia has apparently been testing for the last two years and is in the process of making modifications so that they conform to the model rule. (Posted February 13, 2008)
Update On Stallion Task Force
February 13, 2008
The Task Force appreciates the significant input from the industry on the posted draft program. In order to analyze the suggestions and incorporate them, institution of a program is inappropriate for the 2008 breeding season.The Task Force has asked Gordon Wilson and Mike Secker to take this back to the CTHS Thoroughbred breeders' group for review and further discussion.
Improvement of breeding stock remains a priority for the industry and it is hoped that a thorough review will result in an innovative program for the future.
Task Force Members:
Gordon Wilson,Mike Secker,Rennie Gellner,Les Burwash,Mat Monaco,Brian Bygrave,Jim McFayden,David Reid
(Posted February 15, 2008)
According to statistics kept with the CTHS National office, during 2007 sixty-six thoroughbred horses were sold and then exported internationally. Canadian thoroughbreds went to places such as Argentina, India, Ireland, Japan, China and Korea to name just a few. Prices for these horses, a large number who came from Ontario, ranged everywhere from $750,000 to $1,000. The total worth of the exported horses came to just over $3 million.
A recent online article found at http://www.thoroughbredinternet.com/ discussed how sales companies are seeing an increasing number of horses going to such places as India. Currently, this seems to be a country that is working to improve their bloodline stock by importing mares and stallions from around the globe. With the rumours of China also returning to thoroughbred racing it may be interesting to see if there is an increasing number of horses being sold and exported there over the next few years. (Posted February 20,2008)
The controversy regarding synthetic tracks continues to be a topic of discussion with a recent meeting being held in California on February 20th. In the six hour special meeting, called by the California Horse Racing Board, almost fifty people spoke both for and against synthetic track surfaces. Santa Anita has had a variety of problems with their synthetic track this year and with the Breeders' Cup scheduled there for both 2008 and 2009 there is definitely a push to have the difficulties solved as soon as possible. According to Santa Anita President Ron Charles the current track will be replaced after the racing meeting however a decision has not yet been reached regarding what brand of synthetic track they will go with.
The Blood-Horse dedicated a whole issue on December 8, 2007 to the pros and cons of synthetic track. (Posted February 22,2008)
Alberta Stallion News:
Stately Cielo has been retired from Chalet Stable and they will now be standing Run To Victory. Run To Victory is owned by Chalet Stable and Bar None Ranches Ltd. The 2007 fee for Run To Victory is $2,000.00.
New to the our stallion page is Drum Major who is standing at Burnt Timber Paint Horse Co. in Strathmore. For contact information on either of these stallions, please check our stallion page. (Posted February 25, 2008)
Catalogues for the Barretts March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training and the Fasig-Tipton Texas Two-Year-Olds in Training have been received at the CTHS office. The Barretts sale is set for March 12th at 2:00 p.m in Pomona California. The Texas sale is scheduled for April 1 at the Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas with an Under Tack Show set for March 30th at 10:00 a.m. If you are interested in receiving a copy of either of these catalogues please contact the CTHS office.(Posted February 26, 2008)
It's always interesting to look at the various breed improvement or incentive programs that are offered to people involved in the thoroughbred industry. These all vary from province to province and state to state. Breed-back regulations differ and some of the programs have a residency component where the mare must remain in the state or province for a number of months in order to be eligible for specific programs. The Blood-Horse is running a series of four articles that look at the various breeder incentive programs. The first article in the series was published in the February 9/2008 issue. (Posted February 27, 2008)
On the election front, in a February 23 issue of the Edmonton Journal the Alberta Liberals are looking to reallocate $1.6 billion to pay for their election promises. As quoted in the article, the government's $60 million subsidy for the horse racing industry and its $14 million Public Affairs Bureau are areas that could get the axe, according to Kevin Taft.
The quote, regarding a $60 million subsidy for the horse racing industry, is concerning on two fronts. The 2006 Annual Report from Horse Racing Alberta shows that the Racing Industry Renewal Initiative revenues were at $42,718,939 not $60 million. Secondly, stating that the money received for the Racing Industry Renewal Initiative is a "subsidy" is not really accurate.
On the Government of Alberta's own website under Horse Racing and Breeding Renewal Program, it states that; "Lottery funding that is provided to support Alberta's Horse Racing and Breeding Renewal program represents a portion of net revenues from electronic gaming terminals at licensed racing entertainment centres. Other proceeds from these net revenues are allocated to lottery funded programs that benefit all Albertans." In other words, the money received by the horse racing industry is actually generated through the slots, 835 of which are at racing entertainment centres. In checking the 2006-2007 Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission Annual Report, revenue from the slots reached $12,618.5 million with the gross profit being $997.8 million. (Posted February 29, 2008)
