[NEWS]


Alltech and Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons join forces to highlight the impact of Mycotoxins on horses


Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons in Newmarket has formed an innovative partnership with leading animal nutrition company Alltech to raise awareness and provide a comprehensive solution to the much-under- estimated problem of mycotoxins in horses. Following a surge in the number of horses presenting


with raised liver enzymes that can be attributed to mycotoxins, Rossdales’ partner and internal medicine specialist Emily Haggett approached Alltech. Mycotoxins are produced by certain moulds commonly


Vet Emily Haggett from


Rosdales Veterinary Surgeons with the Alltech Mycotoxin T


esting Kit.


found in forages, mixed feed, grains and bedding, and are generally referred to as being of either ‘field’ (Fusarium and Endophyte toxins) or ‘storage’ (Penicillium and Aspergillus) origin. They are implicated in a variety of acute equine health problems which can include liver disease, colic, hypersensitivity, abortions and neurological disorders. Chronic cases can lead to cumulative effects such as damage to organ function, reduced growth, infertility and respiratory problems. It is important to understand that even with the best forage making


practices mycotoxins can still be present. There are a multitude of environmental factors that can be attributed to mycotoxin contamination, so even when found at low levels, the issues can be caused from the interaction between the mycotoxin groups themselves. As symptoms are usually non-specific, the clinicians at Rossdales want to


educate owners and encourage veterinary surgeons in other practices to consider mycotoxins as a cause, when it is seemingly difficult to get to the route of a problem. The joint venture will see Rossdales give its seal of approval to Alltech’s


Mycotoxin Management Programme including Forage Guard, the Alltech product designed to help maintain the normal performance of horses in the presence of mycotoxins in forages and feed. Both form part of a suite of management options offered by Alltech to help lessen the impact of mycotoxins in horses. Emily Haggett commented: “Working with Alltech will enable us to work


towards educating owners and helping their vets to consider mycotoxins as a possible cause of symptoms.


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PRINCESS ANNE OPENS NATIONAL RIDING FOR DISABLED CENTRE


The Princess Royal officially opened the first National Training Centre for Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in Warwickshire. Her Royal Highness Princess Anne is President of the RDA and a patron of the centre which will bring together, train and inspire the charity’s volunteers and coaches from almost 500 RDA centres across the UK. The opening event, sponsored by Childs Farm, coincided with the 50th


anniversary of the charity, which is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through horse riding and carriage driving. The RDA’s new home is based at the Lowlands Equestrian Centre, in


Shrewley, and the charity is aiming to deliver an important service across Warwickshire. The centre already provides horse riding opportunities to 100 disabled


children and adults in the county – a number the charity hopes to double in the coming months – while Lowlands also offers group and private riding lessons to the public, while proving a popular venue to hire. Princess Anne, who spoke to riders and presented rosettes during her visit, said: “RDA has built a world-class reputation on the strength of its expertise, coaching and horsemanship. These are strengths that must remain at the heart of everything we do in the coming years. “The Lowlands project will ensure we can maintain our high standards and


develop our training programmes to ensure the best possible experience for RDA’s riders and carriage drivers long into the future”. “As RDA looks forward to the next 50 years, this national training centre will draw on all the experience and strength of community in RDA to create a vital and inspirational focal point for learning of which we can all be proud.” Over recent years, the charity, which helps 25,000 disabled children and adults, has further developed the range of activities it offers as well as the


areas of training provided to volunteers – including equine welfare, safeguarding, disability awareness and volunteer management. In addition, the RDA’s 18,000 qualified


coaches and volunteers are supporting ever more complex forms of disability, especially in the areas of multi- disability, learning disabilities and mental health problems. Paralympian superstar Sophie


Christiansen CBE, who boasts eight Paralympic gold medals, is also a patron of the new centre – a commitment made in recognition of her local RDA centre in Berkshire, which helped her rise to stardom. The centre is home to the four exist- ing RDA groups which currently operate there, plus stables and grazing for 20 horses, indoor and outdoor arenas and training and conference facilities. The charity’s staff team will also relocate to the site. It also boasts a working yard with indoor and outdoor arenas and


classrooms to provide the ideal environment for hosting practical training sessions, workshops and demonstrations as well as events and competitions. The focus of training will be putting riders’ and drivers’ needs first, and


the RDA insist that this message will be at the heart of everything that happens at Lowlands.


For more information on RDA, please visit: www.rda.org.uk. Please mention Central Horse News What’s On when responding to advertisements JULY/AUGUST 2019 5


“As a medicine clinician within Rossdales Equine Hospital we regularly see horses with liver disease. Rossdales Laboratories, our in-house clinical diagnostic laboratory, services the needs of our clinicians and those of a large number of referring vets throughout the UK. “Our laboratory team frequently deals with blood samples and liver biopsies from horses with liver disease from across the country. Many of these results suggest an issue with mycotoxins. This highlights the need for vets and horse owners to take the problem seriously.” “With the support from Alltech, Rossdales is in a position to offer


owners, via a referral from their regular veterinary practice, a complete service from identifying symptoms of liver disease, testing forage and feed, through to management solutions.” Alltech is at the forefront of the latest research into mycotoxin detection


and prevention and has seen a significant rise in the number of samples it has received from veterinary hospitals and practices for testing at their state-of-the-art facility. From a simple-to-use testing kit, Alltech can detect over 50 different


mycotoxins, providing results in as little as seven days. The testing kit is available to horse owners free of charge and comes with everything needed to provide a sample, as well as step-by-step instructions, and is packed in an addressed, prepaid box which can be reused to return the sample. The testing kit is one of the most comprehensive commercially available


tests for mycotoxin contamination available in the UK, and is unique in its reporting of results. Following laboratory tests, which cost £200, a full report is supplied with major mycotoxin groups identified and the levels at which they have been found, along with tailored recommendations. Alltech’s UK Marketing Manager, Isla Baker-Browne said: “We are delighted to be working alongside the team at Rossdales to increase awareness of the issues caused by mycotoxins in horses. Their extensive knowledge combined with Alltech’s research into this field makes this a powerful partnership in the fight against mycotoxins.” To obtain a Mycotoxin Testing Kit please speak to your regular veterinary


practice about a referral for this service. For further information about mycotoxins visit www.knowmycotoxins.com


For further information about Rossdales’ Mycotoxin service visit https://www.rossdales.com/news-events/rossdales-joins-forces-with-alltech- to-highlight-the-impact-of-mycotoxins-on-horses


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