34/ FEBRUARY 2021 THE RIDER OVC Researcher Contributes to Global Paper on Equine Asthma Not long after the 2019


Havemeyer Workshop on Equine Asthma, Dr. Dorothee Bienzle, Ontario Veterinary College, con- tributed to a global collabo- rative research paper - The current understanding and future directions of Equine Asthma research. Bienzle and her team


concentrate on the host re- sponse to challenges like dusty barn air by looking at the epithelium in the lung. By the time a horse presents with severe equine asthma (= heaves) – they are look- ing at the disease close to the end stage. By taking biopsies of the epithelium in horses with heaves, they look at the genes and pro- teins that are present and ex-


pressed. Changes often in- clude: airway remodeling, inflammation and fibrosis, to name a few. “The goal would be to identify the dis- ease early during onset, which might allow the dis- ease to be reversed,” says Bienzle. Through next genera-


tion sequencing, Bienzle and her team have distin- guished differences in gene expression between asth- matic and non-asthmatic horses. They have looked at signature variants that may indicate a susceptibility to asthma. They have identi- fied a lack of certain anti-in- flammatory proteins such as CCSP. A lack of repair func-


tions has been observed in Whispering Hearts


is a non-profit organization that relies on public support and donations.


Our mandate is to provide care and


rehabilitation to abused and neglected horses. We assist community members that can no longer care for their horses in an


attempt to prevent innocent animals being subjected to auctions and slaughter.


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www.whhrescue.com whhr08@gmail.com


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Equestrian (“USEF”)


horses with end stage equine asthma such as a reduced ability to produce cytokines in adequate numbers and the inability to recruit undiffer- entiated epithelial cells to repair epithelial damage. Unfortunately, at this


time there are no early pre- dictors of equine asthma. It may be possible that bouts of inflammatory airway dis- ease at a younger age could predispose horses to asthma in later years but as of yet such evidence is not avail- able. Bienzle explains the need to follow a large group of horses over their lifespan to come up with better pre- dictors. Be sure to watch the


accompanying video which includes images from an en-


Narrowing of airway indi- cates a reduced ability to pass air in and out of lung. Excess mucous secretions are a secondary sign that re- flects inflammation. Take-aways for horse


owners dealing with heaves include: early diagnostics, aggressive treatment and, most importantly, environ- mental management. Inter- vention is recommended at the first sign of a cough, es- pecially if the cough is repetitive or persistent. Bronchoalveolar


doscope procedure used prior to abronchoalveolar lavage


(lung wash).


Through use of an endo- scope, one can assess the


mucosa in the trachea and bronchi


for secretions,


blood, purulent material and look for other indicators im- pacting respiratory health.


(BAL) is the gold standard diagnostic test for asthma. Corticosteroids adminis- tered with a bronchodilator may be prescribed to help the horse recover from bouts of equine asthma but envi-


ronmental improvement is the key. The best advice is to get them out of dusty barns and into fresh air. Until the advent of


early diagnostics , the focus for equine asthma needs to be first on prevention, and second on management and environmental ment.


improve- Learn more about this lavage


research ( https://thehorse- portal.ca/2021/01/ovc-re- searcher-contributes-to-glob al-paper-on-equine-asthma/ ), watch researcher video in- terview


https://youtu.be/zZtkGCvR hd8 ) or donate


( (


https://www.equineguelph.c a/donations/donate.php ).


USEF & WEC Statement


The United States Federation


and World


Equestrian Center Ocala (“WEC”) are pleased to an- nounce that


they have


agreed to work together on a plan for WEC to host USEF sanctioned competi- tions in the future. USEF and WEC agree that it is in the best interest of the sport for them to work collabora- tively.


Formulating this plan


will require some time for both USEF and WEC to meet and consider what is best for equestrian sport and all of its stakeholders, while prioritizing horse and rider welfare and operating under the rules that govern all USEF organizers. To allow time for that


process to unfold, the USEF has withdrawn its request to the Federation Equestre In- ternationale (FEI) to declare


World Class Clinics, Sanctioned and Non Sanctioned Events, Cowgirl Weekend Camps, Obstacle Course, Extreme Cowboy and more.


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the 2021 Ocala Winter Clas- sic Spectacular unsanc- tioned and therefore riders, officials and horses may compete there this winter without being sanctioned by the FEI or USEF. Assuming development of a mutually agreed upon plan, WEC has agreed not to host any other new competitions that are not authorized by USEF. The USEF recognizes WEC’s existing relationship with NSBA and that WEC will endeavor to include NSBA within such author- ized competitions. In agreeing to this in-


terim measure, the USEF considered how important it


was for its members to have abundant competition op- portunities this winter fol- lowing a period during which many events were cancelled because of Covid- 19.


The goal now shared


by both USEF and WEC is to have a plan agreed in the coming weeks and once that is achieved, the plan will be shared publicly.


About World Equestrian Center The World Equestrian


Center features two pre- miere multidisciplinary horse show venues located in Wilmington, Ohio and


Ocala, Florida. The Wilmington,


Ohio facility includes more than 200,000 square feet of climate-controlled indoor riding space and features premium footing, perma- nent stabling and onsite ac- commodations. The facility hosts 32 WEC-owned US Equestrian


rated


hunter/jumper horse shows each year as well as top AQHA shows, breed shows, clinics and other events. Slated to open in


2021, the World Equestrian


Center — Ocala, Florida will provide world-class equestrian competition in a variety of disciplines and equestrian-inspired country club living adjacent to the fabulous Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club. Dedicated to offering


great sport and good fun in a family-friendly environ- ment, the World Equestrian Center promises their ex- hibitors a horse show expe- rience built on three core values: Quality. Class. Dis- tinction. For more information


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