Ocala, FL International competition resumed Thursday morning at World Equestrian Center Ocala (WEC) with the $32,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3*. A field of 23 elite horse-and-rider combinations representing 12 nations took to the WEC Grand Arena, all vying for the top prize. Rising to the occasion was Sharn Wordley (NZL) aboard Brin Dor De Haute Melen Z (Bamako De Muze x[...]Read MoreThe post Sharn Wordley and Brin Dor De Haute Melen Z Rise to the Top in the $32,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3* appeared first on World Equestrian Center.

A new event for livery yard owners, managers and equestrian business professionals will take place in the autumn.YardWise 2025 will run on Wednesday 19 November and is aimed at those seeking to run more compliant, sustainable and successful yards.The livery sector is facing increasing pressure from rising costs, evolving client expectations, staffing difficulties, and growing competition from lower-standard, unregulated providers, said a statement. YardWise 2025 has been created to support and promote welfare-led, professional, and commercially viable practices across the industry.The networking event will be held at Warwick Trident College, Royal Leamington Spa.It is being organised by The Equestrian Index, LiveryList, and Animalweb.Tickets cost 95.Urgent need for regulationTheres an urgent need for regulation, but until that happens, we need robust support structures for those trying to do things right while under increasing operational and economic strain, said Cheryl Johns, who founded LiveryList.Keynote speakers and contributors already confirmed include equine scientist Dr David Marlin, Redwings vet Nic de Brauwere, Lucy Katan MBE, who founded the British Grooms Association, and welfare advocate Amanda Stoddart-West. The event will cover a wide range of essential subjects, including equine welfare, biosecurity, employment law, practical yard management, health and safety compliance, business sustainability, and client communication.Find out more here.Related contentLivery industry faces potentially catastrophic situationWhy yard managers and horse owners must work togetherComprehensive guide to horse health insurance and vet fees coverHow to tell if a horse is lame13 signs a horse is happyThe post New business and networking event for livery yard owners and managers appeared first on Your Horse.

Table of ContentsToggleMild and SevereClinical Signs of Equine AsthmaCauses and Triggers of Equine AsthmaDiagnosing Equine AsthmaTreatment ProtocolThe Importance of ManagementForage ConsiderationsCase HistoryKey TakeawayFor the horse laboring to breathe while at rest, athletic endeavors are impossible. Respiratory disease threatens quality of life for any horse suffering from it. This frustrating condition can also interrupt the career of performance horses. Since 2016, veterinary internal medicine experts have used equine asthma to describe the spectrum of respiratory disease from mild to severe.Mild and SevereWorking in the show horse mecca of Wellington, Fla., Meg Miller Turpin, DVM, DACIVM, of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, routinely treats horses with equine asthma.Miller Turpin explains that mild to moderate equine asthma is also referred to as inflammatory airway disease (IAD), while severe asthma is best described as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO).Mild and moderate [IAD] are the earlier forms of the disease, which we tend to see in young and middle-aged horses, she explains. If caught early, it can be reversible. When aggressive treatment and essential management changes are applied to these reactive horses, then many will completely recover. In the sport horse world, weve improved our early diagnostic measures, which allows treatment before the condition becomes severe and irreversible.Unfortunately, when the disease progresses to severe [RAO], there are lung changes that are irreversible, so then we must rely on figuring out the best way to manage the symptoms, Miller Turpin adds.In the past, this airway condition was known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heaves. Many horse owners still refer to such respiratory conditions as heaves.The terms are often used interchangeably, but they all mean basically the same thing: mucous plugs in a hypersensitive airway, explains Miller Turpin.Clinical Signs of Equine AsthmaSigns of equine asthma can include:CoughingNasal dischargeWheezingFlared nostrils when breathing normallyIncreased respiratory effort/heavy breathingIncreased respiratory rate, even at restPoor performanceResistance to workExercise intoleranceAnhidrosis (partial or total inability to sweat)Elevated heart rate during exercise or recoveryProlonged recovery after exerciseClinical signs of equine asthma include coughing, wheezing, nasal discharge, and flared nostrils while breathing normally. Photo by Christiane SlawikWe see a lot of horses with anhidrosis in Florida, says Miller Turpin. Ive found that many horses with mild or moderate asthma [IAD] stop sweating, so thats a double whammy. Sometimes you can get them to start sweating again once you get the airway issues under control.She finds that horses suffering from equine asthma can take much longer to recover from exerciseas long as 30 to 60 minutes to start breathing normally.When a horses heart rate is much higher than it should be for the rate at which hes working, this can indicate a lung problem is preventing the heart from getting enough oxygen to pump to the rest of the body, including muscles required for action.Affected horses can have elevated respiratory rates as high as 50 to 90 (or more!) breaths per minute. Keep in mind, normal respiration for an adult horse is 8 to 20 breaths per minute.Dramatically high respiratory rates combined with hot weather can be life threatening.Causes and Triggers of Equine AsthmaEquine asthma is typically related to inhaled allergens and irritants. These can be year-round, such as dust, mold and fungal spores found in hay, straw and poorly ventilated or closed-up barns.Equine asthma is typically related to inhaled allergens and irritants. These can be year-round, such as dust, mold and fungal spores found in hay, straw and poorly ventilated or closed-up barns. Photo by Yakov/Adobe StockOther horses may only be susceptible to seasonal allergens, such as pollen encountered during specific times of year, typically spring and summer, or sometimes fall. Seasonal allergies can be easier to manage because you know when to expect a problem.Miller Turpin finds that if horses have had a respiratory virus or a bacterial infection of the airway, this can make them more vulnerable to irritants that act as triggers.Some horses may only be susceptible to seasonal allergens, such as pollen encountered during specific times of year, typically spring and summer, or sometimes fall. Photo by Nadine Haase/Adobe StockIt is believed that some horses may have a genetic predisposition to developing asthma, and when faced with environmental triggers, like dust, they will develop clinical signs.Sensitive horses that often get hives and are very reactive to topical products and/or vaccines may be more likely to develop equine asthma.Horses that are stalled in cold climates in the winter with windows closed are set up for even more reactions to dust and molds, says Turpin Miller. Ammonia levels from urine in the stall can be toxic to the airways in a closed environments with poor ventilation. In tropical Florida, we have all this growth, bloom and mold, so even if horses receive additional turnout, there are still triggers in different grasses [and the] hay that is delivered from different areas of the United States and Canada.Those inhaled allergens and irritants cause inflammation, which leads to airway constriction as the tissue lining the small airways in the lungs narrows and becomes thickened. The smooth muscle surrounding these airways also constricts and tightens. Thick, sticky mucous accumulates in the airways, which also obstructs breathing.As a result, inhaling and expelling air from the lungs becomes an effort for the horse. When the condition goes untreated, lung tissue can suffer permanent damage, resulting in irreversible loss of lung function.Over time, horses can develop what is known as a heave line along the bottom of the rib cage on both sides as the abdominal muscles enlarge due to the continued effort of exhaling.Diagnosing Equine AsthmaWhen a horse exhibits clinical signs that point to equine asthma, the veterinarian should do a thorough physical exam, including ultrasound of the lungs and a resting airway scope of the upper respiratory tract.The veterinarian may also wish to perform a scope while the horse is exercising to rule out a mechanical cause, such as a displaced palate or abnormal epiglottis.Should the horses heart rate be abnormally elevated, the veterinarian may use an exercise EKG to evaluate the horse under exercise.Skin allergy testing may also be used to determine specific allergens that might be associated with inflammatory airway disease.When equine asthma seems likely after these exams, the veterinarian will likely use a procedure known as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to better define the diagnosis.The BAL can be done without taking the horse to a clinic. While the horse is sedated, a special tube is passed through the nostril into the trachea and down into part of the lung. Sterile saline is flushed in and suctioned back out, drawing cells and mucousout with the fluid. These samples are then submitted for cytological analysis to pinpoint the most effective treatment. Treatment ProtocolThe traditional medical approach is to address inflammation with corticosteroids and, if necessary, open the airways with a bronchodilator.The duration and amount of medication used is tailored to the specific horse.Although systemic steroids have been the gold standard to relieve inflammation and asthma signs, these drugs can suppress the immune system and carry risks, such as laminitis.Administering steroids via nebulizer or inhaler, instead of orally or by injection, may reduce the risk of side effects by targeting the steroids directly to the lungs.With competition horses, you also have to consider competition regulations and withdrawal times, says Miller Turpin.Administering steroids via nebulizer or inhaler, instead of orally or by injection, may reduce the risk of side effects by targeting the steroids directly to the lungs. Photo by M. Bischof/Adobe StockSome regenerative medicines are being used with promise, including stem cells. Another innovative treatment uses a patented process to filter alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) from the horses own blood. This protein has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can be administered via a nebulizer. (Studies are still necessary to prove the efficacy of these medications.)Supplements may also help. Miller Turpin notes that both high doses of Vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids have lung health benefits.It also appears that acupuncture can help breathing function in some horses with equine asthma.The Importance of ManagementOwners need to be very aware of their horses environment and any individual triggers. For the horse to experience ongoing relief, management changes are a crucial part of treatment protocol.You can treat aggressively with medications in the early stages and the horses may respond well, but if you dont take away the triggers causing the allergy or reactive airway, then as soon as you stop the medication, the symptoms will come back, and often they will be exacerbated, cautions Miller Turpin.Depending on which allergens/irritants are to blame, your horse may do better when kept outside as much as possible. On the other hand, horses battling seasonal allergens may have less exposure if theyre not turned out as much that time of year.Air quality is key. Eliminate dust and mold as much as possible. Reduce allergen/irritant exposure by:Using the stall with the most airflow (usually an end stall).Reconsider bedding (straw is often the worst choice; peat moss or cardboard may be better).Remove the affected horse from the barn whenever cleaning stalls, sweeping, or using a blower.Air quality is key. Move sensitive horses to end stalls with the most airflow and take them out of the barn while sweeping, blowing, or cleaning stalls. Photo by Pikselstock/Adobe StockForage ConsiderationsObviously, forage is the main part of the equine diet. For asthmatic horses, however, hay can be a primary source of allergens and irritants.Some owners find that dampening or steaming hay helps. Dry hay is not recommended, and round bales are an absolute no-no due to their high levels of dust, fungal and mold spores.Dry hay is not recommended for horses with equine asthma. They do better when dry hay is replaced with chopped forage, pelleted hay or complete feed. Photo by Dobrovizcki/Adobe StockThese horses do better when you replace hay with chopped forage, pellets or complete feed, says Miller Turpin.Case HistoryThe first indication Natalie Pais Oldenburg stallion, Mister-C, had respiratory issues was a hacking cough at the beginning of his workouts.After Pai imported the stallion to Florida, she found he was also very sensitive to topical products, often breaking out in hives.Miller Turpin examined Mister-C and did a series of skin allergy tests, which showed he was reactive to a wide array of allergens. She also performed airway endoscopy and a BAL. He was diagnosed with equine asthma due to severe allergies.A2M and steroid/bronchodilator treatments through a nebulizer are part of his routine. He also gets allergy shots administered subcutaneously every two weeks. His hay is steamed to remove any dust.His breathing is very well managed now, says Pai, who understands the frustration of breathing problems since she herself has allergy-induced asthma.Thanks to a careful management plan, Oldenburg stallion Mister-C is able to continue his dressage career after being diagnosed with equine asthma. Photo by Tetiana Yurkovska/Adobe StockKey TakeawayWhen a horse has breathing abnormalities, especially combined with skin sensitivities, have your veterinarian conduct an exam for possible equine asthma. Being proactive with early treatment and management changes may keep the condition from becoming severe and irreversible.Further Reading Horse Respiratory Issues: Management of Asthma and Other Disorders Horse Allergies: Symptoms, Treatment, and PreventionThis article about equine asthma appeared in the July 2024 issue of Horse Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post What is Equine Asthma? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Irish Senior show jumping team has finished third this afternoon at the five-star Agria Nations Cup in the rain in Falsterbo, Sweden.The team of Billy Twomey, Jason Foley, Cian OConnor and Trevor Breen provided a somewhat confidence-boosting performance ahead of next weeks European Championship in La Coruna, Spain, finishing on a score of eight faults for the podium finish behind Sweden and USA.Double clear rounds from Twomey and Breen were the highlights for Ireland as they kept pace with the leaders throughout, in what was ultimately a very positive result for the Irish.Ireland went into the break on a score of four faults after clear rounds from Twomey with Jumping Jack Van De Kalevallei and Breen with Highland President, while OConnor and Kentucky TN only had a desperately unlucky last fence pole down for four faults. Foleys eight faults with Chedington Hazy Toulana was Irelands first round discard score.USA, Switzerland and hosts Sweden were also on four faults at the break, with USA topping the leaderboard on time.Twomey followed up as first line rider to make it a double clear before the last fence came back to bite the Irish, with Foley and Chedington Hazy Toulana jumping a brilliant round until the last pole dropped for four faults.OConnor repeated his first-round tally of four faults with Kentucky TN as the pole dropped at the second last fence this time around, and with Karl Cook jumping clear for United States of America, it left them on top alongside Sweden with just the final riders to come.Swedish anchor Henrick von Eckermann put victory beyond Ireland with a clear round, and it was down to McLain Ward and High Star Hero to jump clear to force a jump-off. That was beyond them, however, and the home nation picked up the victory.With Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Manager Michael Blake in Riesenbeck overseeing Irelands Young Riders winning European gold, Guy Hodgson acted as Chef dEquipe and he was understandably very pleased with the teams performance.Hodgson said: The guys were great, yet a little unlucky with some late poles coming down. It was a tough course and combinations were getting caught out at various points in wet conditions, but we were happy with how we had planned things out and I think that showed with the four clear rounds we jumped.It has been a very busy period for the team, with results not going our way but this was a good way to bounce back and it sets us up very nicely with plenty of confidence going into the European Championships in Spain next week.The post Podium finish for Irish senior jumpers at five-star Falsterbo Nations Cup appeared first on Horse Sport Ireland.

For the 2025 breeding season so far, HSI has received 2009 applications and issued 408 completed applications.1940 pedigree applications have had their foal kit sent to the applicant, with the remainder issued imminently.It is important to note that, to date, 1025 foal kits have not been yet returned from breeders to HSI for pedigree applications.Of the 915 applications who have returned their foal kits to HSI, 408 have been completed and the passport issued and 47 is currently undergoing quality control checks, while the remaining applications DNA samples are currently with the laboratory for analysis.Of the 455 passport applications, where the DNA samples have been returned to HSI from the laboratory, 408 are complete.11 non pedigree applications have been submitted this year. 3 have been completed and we are waiting on the customer to return the marking chats for the remaining applications.The post 2025 foal passport figures for Horse Source applications 11th July, 2025 appeared first on Horse Sport Ireland.

Ireland added to their medal haul at the 2025 FEI Jumping European Championships after the Young Riders (Under-21) team secured silver in Riesenbeck this afternoon.On a dramatic afternoon in Germany, Michael Blakes squad of Tim Brennan, Max Foley, Niamh McEvoy, Tom Wachman and Coen Williams just gave way to a talented Belgian team, who had traded blows with the Irish over three days of jumping.The result completes a fantastic 24 hours which has seen Irelands Youths dominate the landscape of the championships, with the Junior team landing gold on Thursday and Irish individuals firmly in contention for medals across both age categories over the weekend.Im very proud, said Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Show Jumping Manager Blake.Weve been thereabouts all week, sitting just behind the leaders after day one and putting ourselves in pole position after a zero score yesterday. That meant we were the ones the rest needed to chase down but that was exactly where these riders wanted to be.They are talented, gritty and full of character and they really wanted to hold onto their crown to win three championships in-a-row. I couldnt be prouder of them because we knew coming into the class today that there would be no room for error and if we could deliver a performance as close to perfect as possible we would not be beaten.Thats jumping, though, you cant win them all but weve had a brilliant championships with this silver medal adding to the junior gold and we still have plenty of individuals in line for medals over the weekend.A huge thank you to everyone who has made this possible it cant be done without the unwavering support of the athletes parents and owners there are huge support systems around these riders and everyone can be very proud.We have had fantastic support here in Riesenbeck all week, from the staff to our vert Seamus McSorley and everyone behind the scenes who make this all possible as well as our wonderful sponsors.Ireland held a slender advantage after the first two days of competition, having produced six clear rounds already before this afternoon and the task was simple; three more clears and they could not be caught.First in was Wachman and Oboras Laura, who had sat 11th overnight individually and had jumped a clear round yesterday on the second day of proceedings.Wachman has been in fine form of late and he proved why Blake sent him in first for Ireland, delivering a crucial clear to apply massive pressure on Belgium, who had a four-fault score with their first combination.Williams and Floris R Z were foot perfect, leaving all poles standing, but did go over the time for three time penalties.Brennan and his speedy mare Diadema della Caccia, who has been breathtaking throughout the event, were next to jump. Brennan came into today lying in second place individually, and his quest for individual honours continues, although that medal is out of his own hands after he dropped the middle pole of the combination for a total of four faults and thus handing Belgium the initiative.Their final rider produced a clear round under severe pressure to land gold, regaining the crown they last won in 2022 on a score of 5.72, with Ireland finishing on 7.61.Niamh McEvoy and BP Rocket Man were ninth overnight and climbed to fifth with yet another clear round on BP Rocket Man to round off the team event and keep her individual dreams alive.Brennan lies in seventh place overall, one slot behind Wachman in sixth.BREEDING: BP Rocket Man (ISH) 2017 gelding by Stakkato Gold out of BP Quidy (ISH) by Quidam Junior. Breeder: Austin Broderick. Owner: Richard KirbyThe post Irelands Young Riders win silver medal at European Championships appeared first on Horse Sport Ireland.

Wilmington, Ohio The sun set on the Main Hunter Ring at World Equestrian Center Wilmington (WEC) Summer I as forty-one horse-and-rider combinations met for Hunter Derby Friday. The day was split into two sections: the $10,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby and the $5,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby. In the end, Havens Schatt and Caroline Morans, Haku (Chacoon Blue), scored the highest[...]Read MoreThe post Havens Schatt & Haku Claim Victory in the $10,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby of Summer I appeared first on World Equestrian Center.

Ocala, FL Hunter Derby Friday once again took center stage in the WEC Stadium during the 2025 Summer Series at World Equestrian Center Ocala. More than 60 horse-and-rider combinations stepped into the iconic arena, all aiming for top honors. The day began with the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA 3 Open Hunter Derby, followed by the $10,000 USHJA National 3 Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby.[...]Read MoreThe post Victoria Colvin Shines Under the Lights in the $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby appeared first on World Equestrian Center.