Canada's Cross-Country Comeback Kid Flies High on Rebuilt Tendon

by Fran Jurga | 1 October 2009 | The Jurga Report at Equisearch.com

It's not over 'til it's over. And it's not over yet for Jessica Phoenix and her talented event horse named Exploring.

When I heard that this horse had injured a tendon just before leaving for Hong Kong to compete in the Olympics last summer, I thought I had surely heard the last of him. But, lo and behold, he turned up on the entry list at Blenheim*** Horse Trials in England a few weeks ago and completed the arduous event.

This is surely a sign that he is not only back, but in world-class form. Jessica finished 24th on her horse Exponential and Exploring's 40th place completion was good enough to qualify both horses to represent Canada in the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Exploring returned to competition this July, just a year after stem cell treatment to repair his damaged superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). At the Maui Jim Horse Trials near Chicago a flowing dressage test combined with foot perfect cross country and show jumping rounds took them to fourth place; at Wits End CIC 3* World Cup Qualifier in Ontario in August, they achieved 10th place.

Exploring, known at home as Digby, is 16.2hh, 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding and is Jessica’s top 3* horse in a string of five that she owns and rides. Purchased as a four-year-old, Exploring has steadily bounced up the grades with his determined rider. In 2007 they were members of the Canadian Pan American eventing team in Brazil before they were selected for the Canadian Olympic team in 2008, but then disaster struck.

Jessica recalls: “Following our last gallop just before heading out to Hong Kong for the Beijing Olympics we noticed heat in Exploring’s left foreleg. Our team vet, Dr Christiana Ober, promptly scanned the leg and diagnosed a classic core lesion of the SDFT. It was one of the most heartbreaking times of my life.”

Dr. Ober referred Exploring to the Toronto Equine Hospital near Jessica's home for stem cell treatment.

Under the expertise of Dr Peter Vatcher, bone marrow (which is a rich source of stem cells) was taken from Exploring’s sternum while he was under sedation. The stem cells were isolated and multiplied to in excess of ten million and then injected into the site of the injury. This process is licensed under the British company VetCell, and is now available for horses with leg injuries all over the world. The aim is to promote re-growth of the flexible tendon tissue rather than allow less pliable and more injury-prone scar tissue to form.

After treatment Dr. Ober monitored Digby’s progress with ultrasound and oversaw his rehabilitation program which involved a slow, incremental exercise plan, culminating in a return to full flat work by the end of January 2009. Ober traveled with Jessica and Exploring to their first post-treatment events and was impressed with their performance. She said: “The leg looked super at Blenheim and we are now looking forward to him competing at the Rolex (Kentucky) 4* next spring.”

Canada did not win that gold medal in Hong Kong in the show jumping by accident. They have a lot of exciting talent in all the disciplines and they are gunning for WEG. How wonderful that Exploring and Jessica will have another chance, and so soon after the injury. In "the old days" he would have been laid up much longer, and with much "iffier" results. Technology has put that horse back in the running.

Thanks to Sarah Shepherd of Bright Bay Public Relations in England for the superb photo of Jessica and Exploring at Blenheim, and for her help with this article.

Clydesdale Twins Born in Canada

by Fran Jurga | 30 September 2009 | The Jurga Report at Equisearch.com



There's nothing quite like the birth of twin foals to bring the media out to your farm. And what could be cuter than twin white-faced Clydesdales?

This film clip from Ontario is truly a snapshot in time and I hope that lots of video and lots of great photos have been taken.

In another week, these twins are going to be not so cute anymore, because they'll probably run right over that adoring little girl. But I hope there is someone on that farm with a good sensibility about keeping kids and powerful rambunctious foals in separate places and that everyone lives happily ever after.

I've never seen twin Clydesdales...until today. One is beautiful enough but two! It's like a Budweiser Clydesdale Super Bowl commercial, in real life! Pass the champagne!

CEM Alert in Canada: Semen From Infected Kentucky Stallions Crossed Border into Alberta and Ontario; Government Urges Stop to US Semen Import

Here's a notice from the Canadian government about the possibility of CEM-infected semen being used on Canadian mares. Canada, like the USA, is concerned about losing its CEM-free status for equine transport. This disease has many far-reaching implications for horse breeders, buyers, sellers, and international exhibitors and competitors. It also brings into focus the international scope and impact of horse breeding in North America. While the infection started with Quarter horses, the legal and governmental implecations would affect all breeds and sports.

OTTAWA, December 24, 2008 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched an investigation after confirming that horse semen was imported into Canada from a United States stallion subsequently determined to be infected with contagious equine metritis (CEM). There are no human health implications with this disease.

United States officials have confirmed that three stallions on a Kentucky farm tested positive for CEM. Shipments of frozen semen from one of these stallions were sent to Ontario and Alberta in the spring of 2008. CFIA and provincial animal health officials are currently tracing the shipments to identify potentially exposed animals. As a precaution, the CFIA will place these animals under quarantine until they have tested negative for CEM.

CEM is a highly contagious disease that affects the reproductive tract of horses. The disease can cause temporary infertility in mares. In most cases, CEM can be successfully treated with disinfectants and antibiotics. CEM is a reportable disease in Canada. This means that all suspected cases must be reported to the CFIA for immediate investigation by inspectors. There are international trade implications if a country loses its CEM-free status.

Until more information is available from the U.S., the CFIA is recommending that the equine industry and importers in Canada exercise caution and refrain from importing breeding horses, embryos and semen from the U.S.

CEM is primarily spread directly during natural breeding, but can also be transmitted during artificial insemination and through contaminated instruments and equipment, such as tail bandages, buckets, sponges and gloves. Therefore, horse owners and veterinarians should maintain strict hygiene when handling breeding mares and stallions to prevent infection.

Infected stallions tend to be the major source of infection, as they can harbor the disease for years without showing any clinical signs. The primary symptoms of infection in mares are short-term infertility and vaginal discharge, but some mares can also carry the disease without clinical signs. Any Canadian horse owners or veterinarians who suspect a horse under their care may be infected with CEM should immediately contact their local CFIA District office.

The CFIA will continue to work with provincial counterparts, affected producers and the equine industry in this response effort. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

More information about CEM is available on the CFIA Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.