January 2024

Learn about equine hoof care, the American Endurance Ride Conference coming to Albuquerque in February and other national updates. Check out the 2024 show schedule for several New Mexico equine associations. Join us for the NMHC Annual Meeting on February 12. Keep reading for all the details!

NMHC Motto: Uniting the equine community.

New Mexico State University provides a plethora of free educational publications on a variety of topics. Livestock and range publications cover topics related to livestock health and management and rangeland management, including beef, sheep, hogs, horses, silage, rangeland management, brush control, poisonous range plants, grazing systems, and economic issues related to livestock production. Many of the publications are available as PDF files. Periodically, NMHC will highlight one of the publications as an educational resource.

Evaluation of Equine Hoof Care

Guide B-707

The objective of this guide is to provide horse owners with basic information to evaluate their current hoof care practices. This guide provides reference information on standard hoof care for horses with “normal” hoof structure. However, it is not intended as a substitute for advice from a professional farrier or veterinarian.

Proper hoof care is an important aspect of equine management that is often overlooked. Proper hoof care encompasses more than regular trimming and shoeing. Providing adequate nutrition, a healthy environment free of debris (such as manure), regular cleaning of feet to remove compacted manure, and treatment of any injury or disease of the foot are all key components of hoof care.

The primary functions of the equine foot are to bear weight, absorb shock, and provide traction. Improper hoof care reduces the ability of the foot to perform these functions and increases the amount of stress applied to the joints, tendons, and ligaments of the equine limb.

Continue Reading

Revised by Jason Turner

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University

Professor/Extension Horse Specialist, Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State University

To find more resources more resources for your business, home, or family, visit the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at pubs.nmsu.edu

Local horse trainer plans birthday bash for kids in homeless shelter

by Brittany Costello, KOB News

Mariah Wilson and Platinum Performance Horses are throwing a birthday party for children at Joy Junction. You can support the event by donating hygiene supplies, winter clothing or pizza and cupcakes! Read the full article here

NM Buckskin Horse Association 2024 Show Schedule

February 4 All Breed Training show, w/ cattle, Part 1

Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena.

March 3 All Breed Training show, w/ cattle, Part 2

Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena. Prizes awarded after Part 2.

May 4, 5 All Breed, Buckskin, Appaloosa Pointed show, with cattle, and 2 judges. Rocking W arena, (Wright's arena), Stanley, NM.

June 9 All Breed Ranch Show, with cattle,

Bosque Farms Rodeo

August 11 All Breed Ranch Show, with cattle,

Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena.

Sept. Date TBD. State Fair! Tentatively: Appy and Buckskins together one day, a ranch clinic one day, and Appy, Buckskin and AQHA cattle on a third day. This could change, but plan on coming!

Southwestern Quarter Horse Association

Visit swqha.com/ for more details on each of the 2024 shows listed below

The American Endurance Ride Conference will host their 2024 AERC Convention in Albuquerque, NM, February 23-24, 2024. The Trade Show and Tack Swap are FREE to attend and open to the public! Read on for more details about the convention, speakers and extra activities.

The Trade Show and Tack Swap are FREE to attend and open to the public!

Arabian Horse Association of NM

Chamisa Classic is the first show of the year.

March 15-17, 2024

EXPO New Mexico
300 San Pedro Dr. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108

Visit the website and show premium here

#WeRideTogether Bolsters Management Team, Announces Appointment of Executive Director Michaela Shepherd, and Program & Partnerships Director Kathryn McClain

Led by Experts in Social Work and Business Administration, New Team Focused on Growing Organization’s Mission to Develop and Provide Much-needed Educational, Awareness, and Prevention Resources Around Sexual Misconduct

#WeRideTogether announced the addition of two new executives, Executive Director Michaela Shepherd, and Programs & Partners Director Kathryn McClain. Bringing MBAs and a Masters in social work, these two new leaders will help guide the growth of this important organization dedicated to empowering, informing and uniting athletic communities around sexual misconduct prevention.

Michaela Shepherd, MBA, worked as a professional hunter/jumper rider and trainer, and as a senior researcher at Sterling-Rice Group, before shifting her focus to inclusive leadership, socially responsible enterprises, and nonprofits. As the Executive Director of #WeRideTogether, a newly created position, her immediate goals include:

• Securing additional funding by continuing to build educational programs that adhere to #WeRideTogether’s mission and vision

• Introducing annual fundraising events

• Embedding #WeRideTogether into the DNA of all sports, ranging from grassroots clubs to NGBs

• Making educational and support materials accessible to stakeholders (all athletes, parents, coaches, and athletic organizations)

These efforts will build the foundation for #WeRideTogether’s integration into all sports, help create collaborations with new organizations such as the Paralympics and cultivate mutually beneficial strategic brand partnerships.

Kathryn McClain, MBA, MSW, comes on board as the Program and Partnerships Director, also a newly created role at the organization. With a competitive athletic background in volleyball, rowing, and triathlon, and her Master of Social Work and Master of Business Administration education, she brings a diverse skill set to #WeRideTogether that is hands-on, and experience based.

Her immediate goals are to continue developing trauma-informed and athlete-informed content, officially launch the #WeRideTogether Team Rep program and Spread the Word program to involve over 50 athletes/coaches/ community members, supplying these liaisons with pledges, codes of conduct, and resources curated for their sports team or organizations. Kathryn will also establish relationships with private and public education institutions and provide customized preventative presentations and resources. Her longer-term priorities include building an advisory board with mental health experts, research foundations, and athlete associations to continue strengthening the non-profit’s position as a leader in trauma-informed and athlete-informed preventative best practices.

“Michaela and Kathryn bring unbelievable skill sets to #WeRideTogether and will help further our mission to ensure athletic communities everywhere have access to the prevention, education, and best practices needed to prevent and ultimately eliminate sexual misconduct in sport”, said Carrie Kehring, Founder of #WeRideTogether. “I am very proud of the work we have done so far and am incredibly excited to have the assistance and expertise of these two talented women to help grow #WeRideTogether’s presence and impact.”

#WeRideTogether started as an awareness campaign and educational website designed to empower, inform, and unite the equestrian community around sexual misconduct prevention. The organization has since grown into a 501(c)(3) with the mission to make sports environments safer for all athletes. #WeRideTogether believes everyone has the right to learn, play, and compete without fear of abuse. #WeRideTogether is committed to creating the radical change needed to fulfill that mission by addressing education and awareness, creating a safe place for survivors to find resources and share their voices, and eliminating the stigma around these necessary conversations.

Visit WeRideTogether.today to watch compelling PSAs, find educational tools and resources, and learn how you can help keep sports safe for everyone.  You can also make a tax-deductible donation here to support #WeRideTogether’s mission.

PRODUCT RECALL

Banamine V𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 R𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐤 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡

On September 1, 2023, Merck Animal Health voluntarily recalled three batches of BANAMINE®/BANAMINE®-S (flunixin meglumine injection) 50 mg/mL in the United States, used for injection in cattle, swine and horses to the consumer level due to the presence of particulate matter.

Particulates were observed during routine quality testing and reviews for the following batches:

• BANAMINE 100mL, UIN 065474, NDC 00061-0851-03, Batch 2834102, exp Oct. 2024

  • (Distribution dates: March 6, 2023, to May 3, 2023)

• BANAMINE 250mL, UIN 065476, NDC 00061-0851-04, Batch 2864102, exp Nov. 2024

  • (Distribution dates: June 21, 2023, to July 11, 2023)

• BANAMINE-S 100mL, UIN 065477, NDC 0061-1838-30, Batch 2834103, exp Oct. 2024

  • (Distribution dates: March 20, 2023, to May 16, 2023)

The batch number, also known as the lot number (LOT), and expiry date (EXP) is located at the bottom right part of the bottle label. See the attached images that includes photos of each recalled bottle.

Using an injectable product that contains particulate matter may result in local irritation, swelling or infection in response to the foreign material. After intravenous administration in large animals, such as cattle or horses, particulate matter could travel to the lungs which could result in local tissue damage. To date, no adverse event reports have been received for the recalled batches.

Flunixin meglumine is a potent, non-narcotic, nonsteroidal, analgesic agent with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity. It is approved in the US only for intravenous use in beef and dairy cattle, for intravenous and intramuscular use in horses and for intramuscular use in swine.

Customers who have received BANAMINE® and BANAMINE®-S from the batches being recalled should stop using the products and refer to their recall letter for product return instructions. Horse owners who have BANAMINE® in their barn should contact Merck or their veterinarian for help identifying the lot number and expiry date. Merck Animal Health is working with distributor partners to ensure that unused product is no longer in distribution or with customers. Merck is arranging for the return of all recalled product.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall should contact Merck Animal Health directly at 1-800-521-5767 (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT).

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or online at FDA.gov/reportanimalae.

Should You Let Someone Else Ride Your Horse?

Julie Goodnight Talks Pros, Cons & What to Know Before You Do

When was the last time a different person⁠ rode your horse⁠—or are you the only one? Julie Goodnight shares her insights on the value of this experience for horses and riders, and what to consider before you decide, in the latest episode of her podcast, Ride On with Julie Goodnight.

“On a daily basis, I see how horses benefit from opportunities to get used to different riders,” says Goodnight. “It was also one of the most powerful lessons I learned early on in my horse training career.”

In addition to the benefits of different riders for the horse, Goodnight points out what riders gain from opportunities to work with a variety of horses.

“You truly do learn something from every horse,” says Goodnight. “If you have only ridden a few different horses, and/or been riding the same horse for many, many years, you may need to gain some confidence in riding horses you aren’t used to.”

However, Goodnight warns that there are also situations that may be unhelpful⁠—or even dangerous⁠—for the horse⁠ or the rider.

“Every horse is different, as is every rider and the situations in which they ride. There are many reasons you may not want others to ride your horse,” says Goodnight. “I can’t tell you one way or another if you should let other people ride your horse, but I can share what I have learned from training thousands of horses and riders so you can make an informed decision, and how to manage it if you do.”

Listen to this episode and subscribe to Ride On with Julie Goodnight at JulieGoodnight.com/Podcast, or on any podcast app.

Equine Microchipping Rule Approved

From the US Equestrian Communications Department 

Beginning Dec. 1, 2025, all horses competing US Equestrian Federation (USEF)-licensed competitions must be microchipped.

US Equestrian strives to consistently ensure the safety and welfare of both our human and equine athletes. One fundamental aspect of equine safety is microchipping. Microchips in horses allow for immediate onsite verification of horses for the purpose of safeguarding the health of each horse. This is vital, especially during times of disease outbreaks or natural disasters.

To this end, the US Equestrian Board of Directors approved a new microchipping rule during the 2023 Mid-Year Board meeting.

Beginning December 1, 2025, under GR 1101.1, all horses competing in USEF-licensed or -endorsed competitions must be microchipped with a 15-digit ISO compliant 11784/11785 chip.

For more information on microchipping, including content that was made specifically to answer a wide array of questions, please visit www.usef.org/microchip.

If you have specific questions about recording your microchip, please email horseservices@usef.org.

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