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FDA Cautions Horse Owners Not to Feed Recalled Lots of Top of the Rockies Alfalfa Cubes due to Reports of Illness and Death
UPDATE On January 19, 2023, FDA finalized laboratory testing of samples of Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes that confirmed the presence of Clostridium botulinum type C, a bacteria that can lead to botulism. Fast Facts What is the problem? On December 17, 2022, the U.S. FDA cautioned horse owners not to feed recalled Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with the date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522, and 111622. Some of the alfalfa cubes have been reported to contain what appears to be fur and animal tissues, indicating that material from an animal or animals may have been incorporated into the cubes during alfalfa harvesting. Some people have reported…
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Foxtail and Horses in Colorado
You may have heard about foxtail and that it poses a danger to horses. But did you know it can actually get embedded in their mouth needing veterinary removal? It even poses dangers to dogs and other outdoor pets, and can get embedded in their paws. First, what is Foxtail? Foxtail Barley (hordeum jubatum) is a showy short-lived native perennial cool-season bunchgrass that belongs to the grass tribe Triticeae. This plant ranges in height from one to three feet tall at maturity. Livestock can safely graze foxtail barley prior to seed development. Once the seeds develop, livestock and other animals should no longer have access, as the seeds form awns…
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Zycosan is the first injectable pentosan product to receive FDA approval for use in horses.
In December 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zycosan (pentosan polysulfate sodium injection) for the control of clinical signs associated with osteoarthritis in horses. The FDA wants to remind you of the benefits of FDA approval. Drug Information Zycosan is the first injectable pentosan product to receive FDA approval for use in horses. Zycosan is FDA-approved for intramuscular use in horses. Zycosan is a heparin-like compound with anticoagulant and fibrinolytic effects. The mechanism of action for pentosan polysulfate sodium is unknown but is thought to include stimulation of hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in damaged joints, inhibition of proteolytic enzymes, and scavenging of free radicals. Pentosan polysulfate…
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Colorado Equestrian Survey for 2023
Every year, we survey our website visitors and group members to learn more about who they are, and their upcoming equine and personal needs. We use these results for our own advertising, as well as providing these results to all local equine and equestrian organizations for their sponsorship outreach for the year. We would love it if you took a moment to fill this survey out!
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Local Highlight: Sarah V. Barnes
Greetings fellow Colorado horse lovers! I’ve been invited to introduce myself and tell you a little about She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe (Book One). Set in more than 6,000 years ago, the novel begins the story of Naya, the first person to tame and ride a horse. It recently won the 2022 Best Indie Book Award for historical fiction AND the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest 2022 Winnie Award, also for historical fiction, as well as receiving numerous five-star reader reviews. Not bad for an aging horsewoman’s first effort as a novelist. Here’s the quick synopsis: Daughter of a clan chief, bolder than the other…
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Tips for Taking care of your Horses and Equines with -50°F Temperatures
If you haven’t seen yet, Wednesday night through Friday morning, we are supposed to get a MAJOR freeze event in Colorado. They are predicting -12°F as the high in places with a -50°F windchill. This means exposed skin (human and horse alike) can get frostbite in as little as 5 minutes. Not to mention our normal concerns for colic during these drastic weather changes. Important things to consider for your horse and equine friends: Some tips for humans during this cold snap: Thanks to Dr. Kieran Smith from Vetwerx Equine South for providing some of these helpful tips for our horses and equines! If you have other recommendations, be sure…
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USDA warning: Colorado firm’s alfalfa cubes may kill horses
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State and federal officials are warning horse owners not to feed their animals Top of the Rockies brand alfalfa cubes after nearly 100 horses developed neurologic illnesses — 45 of which have died or been euthanized. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the warning Saturday. The agency said it’s working with state agriculture departments in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas to investigate the horse deaths. Manzanola Feeds of Manzanola, Colorado, recalled the cubes Friday. The company warns that certain batches may contain bacteria that cause botulism, a fatal paralytic disease. The FDA said more testing is ongoing to confirm the causes of reported illnesses. The company…
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Virginia Tech 2022 Equestrian Helmet Ratings
Virginia Tech has put together a great resource for equestrians everywhere! These ratings can help you understand how protected you are in your current helmet, and help you decide what helmet to buy in the future! With sponsorship from Jacqueline Mars, USHJA, USEF, USEA, we have rated a total of 40 equestrian helmets using the STAR evaluation system. Our impact tests evaluate a helmet’s ability to reduce linear and rotational acceleration of the head from a range of head impacts a rider might experience. Helmets with more stars provide a reduction in concussion risk for these impacts compared to helmets with fewer stars. Click here to see the full list of helmets…
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National Western Stock Show Announces Dr. Temple Grandin as 2023 Parade Grand Marshal
Denver, CO. – The National Western Stock Show is excited to announce renowned author, speaker, and professor of Animal Science, Dr. Temple Grandin, as Grand Marshal for the 2023 Stock Show Kick-Off Parade, presented by Arrow Electronics. On Thursday, January 5, Dr. Temple Grandin will lead the traditional drive of Longhorn cattle, horses, and western wagons through the streets of downtown Denver to celebrate the start of the 117th National Western Stock Show. The parade begins at noon outside Union Station and marches twelve blocks down 17th Street to Glenarm Place. “It is a great honor to have a legend, visionary and dedicated animal scientist like Dr. Grandin kicking off our…
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Holiday Tree Permits Available for BLM Land
If you are looking for a Christmas or Holiday tree for your farm or ranch, consider cutting your own tree from BLM lands! CAÑON CITY, Colo. – This holiday season, permits are available for cutting trees on Bureau of Land Management public lands in the San Luis Valley and Royal Gorge field offices through Dec. 24, 2022. Permits may now be purchased online for either office, and maps of permissible cutting areas are available for those who wish to plan their trip in advance. Interactive BLM Colorado forest product harvest map:https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/29ee86323b784c7b81734c516ddb54e9/ San Luis ValleyPermits may be purchased for $10 per tree at the BLM field office in Monte Vista, Monday through…
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