Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Another confirmed case of EHV-1 has been identified. Read more ...
August 23, 2011: Confirmed case of EHV-1 neurotropathogenic strain On August 23, 2011, a 15 year old Oldenburg mare from Sonoma County has confirmed positive for the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus-1. The mare is isolated, quarantined and undergoing treatment at a veterinary referral hospital. The premises of origin is under veterinary observation and the potentially exposed horses temperatures are being monitored twice daily. Epidemiologic investigation conducted by CDFA reveals minimal disease risk based on lack of animal movement on and off the affected premises. The investigation has determined the positive horse has no direct link to the May 2011 outbreak of EHV-1 in cutting horses which resulted in 22 positive confirmed equine cases in California. CDFA staff will continue to monitor the situation to ensure disease control. California EHV-1 Causing EHM Disease Update as of 4 pm 5/31/2011
California has one new confirmed case of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) caused by EHV-1. There are now 20 confirmed EHV-1/ EHM cases in the state.
The CDFA site has been a great place to read about California's EHM news. There's a link just over there, to the right. CDFA has reported that as of May 25, 2011, California had no NEW confirmed cases of EHV-1 caused cases of EHM. That makes two consecutive days. This is very good news. Another week of no new cases might mean that things can go back to normal ... or something close anyway.
The hmmm news ... The following (scroll down a bit) is what CDFA is now recommending for horse shows. I hope these are just temporary biosecurity measures meant to "sort of" safely allow people to continue to show. Most small to medium shows just don't have the personnel to follow through with step 2 if these were to become permanent recommendations. Here's the recommendation, copied and pasted directly from the CDFA site: Based on what is known today, we are suggesting that managers of horse shows or events occurring in California during the coming weeks incorporate the following biosecurity measures to minimize the risk for all participants:
It's really hard to blog when you're not doing horse-related stuff, like riding, or showing, or taking lessons ... So, for the next two weeks my posts may get VERY short. And I know I've mentioned it in passing, but I'll be in Europe for several weeks in early June and won't be able to post at all. Hopefully my horsey pals will fill in for me while I am gone by posting on the "Who Said That?" page. I'll make that my home page so that you don't have to see my "On Vacation" sign every time you visit the blog. With all of our local barns on "lockdown," no one is doing any riding and most of our nearby shows have been cancelled. Thanks to our new pal, EHV-1, I've had to start a new series. I am calling it, "The Follow-Ups." Yep, that's right. I am following up from things I may have skipped before, or am telling you more of the story. Here's the first one. Salt Block Follow-UpDo you remember that little piece I did a few weeks ago with Speedy G and his salt block? If not, you can read about it here. I was at the barn on Saturday morning doing a few different jobs around Speedy's stall and decided to check his salt lick. If you'll remember, it's in his feeder which is too high for me to see over without standing on tiptoe. I peeked over the top and got an "ew, gross!" look at the inside of the feeder.
The salt lick was brilliant white, but the rest of the feeder had chunks of beet pulp/rice bran mash crusted all over the place. Gross. I am glad he's using the salt lick, but I think I need to dry-brush it out more frequently. Here's a photo: Wait ... Don't skip it ... it's not more information. I think we've all had plenty of that, at least for this week.
Wednesday's Facebook postings were almost exclusively about EHV-1 and EHM ... well on my "wall" anyway. Since 99% of my "friends" are equestrian related in one way or another, that's all I saw. I suppose if I had more of a life, my "wall" wouldn't have been filled exclusively with comments about herpes! And truth be told, the 1% of my friends who aren't related to my equestrian life, completely understand my ... passion sounds so much better than obsession ... but, you know what I mean. And on to the REAL point of this post. I love my vet. Have I mentioned that before? Dr. Tolley and Dr. Blanton of Bakersfield Vet Hospital were both interviewed by the print and television news media. As soon as I read their names in the Bakersfield Californian (our local newspaper) and saw their faces on my TV, I couldn't help but excitedly squeal to my husband, "There they are! Those are MY vets!" He rolled his eyes and nodded. I think there was also a deep sigh that smacked of exasperation. I am sure he was thinking, so that's where all our money goes! And hopefully this doesn't cost us any more ... I was so excited to see the people whom I trust implicitly to care for my horses being asked to share their professional knowledge with the rest of the world. I felt so ... vindicated! That's right ... uh-huh ... those are MY people! And then, Dr. Blanton, who returned from vacation JUST as this whole thing exploded, immediately got to work and started updating us on BVH's Facebook page. She opened up a Q & A sorta thing, and practically begged us to pester her with questions. I ask you, are there any doubts as to why I love my vet? |
About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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