One of the best, most productive things that AERC has ever done in the area of horse welfare was the Research Summit organized by Olin Balch DVM, PhD, that was held in August in Denver.

The two-day summit -- just preceding the board of directors midyear meeting -- featured 10 veterinarians, researchers and exercise physiologists from three countries, all with a keen interest in endurance horses. Several members of the AERC board were present and agreed that it was the best learning experience they had ever had regarding endurance. The professionals involved engaged and involved the laymen and the atmosphere was ripe with cooperation and learning for all.

Mortality findings

The article "Findings of the First Research Summit" by Dr. Balch was published in the October Endurance News and listed, among other issues, the findings of the extensive analysis of the mortality information collected by AERC since 2003. One statistic that most found particularly disheartening was that 25% of those horses referred to a veterinary facility with colic pain, who were determined to be surgical candidates, were euthanized due to financial restraints of the owner. One notable case was euthanized even though the surgeon quoted an 80% chance of a positive prognosis.

Dr. Pat Harris of the United Kingdom suggested that AERC administer a "self-insurance" program to help owners with the emergency expense of advanced care or surgery. The Welfare of the Horse Committee has promised to carry the flag and look into the possibility of such a program for members. Thoughts and ideas are welcome and can be addressed to any welfare committee member.

In the meantime, it should be noted that it is possible to carry major medical insurance as a horse owner. My own horses are covered by a nationally-known company that provides mortality and major medical in the amount of $5000 for about what it would cost to attend one event. For under $300 a horse, an insurance policy would cover the loss of the horse or emergency surgery. It is worth looking into and considering.

30-minute recovery

Another notable finding at the 2009 Research Summit was that every veterinarian and scientist in the room agreed that a 30-minute heart rate recovery should be standard at AERC rides. Those in attendance from Europe, who were not generally acquainted with AERC rules, were taken aback that the standard for finishing was as lenient as one hour for pulse criteria.

Dr. Meg Sleeper, an equine cardiologist from the University of Pennsylvania and a nationally ranked rider, gave a presentation citing studies that concluded that normal, healthy horses consistently recover to a heart rate of 64 bpm within 15 minutes, even with strenuous exercise.

Heart rate and the ability to recover to a normal parameter is truly a mirror into the metabolic status of most living creatures, and should be of major concern in the welfare of our athletes.

Pull and treatment analysis

Also identified as problematic in the ongoing charge toward improvement in the health and welfare of our equine partners was the lack of follow-up and study of information involving pulls and treatments at rides.

An ambitious course of action has been outlined to contact and follow up on the horses at 100-mile rides who are pulled from competition and those that require on-site treatment. A survey is being written and research will begin at the Goethe Challenge in Florida this month. If you are among this group, please make yourself available to interviewers from the Veterinary, Research or Welfare of the Horse committees. They are interested in what you have to say and how you can contribute to the welfare of all our horses.

It should be noted that every participant of the highly educational research summit donated their time. There was reimbursement for expenses but all the professionals present, and the laypersons who participated, did so on their own time for the betterment of all our horses.

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