Loudoun Horse Association Newsletter December 2007 Vol. 3 Board Members Mary Terpak, President Dru Roia, Vice President Linda Guild, Secretary Mary Jo Weier, Treasurer Holly Flannery Philipa Brunt Sunny Cummings Phillip Washinton, DVM Corey Childs Committee Chairs Trails & Infrastructure Mary Terpak Education Kathy O’Neill Membership Sue Kvasnicka & Linda Guild Finance Barbara Bramhall The Loudoun Horse Association has been established to serve as a resource for local horse owners, professionals and equine industry providers. The focus of the Association is to improve communication and cooperation among the many equestrian disciplines in Loudoun County, provide information about equestrian activities, offer educational programs and networking opportunities, and assist in the development of public infrastructure to meet the needs of the Loudoun equestrian community. SPOTLIGHT ON…… Lovettsville Volunteer Park Patrol In September 2006 the Loudoun Horse Association, US Trail Ride and Tri-State Riding Club made a joint proposal to Loudoun County Parks, Recreation & Community Services (LCPRCS) to assist in the development and maintenance of equestrian and pedestrian trails at the Lovettsville Community Park. In furtherance of this goal the three equestrian groups have also offered to establish a Park Patrol to ride the park property to investigate routes for the trail system, and at the same time watch for any unusual activity occurring on the property and report back to LCPRCS. The park property is not supervised or open to the public at this time. The first Orientation ride was held on November 24th with 11 riders attending. The Patrol is up and running! There are specific guidelines for Volunteers which must be strictly followed. If you are interested in participating as a part of the trail patrol please contact Mary Terpak at mlterpak@earthlink.net and view pertinent information at http://www.milesofsmilestraining.co m/Patrol/. The Equine Industry – Adding a Significant Contribution to Virginia Agriculture and Its Economy – 2006 Equine Survey Results The 2006 Equine Survey conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service a division of USDA indicated there were an estimated 215,000 horses, ponies, and mules in Virginia on November 1, 2006, up 26 percent from the 170,000 on hand June 1, 2001. The equine industry adds a significant contribution to Virginia agriculture as well as the Commonwealth’s economy. Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds were the two leading breeds in Virginia at 49,000 and 30,900 head, respectively. The two largest equine counties were Loudoun and Fauquier at 15,500 and 14,800 head respectively. The 215,000 equine were located on 41,000 equine operations throughout the Commonwealth, up 41 percent from 2001. Most of the operations are located in the Central and Northern Parts of the state. The total value of all equine on November 1, 2006 was $1.65 billion, up 13 percent from 2001. Average value per equine decreased 10 percent to $7,697. Equine located in the Northern and Central Districts accounted for nearly 74 percent of the total value of all equine. Virginia equine operations spent $783 million during 2006 caring for equine, compared to $505 million during 2001. Feed and bedding was the largest expense category at $99.6 million. Equipment purchases and capital improvements followed at $92.0 million and $72.6 million respectively. Equine expenses covering upkeep-related items accounted for 77 percent of all expenses. There were 15,600 equine sold in Virginia during 2006, up 21 percent. The total sales value was over $107 million. These sales place equine as the 6th largest commodity in Virginia based on cash receipts. About 66 percent of the total value of sales occurred in the Northern District. Equine Boarding Survey Virginia Cooperative Extension is conducting a Survey of Horse Boarding Facilities in their Northern Region. In particular, the objectives of this survey are to determine the cost and availability of various services and amenities provided at the boarding facilities and to provide a reference for horse owners looking for boarding facilities. The enclosed 5-page survey should take less than 30 minutes to complete. We understand that there are many different types of boarding facilities, so please select answers that best fit your situation. Comments to clarify or support answers are welcome. If you are uncomfortable answering a specific question, leave it blank, but please fill out as much as you can. The responses to this survey are anonymous, and results will be combined and published in 2008. Please return the survey to Dr. Porr (cporr@vt.edu) at the MARE Center by January 15, 2008. Northern Virginia Horseman's Reference will be publishing a 2008 directory in February! If you provide an equine related product or service and would like to be included in the Northern Virginia Horseman’s Reference good news! They do not charge for business listings. For business listings the information needed is the type of service or product, your company name, the contact name, address or town and phone number. If you would like to share more information with their readers you can place a paid advertisement. A business card ad is $100. Display Ad Prices: Back cover $600, Inside front cover $500, Full page $400, 1/2 page $250, 1/3 page $200, 1/4 page $150. Your ad will run in all reprints for 6 months and will be seen for years to come. This is a very targeted and inexpensive way to get the word out about your horse related business. Questions, listings or ads can be emailed to nvhr@erols.com or call 703-737-0126 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE… Virginia Tech Requests State Support for Equine Medical Center’s $755,000 Loss Due to Virus Outbreak In February 2007, a potentially fatal equine herpes virus type-1 (EHV-1) infection led to a state-imposed quarantine of Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) resulting in a 42-day closure. While the EMC’s prompt and rigorous protocols ensured minimal disruption, revenue generating activities were temporarily suspended and expenses were incurred as a result of actions taken to ensure the safety and well-being of patients housed at the EMC during the closure. While the EMC is once again providing the highest quality of care and service to the equine community, the center incurred a financial loss of $755,000.00. Once news of the EHV-1 outbreak rippled through the equine community, horse commerce in Northern Virginia all but stopped. Mandated and voluntary cancellations of shows, racing events and sales curtailed revenue generated by those events. Similarly, income for services offered by feed companies, equine dentists, blacksmiths, veterinarians and other professionals was negatively affected. The economic impact to Virginia’s equine industry as a result of the curtailment in horse commerce, canceled events and suspended services cannot be accurately calculated but significant losses were recognized. However, the EMC’s rapid response minimized the disruption to the industry and the Commonwealth by limiting exposure to the highly contagious virus. The EMC’s faculty and staff did an excellent job in managing and containing this outbreak thereby protecting Virginia’s horse industry from an extended period of fiscal liability and potential horse loss. If the EHV-1 virus had not been identified when it was and contained, it would likely have affected more horses and realized a greater geographical spread, thereby increasing the overall economic loss. The equine industry is vital to the Commonwealth’s economy and protecting this sector was an important factor in reaching the decision to quarantine the hospital. According to the recent report from the National Agricultural Statistical Services- Virginia Field Office, there were an estimated 215,000 horses in Virginia in 2006 an increase of 26% since 2001. The total value of all equine in Virginia was $1.65 billion and 15,600 horses were sold in Virginia in 2006 at a total sales value of over $107 million making equine the sixth largest commodity in Virginia based on cash receipts. In addition, local equine operations spent $783 million on operating expenses in 2006. Virginia Tech is requesting $755,000.00 in one-time General Fund support to offset the cost of the quarantine and ensure that cutting- edge research, instruction and service activities at the EMC and the Commonwealth’s equine industry are not interrupted or decreased. The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center is a full-service, state-of-the-art equine healthcare facility operated by the Virginia- Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. The center offers a wide range of diagnostic treatment capabilities for all types of diseases and injuries as well as 24-hour emergency admissions. The EMC is part of a comprehensive veterinary teaching, research and service program at Virginia Tech and a valuable resource for the Commonwealth. Since its inception in 1984, approximately 45,000 cases have been admitted to the hospital and more than 700 veterinarians have received training at the center. According to Dr. Nat White, Joe May will sponsor an amendment in the House and Mark Herring the same in the Senate. Dr. White encourages you to contact legislators in regards to this initiative. Contact information for the Virginia legislature is http://legis.state.va.us/ Questions concerning this outbreak may be directed to Dr. Nat White at 703/771-6800 or nawhite2@vt.edu. CLUB NEWS…. Tack Auction: This year’s Auction will be held on February 16th from 2- 8 p.m. at the Lovettsville Game Club. The Committee has met and is developing plans for a great fundraiser. We are looking for members to join the auction committee to assist with planning and marketing. The Tack Sale will be held from 2 – 4 p.m. Vendors (individuals and businesses) can rent a table for $25 (before 2/7) or $35 after. The auction will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. For more information contact Holly Smith Flannery at 540-822-3975 or precious14me2@aol.com. A percentage of the proceeds will go to benefit the Equestrian infrastructure at the Lovettsville Community Park. Next Business Meeting: Our next meeting is January 8th at 7:00 p.m. This will be a business meeting with priority on Tack Auction planning. Stay tuned to email for the location. Road Trip to Horse World Expo: Anyone interested in carpooling to the Horse World Expo in Timonium, MD on January 18th please contact Marilyn Jarvis at 703-777-3311 or mjarvis@agfirst.com. The Horse World Expo offers the Best of the Best in the horse industry. Top quality seminars and clinics - meet and learn from industry professionals from all over the country. The experts will join us to discuss topics covering virtually every aspect of horse care and training. There are two arenas and two seminar halls, which will have activities scheduled continuously throughout the weekend. For a detailed listing of activities and vendors go to http://www.horseworldexpo.com/MDmain.h tm. Plan to meet at the Extension Office (30B Catoctin Circle SE, Leesburg, VA) at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 18th. We will return at approximately 5:30 p.m. Tickets will be purchased at the event. Cost is approximately $11. Children should come with a parent or guardian. COMMUNITY NEWS….. VA Forage & Grasslands Council Winter Equine Program: February 12th, Middleburg, for information contact Dr. Porr cporr@vt.edu or 540-687-3521 ext 24 EMC “Tuesday Talks”: This series of lectures is designed to provide veterinarians, horse owners, and horse professionals with valuable insight and practical advice related to a wide-array of equine healthcare topics. The 2007-08 “Tuesday Talks” schedule is as follows: “Red Eye in the Morning, Horse Owner’s Warning: Equine Eye Care” – Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, by David Hodgson, BVSc, Ph.D., Diplomate ACVIM, Department Head, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Va. “Stem Cell Therapy for Musculoskeletal Injury” – Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, by Jennifer Barrett, DVM, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Equine Surgery, Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Leesburg, Va. “The New Equine Medicine” – Tuesday, March 11, 2008, by Doug Byars, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM, Diplomate ACVECC, Byars Equine Advisory, Georgetown, Ky. All “Tuesday Talk” lectures will be held at 7 p.m. in the equine medical center's library. No fee is charged for attending but seating is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, e-mail Amy Troppmann or call (703) 771-6843. Additional information regarding the center and its services is available online at www.equinemedicalcenter.net. Virginia Horse Council Annual Meeting: Annual Membership meeting and Educational program will be held on Saturday, March 15th at the Blue Ridge Community College Plecker Center at Weyer’s Cave campus, close to the I-81/I-64 junction. http://www.brcc.edu/wsce/ContentPages/P oliciesProcedures/directionsMainCampus.htm This should be a convenient location (2 hours or less drive) for the majority of the state. We plan to have 3 educational tracts running throughout the day – business mgt/liability, trails/leadership, and health/nutrition thus there will be 12 talks for attendees to choose from with top notch speakers. We may possibly have some live horse demos! We will also run a separate youth tract that will be entertaining and educational for kids of all ages. Start talking it up! More details will follow and we plan to officially advertise after final approval at the Jan BOD meeting. Celeste C. Crisman Extension Equine Specialist - Youth Dept of Animal & Poultry Sciences Virginia Tech 380 Litton Reaves (0306) Blacksburg, Va 24061 Office: 540-231-9162 Fax: 540-231-3713 ASK THE VET…… Send us your questions. We will select one and have a local veterinarian respond for our newsletter. ASK THE PROFESSIONAL……. Send us your questions. We will select one and have the appropriate equine professional respond. ----------------------------------------------------- CLASSIFIEDS Send us your classifieds and they will be printed in the next issue – February. Ads are for our members pertaining to horses for sale, barn help wanted, barn help needed, board available, board needed, equipment for sale, etc….Cost of ad $25 (membership fee) for non-members. In order to get your event, ad or article in the Newsletter please submit it to me at mjarvis@agfirst.com no later than January 19th for publication on February 1. Tally Ho! Maj December 2007 Vol. 3 Page 2