RIRDC Completed Projects in 2002-2003 & Research in Progress as at June 2003

BACK TO INDEX

To Horses Completed Projects

3.5 HORSES - RESEARCH IN PROGRESS
PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
2. Industry Development and Development of Equine Research Infrastructure in Australia
RSC-1A	Evaluation of a independent confirmatory test for total plasma carbon dioxide (TC02)	Allen Stenhouse	(02) 8344 5000	Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory
TTP-1A	Racetrack design and performance database	Arthur Stubbs	(03) 9521 6982	Turfgrass Technology & Primary Tasks
3. Respiratory Diseases-Improving the Respiratory Health of Horses
UMU-28A	Role of latent equine herpesvirus infections in respiratory disease	Prof. Graham Wilcox	(08) 9360 2448	Murdoch University
US-108A	Prospective Longitudinal Study of disease on Equine Stud Farms	Dr. James Gilkerson	(02) 6545 1607	Hunter Valley Equine Research Centre
US-83A	An epidemiological study of 'tying up' in athletic horses	A/Prof. David Hodgson	(02) 4655 0777	The University of Sydney
US-118A	Development of improved treatment and prevention strategies for inflammatory airway disease of horses	Dr. Jennifer Hodgson	(02) 4655 0760	The University of Sydney
5. Lameness and Limb Injury-Developing More Effective Methods for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment
UM-58A	Epidemiology and risk factor analysis of racetrack fatalities	Prof. Andrew Clarke	(03) 9731 2314	The University of Melbourne
UQ-100A	Pasture fructan concentration as a cause of equine laminitis	Dr. Christopher Pollitt	(07) 3365 2063	The University of Queensland
US-84A	An epidemiological study of risk factors for shin soreness in Thoroughbred racehorses	A/Prof. David Evans	(02) 9351 2474	The University of Sydney
UWA-70A	A clinical and genetic investigation of equine idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia	A/Prof. Nigel Laing	(08) 9346 2818	University of Western Australia
6. Exercise and Metabolic Disease-Optimising Fitness and Reducing Training Related Disease
EQP-1A	Development of an 'on board' fitness monitoring system for the thoroughbred racing industry	A/Prof. David Evans	(02) 9351 2474	Equitronics Pty Ltd
UM-59A	Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in Thoroughbred racehorses	Prof. Andrew Clarke	(03) 9731 2314	The University of Melbourne
7. Reducing Reproductive Failure in Mares and Stallions and Establishing More Effective Treatments for Diseases of Foals
UMO-26A	Analysis of horse breeding efficiency in Australia
IMV-4A	Further development of vaccines against rhodococcus equi infection in foals	Dr. Michael Heuzenroeder	(08) 8222 3275	Institute of Medical & Veterinary Science
UMA-17A	Evaluating equine immune responses to new EHV-1 vaccine candidates	A/Prof. Millar Whalley	(02) 9850 8200	Macquarie University
9. Other
UF-10A	To establish a national surveillance system to monitor injury to riders and horses from falls during eventing in Australia	Dr. Raymond Cripps	(08) 8374 0970	Flinders University of South Australia


 

2. Industry Development and Development of Equine Research Infrastructure in Australia

Project Title	Evaluation of a independent confirmatory test for total plasma carbon dioxide (TC02)
RIRDC Project No.:	RSC-1A
Start Date:	8-Jan-02
Finish Date:	31-Mar-04
Researcher:	Allen Stenhouse
Organisation:	Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory PO Box 528 KENSINGTON NSW 2033
Phone:	(02) 8344 5000
Fax:	(02) 9662 6107
Email:	astenhouse@nswtrb.com.au
Objectives	The feasibility of a new independent test for confirming the use of alkalising agents in the Racing Industry would be established
Current Progress	The pilot study and initial results determined within the grant showed that plotting the carbon isotope ratio of carbon dioxide liberated from blood over time was an excellent method for determining if a horse had been administered sodium bicarbonate. In order to apply carbon isotope ratio techniques to samples collected from race tracks the technique needs to be refined to accommodate the dietary influences on a sample taken at a single point in time.  Currently investigations are proceeding to identify a marker that will take into account the varying amounts of inorganic carbonates that individual horses receive as part of their diet. Extensive work has been done on mane hair as a marker and more recently dried extracts of urine and blood have also been studied. A significant carbon isotope ratio difference exists between the carbon dioxide liberated from blood or urine and the results obtained from the dried extract residue or that from a section of mane hair immediately above the roots. After rechecking the original sodium bicarbonate administration trials it was observed that when the horses system is overloaded with bicarbonate the difference disappears. This difference will be explored with further administrations of sodium bicarbonate and a survey of fifty race fit horses.


 

Project Title	Racetrack design and performance database
RIRDC Project No.:	TTP-1A
Start Date:	1-Mar-02
Finish Date:	30-Apr-03
Researcher:	Arthur Stubbs
Organisation:	Turfgrass Technology Pty Ltd 9 George Street SANDRINGHAM VIC 3191
Phone:	(03) 9521 6982
Fax:	(03) 9521 6946
Email:	akstubbs@compuserve.com
Objectives	Compilation and analysis of data on race and training track construction and performance as a basis for development of quality standards and monitoring procedures relevant to horse performance and injury.
Current Progress	An online database has been designed to compile data on selected race and training tracks, turf and non-turf, with details of renovations and re-constructions, including reasons and results, performance records and maintenance practices. Data are being collected by survey from several Australian racetracks, including a number where major racetrack constructions or reconstructions have occurred during the last five years. This will include information on methods, costs, schedules, and lessons learnt. Contact is being made with senior racing industry veterinarians to investigate linkages between horse injury and/or performance data with track shape, surface and durability. Injury and fatality data have been collected for some time although only recently, and in limited cases, has this information been stored electronically for possible comparison with track data. These records will be incorporated into the database where possible. Some Australian researchers have examined the records available and drawn broad conclusions on injury/surface interactions. A literature review has been undertaken to examine factors related to the design and management of racetracks that might be risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries (MSI). The review found that, whilst there has been progress towards understanding the track related risk factors for MSI there is still insufficient information to produce guidelines for the design and management of "safer" racetracks.


 

3. Respiratory Diseases-Improving the Respiratory Health of Horses

Project Title	Role of latent equine herpesvirus infections in respiratory disease
RIRDC Project No.:	UMU-28A
Start Date:	14-Aug-01
Finish Date:	20-Jun-04
Researcher:	Prof. Graham Wilcox
Organisation:	Murdoch University School of Veterinary Biology and Biomedical Sciences Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences MURDOCH WA 6150
Phone:	(08) 9360 2448
Fax:	(08) 9310 4144
Email:	wilcox@numbat.murdoch.edu.au
Objectives	· Methods of differentiating latent and active herpesvirus infection, thus enabling interpretation of the significance of herpesviruses detected in horses with respiratory disease, by 2002. · Determination of factors that affect the activation of latent virus infections, and whether activation of latent virus infections contributes to the development of respiratory disease or decreased performance, by 2004. · Evidence of whether some strains of EHV2 are causes of respiratory disease, perhaps acting as stressors activating other latent equine herpesviruses, by 2004.
Current Progress	The research has resulted in methods of differentiating active and latent equine alphaherpesvirus (EHV1 and EHV4) and gammaherpesvirus (EHV2 and EHV5) infections in horses and these techniques are being used to examine the persistence and reactivation of latent equine herpesvirus infections in groups of foals examined from birth to yearling age. The hypothesis we are investigating is that most foals develop transient subclinical equine herpesvirus infections following first exposure to the virus, that the virus subsequently assumes a state of latency in the animal, and is subsequently reactivated during periods of stress such as weaning, training and sales. Samples have been collected at frequent intervals from four groups of foals including those from 3 small commercial studs with 50-150 resident mares in the Perth region, and a group of foals born to mares that were purchased and then maintained in isolation. Preliminary results indicate EHV1 infection at about 30 days of age in some but not all foals in each group, and that there was no reactivation of this EHV1 at weaning in any of the 3 commercial groups. While other herpesviruses were not detected in the foals prior to weaning, gammaherpesvirus (EHV2 and EHV5) infections were detected immediately after weaning in 2 of the 3 commercial studs; these infections were not associated with the development of clinical signs.


 

Project Title	Prospective Longitudinal Study of disease on Equine Stud Farms
RIRDC Project No.:	US-108A
Start Date:	14-Aug-01
Finish Date:	5-Jan-04
Researcher:	Dr. James Gilkerson
Organisation:	The University of Sydney PO Box 25 Bunnan Road SCONE NSW 2337
Phone:	(02) 6545 1607
Fax:	(02) 6545 3444
Email:	jgilkers@rna.bio.mq.edu.au
Objectives	· Create an 'Industry Benchmark' for the diseases studied. · Investigate the effects of disease in foals on their progression into performance horses
Current Progress	The lack of objective data describing the incidence, prevalence and cost of diseases of horses in Australia is a significant impediment for researchers in the equine field. The Australian horse industry is one of the nations largest industries, yet there are currently no industry based statistics available to document changes in the frequency and cost of disease in Australian horses. The aim of this project was to design a central database that can collate population, reproductive and disease frequency data from participating farms. This database has been built, tested and data collection has commenced. Customised software has been written specifically to extract this information in a standard format from the farm’s computers and facilitate the uploading of these data to the database, via the internet. Data collection commenced with a retrospective extract from the 11 participating farms for the 2001 breeding season to test the functionality of the surveillance system. These data from more than 2000 broodmares and their foals have been analysed and have been distributed to the participating farms for comment and verification. Data has been collected from these farms for the 2002 breeding season and is currently being analysed. The data collected will document the frequency and cost of respiratory, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal diseases and will also provide a benchmark for farms to compare these parameters with their peers in a completely confidential manner.


 

Project Title	An epidemiological study of 'tying up' in athletic horses
RIRDC Project No.:	US-83A
Start Date:	20-Mar-00
Finish Date:	30-Sep-03
Researcher:	A/Prof. David Hodgson
Organisation:	The University of Sydney University Veterinary Centre Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences PMB 4, Narellan Delivery Centre NARELLAN NSW 2567
Phone:	(02) 4655 0777
Fax:	(02) 4655 6942
Email:
Objectives	'Tying up' results in significant economic loss within the horse industry. An improved understanding of the incidence, prevalence and risk factors for TU will translate into development of superior management strategies for this complex syndrome. This, in turn, will result in reduced wastage within the industry and have positive welfare implications
Current Progress	The prevalence of Tying-Up in Australian horses was determined using a questionnaire-based study of horse owners conducted in 2001. The results of this preliminary study have been accepted for publication. Owner reported prevalence of other common equine disorders has also been described and results from this study are to be submitted for publication during 2003.  Also in 2001, a case-control study investigating TU was established and conducted for 18 months through 85 veterinary practices across Australia. Concurrently, over 1000 horses owned by questionnaire volunteers were enrolled in a cohort study and monitored for the same period of time. Data were collected on many suspected risk factors for TU, such as diet, exercise routine, previous TU or concurrent disease, fitness, management and temperament. These studies were completed in May 2003 and analysis should provide valuable information regarding the modifiable risk factors for TU Australian horses.  In addition this project has included a descriptive analysis on muscle enzyme activities from two laboratory-based populations of horses, which will enhance interpretation of changes in muscle enzyme activities of horses.


 

Project Title	Development of improved treatment and prevention strategies for inflammatory airway disease of horses
RIRDC Project No.:	US-118A
Start Date:	1-Jan-03
Finish Date:	31-Dec-05
Researcher:	Dr. Jennifer Hodgson
Organisation:	The University of Sydney
Phone:	(02) 4655 0760
Fax:	(02) 4655 6942
Email:	jennih@camden.usyd.edu.au
Objectives	The outcome of this project will be the development of specific recommendations regarding treatment and management strategies for control of inflammatory airway disease in young performance horses. These will be designed to target specific aetiological agents or predisposing factors commonly present in the stable environment. These guidelines will be of value to owners, trainers and veterinarians and will have positive welfare implications
Current Progress	Recent studies have found that Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) is a common disorder of young performance horses and that the stable environment in which they are housed plays a large role in the induction of this disease. In particular, the presence of high levels of endotoxin, an airway irritant, has been shown to induce airway inflammation in a high proportion of stabled horses. To date, treatment of IAD has been largely based on ameliorating clinical signs or on treatment of secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics. However, no specific trials have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of these treatments, nor to assess newer therapeutic agents aimed at preventing the inflammation caused by the specific airway irritants found in stable environments. Strategies to prevent exposure of horses to these irritants also need to be developed. This project, which has recently started, aims to specifically investigate a range of strategies for treatment and prevention of IAD.


 

5. Lameness and Limb Injury-Developing More Effective Methods for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment

Project Title	Epidemiology and risk factor analysis of racetrack fatalities
RIRDC Project No.:	UM-58A
Start Date:	8-Jan-02
Finish Date:	30-May-05
Researcher:	Prof. Andrew Clarke
Organisation:	The University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinical Centre Princes Highway WERRIBEE VIC 3030
Phone:	(03) 9731 2314
Fax:	(03) 9731 2377
Email:	afclarke@unimelb.edu.au
Objectives	This project will deliver an improved understanding of the causes of and risk factors associated with racetrack fatalities. This will translate into strategies to address this complex multifactorial problem. This in turn will result in reduced wastage within the industry and have positive welfare implications.
Current Progress	Post mortems have been completed for every horse that dies on the 4 metropolitan tracks since 2001. At this time, preliminary summaries show in 2001 there were 54 cases, 2002: 45 cases.  551 cases of racetrack deaths in Victoria have been identified between mid 1989 until early 2003. Data on every horse has been validated by cross checking accuracy against written recorded stewards’ reports and veterinary records where possible. Further detail has been extracted manually from the I-RIS web-pages.  Preliminary descriptive are being developed to characterize all 551 cases. In this study, 4 metropolitan tracks and 48 country tracks are represented. Fatalities have been described in terms of number of incidents of fatality with respect to age, gender, month, year, season and race type. Furthermore, injury type has been described in each incidence of fatality. Three broad categories have been identified: catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries, EIPH deaths and sudden death. This is consistent with other studies undertaken in Australia and overseas. Musculoskeletal injury cases have been further described according to site of injury (appendicular, spine; left or right leg; front or hind; proximal, distal) and in terms of incidents per race. Additionally, at this time, several case-control studies (using subsets of the fatality population) are currently being designed to look at more specific variables and the strength of their association with the risk of death. It is expected that a draft design for the full study will be completed by September.


 

Project Title	Pasture fructan concentration as a cause of equine laminitis
RIRDC Project No.:	UQ-100A
Start Date:	12-Jan-01
Finish Date:	30-Nov-04
Researcher:	Dr. Christopher Pollitt
Organisation:	The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science ST LUCIA QLD 4072
Phone:	(07) 3365 2063
Fax:	(07) 3365 1899
Email:	c.pollitt@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Objectives	· The cause of grass founder will be understood and a strategy for diagnosis, prevention and treatment will be available · A strategy for pasture and grazing management will be available so that horses and ponies do not consume sufficient fructan to develop laminitis
Current Progress	Horses dosed with fructan develop laminitis thus confirming a role for this nonstructural pasture carbohydrate in the pathogenesis of the disease. Cryotherapy (an ice/ water slurry), continuously applied to one limb, prevents laminitis by inducing vasoconstriction (limiting delivery of haematogenous trigger factors) and hypometabolism (reduction in lamellar enzyme activity) and is well tolerated by horses. Cryotherapy is an effective prophylactic strategy in horses with conditions placing them at risk of developing acute laminitis. A culture medium, simulating the equine caecal environment, allows enumeration and isolation of fructan-utilising organisms during the course of laminitis development. There is a 1680-fold proliferation in fructan-utilising organisms (predominantly Streptococcus bovis) by 30 hours post fructan administration. The number of fructan utilising organisms then sharply declines. The death and lysis of this large but temporary bacterial population may release factors that activate matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade crucial structural elements of the lamellar matrix interface, ultimately resulting in the characteristic histopathology associated with equine laminitis. S. bovis cultured in a new casein containing medium produces a gelatinase that in nature is used by the microbe to penetrate the protein capsule of starch grains. Since the activated enzymes that cause laminitis are also gelatinases this finding raises the possibility that S bovis gelatinase triggers laminitis.


 

Project Title	An epidemiological study of risk factors for shin soreness in Thoroughbred racehorses
RIRDC Project No.:	US-84A
Start Date:	1-Feb-00
Finish Date:	30-Jul-03
Researcher:	A/Prof. David Evans
Organisation:	The University of Sydney Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Sydney B19 SYDNEY NSW 2006
Phone:	(02) 9351 2474
Fax:	(02) 9351 3957
Email:	davide@vetsci.usyd.edu.au
Objectives	The objective of this project is to undertake an epidemiological study of the risk factors for shin soreness in Thoroughbred horses. A better understanding of the risk factors will facilitate design of superior training and managment strategies for Thoroughbred horses, and a reduction in wastage due to shin soreness
Current Progress	The aim of this study was to examine the training-, track- and horse related risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in young Thoroughbred racehorses. Six hundred and six horses, trained by 18 trainers training were enrolled into a longitudinal study to investigate risk factors for shin soreness. During the study period there were 442 MSI in 263 (54.1%) two and three year old horses. Shin soreness was the most common injury, with 187 cases reported in 113 horses, or just over 30% of the study population. During the study period shin soreness was found to recur in 23% of all horses. Each case of shin soreness was associated with an average of 12 weeks resting at pasture. The risk analysis has focused on examining those factors that increase the risk of MSI during the first fast preparation. In this analysis the average distance worked at speeds greater than 800 m/minute and the frequency that horses worked fast were identified as risk factors for MSI. Analyses of the data are continuing and until these analyses are completed it will be not be possible to make recommendations regarding the training and management of young Thoroughbred racehorses for reducing the risk of shin soreness.


 

Project Title	A clinical and genetic investigation of equine idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia
RIRDC Project No.:	UWA-70A
Start Date:	3-Jan-02
Finish Date:	6-Jan-04
Researcher:	A/Prof. Nigel Laing
Organisation:	University of Western Australia ANRI A Block Fourth Floor QEII Medical Centre Verdun Street NEDLANDS WA 6009
Phone:	(08) 9346 2818
Fax:	(08) 9346 3487
Email:	nlaing@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Objectives	To define the genetic basis of Idiopathic Laryngeal Hemiplegia (ILH), and to develop a DNA-based laboratory test providing the first reliable means for the early detection of affected horses. The ability to determine carrier status in stallions and broodmares will enable breeders to select against the trait, and will ultimately lead to a reduction in wastage of performance horses and the genetic enhancement of Australian Bloodstock.
Current Progress	In 1997 a DNA bank was established using samples from normal and ILH affected horses. Together with a computer database containing clinical and pedigree information this bank forms the basis for both candidate gene and linkage analysis approaches to identifying genes responsible for genetic susceptibility to ILH. Histologically, ILH is similar to the human neuropathy Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT) and the 3 genes that most commonly cause CMT are MPZ, PMP22 and Cx32. We have determined the DNA sequence of these genes in the horse and by screening normal and affected animals, have eliminated them as candidates for ILH. The sequences of these genes have been submitted to Genbank and a manuscript is in preparation. Two less common CMT causing genes, NFL and GDAP1, have also been excluded. The discovery of a microsatellite marker within the GDAP1 gene was 1 of 4 microsatellites characterized during this work and was published in the October 2002 edition of Animal Genetics. This has also resulted in collaboration with the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK. Linkage studies using a West Australian ILH pedigree and markers in regions syntenic to linked human vocal chord paralysis regions are currently under way.


 
 
 

6. Exercise and Metabolic Disease-Optimising Fitness and Reducing Training Related Disease

Project Title	Development of an 'on board' fitness monitoring system for the thoroughbred racing industry
RIRDC Project No.:	EQP-1A
Start Date:	8-Jan-02
Finish Date:	31-Dec-03
Researcher:	A/Prof. David Evans
Organisation:	Equitronics Pty Ltd Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Sydney B19 SYDNEY NSW 2006
Phone:	(02) 9351 2474
Fax:	(02) 9351 3957
Email:	davide@vetsci.usyd.edu.au
Objectives	· To trial 'on board' heart rate and speed monitoring technology, data collection and interpretation with a prominent thoroughbred trainer. · To develop an 'on board' fitness test to be used by trainers of thoroughbred horses as an indicator of performance and health. · To develop the technology into a commercial product envisaged for the thoroughbred racing industry in Australia and overseas.
Current Progress	A study of the use of synchronous logging of heart rate and velocity data in Thoroughbred horses during routine trotting and galloping exercise training on a racetrack has commenced. A Masters student has enrolled in order to conduct the investigation. As well, a thoroughbred racehorse trainer has agreed to provide horses for the study. Initial experiments have proven the reliability and sturdiness of the equipment for successful data logging in horses galloping at up to racing speeds. Software has been developed to facilitate the study of synchronous heart rates and velocities. Methods have also been developed for use of the logged data to describe fitness with commonly used indices, such as V-200, the horse's velocity that evokes a heart rate of 200 beats per minute. Data from 18 Thoroughbred horses have been collected at Randwick racecourse during April and May 2003, and an experiment to investigate the reliability of measurements of fitness has commenced. As well, the investigation of the relationship between retrospective race performance and indices of fitness has commenced. Results from 20 horses have been collected for this cross-sectional study. Future investigations will also study changes in indices of fitness over time in a group of horses.


 

Project Title	Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in Thoroughbred racehorses
RIRDC Project No.:	UM-59A
Start Date:	11-Jan-02
Finish Date:	11-Jan-04
Researcher:	Prof. Andrew Clarke
Organisation:	The University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinical Centre Princes Highway WERRIBEE VIC 3030
Phone:	(03) 9731 2314
Fax:	(03) 9731 2377
Email:	afclarke@unimelb.edu.au
Objectives	· The overall objective is to determine whether exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is detrimental to athletic performance of Thoroughbred racehorses. To this end, we will use both short term (performance in a race) and long term (duration of the racing career and career earnings) indicators of athletic performance to determine if EIPH adversely affects athletic potential of Thoroughbred racehorses. Specifically, the objectives are: · To determine id exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage is associated with reduced race performance of Australian Thoroughbred racehorses. · To determine if exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage is associated with diminished quality of the racing career as indicated by shorter racing career longevity and smaller career earnings in Australian thoroughbred racehorses.
Current Progress	The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in Thoroughbred horses racing at metropolitan tracks in Victoria. This information will allow identification of factors that predispose horses to EIPH and provide information on the association of EIPH and performance (both in the race for which the horse was examined and for its subsequent career). EIPH was identified by endoscopic examination of horses within 2 hours after racing. The presence of blood in the trachea (windpipe) was noted and assigned a grade on a scale of 0 to 4. Grade 0 represented horses with no detectable blood in the trachea whereas grade 4 represented horses with abundant blood. To date, 678 horses have been examined, with approximately 100 of these horses being examined more than once. Fifty three percent of horses had blood in their upper airway (including trachea) after racing. There was no clear relationship between presence of EIPH and performance, nor was there a clear age or sex predisposition, although formal statistical analysis awaits completion of the study.


 

7. Reducing Reproductive Failure in Mares and Stallions and Establishing More Effective Treatments for Diseases of Foals

Project Title	Analysis of horse breeding efficiency in Australia
RIRDC Project No.:	UMO-26A
Start Date:	20-Jul-99
Finish Date:	31-Jun-03
Researcher:	Dr. Angus McKinnon
Organisation:	Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital PO Box 2020 SHEPPARTON VIC 3630
Phone:	(03) 5829 9566
Fax:	(03) 5829 9307
Email:	aom@mail.sheppnews.com.au
Objectives	· Analysis of breeding record via the Stud Books. This is only expected to provide an overview of industry practices. For a variety of reasons, records submitted to the Stud Book (both racing codes) are only a superficial view of breeding practices, however they do represent the true and relevant fertility's of the different breeds and even different stallions on the same breeding farms. · Analysis of individual mare records from selected breeding farms. · This is an ambitious attempt to collate data from a wide variety of sources. · It is estimated that 30,000 individual mare records of each breed from a variety of studs that have been chosen to represent three levels of management will be used to compare factors such as fertility per cycle, effect of fuid pre and post service, effect of scanning or not, rate and time period of early embrionic death, etc. Provisional data will be obtained from our own breeding records, (we have 3000 already analysed and 4000 to put on the database
Current Progress	The data from breeding farms has been entered and sent in a large ‘Access’ file to the USA, where Dr. David Dargatz a senior epidemiologist with the USDA will identify trends and factors that effect fertility. To date we have identified interesting trends in a variety of areas. Twins and early embryonic death appear to be affected by management, as does the fertility of a breeding farm when expressed as pregnancy rate per cycle. The challenge will be to identify how and what factors can be changed to maximise reproductive efficiency. The other aim is to present data from a large population of horses so that breeders and managers can have accurate and realistic expectations for future breeding programmes.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	Further development of vaccines against rhodococcus equi infection in foals
RIRDC Project No.:	IMV-4A
Start Date:	1-Jan-02
Finish Date:	1-Jan-04
Researcher:	Dr. Michael Heuzenroeder
Organisation:	Institute of Medical & Veterinary Science Infectious Diseases Laboratories PO Box 14 Rundle Mall ADELAIDE SA 5000
Phone:	(08) 8222 3275
Fax:	(08) 8222 3543
Email:	heuzenroeder@imvs.sa.gov.au
Objectives	· Development of an improved animal model of R. equi infection for the testing of candidate vaccines. · Development of a GroEL/VapA epitope chimeric (combination) protein/DNA vaccine · Testing of vaccines against R. equi based upon the VapA and GroEL proteins in a non-equine model of R. equi infection and demonstration of an efficacious vaccine that protects against R. equi induced pneumonia.
Current Progress	The development of a non-equine model of R. equi infection in guinea pigs inoculated by the aerosol route has been successful. Inoculation of guinea pigs (approx 150g in weight) with approximately 105 organisms retained in the lung was carried out. Histology of lung tissue revealed that at 30 days post infection the tissue showed a multi-focal granulomatous pneumonia with aggregations of epithelioid macrophages and sometimes a few multinucleated giant cells with peribronchiolar lymphoid proliferation and perivascular lymphoplasmacytic cuffs. The multifocal granulomatous reaction is consistent with R. equi infection. Viable R. equi cells could also be recovered from the lung tissue. The severity of lung lesions was related to the age of the animals at infection. One chimeric GroEL/VapA DNA vaccine has been constructed (a second is in the process of construction) and has been tested in mice. This vaccine successfully elicited a Th1 cell mediated immune response, but was unable to enhance clearance of challenging virulent R. equi in the mouse model. This apparent lack of success is likely due to the imperfect nature of the murine model of infection. The chimeric vaccine is currently undergoing efficacy testing in the improved guinea pig model of infection.


 
 

Project Title	Evaluating equine immune responses to new EHV-1 vaccine candidates
RIRDC Project No.:	UMA-17A
Start Date:	1-Aug-01
Finish Date:	31-Jul-03
Researcher:	A/Prof J. M. Whalley (and A/Prof D. N. Love)
Organisation:	Macquarie University (University of Sydney )
Phone:	(02) 9850 8200
Fax:	(02) 9850 8245
Email:	mwhalley@rna.bio.mq.edu.au
Objectives	· Improvement of reproductive efficiency and respiratory health in horse populations through reduction of incidence of herpesvirus abortion and respiratory infection, at reduced cost, by :  · Developing an experimental challenge protocol for assessment of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) vaccines  · Evaluation of immune responses and ability of new vaccines to prevent respiratory or systemic infection · Reaching new stage in development of Australian made vaccine for EHV-1
Current Progress	During 2001/2002, an EHV-1 respiratory infection challenge model was established in foals. This included parameters of clinical signs and virus DNA in nasal swabs and peripheral blood, with which to assess EHV-1 vaccines. In 2002/2003, groups of young foals were inoculated with a protein subunit vaccine based on recombinant EHV-1 glycoprotein D. Following intranasal challenge with EHV-1, vaccinated and control groups showed clinical signs, indicating that under the conditions used the formulation did not prevent initial infection in foals. A second group of foals were resistant to infectious challenge, probably due to a recent prior infection with EHV-1. All samples are being analysed to determine whether the subunit vaccine reduced viral shedding and viraemia. In a separate experiment, inoculation of pregnant mares with the subunit vaccine led to high levels of anti–EHV-1 antibody in colostrum and hence in young foals. Therefore we propose a strategy based on vaccinating pregnant mares late in gestation, and then vaccinating foals after maternal antibody has waned. This will be tested experimentally in 2003/2004, when vaccinated mares and their foals will be challenged. To facilitate analysis, we have developed a Real Time PCR assay for sensitive detection of EHV-1 (and EHV-4) in clinical samples.


 

9. Other

Project Title	To establish a national surveillance system to monitor injury to riders and horses from falls during eventing in Australia
RIRDC Project No.:	UF-10A
Start Date:	8-Jan-02
Finish Date:	31-May-04
Researcher:	Dr. Raymond Cripps
Organisation:	Flinders University of South Australia Research Centre for Injury Studies Mark Oliphant Building, Laffer Drive BEDFORD PARK SA 5042
Phone:	(08) 8374 0970
Fax:	(08) 8374 0702
Email:	ray.cripps@nisu.flinders.edu.au
Objectives	· Establish a national surveillance program to monitor all falls of horse and rider during eventing (known as horse trials at State level) in Australia, a world first. · Enable Australia to be recognised globally as a key player in collaborative research in horse and rider safety which involves universities, the horse industry, sporting organisations and government. · Investigate the causes of injury to riders and horses at the Equestrian Federation of Australia (EFA) and Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) events in Australia. · Inform the development of further research to identify factors that may increase the risk of injury to riders and horses and develop and evaluate interventions to reduce injury. · Inform the development of appropriate policy to minimise risk to riders and horses.
Current Progress	The project which has completed its first year of monitoring has achieved the following: 1) Informed key personnel in all States of procedures required for monitoring of falls at ODEs and 3DEs, ie. recording and reporting. 2) Updated the questionnaire used during the pilot study in response to comments received during the pilot phase. This updated questionnaire is sent to equestrians who fall. 3) Monitored eventing falls during ODEs and 3DEs in all States during the 2002 eventing season. A summary of fall monitoring during events in Australia during 2002 is presented below: Seventy-five venues from all States were monitored to determine the incidence of falls to horse and riders during the cross country phase of eventing. A total of 8,660 starters competed as a percentage in the following classes: Introductory 25%, Preliminary 25%, Pre-Novice 23%, Novice 15%, Open Novice 1%, Intermediate 8% and Advanced 2%. For all Classes, a total of 300 falls occurred, 256 rider falls and 44 horse and riders fell, with the largest number of falls occurring below the Open Novice Class (75%, n=224). The highest number of horse falls occurred in the Novice Class. Of the riders who fell, 35 riders had 2 falls in 2002 during cross country eventing. 10 riders had 3 falls and one rider had five. Overall, the incidence rate of falls was 1.7 falls per 1000 jumping efforts, with the incidence rate ranging from a low of 1.0 for the Introductory Class to a high of 4.4 in the Advanced Class. Jumps where most falls occurred were water (17 falls), ditch (13 falls) and parallel rails (Oxer) (12 falls). Both classes, lower and advanced, had problems jumping water and upright jumps. In lower Classes, log jumps appeared to be the main problem, while in the advanced Classes, it was the apex and arrowhead jumps. Thirty percent of riders who fell, landed on grass and 5% landed on the jump itself. Sixty-nine percent of the riders who fell, felt that the fall was preventable, mostly reported as being due to rider error. Twenty-eight percent of the riders (n=71) who fell reported injuries, 28% of those were to the head, face and neck, and 21% were to shoulders and upper limbs. Fractures and loss of conciousness/head injury accounted for 12% and 9% of the injuries respectively. Sixty-nine percent of the injuries were of low severity.