TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Spring Practice Day

Long Ear Days

• Feel free to save the image and distribute as far and wide as possible!
• Looking for volunteers! Please email if you can help out
• Remember to schedule your coggins with your vet so you can join in on the fun (see below for more info on coggins testing)
• Entries are open! Sign up today!

2021 Events

Extreme Heat and Our Long Ear Friends

• https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/what-we-do/knowledge-and-advice/for-owners/care-of-donkeys-in-extreme-heat
• https://www.trailmeister.com/the-signs-of-heat-problems-in-horses-and-mules/
• https://aaep.org/horsehealth/keeping-horses-cool
• https://aaep.org/horsehealth/heat-stroke

Coggins Testing- What is it? Why?

• Coggins is a blood test used to look for Equine Infectious Anemia. Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a potentially fatal blood-borne infectious viral disease that produces a persistent infection among equids nearly worldwide.
• Testing for EIA has been done for more than 25 years to identify virus carriers and to regulate their movement. There are no treatments or vaccines for this lentivirus relative of HIV in humans. Since there is no cure for the infection, currently the only options for control of the spread of the infection are permanent quarantine of test-positive horses, or euthanasia.
• The clinical signs of disease can vary dramatically, from an acute infection with slight to high fever for a few days and perhaps small hemorrhages, to progressive weakness, weight loss, depression, and disorientation.
• The most commonly diagnosed form of the disease is the chronic form, in which the individual has repeated fever episodes and develops other clinical signs including dependent edema (swelling), weight loss, and severe anemia. In horses with the chronic form of the disease, the virus takes up permanent residence in a horse’s tissues, and the horse is always infectious to others, although the virus concentration in blood is much higher in horses with clinical disease.
• EIA also has an inapparent form; affected horses might only show a slight fever for a day or be totally without clinical signs of the infection.
• Transmission is most common by transfer of blood between horses through the interrupted feeding of insects, e.g., horse flies. It can also be transmitted through semen, in-utero and tools with blood contamination. As there is no known treatment for EIA and infected horses become lifelong carriers posing a risk to other horses, any horse confirmed positive for EIA must be quarantined and isolated 200 yards away from all other horses. If appropriate isolation is not available, the owner may opt for humane euthanasia (most common)
• The potential for spreading EIA is highest at congregation points like horse shows, when horses are in close contact and come from a variety of areas. To stop the spread of the infection and disease, one must know the status of each individual and control movement of test-positive animals. The highest-risk scenario is a congregation point (such as a horse show, trail ride, or other competition) that does not require a negative test for EIA.
• Many insurance companies require a current (within 6 months) Coggins of all equines on premises whether boarding or visiting
• Many breeders require this to protect their farm, stud/jack, broodmares, and future stock

**Current Coggins will be required to attend Long Ear Days this year**

Saddle Up Magazine

Casino Update

Website Update

• The website now has a "Links" section- feel free to suggest links that may be interesting to long ear fans
• We have a section on the website called "Our Club In Action"- we would love to show off pictures/short blurbs of what you are doing with your long ears- whether it is at home or out and about. The facebook page gets these posts, and it would be great to get them on the website as well.
• There is an "Upcoming Events" section- please let us know of any events that may be of interest to club members. Remember to check back for your own interest as well!

Classified Ads

ISO: halter breaking donkey for our purebred beef operation and I was hoping you could point me in the right direction. My criteria is as follows: traditional regular sized Jesus Donkey. Prefer under 5 years old halter broke, need not have experience with halter breaking cattle but a willing disposition is a must. No preference as to Jack or Jenny. We are located in the Peace Country but could travel to find the right Donkey. We had a breaking donkey for over 20!years and he was exceptional. The new hired hand will have big shoes to fill. Contact Beverly- milneb@outlook.com

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