Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Endangered Horse Has Ancient Origins and High Genetic Diversity, New Study Finds


ScienceDaily (Sep. 12, 2011) — An endangered species of horse -- known as Przewalski's horse -- is much more distantly related to the domestic horse than researchers had previously hypothesized, reports a team of investigators led by Kateryna Makova, a Penn State University associate professor of biology.

The scientists tested the portion of the genome passed exclusively from mother to offspring -- the mitochondrial DNA -- of four Przewalski's horse lineages and compared the data to DNA from the domestic horse (Equus caballus). They concluded that, although previous scientists had assumed that Przewalski's horse and the domestic horse had diverged around the time that horses were domesticated -- about 6,000 to 10,000 years ago -- the real time of the two species' divergence from one another is much more ancient. The data gleaned from the study also suggest that present-day Przewalski's horses have a much more diverse gene pool than previously hypothesized. The new study's findings could be used to inform conservation efforts to save the endangered horse species, of which only 2,000 individuals remain in parts of China and Mongolia, and in wildlife reserves in California and the Ukraine. The paper will be published in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution.

Przewalski's horse -- a stocky, short-maned species named after a Russian explorer who first encountered the animal in the wild -- became endangered during the middle of the last century when the species experienced a population bottleneck -- an evolutionary event in which many or most members of a population or a species die. "Sadly, this bottleneck was the result of human activity," Makova explained. "Przewalski's horses were hunted down for food, and their natural habitat, the steppes, were converted into farm land so the horses basically had nowhere to live and breed. By the late 1950s, only 12 individual horses remained." Makova said that because conservationists have made noble efforts to rescue this dwindling population, the present-day population has grown to 2,000.

In a study that had never been attempted by previous scientists, Makova and her team analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes from four female lineages that currently survive within the Przewalski's horse population. They first determined that the mitochondrial genomes of two of the maternal lineages actually were identical, thus narrowing the genetic pool to three maternal lineages. Then, they tested their data against the prevailing hypotheses about the genetic history of Przewalski's horse. According to one hypothesis, Przewalski's horse evolved first, with the domestic horse later evolving as a derivative species. According to another hypothesis, the genetic story is the opposite: the direct ancestors of the domestic horse were first on the evolutionary scene, with Przewalski's horse evolving and forming a new species later. According to the former hypothesis, the divergence of the two species had to have occurred around the time of horse domestication -- about 6,000 to 10,000 years ago.

"My team discovered that neither scenario is likely," Makova said. "Instead, our data suggest that Przewalski's horse and the domestic horse are much more distantly related. In fact, they probably shared a common ancestor as far back as 160,000 years ago, long before horse domestication. This is a major shift in our understanding of the history of Przewalski's horse." To bolster their conclusions, the team also sequenced a portion of the Przewalski's horse's nuclear DNA -- the part of the genome passed to offspring from parents of both sexes. In addition, they sequenced a portion of the genome of a third species known as the Somali wild ass, the wild progenitor of donkeys. Makova explained that adding this information allowed her team to "calibrate the molecular clock of horse evolution," thus narrowing the window of time for sub-species divergence and confirming her team's suspicions that horse domestication and the emergence of Przewalski's horse were two very distant and independent events.

Makova added that, although the two species diverged well over 100,000 years ago, they have interbred periodically since then. "Also fortunate is the fact that conservationists in the second half of the 20th century realized how grave the situation was for the Przewalski's horse. They not only began new breeding efforts and built wildlife reserves in California and the Ukraine, but they also made sure to avoid inbreeding among close relatives," Makova said. "For this reason, the present-day population has managed to remain healthy by retaining substantial genetic diversity."

Makova and her team hope that their findings will help guide future conservation efforts for the endangered horse species. "The idea is to gradually reintroduce Przewalski's horse into the wild," Makova said. "For example, now that we have a more thorough understanding of the different maternal lineages, we can diversify the animal's gene pool even more. This will be a way to ensure that members of wild species suffer as few recessive diseases as possible and have the best opportunity to flourish once they are introduced into the appropriate habitat."

In addition, the researchers hope to further horse-evolution studies by sequencing the genomes of additional breeds of domestic horses, and, eventually, by sequencing the complete genome of Przewalski's horse. "More genetic data means a more precise evolutionary clock," Makova explained. "The more we know, the more we can adjust the time frame for when Przewalski's horse and other horses diverged from their common ancestor." Makova added that she and her team also would like to identify the genes that code for the physical differences between Przewalski's horse and the domestic horse. "It's always been a curious question why Przewalski's horse is so much shorter and stockier in stature than the domestic horse, and also why Przewalski's horse has a shorter, thicker mane," Makova said. "A deeper genetic analysis and subsequent experiments could reveal the very genes that determine differences in appearance between the two species."

This research is supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

UC Davis: The shows CAN go on – carefully

After determining the virus that caused the death of one horse in California and the quarantine of 17 others is closely related to a single Utah horse show, the University of California Davis has informed horse show and event managers that the shows can go on – albeit carefully.

The UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital informed horse show and event managers Tuesday it has concluded the EHV-1 outbreak is centered around horses that were present at the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championships held at the Golden Spike Event Center in Ogden Utah, from April 30 to May 8 or the Kern County Cutting Event in Bakersfield on May 13. This includes cutting horses that did not attend either of these two events but have subsequently come into contact with horses from those events.

Instead of recommending the suspension of all horse shows throughout the region in the coming weeks, UC Davis suggests show and event managers incorporate precautionary steps to minimize the risk for all participants. These steps include a “no fever” policy for all horses at the event as well as a strict verification from participants upon arriving at a horse show venue that all horses on arrival had no contact whatsoever with either the suspect cutting events nor any horses that attended them.

“It is understood that some or most horses with a fever will not have EHV-1; however, in the interest of conducting a safe event under the current circumstances, the no fever policy will be enforced,” UC Davis said in a prepared statement. “If you do not wish to comply with these safety measures please do not attend the event.”

Show managers have embraced the UC Davis announcement as a positive step toward normalcy in a regional show scene that has been disrupted the last week while state officials evaluated the nature of the EHV-1 outbreak.

“UC Davis and California Department of Food and Agriculture have come out with a thoughtful explanation of what are reasonable steps to take for horse owners at competitions in light of the current course the EHM strain of EHV-1 has taken,” said Robert Kellerhouse, General Manager of Galway Downs Equestrian Center in Temecula, where last weekend’s Greater San Diego Hunter Jumper Association show was cancelled because of the outbreak. “I am very pleased that the experts at UC Davis and CDFA have analyzed the facts and provided a path for people to follow to better protect their horses at competitions.”

Kellerhouse added that one competition under his management, the Event at Woodside, will take place this weekend as scheduled.

The Memorial Day Classic hunter-jumper show scheduled for this weekend at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center is on schedule, but show officials say worried horse owners are staying home. As of Tuesday, two-thirds of the anticipated 600 horses expected in the show, a traditional centerpiece to the region’s show season, are not scheduled to participate, said Marnye Langer, Vice President of Langer Equestrian Group.

“It is now beginning to pick up a little, but much of the damage has been done, “ said Langer. “We have lost sponsors. Arena businesses are being impacted by this. Local charity groups that hold fund-raising activities at the Memorial Day Classic will be making little or no money.

“While the internet is a great tool and resource, it can also fuel the fires of misinformation and heightened emotions,” added Langer, whose event team managed a Colorado show through the crisis before returning to California for the Memorial Day Classic. “No one wants to see horses get sick. We pride ourselves on running safe, excellent, exciting events — horses are not dying right and left, the disease is not spreading like wildfire, the state is not quarantining facilities right and left.”

The state reports no new cases of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) caused by EHV-1 since Monday in California. The count of horses testing positive for the virus is 18 across 12 counties, including Amador (1), Glenn (2), Kern (2), Los Angeles (1), Marin (1), Napa (1), Placer (3), Plumas(1), Sacramento (1), Shasta(1), Stanislaus (3) and Ventura (1).

CDFA has quarantined all infected horses and continues to advise that horses returning from those events and horses that have subsequently come into contact with returning horses avoid moving from their home premises until California has gone 14 days without a new case of EHM.

A mare that did not particpate in either of the cuttings yet exhibited signs of EHM was subject of an investigation by Anmal Health Branch veterinarians who determined she did not have the same strain of virus as the horses in the confirmed cases. The mare, a participant in the Rancheros Vistadores ride in Santa Ynez May 5 – 12, reportedly exhibited neurological signs compatible with a number of equine diseases or conditions, but three sets of nasal swabs and blood testing on this mare indicated she was negative for the mutant strain of EHV-1 that causes EHM. Instead, she tested positive for a more common strain of EHV-1 that most frequently causes respiratory signs and on rare occasion causes neurological signs.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

CANCELLED DUE TO EXPOSURE TO EQUINE HERPESVIRUS

From the AllAboutCutting.com E-News
By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 14, 2011

BREEDERS INVITATIONAL LATEST CUTTING TO BE CANCELLED DUE TO EXPOSURE TO EQUINE HERPESVIRUS

OUTBREAK STARTED AT NCHA WESTERN NATIONALS AT OGDEN AND CAUSED CANCELLATION OF THE TEJON CUTTING IN LEBEC, CALIF.

The Breeders Invitational, which began today and was scheduled to run through Saturday, May 28, was cancelled late today due to the Equine Herpesvirus outbreak which has caused dozens of affected horses and even several deaths.

The outbreak of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1) was traced to horses who attended the NCHA Western Nationals in Ogden, Utah, where one horse reportedly died. From there, many horses headed to a cutting in Bakersfield, Calif., where several horses showed signs of the highly contagious disease and three horses were reported by contestants to have died.

The PCCHA sprung into action, cancelling the PCCHA Tejon Ranch Cutting,

scheduled for May 19-22 at Lebec, Calif. Also, the Breeders Invitational in Tulsa, Okla., decided to cancel their high-paying show later today, after several horses showed signs of a fever. A press release from the Breeder's Invitational will be forthcoming regarding the future of this year's show.

Also, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is investigating two confirmed cases of EHV-1 within the state and two quarantines have been placed on two Weld County premises. One horse was euthanized after showing severe neurological signs associated with the disease and the second horse is currently under observation in a biosecure location.
Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Keith Roehr said, "We will continue to trace the movement of these horses and those horses they came into contact with in order to protect Colorado's equine industry." Both horses had at the NCHA Western Nationals in Ogden.

According to a press release from the Animal Health Division of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the outbreak of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1) has been traced to horses who attended the NCHA Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah, on April 30-May 8, where many of the horses who participated in the event may have been exposed. Many were from out of state, including Texas.

They encourage owners of horses who participated in Ogden to isolate and monitor their horses for clinical signs of disease. A rectal temperature in excess of 102F commonly precedes other clinical signs and they are urging owners to take temperatures twice a day. If temperatures are above 102F, owners are urged to contact their veterinarians. Laboratory submission of nasal swabs and blood samples collected from the exposed horse can be utilized for virus detection and isolation.

The EHV-1 organism spreads quickly from horse to horse and the neurologic form of the virus can reach high morbidity and mortality rates. The incubation period of EHV-1 is typically 2-10 days. In horses infected with the neurologic strain of EHV-1, clinical signs may include: nasal discharge, incoordination, hind-end weakness, recumbency,lethargy, urine dribbling and dimished tail tone. Prognosis depends on severeity of signs and the period of recumbency.

There is no specific treatment for EHV-1 but it could include intravenous fluids and anti-inflammatory drugs. Currently there is no equine vaccine that has a label claim for protection against the neurological strain of the virus. Some of the owners of horses that have been at the affected events, have been giving their horses immune system boosters.

Horse-to-horse contact, aerosol transmission and contaminated hands, equipment, tack and feed all play a role in disease spread. However, horses with severe clinical signs of neurological EHV-1 illness are thought to have large viral loads in their blood and nasal secretions and, therefore, present the greatest danger for spreading the disease.

Immediate separation and isolation of identified suspect cases and implementation of appropriate biosecurity measures are key elements for disease control.

For additional information, go to
USDA.

For an American Association of Equine Practitioners Fact Sheet go to:
AAEP Fact Sheet

You can also contact Kent Fowler, DVM, Animal Health Branch Chief of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. (916) 657-5045 or (916) 837-3419 (cell) or in Colorado contact Christi Lightcap (303) 239-4190 or Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Rescue of 133 Allegedly Neglected Horses in Maryland

May 4, 2011
HSUS Release

CENTREVILLE, Md.— The Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Days End Farm Horse Rescue and Summer Winds Stables assisted Queen Anne County Animal Control enforcement in the rescue of 133 horses from a Centreville property. The animals were removed from the property by Queen Anne County Animal Control after the County witnessed poor conditions during an inspection of the property. This is one of the largest equine rescues in the state.

When rescuers arrived on the 200-acre property, they found 133 Polish Arabian horses. Many were in poor health and showing signs of neglect. Many of the animals were extremely emaciated and suffering from a variety of medical ailments including overgrown, infected hooves and parasite infestation. Queen Anne County Animal Control initiated this case and reached out to the rescue groups for assistance.

The horses are being transported to several private stables for temporary shelter. All of the horses will be checked by a team of veterinarians and given any necessary immediate medical care. The rescued horses are in the custody of Queen Anne County and will be cared for by The HSUS, ASPCA, Summer Winds Stables and Days End until their owner formally surrenders ownership or successfully petitions a court to have her horses returned.

Statements from groups involved in the rescue:

“The Humane Society of the United States is proud to be able to come to the aid of these animals. Our rescue came not a moment too soon for some of the especially sick horses. There’s no excuse for starving or neglecting an animal. It is the responsibility of every horse owner to provide humane, responsible care for their horses at all stages of their life.” – Stacy Segal, equine protection specialist for The HSUS.

“Over breeding has led to the neglect of many of the impounded horses. Our breeders need to be held responsible.” – Brooke Vrany, Days End.

“These horses have suffered greatly and the ASPCA is glad to be able to lend its assistance and get these animals the treatment and care they so desperately need. Our goal is to work with various animal welfare groups to quickly remove the animals from the property and help them get to a safe place.” – Tim Rickey, senior director of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response.

“Queen Anne County Animal Control is glad to come to the aid of these animals. We will be doing weekly visits to the property to be sure that the remaining horses are being properly cared for.” – Dave MacGlashan, director of Queen Anne’s County Animal Control

Horse owners who can no longer care for their horses have many humane options available to them:
•Sell the horse to a properly vetted, private owner
•Lease the horse to another horse enthusiast
•Donate the horse to a therapeutic riding center, park police unit or similar program
•Relinquish the horse to a horse rescue or sanctuary
•Consider humane euthanasia

Thursday, April 7, 2011

New Gelding Clinic Program to be Tested in California in 2011

A statewide gelding clinic program will be conducted at various locations throughout California in 2011. This program is intended to help economically challenged horse owners castrate their colts and stallions at a minimum cost and to decrease equine breeding at a time when there is a surplus of horses in the United States.

Shirley Puga, founder of the National Equine Rescue Network (NERN), said the goal of this program is to geld 100 or more horses in California in 2011, while creating a template for these clinics that can then be expanded to benefit horse owners nationwide.

"The current economy has created a greater number of displaced horses and this trend will likely continue for at least the next few years," Puga said. "By gelding colts and stallions, we can help reduce the number of new horses coming into the world during these trying economic times. Hopefully, proactive measures such as these will go a long way toward alleviating this problem."

The gelding clinics are collaborative efforts with local nonprofit equine welfare organizations, and veterinarians who volunteer their time for this important work. The gelding clinics are scheduled throughout California on a monthly basis from February to June with additional clinics planned for October through December.



The first clinic in the series will be held in February at Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center, located in Huntington Beach, Calif., in partnership with Red Bucket Equine Rescue. The locations and times for this and all subsequent clinics will be announced 30 days in advance of each event, and a full schedule will soon be posted on the NERN website.

NERN, a nonprofit organization, is accepting donations from the public to help defray the costs of these clinics, each of which are expected to geld between 10 and 20 horses.

Donations can be made through the organization's website.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Not Just Simple Math

There are appraisers who will tell you they can appraise any kind of horse. Really? It's not just simple math. Appraising is more than just mathematical formulas, where an appraiser "pluses" or "minuses" to arrive at a reliable valuation. In my opinion, appraisers who say they can appraise any horse, even ones they don't have personal experience with, are missing a few key elements.


Ethics

The American Society of Equine Appraisers has a published Code of Ethics. The first principle is straight forward:

The appraiser shall achieve and maintain a high level of competence, shall keep himself or herself informed as to all matters involving or affecting livestock and equine values, and shall accept only those assignments for which he/she has the necessary background and qualifications.


Standards

Without a clear understanding of breed standards, it is impossible to accurately evaluate the subject equine. Conformation, movement, and even manners can be defined in a particular breed's standards. They vary from breed to breed. Some breeds even have multiple registries with differing ideals. And, competitive associations have their own rules, standards, and awards. An acceptable and legal practice in the presentation of one breed of horse may be frowned upon or illegal in another.


Contacts

Unlike real estate and some commodities, there isn't a central market for horse sales. As such, there is no single repository for historical horse prices by breed, sex, and discipline. Each appraisal is researched on its own merits. The starting point is a strong network of contacts throughout various segments of the equestrian community. Sales barns and auctions provide guidance around the whole market, but it is private treaty sales - sales between individual buyers and sellers - that make up the bulk of sales comparisons for most breeds. Appraisers must continuously groom their network of owners, agents, and others to keep an accurate pulse on the rhythms of each breed, discipline, and level within each market.


The attorneys we work with know they can count on us to be experts in certain areas. And, we're quick to refer them to experts in other areas when necessary. For example, I do not have the background or network to appraise a Mule, a Gypsy Vanner, or a working Carriage Horse - though I have recently offered referrals for all of these.

We're lucky to have a well rounded team at Sterling Equine Appraisals. We have team members who focus on specific breeds and specific disciplines. They participate and interact in that segment of the horse industry every day, keeping their eyes well trained and their skills up to date with current market trends. This pool of resources allows us to appraise a wide variety of horses...but I'd never say we "know it all!"

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Current Trends in the Horse Industry

Here is a copy of a recent e-newsletter from Al Dunning. It should be required reading for Associations and trainers alike!

The Way I See It – Current Trends in the Horse Industry

The Hands-on Owner Returns! The economy seems to be making a slow comeback as indicated by the rise of the stock market and retail sales.The housing market in Arizona is still in a depressed state and the unemployment rate remains at an all-time high.

People have made big changes in the way they live and the way they spend their money, and this filters into every niche of business, including the horse industry. My view of the horse economy admittedly comes only from my current experiences, but seems to be the norm for many trainers.

In the past few years I’ve seen horse sales, the number of people participating in shows, and the amount of discretionary income spent in the industry decline. I thought that the high-end market for horses remained strong until the summer of 2010. After that time, our sales to new customers and the economic flow went south. The jobless rate in the horse industry has noticeably increased as we get calls daily from experienced trainers to grooms looking for jobs.

I have caught a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel in early 2011, and economic predictors say the end of 2012 will see an upturn in the economy. I have noticed something interesting happening. The baby boomers have finally decided that it is time to have fun and ride horses. They are coming back to the horse industry after raising children or tending to their careers. Many of these riders have been hands-off horse owners for many years. They may have had horses in training and paid entry fees at large aged events for the trainers to show. They now want to compete themselves. The NCHA and other major associations offer entry level classes for the amateur riders that allow this group to participate with fellow horsemen at the same level.

This trend has led to an increase in demand for that good, solid, trooper of a horse that amateur riders can learn and compete on. The AQHA announced a major decline in stallion breeding reports the last few years, which means the supply is down while demand is headed up. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize a smart trainer should take care of these re-emerging hands-on riders and train horses that suit the weekend warrior. Showing at a local level is still a major investment for owners, but they are doing it for pure love of the sport and to advance their lifestyle. If they are going to spend the money, many owners would rather spend a weekend showing themselves, than write a big check for the trainer to go to a large event.

Trainers must set their personal desires aside and open their eyes to the reality of what the industry is asking for.

The way I see it, the enthusiastic newcomer and the hands-on amateur are the foundation of our industry. Local level and weekend shows are drawing those that ride and show for pure enjoyment and personal fulfillment. Older, solid horses are going to be sought after and in demand. The horse industry will rebound, and I believe it will be stronger than ever.

Change isn’t a bad thing, and flexibility is the key to surviving these shaky economic times.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Congratulations! Harding Wins Lavell Dressage Prize

Press Release February 21, 2011
Shawna Harding Wins 2011 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize
By: Meghan Blackburn

The Dressage Foundation’s Board of Directors has named Shawna Harding of Aiken, S.C., the 2011 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize winner. She will accept her award of $25,000 on March 6 during a presentation at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby (Fla.).

Harding, who has applied for the award for the last three years, plans to put her prize money towards taking two horses, Come On III, a 12-year-old Danish Warmblood (Come Back II—Canna, Lantaan), and Rigo, a 10-year-old Hanoverian (Rotspon—Winnegpeg H, Weltmeyer), to train and show in Europe.

“It’s been a much needed a financial boost,” said Harding. “Winning the award makes the possibility of going to Europe an actual possibility. It’s so expensive to just fly the horses over. It’s at least $30,000 to get two horses there and back.”

Getting two horses to Europe also takes some planning. Harding has been tentatively setting show dates for Come On III and Rigo and is currently researching trainers with whom she’d like to ride during her stay.

“I’ve been talking to friends over there [in Europe] about trainers, finding out who’s current and upcoming, because I think we’re coming into a new era of dressage,” Harding said. “I want to really make it worthwhile. I don’t want to be just another American rider floating around someone’s indoor.”

Harding hopes her schedule will allow for a fall departure overseas, ideally after the Pan American Games this October in Guadalajara, Mexico, for which she hopes to qualify with Rigo. She and her team are working hard to settle details, and she’s excited to start the experience.

“I really want to thank Carol [Lavell] and the selection group,” said Harding. “It’s a huge honor. It’s been a long, hard road, and it’s difficult to hold onto these great horses. I feel blessed to have been given some much needed financial help to do so.”

Lavell founded the $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize with the purpose of providing financial assistance to riders “to reach and excel at the elite, international standards of high performance dressage.”

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Equine Appraisal Career - Part II

Recently, I posted Part I, with the answers I give to the most frequently asked questions from those considering becoming an equine appraiser. If you love and are knowledgable about horses, are well written, well spoken, and willing to run a professional business, being an equine appraiser may be a lot of fun for you.

As promised, this is about a "day in the life" of an equine appraiser. I am a lifetime certified equine appraiser and have been studying horse values for over a decade. I thought those interested in the profession might find value in a typical day.

Recently, I appraised a 10 year old Warmblood gelding that had been donated to a non-profit. We'll call him "Casey."

Monday 5:30 AM - 6:30 AM
For the first hour, I review emails and return inquiries. If the inquiry comes from the East coast, which is three hours ahead, now is the perfect time to return phone calls. Otherwise, I will respond via email. Lastly, I take one last look at all the submitted materials about "Casey," his ownership and vet history, his show record and training experiences, to be most prepared to see him in person later today.

I also make a plan about the rest of the day. Do I have fresh batteries in the camera? Is the video camera charged? Are my business cards and brochures stocked? Who else do I need to follow up with?

Monday 6:30 - 10 AM
I drive to the on-site inspection.

I make good use of the travel time following up on other appraisal projects. I had three in the works on this particular day, so I made calls to an attorney, a performance horse association, and a veterinarian, to request various records or ask questions about their client's horses. Of course, I am doing this hands-free and asking them to fax or email their responses, so I am not trying to take notes. I may pull over and jot down a lead or tip (like the name of a prior owner not listed on a horse's registration certificate) so I can follow up on it when I am back in the office.

During the drive, I mentally prepare for the questions I need to ask and how I will handle any unique circumstances, like a facility without a suitable riding arena. I have had the benefit of seeing several show videos of Casey, so I have an opinion about what kind of horse he is before I even get out of the car.


Monday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Being professional means being on time; I never want to have my clients waiting for me. I arrive at the non-profit facility a few minutes early. I get my paperwork out, make sure I have everything I need on my clip board, and walk to the barn. I introduce myself, and hand my business card to the trainer. She will be assisting me during the on-site inspection.

10:00 - 10:20
I watch Casey be led out of his stall to the grooming area. I observe his walk for the footfall, and also begin to assess his conformation. This is a lot like judging Halter, but I am evaluating Casey's build against the Warmblood breed standards and against the most appropriate structures to perform his particular discipline, which is jumping.

My first impression is that Casey is a handsome horse that looks like he's always had a job - there are some lumps and bumps on his legs, but he's in great physical condition and has very good eye-appeal. A potential buyer would like him! During this time, I am making notes about Casey's build, and mentally keeping track of things that I want to observe when he moves (at liberty and under saddle). For instance, Casey toes out slightly, so I would like to see if that translates into winging or paddling when he moves.

I also observe his attitude and manners. Does he stand tied? Are there any places on his body that he reacts to while being groomed or tacked up? Would a novice feel comfortable and be safe handling this horse? Not every horse is beginner friendly, and the market for "experienced handlers" is considerably smaller than the one for horses that anyone can handle.

After my initial review, the trainer takes Casey out to a level, grassy area. I keep watching his movement and attitude. Then she poses him for pictures. In addition to validating my impressions about his conformation, the pictures document the specific horse I saw. This helps to confirm registration, reported markings, brands, and other unique characteristics.

This is a very detail oriented job.

10:20 - 10:35
Casey is taken to the arena. Being an appraiser, I am an observer. I stand back and watch a lot. First, I want to make sure he is servicably sound and to examine the quality of his movement. Then I am looking to see how adjustable, broke and easy to ride Casey is. This helps me identify the type of buyer for which he would be most suitable. And, that helps me determine his place in the overall show horse market.

The trainer works Casey at the walk, trot and canter, around the ring and across the diagonals. I don't want to interfere, but I also have certain things that I need to see. I ask to see some equitation test elements like halt and reinback, counter canter, and sitting and extended trots. She shows me a few flying changes, too.

Overall, Casey seems happy and quiet in his work. He's actually much softer and more quiet than I expected from the show videos. He seems a little bracey in his jaw and doesn't want to flex at the poll. I consider the tack and ask the trainer about the bit. I also explain what I observe and ask for her feedback to help develop my opinions.

10:35 - 10:50
Now that Casey is warmed up, the trainer is ready to jump him. We set a few fences. I take a couple of photos and a little video during this portion so I can make sure what I think I see as his jumping style is really his true form. The way a horse jumps is an indication of athletic ability, training, and suitability to the various divisions. In very basic terms, a Hunter should be round, a Jumper should be efficient, an Equitation horse will probably jump a little flat and be pretty adjustable.

We build up to a few lines, an oxer, a vertical. Casey is happy to jump, and gets the distances (even though the arena is small and I set one line a little long). He needs a little help balancing in the corner, so I know he's not a rank beginner's horse. His jumping form is efficient, though not especially stylish, comfirming that the Jumper division is a really good fit for him.

10:50 - 11:00
Casey walks a few rounds to cool out and then we head back to the grooming area. I continue to observe him. Is he taking the same steps now that he did before working out? Yup! No issues with work. Is he well behaved to be unsaddled? How does his back look? I ask a few more questions about his daily care, feeding and routines. I think I now have a clearer picture of Casey. After a few more notes, I thank the trainer and staff, then leave the facility.

Monday 11:00 - 2:00 PM
I start driving back to the office. I call one of the other appraisers in my firm and ask her to get USEF records for Casey. I provide the USEF number and ownership details that I got during my discussions with the trainer this morning. I share my observations of Casey and ask her to start pulling sales comparables. It's great to have partners!

Monday 3:00 - 5:00 PM
After a on-the-road lunch, I am back in the office. With all this new data, photos, and video, I need to get it on the computer for safe keeping. While the on-site inspection takes about an hour, it is just the tip of the appraisal iceburg. I did research before the on-site and still have a great deal of research to do now. Throughout the data transfer process, I am making notes and capturing my observations, opinions, and next steps.

I make a few phone calls to get vet records on Casey. It usually takes about 24 hours from the time we request information until we receive it, so fact gathering for the appraisal stretches out over several days.

And, I have received some of the information I requested on other projects. I get that organized, make sure I know where things were filed that came in while I was on the road, and follow up on any emails or phone calls that require my personal attention. At 5 PM, I am wrapping up a very successful and productive day.


I hope this provides a glimpse into the multi-tasking job of being an equine appraiser. Good luck to all those who try it.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Equine Appraisal Career - Part I

It never fails: I receive more inquires about what it's like to be an equine appraiser at the beginning of the year than at any other time. Perhaps people welcome in the New Year by considering their career choices. 2011 has been similar in the volume of inquiries, though I have noticed that more young people have called or emailed. They seem to share a background in horses but have very little practical work / business experience. This could be an indicator that with the soft economy, recent graduates would rather make a job than land one.

In this posting, I will share the basic information I have prepared in response to the most often asked questions. Also, the FAQs on www.equineappraisals.com answer many of the how and why questions I receive.


Most appraisers are self-employed. As a self-employed professional, it will be up to you to market your service and drive your business. How busy you are will be determined by your success in those areas and the demand for your services in the breed / geography in which you concentrate your efforts. Each appraiser’s experience is different. It is like running any other independent business – you get out of it what you put into it. Many appraisers do it “part-time” to supplement their other income, often from various aspects in the industry like training, giving lessons, or running a sales barn.


There isn’t a single answer for how long appraisals take or how much each one generates. As an entrepreneur, you are responsible for the turn around time of your product and the pricing strategy you use. Understanding your fixed and variable cost streams will help you determine how to price your work. A quick search of the internet showed me that less experienced appraisers charge between $350 to $500 for an appraisal, and more experienced appraisers can charge up to $1,200. (The type of appraisal and service may vary widely, as I discuss next).


My personal experience is that appraisals vary in their time requirements based on the type of appraisal being performed and the circumstances under which the service is being rendered. Ten hours is a reasonable estimate, but I have certainly worked on some audit and litigation appraisals that have taken much, much longer. While the ethical and technical requirements are the same for every appraisal, the amount of due diligence and research required is different for each project.


In reality, the On-Site Inspection takes about an hour, making it the "quick" portion of your work. The bulk of your time will be spent researching the horse, the market, and other recent sales, to determine the valuation. There are plenty of phone calls / waiting for people to return calls including other sellers, vets, farriers, trainers, past owners, perhaps even lawyers, and insurance reps. Then you will need to prepare the report and certification. Your skills on the computer will determine how long this takes, along with the complexity of the project. We turn around most appraisals between 2 weeks to a month.


Well written and well spoken are essential ingredients of a great appraiser. Some firms, like Sterling, take on interns to help new appraisers learn the ropes. I always keep a file of those folks who have expressed interest. A resume and details about your horse experiences help me to evaluate your communication skills and writing abilities. If you don't take the time to format and spell check your resume, chances are good I will not want to proofread your appraisal reports.


The American Society of Equine Appraisers can provide much greater details about organizing and running your own businesses. They can also put you in touch with appraisers already certified in your area if you are interested in seeking mentorship opportunities.


In Part II, I will share a Day-In-The-Life account of a recent appraisal project.

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