Exploring EPM at OSU

Spent part of the morning at The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital to shoot video for our next “Bays Anatomy”—this one on EPM. Dr. Catherine Kohn wrote the column, but Dr. Sam Hurcombe conducted a thorough neurological examination on a horse for our video purposes. Dr. Hurcombe, who has been at OSU since 2005, showed us what you look for physically in an EPM horse, an even explained the spinal tap and blood test procedures.

Hoof Beats has long had a relationship with Ohio State, but since Dr. Rustin Moore came on staff and spoke at our USTA board of directors meeting a few years ago, that relationship has grown a lot. They are always helping us with stories and photo shoots, and even tipping us off to great stories like Sharky Spur, who broke his leg in a way similar to Barbaro, but with a much happier ending. (I saw his surgeon, Dr. Yvonne Elce, at the clinic today, and she told me he is doing very well and breeding mares at his Pennsylvania home!)

In addition to our wonderful equine model, there was a whole host of calves and goats and other horses parading around the hospital—and it was great to see. I have my share of personal experiences at OSU—my horse, Best Of Dani, was treated for uveitis there by Dr. David Wilkie, and was, ultimately, euthanized there. My dogs Cody and Shana were treated for various injuries and ailments there, before they, too, breathed their last with OSU vets at their side. Right now I also run a foundation called Cody’s Club, where I provide funding and counseling for people who have pets needing radiation therapy, and through that program I work a lot with radiation oncologist Dr. Eric Green, who is terrific. All of my animals have received nothing but the best possible care at Ohio State, and I am grateful to have it in my “backyard,” should veterinary problems arise.

Back at the office I had a great conversation with Bill MacDonald of www.MeHarness.com, which is called “a statistical guide to Maine harness racing.” We quoted a blog from Bill’s site in the July Starting Lines, and Bill was absolutely right that we should have given him better attribution and mentioned his Web site address. If you’d like to learn more about Maine racing, check out Bill’s site—it is filled with great stuff. And we will soon be lucky to have Bill in our pages as he is authoring a story on a Maine personality for an upcoming issue. I’ll keep you posted!

Have a great day,

Nicole