Competitive horse racing is an ancient sport that dates back to 4500 BC. Fast forward to the 21st century, and the sport — and equestrianism in general — continues to thrive. Today, the equine industry contributes nearly $40 billion to the U.S. economy each year.
Through world-class horse care, pain free testing for equine diseases, and nutritional breakthroughs, the Leatherdale Equine Center at the University of Minnesota is making a difference for horse owners every where.
Addressing horse health through cutting-edge care
The Leatherdale Equine Center is advancing the health, well-being and performance of horses by providing cutting-edge, comprehensive and compassionate care for all kinds of equine patients.
In Minnesota, some enthusiasts teach, some compete, and others ride for fun. But they all share a mutual devotion to horses and demand the best veterinary care available.
That’s where the University of Minnesota’s Leatherdale Equine Center comes in. Through a combination of research, teaching and community outreach, the center is advancing the health, well-being and performance of horses. The facility provides cutting-edge, comprehensive and compassionate care for all kinds of equine patients.
“After almost 20 years, I’m still amazed by the wealth of resources at the U of M,” says Stephanie Valberg, director of the center.
Valberg has been enamored with horses since she was barely old enough to walk. In September 2012, she was the first woman to be inducted into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors for researchers in her field.
World-class care for horses
Veterinary medicine, like other medical professions, has become increasingly specialized. In response, the Leatherdale Equine Center provides team-based care that draws on top specialists in internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, reproduction, radiology, ophthalmology and more. The center’s research strengths lie in addressing muscle diseases, equine genetics, and equine orthopedics.
Pain-free testing for equine diseases
Valberg and her team have made great strides in equine research over the past decade, including developing the first pain-free diagnostic tests for two pervasive equine muscle diseases, and inventing a feed to prevent horses from experiencing muscle cramping during exercise.
The following inventions have generated more than $100,000 in revenue for the U of M and have established the university as a world leader in equine research:
Muscle diseases: Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) is a genetic mutation that predates modern horse breeding. This common disease is characterized by excessive and abnormal storage of sugar in muscle cells. Without changes in the horse’s diet and exercise regime, the resulting muscle cramps make riding nearly impossible.
Glycogen branching enzyme deficiency affects foals in the womb and just after birth. Foals with this disease don’t properly store sugar in their tissues, resulting in weakness, seizures and ultimately death before they reach eight weeks of age. Although there are no existing treatments for the deadly affliction, breeders can test potential parents for the recessive gene and make breeding choices to avoid producing affected foals based on the results.
Today, testing horses for these diseases is simple: the U of M’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory can analyze a sample of hair from the mane of an animal that lives across the country or on the other side of the world.
Nutrition breakthroughs
Valberg’s research has yielded a solution for horses diagnosed with PSSM and other forms of muscle cramping, in the form of a special feed. The feed is nutritionally proportioned to cut out sugars that exacerbate the painful effects of PSSM and replace the energy in the form of fat.