The Horse

DEC 2017

The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.

Issue link: https://thehorse.epubxp.com/i/899161

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 55 of 59

57 December 2017 THE HORSE TheHorse.com FARMCALL TheHorse.com/Farm-Call This column features readers' questions on specific illnesses, diseases, and conditions, with answers from American Association of Equine Practitioners members or their designates. Send questions to FarmCall@TheHorse.com, or The Horse, 3101 Beaumont Centre Circle, Suite 100, Lexington, KY 40513. Questions will be edited for publication and must include the author's name, address, and daytime telephone number. Farm Call is compiled by Managing Editor Alexandra Beckstett. Q My friend is going on vacation and is paying me to take care of her farm, horses, and dog while she is away. Should there be a written contract or document that we sign to protect both her and I in the event that something happens out of my control while she is away (e.g., horse becomes extremely sick, dog runs away, property gets damaged, etc.)? Jennifer via e-mail A A written contract is a smart move to set appropriate expectations on both sides and to limit your liability. On a farm, anything can (and probably will) happen! If the contract spells out everything you are expected to do (you could include tasks in the body of the contract or as an attachment), you and your friend will both have peace of mind knowing you have a specific plan for caring for her farm and animals. I've drafted a number of ranch-sitting contracts, and here are some items to consider including in yours: ■ Reimbursement if you need to purchase supplies, feed, or anything else while your friend is gone; ■ Authorization to seek veterinary care for her animals while she is away; and ■ Authorization to deal with household emergencies such as burst pipes and fallen trees. You may not be able to reach your friend right away if an emergency happens, so it's important for both of you to know that you can use your judgment to handle the situation as you see fit. Rachel Kosmal McCart Equine Legal Solutions PC Licensed to practice in CA, NY, OR, and WA Farm-Sitting Peace of Mind ISTOCK.COM PZP, Please? Q I've read about the PZP vaccine (porcine zona pel- lucida, used for fertility control in some animals), and I was wondering where I would be able to order it. I live in northern Oklahoma, and I have adopted three rescue horses. Two of these are mares, and it is in our contract that they cannot be impregnated. We have a stud that is currently separated, but we would prefer he be with the rest of our herd, rather than two pastures away. Any information would be very helpful! Jessika Kelly via e-mail A I sympathize with your question. Of course, we'd all like to see horses kept in as natural groups as possible. Unfortunately, due to a wrinkle in the federal regulations, the PZP vaccine has only been ap- proved for use in wild horses and burros, either on the range or in sanctuaries. So it is not generally available to horse owners. Approval for such wider use would require jumping higher and much more expensive regulatory hurdles. In the meantime, the best place to find current in- formation on PZP is on the website of the Science and Conservation Center (SCC), in Billings, Montana (sccpzp. org). The SCC makes and distributes the vaccine and conducts required training sessions for potential users. Allen Rutberg, PhD Director, Center for Animals and Public Policy Research Assistant Professor, Biomedical Sciences Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Tufts University Before farm-sitting, spell out everything you are expected to do in a contract signed by both parties. Mustang mares are released after being treated with the PZP fertility control agent. BLM NEVADA VIA FLICKR CC

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Horse - DEC 2017