When we share what we know, who we know, our time, our talents and even ourselves, the world is a better place. In many cases, it’s also very good for the industry and our own businesses! Here are a couple of cases in point from this issue of EquiManagement:
Coronavirus Incidence
First, in our Of Note section, we have an article about coronavirus, mostly thought to be an opportunistic virus in foals with diarrhea. However, IDEXX Laboratories had heard from industry professionals who suggested that coronavirus might be accelerating in incidence.
IDEXX added coronavirus to its “diarrhea panel” for testing in 2008. What test results have shown is that coronavirus is an emerging cause of diarrhea in adult horses. Sharing this information might enable veterinarians and the industry to better combat coronavirus as a cause of debilitating diarrhea in horses over 5 years of age.
100 Day Horse Challenge
Second is the new 100 Day Horse Challenge. Three years ago, several leading companies, organizations (including the AAEP) and individuals determined that as the recession was ending, the time was right for members of the equine industry to band together and reach out to the general public in order to grow participation in this industry. An organization was formed and became part of the American Horse Council. After financial commitment, research and testing of the resulting messaging with the targeted audience, the organization has launched a campaign for the summer of 2014. Veterinarians are encouraged to participate. The 100 Day Horse Challenge seeks 1,000 “hosts” to hold events within 100 days this summer, with the end goal of each host reaching 100 “non-horse” people and introducing them to horses. If you do the math, that would mean 100,000 new people would have hands-on experiences with horses!
There will be marketing support for the hosts, as well as shares of $100,000 in cash and prizes. There are three divisions for hosts based on the number of horses or the size of their businesses or organizations. Top cash award for the largest division is $25,000, plus other prizes. Visit TimetoRide.com for more information.
Veterinarians are go-to people in the horse industry, being particularly trusted sources of health and care information. Because of this, they can use their influence, expertise and contacts to help a group become a host—or become hosts themselves—for the 100 Day Horse Challenge.
EquiManagement.com
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