Equine Innovation Trip to Ireland
Last month, Enterprise Ireland organised an international delegation from Australia, USA and Canada to meet with specialists from Ireland’s Equine Industry. The week showcased some of the most innovative companies emerging from the Irish Equine Industry and Caitrin Kelly represented Racetrack Veterinary Services as part of the delegation.
Ireland’s position as a biopharma hub matched with a reputation for breeding some of the most exceptional thoroughbred horses in the world have made Ireland a premier source of equine veterinary solutions and products.
The Irish racing and bloodstock industries are an integral component of both the Irish economy and Irish society with the contribution of the Irish Breeding and Racing industry to the Irish economy being estimated as €1.84 billion (nearly $3 billion) in 2016. 21% of the top 100 rated flat horses are Irish bred. Ireland’s equine industry has earned an international reputation for excellence with trainers like Aidan and Joseph O’Brien and Willie Mullins and institutions like Coolmore known the world over. Now more than ever, there is a recognition of Ireland as a premier source of equine veterinary solutions and products.
Spun out of this industry has emerged a cohort of Irish companies providing innovative, cutting-edge products and expertise to support elite performance in all aspects of the equine industry. Covering everything from stable equipment and veterinary products to nutrition and diagnostics, these companies are making an impact on the equine industry globally as well as on the ground in Australia.
The tour gave the delegates a holistic insight into the Irish Horse Industry with visits to the Irish National Stud and the Dublin Horse Show to see the Longines Nation’s Cup.
Company Profiles
Equilume
Equilume, headquartered at the heart of the Irish Equine Industry in County Kildare, is a world leader in the research and development of light therapy solutions to assist the global horse industry in maximizing reproductive efficiency and performance. Equilume Performance Lighting is a unique system that comprises fully automated, smart Stable Lights and mobile Light Masks designed to maximize health, performance and breeding efficiency. Developed by our R&D department, led by Dr Barbara Murphy, Head of Equine Science at University College Dublin, this revolutionary system harnesses all the benefits of natural daylight for the stabled horse and permits continued exposure to optimum lighting when travelling or at pasture.
Stablelab
Stablelab is a hand-held blood test that measures the biomarker Serum Amyloid A. It gives quantitative results within 10 minutes at the horse’s side. Stablelab detects infection with 97% accuracy. The quantitative Reader allows the veterinarian to monitor and measure the response to therapy. By using Stablelab the veterinarian can detect a problem before it is truly a problem and you can measure infection with unprecedented accuracy. Better numbers, better medicine.
Nortev
Nortev Ltd is a Veterinary Medical Device company based in Galway, on the west coast of Ireland. We are world leaders in veterinary aerosol therapy and our Flexineb Equine nebulizer is innovative, award winning and clinically proven at the highest academic level. A few seconds makes the difference between first and last place and the greatest limiting factor for an equine athlete is its lungs. A 2018 study in the USA found that 80 percent of the thoroughbred racehorses surveyed had mild or moderate asthma. Flexineb can be a key tool in treating and maintaining Equine Asthma, allowing the Equine Athlete reaching its full potential.
Horseware
30 years ago, a passionate horse rider dared to ask why and in doing so broke new ground. Founded by Tom and Carol MacGuinness, their determination to produce a blanket that didn’t leak, didn’t make the horse sweat and didn’t slip, led to the creation of the first fully waterproof and breathable turnout that really worked. We offer blankets tailored specifically for the US market, such as our Rambo Summer Series for mild climate in California and Florida, and our Rambo Duo with its layering system for changeable weather in areas such as New England. We have a 120,000 sq ft facility in Kinston, North Carolina and over 40 employees dedicated to serving the North American market. We have an unmatched record of solving problems in comfort and performance for both horse and rider.
TRM
TRM are a world renowned manufacturer of Nutritional Feed Supplement aimed at performance horses. Our products are produced at our modern manufacturing facility close to the Curragh of Kildare, home of Irish Thoroughbred Racing. We support clients in over 80 countries globally through our distributor network. Many of our products including Calphormin, Gastrofos, Grohoof, Stride, and more recently Kurasyn 360X are extensively used by leading Stud Farms, Thoroughbred Racing Trainers, Show jumpers throughout the world.
Plusvital
Plusvital has been a leader in equine science since its formation in 1975, growing out of Ireland’s world-famous racing and sport horse tradition. Since the introduction of our iconic Racing Syrup to the market over 40 years ago, we have continued to develop innovative scientifically based supplements for the serious competitor in racing, breeding and equine sports. In 2015, Plusvital acquired Equinome, a world leader in the research and development of state-of-the-art genomic tools for the Thoroughbred industry. Powered by Equinome’s cutting edge genomic tools, Plusvital now provide tests which analyse the DNA of the horse to predict optimum race distance, optimum race surface and performance potential. Our genetic testing clients include leading trainers, owner and breeders in all of the major Thoroughbred regions around the world.
Zarasyl
Zarasyl has an exlusive global license to bring veterinary products to market using technology which leverages over a decade of silicate research, development expertise and knowledge. We have developed a novel silicate complex and propriety manufacturing process that optimizes particle size, dissolution and stability for maximum product efficacy. Our product reduces the need for antibiotics in the management of skin care for animals as it uses proprietary technology to create a superior moisturising environment for wound care and to provide sustained release of orthosilicic acid, a naturally-occurring compound associated with healthy connective tissue.
Foran Equine
Foran Equine boasts a comprehensive, well-established range of over 60 products. These include superior quality nutritional supplements specifically designed to optimize health and boost performance and essential health care products for performance horses. Products are developed by an experienced multi-disciplinary team including veterinary surgeons, chemists, equine nutritionists and horsemen and women in accordance with our customers needs. Through development and innovation trials in-house and in leading educational institutes, products are put through their paces to ensure superior levels of efficacy, safety and quality.
Harmony Trickle Feeder
Harmony Trickle Feeder founded by Dr Michelle O’Connor, Veterinary Physiotherapist, developed an award-winning patented hay feeder for horses based on science and practical in-depth knowledge of equine feed management and performance. The Harmony Trickle feeder, currently sold in the EU, mimics the grazing habits of the horse and has been proven in a scientific study by the Royal Veterinary College (Edinburgh) to control the rate of eating, mimicking natural eating patterns and dietary requirements. 96% of horses in training suffer from gastric ulcers and limited forage is a major contributory factor. The Harmony Trickle feeder helps to manage gastric ulcers by providing controlled amounts of hay all day long.
Easyfix
Established by Michael Earls in 1996, EASYFIX is a family owned business. Over twenty years ago, EASYFIX designed and developed their first and flagship product; EASYFIX Slat Rubber. Since then, EASYFIX has grown from strength to strength and today has an extensive portfolio of products exclusively for dairy, beef, veal, equine, pigs, creches, gyms, decking and safety matting.
If you would like any further information about these products, please get in touch with us by emailing contact@racetrackvetservices.com
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Darby Lodge
25 Leilani Court
Mornington VIC 3931
Australia
DR EOIN KELLY : 0418 978 558
OFFICE 03 5975 6586
