Vet Prof Assesses Equine Event

VETERINARIANS PREPARE FOR OLYMPIC EQUESTRIAN TRIAL

     COLUMBUS, Ohio -- High heat and humidity put stress on
horses and that has veterinarians preparing for the 1996 Olympics
concerned.

     Veterinarians will be at the Bouckaert Farm in Chatsworth,
Ga., Aug. 23-28 to conduct the AHSA/Kimberly-Clark Field Trial.
The trial is being held to determine what effect the hot summer
weather there can have on horses and how to prevent problems in
the 1996 equestrian events.

     "Most of the equestrian events require a lot of exertion,"
said Catherine Kohn, scientific director of the trial.  "Hot and
humid conditions will be an added stress."

     Kohn, an associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences
at The Ohio State University, is president of the Veterinary
Commission for the Olympics.  She said veterinarians will be
trying to determine how events should be modified for safety.
The goal of the scientists will be to implement methods of
protecting horses that have been tested in the laboratories and
share the results with the groups regulating the equestrian
sports.

     Kohn has been conducting studies locally with Kenneth W.
Hinchcliff, an assistant professor in the College of Veterinary
Medicine.  Research work has also been conducted at the
universities of Georgia and Tennessee.

     "In 1995, by Olympic rule, there must be a competition at
the Olympic site to test out the site," said Kohn, who has
officiated at major three-day events for 15 years.  "Officials
hope to use data gathered next week to fine tune the competition
in 1995 to help us design the appropriate competition in 1996."
                                #
                                
Note to reporters: Catherine Kohn may be reached through the
weekend at (614) 292-6661.  Starting Aug. 22, she can be reached
at Bouckaert Farm, (706) 695-7662, via Liz Hoskinson, publicity
director.  Hoskinson is assistant director of marketing and
communications for the American Horse Shows Association, the U.S.
equestrian federation and regulatory body for the Olympic
equestrian sports.


[Submitted by: REIDV  (reidv@ccgate.ucomm.ohio-state.edu)
               
Mon, 22 Aug 1994 13:30:28 -0500 (EST)]
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