Awards and Accolades!

Well, it always makes me happy and proud to hear about the success of my clients in their equine sports.  Being only a portion of that equation for those clients and still being contacted by them and informed of their successes, makes the personal aspect of my career and practice most rewarding.  I want to take this moment to acknowledge two of my clients, their recent successes in their most diverse equine sports.
Taylor Flury and 'Role Model' of AliBoo Farms was ranked 1st Nationally, Horse of the Year for 5 yr old Jumpers in the United States Equestrian Federation.  Congrats to her!
Pat and Dave Breitberg of Bright Paint Show Horses recently went to the American Paint World Show.  Their mare 'Daisy Pretty Decisive' and weanling filly, "C. K. Lady Antebellum won Reserve World Champion and the Breeder's Futurity class for Breeder/Owner/Exhibitor.  I know I can say this without offense, "you should see the butt on that girl!"

Great job to all of you.  I'm sure we'll see more from you and from my other clients with their diverse equine sporting goals.  Tell me how ya do and I'll sure post it.

Fuel Surcharge

Clients,

Due to increase in fuel prices, now at or above $4/gal., I will be adding a Fuel Surcharge to all farm calls made, effective immediately.  This charge will be in addition to any Trip Fees and on visits made as part of Mare Mgt.  If the prices fall back, then I will remove these fees as my fuel charges normalize.

Middle-East and Oil

Clients,

Well as we have all seen, the direct impact on the troubles in Libya have spilled over to us at the gas pump.  I know it is affecting us all.  Already, FedEx has shown some increases in fuel costs for overnight shipments.  If the current trend continues, I will unfortunately be forced to charge a Trip Fee Fuel Surcharge.  This will be applied to any Trip Fee or any Trip, even if Trips are covered under a Cycle Management.  If the price for fuel rises to $4/gallon, I will institute a $5 fee.  Let us hope the political unrest in Libya is humanely dealt with and that country and people can move forward, lending to greater stability in the energy markets of the world.

Take care.

Compounding and Deslorelin

Hey all.  Well this year's breeding season has been shown its first loop.  The drug deslorelin has now been released as a labeled product by the company Bioniche.  This drug was first sold as Ovu-Plant, by Ft. Dodge.  They took it off the market and it was available for some time by compounding pharmacies as an injection.  Now that Bioniche has produced the same product and has FDA label, the compounded product will no longer be available legally.  The point you ask, COST.  The Bioniche product will be about 2-3x's more than the compounded product.  Who will this affect most?  Likely the clients using cryopreserved semen as deslorelin gave better timing than hCG.  The cost difference between the two will be about $20.  If you have any questions about this product of the legal use of compounded and labelled use of drugs, hey send me an email.  Be happy to answer any questions.

Take care all.

Upcoming Days Away

Well, as some know, I recently took a little trip to Jackson Hole for a little skiing therapy.  I must thank the weather here in Chicago as it gave me an extra day on the slopes.  Very nice.  Just letting my clients and any future clients that I will be out of town at a conference from Feb. 19-21.

Take care all.

First foal of 2011!

Here is the first foal of the New Year, a filly named Kat.

Assisted Reproductive Technology lecture 1/24/2011

I will be giving a lecture about Assisted Reproductive Technology at the Fox Valley Saddle Association on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 7:30.  Hope to see you there!