Andrew Palmer and Tatendrang at Fair Hill. Photo by Jenni Autry.
After finding out that 32 horses in the barn had been exposed to Monensin through the feeding of ADM Alliance Nutrition Patriot Performance and Patriot Junior, Andrew Palmer and his team have been closely monitoring the situation with further testing.
Royal Palm Farm posted an update on its Facebook page yesterday on recent test findings:
“We have had a week filled with highs and lows as we have tried to gain more knowledge regarding our current situation. Our second round of troponin testing showed that two horses had elevated out of the “normal” range. We also held our breath as we went through a round of echocardiograms on Friday and received the news that one of the four horses has measurable cardiac abnormalities consistent with monensin exposure.
He was discharged with instructions for complete rest until we can determine that he has returned to normal cardiac function.
Still other horses are being cleared to proceed with exercise ECG’s to determine the functionality of the heart during increased activity. It is exhausting to experience a measure of relief and devastation in the same day and we are only getting started. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the horses are monitored and the best diagnostic procedures are available to them.”
After pulling blood samples and sending them to the University of Florida for testing, Andrew and his team were relieved to find, on January 31, that their horses were on the road to picking back up with full work. Royal Palm Farm continues to monitor and test their horses so as to keep abreast of any changes that may signify further trouble.
We’ll continue to bring you more updates as they become available. In the meantime, you can read more about this and related stories using the links below.
