In Case You Should Require Another Credit Card

This credit card helps fund equine research!

In this economy, the last thing I want is another credit card. In fact, I rarely use the one I have, and I consider myself lucky that I am able to pay the balance in full each month. If it didn’t negatively impact my credit rating, however, I would scrap my existing card for this one. I wonder about balance transfers, etc. It would be worth having, knowing that I might be contributing to this valuable resource.

The Horseman’s Card, a Visa created in 1991 to help support the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center in Lexington, Ky., contributes to equine research with every purchase.

The University of Kentucky’s Department of Veterinary Science created the Gluck Center in 1987. One of only three centers in the world dedicated exclusively to researching the diseases and physiological problems of the horse, the Gluck Center’s scientific findings benefit people as well, including investigations into arthritis, aging and immune response, and bacterial and viral infections.

In addition to supporting the health of the horse, this program offers savings on merchandise and services chosen especially for equestrians. Here’s how it works: when you use the Horseman’s Card, mention the Horseman’s VIP Benefits discount, and automatically receive savings from nationally recognized equestrian retailers.

Every time you use the Horseman’s Card for a purchase, a contribution is made to the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center. On the website, they don’t happen to mention what percentage of your purchase goes toward to Gluck Center’s research.  I think this is important to find out before applying. 

Researchers at the Gluck Center

A fascinating array of research projects is under way at the Gluck Center.
They include work on:
• Equine herpes virus type 1
• Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus zooepidemicus and Leptospira interrogans (vital to humans as well)
• Development of the horse gene map and DNA sequence
• Molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of equine arteritis virus (EAV) infection of horses, development of improved recombinant vaccines to prevent infection of horses; and improved tests to diagnose the infection.
• International Reference Laboratory for equine influenza
• Studies of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) a lenti-virus closely related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that has the capability to infect all members of the horse family. Currently working with a group at the Irish Equine Center on the molecular characterization of the strain responsible for the recent outbreak of this virus in Ireland. When completed, this will provide valuable information about the variability of this virus at the global level and so aid in the design of potential therapeutic agents. (This work could have cross-over implications for humans)
• Clinical research involving bio-security and equine infectious diseases
• Identification and characterization of equine cytokines and their role in protective and pathologic immune responses in the foal’s immune system deficit and identifying the ways to increase foal resistance to Rhodococcus and other infectious agents. Identifying methods to improve the immune function in geriatric horses.
• Molecular studies of the Coccidia, which are a very significant group of protozoa. The title of our federal project (Hatch) is: Molecular mechanisms, ecology, and control of natural infections of equids and ruminants by drug-resistant internal parasites and pathogens that include the human parasite Toxoplasma gondii and the domestic animal parasites Neospora spp., Eimeria spp., and Sarcocystis spp. (again, human benefits are possible)
• Equine infectious anemia — identifying protective immune mechanisms in attempts to define effective vaccines for EIA. Developing better testing policies.
• Federal project : Molecular mechanisms, ecology, and control of natural infections of equids and ruminants by drug-resistant internal parasites.
• Biomedical research on articular cartilage primarily focused on the cell biology of chondrocytes and pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
• Two ongoing studies addressing problems of endophyte infected fescue in horses. The first study involves looking at non-invasive methods to determine which mares in a herd are adversely affected by the fescue so proper treatment can be initiated before major health problems arise. The second study is investigating potential adverse health effects in pregnant mares grazing pastures that have been treated with some of the herbicides that are frequently used kill fescue in pastures.
• Bacterial infections of the horse with emphasis on diseases caused by the pathogenic streptococci and leptospira.
• Equine arteritis virus and the disease, equine viral arteritis.

That’s a lot of valuable research. If you’re looking for a new card, it is worth checking this one out. Benefiting our equine friends with every transaction has great merit.

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