First Flight

by Charles Richter and John Emrich
October 2021, page 40

First Flight's Harness and LeadFirst Flight's Harness and Lead
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
The halter and lead pictured here were worn by First Flight, a horse that was the world’s sole source of botulinum antitoxin for more than 10 years.

First Flight was always a difficult horse to lead. Although he was bred as a racehorse, he wasn’t cut out for the track. For a time, he found work in the Caisson Platoon at Arlington National Cemetery, but even the quieter crowds there made him nervous. In 1978, First Flight got a transfer to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) at Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD, to be a living factory for antitoxin against the most toxic substance in the world.

To produce the first botulinum antitoxin, First Flight was injected with modified toxoids from all seven strains of Clostridium botulinum, then with the live bacteria once he developed immunity. From his blood was produced the heptavalent botulinum antitoxin (HBAT) that the Pentagon would eventually issue to troops deployed to Iraq in the Gulf War, reflecting the concern that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein would use biological weapons. First Flight’s HBAT has also been used to treat infant botulism and foodborne botulism in adults.

Botulism antitoxin serum, 1990Botulism antitoxin
NMAH
First Flight was known as a spirited horse who would nip at inexperienced technicians, but a quick tug on his lead would remind him of his duty. He would then stand patiently for the blood draw before prancing off to the stable to boss around the other horses. The halter and lead bearing his name helped make this important antitoxin possible.

 

First Flight’s halter and lead are held in the Division of Medicine and Science at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

 

 


Appeared with "Hero Horses in the Fight Against Disease" in the October 2021 issue of the AAI Newsletter

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