University of Maine (UM) animal and veterinary science researchers are receiving nearly $500,000 to establish a unique research, testing, and education center that promises to substantially advance the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of particularly problematic animal diseases including equine strangles.

Do you have an idea on how animals can receive the best care possible from veterinarians and other members of the veterinary healthcare team? Early next year, you will have an opportunity to offer input that could help make your ideas a reality.

Extension specialists from the University of Illinois (UI) will be on hand to discuss the topic of manure management at the Chicagoland Equestrian Lifestyle Expo & Holiday Market on November 20 and 21 at the Lake County Fairgrounds’ Expo Center in Grayslake, Illinois.

A new equine surgery and sports medicine center is set to open its doors in Lexington, Ky. Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine is a group veterinary referral practice focusing on outpatient medicine and elective surgery. Established by Bill Bernard, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, the surgery center is expected to fill a need for additional surgical facilities in Central Kentucky.

Veterinary specialists at Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg, Va., have been awarded several research grants to support their efforts to improve horse health–not only for their own patients, but for all horses.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) announced today the unanimous election of Patricia Hogan, VMD, Dipl. ACVS to its board of directors. Hogan is known for treating 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones as a 2-year-old after the colt suffered a fracture to his left eye socket, and being instrumental in the design and construction of the new Ruffian Medical Center at Belmont Park.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has awarded this year’s Henry Bergh award to Kathleen Schwartz-Howe and Days End Farm Horse Rescue Inc. In 1989, after witnessing horse neglect at a local stable, Schwartz-Howe and her family made the commitment to help save equines in her community and founded Days End Farm Horse Rescue Inc. in Woodbine, Md.

In recognition of her unwavering dedication, extraordinary generosity, and exemplary service to Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Beverly “Peggy” Steinman was awarded the 2010 Distinguished Service Award on Oct. 14. Steinman currently serves on the EMC’s Council and Executive Committee.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) General Assembly has unanimously accepted the recommendations of the FEI List Group, and it has approved the updated Equine Prohibited Substances List for the 2011 season. The list was put forward by the FEI List Group following a year of consultation with National Federations and experts.

HRH Princess Haya Al Hussein (JOR) was re-elected Nov. 5 in a landslide victory as Federation Equestre Internationale president at the Federation’s General Assembly in Taipei. Princess Haya, who was seeking a second and final four-year term as president, won in the first round of voting with 90 votes of a total 124 valid ballots.

Veterinarians representing the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ On Call program will assist ESPN and ABC Sports with horse health information during the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Nov. 5-6. Equine surgeons Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, and Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, DSc, FRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, will be on hand to provide health reports to the viewing aduience.

Therapeutic programs, equine rescue organizations, youth clubs, educational and research programs are among the 18 organizations receiving $17,693 in grants from the Maryland Horse Industry Board. The grants help to strengthen the industry by building awareness of and involvement in the horse industry through research, education and promotional activities.

Pennsylvania State University’s student-sponsored Equine Speaker Series will return later this month to continue providing horse owners and enthusiasts with access to industry professionals and the information they have to offer. November’s speaker will be Carey A. Williams, PhD, Rutgers University equine extension specialist. Williams will deliver her presentation Nov. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

After raising $47,000 in pledges from the 2009 Breeders’ Cup, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is well on its way to doing the same–if not more–this year. Owners and trainers of Breeders’ Cup starters have been asked to pledge a percentage of their earnings to support New Vocations’ mission to rehabilitate, retrain, and re-home retired racehorses.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) announced Tuesday that it has launched a mobile phone application which gives those involved in horse sport quick and easy access to crucial information on prohibited substances. The Clean Sport app allows immediate access to the FEI equine prohibited substances online database, which was developed early in 2010.

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) has launched a matching funds program to promote free or low-cost geld clinics in the Commonwealth. The organization started the program to assist Kentucky veterinarians who conduct Operation Gelding clinics as part of an Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) program that is currently under way.