International authorities in horse behavior, training, and welfare will converge in Sydney for the 5th Equitation Science Annual Conference to be held at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Veterinary Science and Centennial Parkland Equestrian Centre July 12-14. Coaches and competitors are welcomed to attend.

“Ethical Equitation: A Sustainable Approach” will be the theme of this year’s

The Brooke Hospital for Animals, a UK equine welfare charity that operates across 10 countries in Asia, Africa, Central America, and the Middle East, has released guidelines for tourists utilizing the services of working animals while on holiday.

The Brooke is calling on all tourists to take action against the abuse of working equids by following a simple code when using working horses

Veterinarians and equine rescue and retirement facilities are teaming up to help rehabilitate, revitalize and, ultimately, find new homes for America’s unwanted horses through the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC). Although the campaign was launched only four months ago, the UHVRC already has provided aid to more than 1,400 horses across the nation.

Established in Decembe

Stonestreet Stables and partner Harold T. McCormick announced May 8 that Calvin Borel has agreed to ride Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra for the current racing season. Also, Stonestreet said it plans to run the filly in the May 16 Preakness Stakes.

In making the decision, Borel selected the filly over Mine That Bird, whom he rode to an upset victory in the Kentucky Derby. Mine That

The American Horse Council is working to preserve the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP). If Congress does not take action this year this program could be eliminated, thereby impacting recreational riders.

The RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational

After a 12-week trial, Buckinghamshire horse dealer James Gray and several members of his family were on May 8 found guilty on charges of animal cruelty at Bicester Magistrates Court.

James and his son Jamie Gray were found guilty of all charges under sections 4 and 9 of the Animal Welfare Act. His wife Julie and daughters Jodie and Cordelia were found guilty of all

Arthroscopic surgery has become a common treatment for horses suffering lameness issues caused by bone chips in the knee. The standard rehabilitation program after that surgery involves a lot of rest.

More than 70 of the allegedly neglected horses and burros found at a Morrill County, Neb., ranch have found new homes through Habitat for Horses, a Texas-based equine protection organization. Placement efforts are continuing for the more than 50 mares, which will be moved to the Cheyenne Stockyards in Wyoming. The males, both geldings and stallions, will be moved to Black Beauty Ranch, a

Large-animal emergency rescue training continues growing in popularity around the globe, according to Mark Cole, managing member for USRider, a roadside assistance plan designed with horse owners in mind. Awareness of the issue was at a far lower ebb in 2002.

“We found that emergency responders, while trained experts in human rescue and extrication, had no training in large-animal

The equine production facility of Cattleman’s Choice Loomix, LLC in Johnstown, CO has become the first equine health production facility to be certified by the Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program administered by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA).

Becoming Safe Feed/Safe Food-certified means the facility demonstrates and ensures continuous improvements in delivering

Walter Mondale, former vice president of the United States and U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and his wife Joan, member of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, will lead a special first day of sale ceremony at noon May 11, for the new commemorative U.S. Postal Service (USPS) stamped envelope of legendary racehorse, Seabiscuit.

The Mondales will be joined by Winifred Groux, USPS San

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has announced plans to develop a Doris Day Horse Rescue and Adoption Center at the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch. Thanks to a donation of $250,000 by the Doris Day Animal Foundation, the new center will serve as a model facility for the re-homing of horses. The Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch is located in Murchison, Texas. The new center

Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby for Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine, back-tracked to the paddock tunnel and then loped once around a “fast” Churchill Downs main track Tuesday under exercise rider Charlie Figueroa before the renovation break.

Trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. liked what he saw and said Mine That Bird would lope around twice on Wednesday.

Visitors to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum May 3, the day after the 135th “Run for the Roses,” got a surprise gift from the team behind Mine That Bird, the 50-1 longshot who won the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Chip Woolley Jr. suggested Sunday morning that the mantle of roses worn by Mine That Bird in the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle after his victory be placed on the

In a recent survey, 96% of respondents said they used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to control the joint pain and inflammation in horses, and 82% administer them without always consulting their veterinarian. More than 1,400 horse owners and trainers were surveyed to better understand attitudes toward NSAIDs, in a project sponsored by Merial, the maker of Equioxx (firocoxib).

During its semi-annual Board of Governors meeting April 25, the United States Polo Association (USPA) voted to establish a committee to examine existing and additional safeguards for polo horses, including developing a prohibited substance policy.

The USPA’s Board of Governors approved the following motion:

“In light of the tragedy that occurred this past week, the USPA Equine