The U.S. Department of Transportation on Jan. 26 issued a nationwide ban on texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large truck and buses.

Horse owners are urged to voluntarily comply with this ban while transporting horses. The combined weight of a loaded horse trailer and tow vehicle can approach that of commercial vehicles, and they should be treated as such. With

Legislators in the United Kingdom have proposed major changes in animal health, including a new governmental body. The bill was introduced by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.

Other measures in the draft Animal Health Bill, which was drawn up following extensive public consultation, include:

• Making statutory the role of Chief Veterinary Officer (UK), base

The Horse Trust has reopened the doors of its sanctuary, thanks to an increase in donations from the public. The first horse to benefit from this is Weller, a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) horse who has retired to the sanctuary after 14 years of service.

In 2009, The Horse Trust temporarily closed its doors to new horses–apart from emergency welfare cases–due to a drop in publ

A Donkey Sanctuary mobile unit working in Mexico recently met two working animals that contribute to their owners’ lives in very different ways.

The Donkey Sanctuary has been working in Mexico City and the surrounding areas since 1984 and is based at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Omar Pr

Kentucky livestock producers and other animal owners have been urged to prepare for a severe winter storm that is expected to strike the Commonwealth near the end of the week.

“Kentucky has been slammed by severe winter weather many times in recent years,” said Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer. “We remember all too well the ice storm that paralyzed most of the

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Veterinary Medical Foundation have joined a coalition of other animal health and welfare groups to help address the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti following the January 12 earthquake that devastated the country.

The Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti (ARCH) was developed by the Read More

After arriving in Haiti Thursday evening, a team of veterinarians has begun to assess animal needs and is offering hands-on assistance to animals affected by the earthquake. The group represents Humane Society International, The Humane Society of the United States, and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.

“Our team is committed to assisting the animals of this d

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has launched a new Web site dedicated to its ongoing Clean Sport Campaign.

The Web site contains information about the regulations that the FEI is implementing this year to combat doping in equestrian sports.

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of the eight equestrian disciplines of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The competition is held every four years, and the 2010 edition is coming to Lexington, Ky., Sept 25-Oct. 10. What do you need to do in order to attend?

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) awarded $546,789 in the form of 164 equine grants to rescue groups and humane organizations across the country in 2009, according to its just-released year-end report.

Grants were distributed in 40 states and the District of Columbia.

A major factor in dealing with large-scale cruelty seizures involve

Veterinarians will provide horse owners with timely, accurate information on reproduction, lameness, and equine skin conditions through the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ online “Ask the Vet” discussion tool. Horse owners are invited to pose questions to AAEP-member veterinarians regarding each month’s specific veterinary topic. Upcoming topics and participat

The Kentucky Horse Council is no stranger to educating new horse owners. In 2009 they released a DVD, HorseSmarts: Essential Advice for Today’s Horse Owner. The 60-minute video, which was shown on KET last summer and fall, includes information on the top 10 things new horse owners should know. The DVD is available for purchase through tack and feed stores Read More

The Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) will be able to utilize a mobile veterinary clinic from by the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society. The United Animal Nations recently provided an update on ARCH progress.

A field team based in the Dominican Republic will drive the clinic across the border into Haiti once authorities grant permission. Field responders will use the clinic

The British Equine Veterinary Association Trust, the charitable arm of BEVA, is offering some fabulous opportunities and unique prizes in its silent auction to raise money for its work to improve not only the wellbeing of some of the 100 million working equids in the world, but also the families who

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, a coalition created to address the needs of animals in Haiti following the country’s devastating earthquake, and has pledged an initial $25,000 to support ARCH’s relief efforts.

The Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) is headed by The International F

A new worldwide Eventing Risk Management Policy and Action Plan aimed at reducing cross-country horse falls was launched at the third annual FEI Safety meeting in Malmö, Sweden, Jan. 17. Based on a six-year statistical study of the sport, the plan will be used to monitor risk factors in eventing, and to streamline international data and ideas to further understand the root causes of fal