Bob Hillman, DVM, Texas’ state veterinarian and executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), has announced that he will retire December 31, ending his nearly seven-year tenure with the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. The TAHC’s 13 governor-appointed commissioners will establish a committee to conduct a nationwide search to fill Hillman’s position.

Tickets to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games went on sale today at noon EDT, exactly one year before the Games open in Lexington, Ky.

The 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 will be the first hosted in the United States.

Tickets

Hoosier Park Racing and Casino received test results back from horses quarantined on the backstretch for Streptococcus equi (equine strangles). All tests have been returned as negative for the infection in these horses.

In the late afternoon of Sept. 22, however, a horse in the quarantined barn was found dead in its stall. The horse was immediately transported to Purdue University

The Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART), in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), has acquired a deluxe custom-designed animal emergency response unit.

With support from the ASPCA and IFAW, LSART was able to outfit a heavy-duty truck and 36-foot long trailer for use in diverse

Dismal prices, sluggish sales, high production costs, and challenging weather conditions have left alfalfa farmers with little to no profit in 2009, prompting a focus on “Improving Your Odds of Profitability” at this year’s Western Alfalfa and Forage Conference, to be held Dec. 2-4, in Reno, Nev.

“To salvage profitability though these tough times, alfalfa growers, pest control advisers,

Research to help fight the deadly Hendra virus is a matter of urgency, said the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). Alister Rodgers, BVSc, died earlier this month after contracting the virus while treating a sick foal.

“Funds are urgently needed from federal and state governments to target every stage of the disease and prevent further loss of life,” said Australian Veterinary

With only one year to go until the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the city of Lexington and the World Games Foundation invite the community to celebrate with a downtown festival. The 2010 Games will kick-off for the first time in the United States on September 25, 2010 and last for 16 days, ending on October 10.

Organizers will celebrate the one-year-to-go mark and

The Complete America’s Great Trails Act (HR 1912) has found support from the American Horse Council. This bill was introduced by Rep. Gerry E. Connolly (D-VA) and Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) On April 9, 2009.

Hundreds of thousands of Americas enjoy recreational riding. Whether these recreational riders participate in short trail rides or much longer pack trips they often rely on public

Ongoing operating budget shortfalls (nearly $500,000 in 2009) along with a long-term services evaluation has led the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to consolidate the state’s Animal Health field and laboratory services. The MDA began closing the College Park, Centreville, and Oakland Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratories. During September, operations at these three facilities will b

The University of Queensland has set up a Memorial Fund in honor of Alister Rodgers, BVSc, who died of zoonotic Hendra virus earlier this month. He contracted the virus while treating a sick foal.

At the request of Rodgers’ family, the Alister Rodgers Memorial Hendra Virus Research Assistance Fund has been set up by the

Roadside discoveries over the past months of horses slaughtered in west Dade and Broward counties in Florida have prompted Gulfstream Park to contribute $5,000 to the reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

In making the announcement, Gulfstream Park president and general manager Bill Murphy said, “This detestable act of cruelty, inflicte

The Jockey Club today reported that 3,439 stallions covered 56,901 mares in North America during 2008, according to statistics compiled through Sept. 9, 2009. These matings have resulted in 31,727 live foals of 2009 being reported to The Jockey Club on Live Foal Reports received as of Sept. 9, 2009.

As in past years, The Jockey Club estimates that the reporting of live foals is

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory (EMSL) has received a three-year extension of its contract with the Louisiana State Racing Commission to provide drug testing of racehorses in the State.

A rabid horse in El Paso County, Colo., has been euthanized and the County Department of Health and Environment is underscoring the critical importance of vaccinating pets and livestock and avoiding wild animals.

“Rabies infection in horses is rare,” said Public Health Director Kandi Buckland, RN, MPA. “We anticipate that the infection was caused by skunk rabies, which greatly concerns u

The 55th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners will take the stage in Las Vegas, Nev., Dec. 5-9. The convention is expected to attract more than 3,500 veterinarians, veterinary students, and technicians for scientific lectures, industry forums, networking events, and other opportunities for professional development.

All sessions will be held at the

Horse owners faced with the decision to find their horses a new home, whether it be locating that perfect retirement home, a new job in therapeutic riding, the mounted patrol, or even with a new owner, need to ask some important questions before giving up care of their animal. Own Responsibly, the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) handbook, can provide a guide.

In order to ensure