Pat Raia

Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering equine welfare, industry, and news. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Tennessee Walking Horse, Sonny.

Articles by: Pat Raia

Police in Scotland Investigating Horse Mutilations

While owners keep a close eye on the horses in their pastures, police in Scotland are investigating a series of attacks that have resulted in the mutilation of five horses. One horse was euthanized as a result of its injuries.

According to

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Missouri Horses Relocated in Face of Floods

Long before the Mississippi River threatened their properties, horse owners around Hannibal, Mo., were able to get their horses safely to higher ground, thanks to early warnings and help from neighbors.

“We’ve been fighting the Mississippi

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Horse Found Shot in Head Recovering

A 20-year-old mare found wounded and wandering in the New Mexico desert on June 9 is recovering from surgery to remove a bullet lodged in her jaw. A second bullet lodged close to an artery remains in her jaw.

The horse–which Do?a Ana County

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Midwest Flooding to Impact Corn Prices, Horse Feed

Just when horse owners became resigned to escalating corn prices due to ethanol demand, Midwest corn fields were swamped by floodwaters the Mississippi River’s banks just couldn’t contain.

Now with acres of corn fields deluged, growers and

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Few Horses Stranded by Iowa Floods

When levies failed and floodwaters put most of Cedar Rapids, Iowa under water, the Iowa Equestrian Center on the Kirkwood Community College campus became a temporary shelter for more than 700 displaced animals. But only eight of them are horses.

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Alabama Woman Charged in Horse Insurance Fraud Case

An Alabama woman who claimed her Belgian Warmblood cross mare died in a barn fire now faces insurance fraud charges in connection with the horse’s death.

Flomaton, Ala., Police Chief Mike Lambert said Brenda Gradia, 41, is accused of

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Horses Seized from California Sanctuary

Nearly 90 horses remain under veterinarians’ care at undisclosed locations after officials removed them from the Equus Sanctuary in Pearblossom, Calif.

“They were desperately in need of food and water,” said Michelle Roache, deput

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Gasoline, Weather Fueling Hay Prices

When her barn operator’s hay supply fell short last fall, Kentucky horse owner Linda Jones struggled mightily with high prices and limited availability to keep her two Saddlebreds fed.

“I’m stocking up now,” Jones said. “I don’t

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Michigan Horse Abuse Case Heads to Appeals Court

The long-running and controversial horse abuse case in Jackson County, Mich., took yet another turn Thursday, when the Michigan Court of Appeals agreed to hear arguments about whether the felony charges against defendants Matt Mercier and James

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Helping Hoarders: Rescuers, Therapists Ponder Options

Last week a court in Humboldt County, Calif., sentenced Elsie Smith, 69, to three years of probation for animal neglect. Authorities seized 40 horses from her property on April 1. Although Smith is forbidden to own horses during her probation,

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Dead Horses Found on Minnesota Farm, Survivors Removed

Nine allegedly starving horses were removed May 28 from a farm in Hewett, Minn., after Todd County sheriff’s deputies discovered them, along with the carcasses of 19 other horses.

“The horses had been dead for a long time,” said Wade Hanson,

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Weak Economy Challenges Veterinarians

Recently, Tim Van Der Ploeg, DVM, received a call from one of his clients, who was seeking help for her horse. She thought the animal was suffering from tetanus.

“I told her what we could do, and how much treatment would cost,” said Van Der

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Horses Seized in California Ready for New Homes

Ten horses seized in a California abuse case have been released to go to new homes now that their former owner pleaded no contest to the charges against her.

“We will either auction the horses or sell them to a third party who already has

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