Stephanie L. Church, Editorial Director

Stephanie L. Church, Editorial Director, grew up riding and caring for her family’s horses in Central Virginia and received a B.A. in journalism and equestrian studies from Averett University. She joined The Horse in 1999 and has led the editorial team since 2010. A 4-H and Pony Club graduate, she enjoys dressage, eventing, and trail riding. Her heart horse, It Happened Again (“Happy,” pictured), a former graded-stakes-winning Thoroughbred gelding, was her longtime partner in the saddle and remains a lasting inspiration. Stephanie is based in Lexington, Kentucky.

Articles by: Stephanie L. Church, Editorial Director

West Nile Virus Cases Accumulate–States Await Detection

By June 29, West Nile virus (WNV) cases had popped up in areas of the United States, Canada, and Central America. Eleven states had recorded equine cases in 2004, and while horse owners are more educated than ever on WNV prevention, officials

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Salmonellosis in Central Kentucky

On May 8, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky, sent out letters to area clients, farm managers, and veterinarians notifying them that an increased number of salmonella cases had been detected at the clinic this year, and explaining the methods staff were using to eliminate the Salmonella organisms and safeguard the health of patients. According to several area

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Vesicular Stomatitis Hits Texas

Vesicular stomatitis (VS), a disease with international implications for animal movement because symptoms mimic those of foot and mouth disease (FMD), was confirmed May 19 in western Texas. Kentucky was the first state to respond–officials

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Emergency Vesicular Stomatitis Rules

Following are summaries of the emergency rules that are in effect currently in Florida and Kentucky, due to the outbreak of VS in New Mexico and Texas. Visit the web sites listed to read the exact wording of the

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Maryland Farm Quarantine Lifted

The quarantine of a Poolesville, Md., farm was lifted June 22 after five weeks passed with no detection of additional cases of neurologic disease. On May 18, veterinarians confirmed the last new case of what could be the neurologic form of equin

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Tests Inconclusive in Maryland Disease Outbreak

Investigators have been unable to make a conclusive diagnosis in the outbreak of equine neurologic disease on a single quarantined farm in Poolesville, Md. There is strong suspicion that equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) is to blame, but further

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Arizona Horse Slashing Mystery Solved

The necks of more than 20 horses were mysteriously slashed near their jugular veins at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch in Tucson, Ariz., beginning in July, 2003. The attacks launched an investigation, and concern about area horses’ safety erupted.

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EIA Detected in Australia

On June 8, the Queensland, Australia, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) reported that equine infectious anemia (EIA) was confirmed on a central coast property. While the disease is detected frequently along western

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New Colic Drug Available

Veterinarians in the United States have a new tool to use in their diagnosis and treatment of colic, which gives them an early, 30-minute window in which to decide whether or not the colic might require more intensive medical therapy or surgery.

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Agricultural Guidelines for Horse Operations Published

Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Rutgers Equine Science Center have published the eagerly awaited Agricultural Management Practices for Commercial Equine Operations.

Considered to be the first comprehensive set of guidelines in th”P>Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Rutgers Equine Science Center have published the eagerly awaited Agricultural Management Practices f”>Rutgers Cooperative Extension and

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New Topical Osteoarthritis Treatment Available

The FDA recently approved a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can be applied to the skin over a horse’s joint to relieve pain of osteoarthritis. The approval represents the first topical equine pharmaceutical formulation

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$1M Awarded in Equitrol Lawsuit; Farnam Plans Appeal

A jury awarded $1,007,500 to plaintiffs who alleged in a lawsuit that Farnam’s Equitrol, a feed-through fly control product, was defectively designed and caused harm to their sport horses. Farnam countered with a press release.

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Rolex Three-Day Footing Sticky, But Safe

Multiple deluges did not prove dangerous for horses at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, held April 22-25 in Lexington. Many well-conditioned horses slogged through the mud on April 24 to meet–if not beat–their optimum cross country course times with few injuries. The April 25 jumping test was much wetter, but still safe. Fifty-five of 82 horses completed the competition.

This year

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Ireland Officials Issue EVA Alert

Ireland’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) issued advice on April 5 to horse breeders because of concerns over the perceived risk increase for equine viral arteritis (EVA).

Tests on horses from two Irish studs have shown evidence of exposure to the disease, and the positive test results are believed to be linked to a previously reported outbreak of EVA at an Irish

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Salmonella In Central Kentucky

On May 8, a Central Kentucky equine hospital sent out letters to area clients, farm managers, and veterinarians notifying them that an increased number of salmonella cases had been detected at the clinic this year, and explaining the methods

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WNV Detected in Illinois Birds

Three dead birds in Illinois have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) since this year’s statewide mosquito-borne disease surveillance began on May 1. One crow was collected in Rantoul County and positive results were confirmed on May 21.

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