Latest News – The Horse

Oxidation is a normal metabolic process that allows horses to transform the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins they devour in meals into energy. An unavoidable side effect of oxidation is the creation of free radicals–compounds that have the

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) have come and gone, but the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture hopes to reap the benefits of a worldwide exposure for years to come. From prospective students to new partnerships to general awareness about equine programs at UK, much was gained by the university’s involvement in the Games. Some of the key highlights of

When Merial put out the call for the next face and voice of ULCERGARD, a gastric ulcer prevention product for horses, the company received an overwhelming response. Horse owners, competitors, and veterinary professionals from throughout the country submitted entries that demonstrated their love and trust of the product, as well as their commitment to guarding their horses against sto

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has distributed financial grants to more than 30 equine rescue groups. The grants were made possible by a horseback riding fundraiser organized by the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) this summer.

Horses constantly ingest dirt when they graze. While excessive dirt consumption sometimes causes problems such as sand accumulation in the large intestine, the dirt that horses normally consume while grazing supplies some essential nutrients–most notably iron. Forages and grains contain additional dietary iron for horses.

The concept of a balanced foot can be subjective, but farriers are now using technological advances to take some of the guesswork out of the process. Patrick T. Reilly, chief of farrier services at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, discussed evaluating hoof balance with in-shoe force measurements.

Horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) are at a higher risk for laminitis than the average horse, but veterinarians are learning more about diagnosing EMS early and minimizing its effects, including laminitis. At the Sept. 17-18 Laminitis West Conference in Monterey, Calif., Thomas J. Divers, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVECC, professor and Chief of Large Animal Medicine at Cornell University,

Roundups are necessary for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to control population growth among wild horse herds, according to a report by the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG). In the report issued on Dec. 13 the auditors also called on the BLM to be more aggressive in researching and testing approved science for population control methods to minimize the need

Law enforcement authorities in St. Martin’s Parish, La., are seeking those responsible for the shooting death of a horse earlier this year. Sgt. Terrell Bergeron, animal control coordinator for the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Department, said that on Aug. 8, the horse’s owner contacted the Sheriff’s Department after finding the Appaloosa mare and a pregnant cow both wounded in their pasture.

The American Horse Council (AHC) is continuing its effort to collect information on access issues equestrians are experiencing on federal lands. The centerpiece of this effort is an online form equestrians can use to report their personal experiences regarding trails that have been closed to them or other access issues on federal land. This online form is located on the AHC website.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear joined community leaders and executives of HFL Sport Science on Dec. 14 to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new laboratory in Lexington, Ky. The facility will provide drug surveillance, doping control, and research to equine and other sports industries. The lab, which represents a more than $4 million investment, will create 48 new jobs.