Latest News – The Horse
Lameness in Racehorses Discussed by AAEP Vets
Synthetic racing surfaces were the topic that raised the most concern among the approximately 80 veterinarians from the United States, Canada, and Europe in attendance at the Lameness in Racehorses Table Topic held during the 2009 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention.
A discussion of opinions on synthetic surfaces and practitioners’ perspectives of di
Tendon Healing: Objective Measurement Method Reported
Equine veterinarians can now objectively monitor tendon healing using a technique called ultrasonographic tissue characterization (UTC), said researchers from The Netherlands.
While a number of novel therapies for tendon healing have been introduced recently, means of evaluating their clinical utility is difficult. Developed by Gerco Bosch, DVM, PhD, an assistant professor at Utre
Judge Allows Mustang Gather
On Monday, the controversial gather of about 2,700 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mustangs from the Calico Mountain Complex Herd Management Complex in Nevada will begin as planned after a federal judge declined to stop the roundup.
On Dec. 23, U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Friedman ruled to allow the gather on grounds that the roundup was within the BLM’s purview under th
International Equine Disease Report, Third Quarter 2009
 The International Collating Centre, Newmarket, England, and other sources reported the following disease outbreaks.
Contagious equine metritis (CEM) was recorded in France, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom, and the USA. France confirmed three cases on one premises and one case on another premises. Switzerland reported Taylorella asinigenital
California Thoroughbreds Receive Retirement Funds
The California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) Foundation is awarding $264,000 to 12 different charitable organizations caring for retired California racehorses. It represents an increase of approximately 50% from the amount granted in 2008, its first year of fundraising.
Last year, after only six months of operation, the CARMA board voted to grant $150,450 to eight charitie
Equine Guelph Partnership Supports Horseless 4-H Horse Clubs
4-H Ontario and Equine Guelph recently announced a new partnership that will see the creation of a 4-H online horse learning community placed within the successful online learning environment developed by Equine Guelph. The Grand River Agricultural Society has generously provided $10,000 as initial funding.
The 4-H horse curriculum and new horse industry resources will be co
Guelph PhD Student to Conduct Veterinary Hospital Hand-Hygiene Study
Frequent hand washing is one of the most effective ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness, but it is also frequently ignored–even in hospitals, where studies have shown that physicians are often the worst offenders.
That phenomenon piqued the curiosity of Ontario Veterinary Colle
Zenyatta, John Henry Honored on Santa Anita Opening Day
Santa Anita’s traditional opening day of Dec. 26 brought out 35,292 to watch a pair of grade I races and to honor Zenyatta and John Henry. The crowd was the largest in the last 10 years of opening days at the “Great Race Place.”
The throng enthusiastically cheered Jerry and Ann Mosses’ undefeated Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Zenyatta who was par
Equine Rehabilitation Discussed at AAEP Convention
The purpose of the Table Topic on Rehabilitation held during the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention in Las Vegas, Nev., was to educate veterinarians on the opportunities and use of rehabilitation techniques in equine practice.
Rehabilitation is defined as attempting to restore to a former capacity or to bring to a condition of health or useful activity.
Emerging Disease: Equine Proliferative Enteropathy
Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is an emerging intestinal disease primarily of recently weaned foals. Lawsonia intracellularis, the causative bacterium of EPE, is capable of inducing similar disease in many animal species, most notably swine. To date, comparatively little research has been undertaken into the disease in horses.
Sarcoids and Other Skin Tumors Discussed by Vets
A variety of sarcoid and skin tumor treatments and management topics were discussed by veterinarians during a Table Topic at the 2009 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention. All veterinarians in the room had treated skin tumors and were willing to discuss their successes and failures.
Since sarcoids are the most common skin tumor in the horse, their treatme
Urine Test Might Diagnose Young Cryptorchid Horses
A simple, noninvasive urine test to diagnose cryptorchidism in horses that appear to have been castrated has been developed by a group of researchers from the Racing Laboratory at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Male horses that appear or are presumed to be castrated can in fact have one or even two retained testicles. Retained testes should be removed to help eliminate objectionable b
Cornell Equine Drug Testing Program Might Close
Because of New York state budget problems, the drug testing laboratory at Cornell University might close and move to another institution, according to an article on cornellsun.com. The laboratory tests horse blood and uring samples for p
Horse Inspires Kids in Need
A horse shot in the head and left for dead in Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest last year is thriving as a therapy horse at a ranch for young people in need.
U.S. Forest Service officers and local residents rescued the Hero, then known as Trooper, from the forest in October 2008. The horse sustained the gunshot wound in a botched euthanasia attempt. Wrangler Russell Willeford
Thoroughbred Foal Naming Deadline is Feb. 1
The Jockey Club announced Dec. 23 that it has published on the registry’s Web site a list of 40,263 names released from active use to aid owners and breeders make a a valid attempt to name foals of 2008 by the deadline of Feb. 1, 2010, to avoid a $75 late fee.
American Paint Horse Foundation Raises Funds for Equine Programs to Support Troops
The American Paint Horse Foundation enjoyed a successful run at the Fall World Championship Paint Horse Show in Fort Worth recently, raising nearly $21,000 to improve lives through interaction with horses.
With the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA) Fall World Show spanning Veteran’s Day, the Foundation dedicated commemorative T-shirts, as well as two special silent
