Latest News

Big Brown’s Hoof Patch on Hold Until Friday

The Associated Press June 3, 2008

Big Brown’s cracked left front hoof is improving with each passing day, so trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. is waiting until Friday to have a patch applied.

Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay suggested putting the patch on Saturday, the morning of the Belmon

Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome Update

Equine Disease Quarterly June 3, 2008

An abortigenic disease known as mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS ) significantly impacted the horse industry in the Ohio Valley in late April and early May, 2001 and 2002. In 2001, approximately 25% of all pregnant mares aborted within several

Eight Belles to be Interred at Kentucky Derby Museum

Edited Press Release June 3, 2008

Eight Belles, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby but suffered a catastrophic injury moments after the race, will be honored by Churchill Downs Inc. through a series of charitable contributions and initiatives, including the interment of her

TheHorse.com Updates Its Look

Stephanie L. Church, Editorial Director June 3, 2008

TheHorse.com launched the first phase of a redesign this week in order to better serve its users.

Brain Dysfunction in Cribbing Horses Gives Researchers Something to Chew On

Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc June 3, 2008

In the first study of its kind, researchers from the United Kingdom have discovered that cribbing horses learn differently than horses that don’t crib.

Cribbing is a stereotypy in which a horse grasps an object between his incisor teeth and

37-Year-Old Competitive Trail Horse Completes Another Ride

Marsha Hayes June 3, 2008

Elmer Bandit, a 37-year-old Half-Arabian gelding, completed the Indian Territory North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) ride over Memorial Day weekend, finishing in sixth place and bringing his lifetime mileage total to 20,360.

The

Big Brown to Work Tuesday Without Hoof Patch

Steve Haskin June 2, 2008

Trainer Rick Dutrow said Sunday afternoon that Big Brown will not be fitted with a patch on Monday as originally scheduled and will work on Tuesday without one.

“I’m going to breeze him just the way he is and give him more time to let Ian

Readers Respond: Challenging Feet

Erin Ryder June 2, 2008

More than 1,000 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “Do you think Big Brown’s hoof issues might be a factor in his bid for the Triple Crown?”

Location of New Foot-and-Mouth Disease Lab Debated

The Associated Press June 2, 2008

One of the nation’s oldest farm groups said Thursday a proposed foot-and-mouth disease research laboratory on the U.S. mainland, near livestock, could be an inviting target for terrorists. Commercial livestock representatives and the Bush

Decreasing Risk of Enterolithiasis: Hay Type and Pasture

Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc June 2, 2008

Too much alfalfa, too little oat and grass hay, and limited access to pasture grazing are important factors that put horses at risk for developing enterolithiasis (intestinal stones that have the potential to cause colic).

No Date Set for House Hearing on Racing

Tom LaMarra June 2, 2008

The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection continues to maintain it will hold a June hearing on horse racing, but no date had been set as of June 2.

The subcommittee is headed by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois and

Managing Acute and Chronic Laminitis

Nancy S. Loving, DVM June 1, 2008

Belknap (who co-hosted TheHorse.com’s Webinar on Understanding Laminitis) said the latest research points to laminitis as an intense inflammatory injury of the foot, and it is no longer believed to be solely a blood flow problem.

Big Brown Gets New Sutures, Quarter Crack in “Good Shape”

The Associated Press June 1, 2008

Big Brown has new sutures in his hoof, and trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. says his unbeaten colt “knows it’s time to get ready” for a shot at the Triple Crown.

There was concern when Big Brown missed three days of training this week with a slight