Latest News – The Horse

Comparing pasture samples from 2002 and 2003 didn’t associate mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) with anything other than the Eastern tent caterpillar. However, Wayne Long, MS, of the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Department of Agronomy, provided some insight on pasture management in Central Kentucky and stressed the dangers of tall fescue toxicosis. He presented field study results on

Horse owners should be vigilant about having equine survivors of West Nile virus (WNV) re-examined by their veterinarians before putting the animals back into work. In a study of Minnesota horses which survived clinical WNV can make the horse more dangerous to ride or drive. Julia Wilson, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Associate Professor in Clinical and Population Sciences at the University of Minnesota’

Effective Feb. 1, 2004, the USDA will institute a new blood test for determining the equine piroplasmosis status of horses upon entry into the United States.

The competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CELISA) is more sensitive than the Complement Fixation test (CFT), which is currently used to test for piroplasmosis. The CELISA has a greater chance of identifying chronically

The American Horse Council (AHC) has been asked to share the Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA): Uniformed Methods and Rules (UM&R) created by the USDA.

There is a brief period for review and comment and the AHC asks that you click here or visit

The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource is looking for clippers–people who are concerned about the loss of equestrian land and riding areas and want to do something about it. These clippers clip newspaper and magazine articles, not shaggy horses, and send them in to the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource’s (ELCR) national office. The articles assist the ELCR in developing a national

The 1986 equine influenza outbreak in South Africa virtually halted racing in some parts of the country. Last month, equine flu again reared its ugly and contagious head, causing cancellation of races at several top tracks and forcing quarantine of horses suspected of being exposed to the virus. The flu affected six stabling/training complexes and approximately 3,000 horses, according to Rob

On Wed., Jan. 21, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) will present a free seminar, “Racehorse 101,” to inform racing fans about American Quarter Horse ownership. The seminar is part of the activities taking place during the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, Jan. 22-24 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Current and potential owners can learn more about partnerships, claiming horses,

Flying feathers and pounding hooves will be examined on March 26-28 as Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine hosts the nation’s first conference specifically about lameness and shoeing of draft horses. The conference is being organized by Carl Kirker-Head MA, VetMB, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, Dipl. ECVS, the current Marilyn M. Simpson Chair in Equine Medicine at Tufts.

Speakers are a

“Endoscopy is the primary diagnostic tool for evaluation of the upper airway of the horse,” said Brett Woodie, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, at the clinic’s annual client education seminar held Jan. 5 in Lexington, Ky. He reviewed the history of endoscopy and its current use at rest, and the advantages of dynamic examination of the upper airway of horses which

The American Quarter Horse Foundation (AQHF), the heart of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), now has a presence on www.aqha.com. Featuring its programs and educational outreach efforts, www.aqha.com/foundation highlights ongoing equine research and donation

Five winners are sharing prize money totaling $17,500 in the IVERCARE – Because You Care award program. The program, sponsored by Farnam Horse Products, rewards nonprofit organizations and individuals who strive to improve the health and welfare of horses and/or humans who love them.

The winners were chosen from among 100 equine industry nominees include: Rebecca Miolen in the

Leptospirosis, often called just “lepto,” can cause flu-like illness in horses that sometimes results in abortion or uveitis (moon blindness). In Kentucky, there seems to be a cyclic pattern to abortions caused by leptospirosis. In 2001, there were about 40 cases, but over the past two years there were less than 10 each year. Through Jan. 12 of 2004, there have been already 27 cases, accordin

When mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) struck in 2001, the industry was scared and demanding answers. Nearly 3,000 of that year’s pregnancies were lost, some horses were diagnosed with heart and eye problems, and no one could figure out what was going on. And there were no funds set aside to handle a battle against an unknown equine disease.

Researchers at the University of

Jan. 15 is the deadline date for nominations for the annual Equine Industry Vision Award, which will be presented at the American Horse Publications Annual Seminar in Lexington, Ky., on June 11. Pfizer Animal Health sponsors the award in partnership with American Horse Publications and developed the award to recognize outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the

USRider has distributed more than 500 free copies of a large animal rescue video to U.S. organizations and individuals since the video’s introduction in the first quarter of 2003. The video, which was designed to increase awareness of the need for correct rescue training among emergency medical technicians, has been sent to Canada, Germany, Argentina, and the West Indies.
 
Many

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) believes HR 857–The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act–could potentially harm more horses than it saves. An analysis by the AVMA reveals that HR 857, introduced by New York State Representative John Sweeney, fails to address the welfare of affected horses, fails to ensure levels of funding required to properly care for horses when