Latest News – The Horse
Form and Function of Joints
There is a definite correlation between joint angle, hoof flight pattern, and weight bearing. One might even wax a bit poetic and declare that as the joint angles, so flies and lands the hoof. That’s where the poetry ends, however, because if
Stepping Ahead: Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium 2001
Laminitis is one of the most serious and difficult-to-treat diseases horses can get, and only by learning everything about this problem can we prevent and treat it successfully. Enter the 14th annual Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium held Jan. 25-27
May 25 MRLS Update
Following is from the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture as of Friday, May 25, at 5 p.m. More information can be found on their web site at
Daily MRLS Information Updates Cease
As of May 25, we will be discontinuing the posting of daily reports from the UK Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center (LDDC). Both field reports from equine practitioners and submissions to the LDDC, indicate a sharp decline in number of MRLS
Non-Thoroughbred Breeding Farms Wanted
Attention to all non-Thoroughbred horse farms in Kentucky with more than 20 mares. If mares were bred between March 1 and May 1, examined by ultrasound as being in foal prior to 40 days and also after 60 days of gestation we strongly encourage
Epidemiologic Survey Teams Begin
Beginning Wednesday May 30, trained veterinarians, researchers and technicians will be contacting and visiting farms to administer an in-depth confidential farm survey. Questions will involve routine farm management, pasture management, and
Attending to Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome Costly
While cost isn’t always the most important consideration when it comes to a crisis, over time, the costs can add up.
For example, since Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome materialized in Kentucky, veterinarians and farm managers have been
Researchers Probing How Mares Ingested Cyanide; 150 Farms Surveyed
Scientists now believe they know why more than 500 foals died and mares spontaneously aborted several thousand more early pregnancies on central Kentucky’s horse farms this spring.
Their work, however, is far from finished as
Veterinarians Report Pericarditis Cases Still Being Seen
Horse owners should not become too lax even though researchers say the insult that caused the foal losses and other health problems this spring in Kentucky and other states probably is past.
There still are lingering problems in the aftermat
Foal Loss Update; Field Report From Walmac Farm
Kentucky Disease Diagnostic Center Fetal/Foal Loss Update: 5/23/01As of noon May 23, the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center had received three additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (one early-term and two late-term) for
May 23 Update: Additional Evidence Ruling Out Mycotoxins
The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture on May 23 posted the following information on its web site at https://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/VetScience/mrls/briefings.htm
Jockey Club Issues Call for 2001 Live Foal/No Foal Reports
The Jockey Club is asking breeders to submit their 2001 Live Foal/No Foal Reports as soon as possible after the birth of the foal or when it is determined that a mare will not produce a live foal this year. The request is coming on the heels of the
Keeneland Considering Heart-Scanning Program For Sale Yearlings
Keeneland is exploring ways to deal with sale horses whose health might have been compromised by pericarditis and other problems linked to mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS). One possibility is a pre-sale heart-scanning program for yearlings.
Facts About Black Cherry Trees and Tent Caterpillars
The good news is if the Eastern tent caterpillars were responsible in some way for this spring’s outbreak of foal loss, that they are gone now, cocooned and growing into the next generation of moths. The bad news is that next year, they could be
Study Shows Nearly 30% Foal Loss On Four Major Farms
A reproductive study examining the breeding records of four Central Kentucky Thoroughbred farms reveals that nearly 30% of mares bred between early February and early May 2001 who were declared at one time to be in foal, lost those foals.
Dr
Latest Twist in Foal Loss Syndrome: Mycotoxins Out, Cyanide In
No longer does the mysterious Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome appear to be the result of incredibly high mycotoxin levels in pasture grasses; now the most likely cause appears to be cyanide brought onto pastures from wild black cherry trees, carrie
