Latest News – The Horse

The highest number of foals/fetal samples taken to the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center in Lexington, Ky., during the current problem with late-term abortions and early embryonic loss occurred on Derby Day, May 5, according to the Center’s

With Kentucky’s share of the Thoroughbred foal crop in the United States at an all-time high of nearly 30%, the repercussions of the excessive foal loss that many Central Kentucky farms are experiencing may be felt for years to come.

In the wake of the outbreak of late-term fetal/foal deaths and near-term abortions in mares in Central Kentucky, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued guidelines for the equine industry on horses from

A series of abortions has recently been reported in several farms in Central Kentucky. At this time, the cause of these abortions is not determined, but there is no evidence of infectious etiology. Based upon currently available

David Parrish III, DVM, was president of the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners in 1980 when a mystery problem occurred that caused abortions in mares during early pregnancy. While both involved abortions and were mysteries, the

The effects of the current crisis resulting from mares aborting or having late-term stillborn foals are being felt on the equine insurance business. According to insurance professionals, underwriters are not accepting any policies

There have been no reports in Maryland of the two syndromes that are affecting the breeding industry in Kentucky, and no plans at this time to ban horses from entering the state.

“There is no sign of a problem here in Maryland,” said Tim

Veterinary and diagnostic professionals in Kentucky are working feverishly to identify the cause of the recent abortion and early fetal loss syndromes. One of the most probable causes is mycotoxins in pastures. If that is the case,

Over and over the refrain has been heard for the past two weeks–the horse industry is lucky to have the equine expertise concentrated in Central Kentucky, especially during this time of all-out war against an unknown killer. Dr. Roger Murphy,

Actually, the view from the field in Central Kentucky was rather lonely this Thursday, May 10. There were acres and acres of fresh-mown–or being furiously mowed–pastures that are beginning to resemble putting greens. The

Simpsonville, Ky., is experiencing the same problems that are plaguing horse breeders in Lexington, according to William Rhoads, DVM, and Scott Bennett, DVM, of Equine Services Hospital. Both equine practitioners said that some farms

As of May 10, the states of Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana seem to be clear of the problems of foal losses facing Kentucky horse breeders. Since Tennessee’s foaling season tends to coincide with Kentucky’s

An equine practitioner in Morgan County, Ohio, suspects that five cases of red bag delivery within the past week–plus 10 pregnant mares that are now empty–could be the same thing that veterinarians in Kentucky are dealing with, according to

Now two counties in Ohio are seeing syndromes similar to those being presented in Kentucky, according to an update Thursday by Dr. Grant Frazer, associate professor at Ohio State University. Frazer said there is no way to make a confirmation tha

While Kentucky horse farms are at the epicenter of the foal loss crisis, the problem is not contained to the Bluegrass region according to a Northern Ohio veterinarian. Dr. Richard Novak drove 7 1/2 hours from his practice in Novelty, Ohio, to