Latest News – The Horse

Discussion ranged from how to set fees, when to increase fees, value-added services, doctor availability to clients, and discussion concerning competition and dealing with the recession.

Systemic effects of equine Cushing’s disease, a common malady in older horses, have been controlled well in many horses with daily administration of pergolide. Until 2007 this medication was available for off-label use–the human product was available for purchase. Then, the FDA-approved product was removed from the human pharmaceutical market. The product had to be compounded in order to be

Equine Guelph is seeking respondents for its 2011 Equine Industry Survey now through March 31. The survey is available online and in a printable PDF. Founded in 2003, Equine Guelph is operated in conjunction with the University of Guelph. According to their website, “Equine Guelph focuses on five interrelated areas: research, education and training, performance, healthcare and

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a fast, accurate, quick, and easy testing method to diagnose pathogens associated with equine upper respiratory tract infections, and researchers on a recent study recommended that veterinarians pursue PCR in cases of infectious upper respiratory disease. Not only does it allow the veterinarian to pinpoint the causative pathogen, it also can help control the

Anyone who’s ever set foot on a farm has most likely encountered the plaguelike presence of Stomoxys calcitrans–otherwise known as stable flies. These pests are both an annoyance and a health risk for horses, but the results of a recent study indicate that a common treat for cats might be the answer barn managers are looking for.

Laminitis is a critical cause of lameness in horses: Not only is the exact cause not known in all cases, but considerable controversy persists about how to treat and manage this disease. At the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md., Jennifer Schleining, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS-LA, a clinician in the department of veterinary clinical science at

A Table Topic on stallion sperm morphology at the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md., revolved around the analysis of different sperm defects on the stallion and what their effects were on the fertility of individual stallions.

On Feb. 9, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) offered no details about or a timeline for the ongoing investigation into Life At Ten’s performance in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., though there was public acknowledgment of drug testing related to the case.

The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council (KEDRC), citing a need to explore use of corticosteroids in racehorses, agreed Feb. 9 to take bids for research into one of the drugs in the research planning phase.

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) in partnership with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association (KCA) will offer Level I Livestock Investigation Training in Wilmore, Ky., on March 16-18. The three-day intensive hands-on training prepares animal control and peace officers for the investigation and case management of livestock situations.

More than 12,000 compounding pharmacies operate in the United States, and each year compounded product sales reach $300 million–25% of that is spent in the animal pharmaceutical industry alone. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has developed regulations to provide assurances for safety and efficacy of drugs and devices, to ensure food supply safety, and to regulate food chain supplies and

Three Idaho ranchers are facing multiple animal cruelty charges in connection with the alleged maltreatment of nearly 100 animals, including 30 horses. On Jan. 18 personnel from the Payette County Sheriff’s Department, the Idaho Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Humane Society (IHS) removed the animals from a Payette County ranch 50 miles from Boise, said Pat Vance, director of shelter

On Feb 8, Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) officials lifted a quarantine at Beulah Park, declaring it safe for horses to move in and out of the facility, following an equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) outbreak that occurred between Dec. 22, 2010, and Jan. 11.

County-level data collected from Maryland’s 2010 Equine Census revealed an industry with assets valued at $5.6 billion and expenditures just under $513 million. There are approximately 81,000 equines in Maryland that are housed in over 16,040 locations around the state. The two largest equine counties are Prince George’s and Baltimore at 9,000 and 8,950 head respectively. Equine operations account