Latest News – The Horse

Two horses collapsed and died in the paddock on Feb. 12 at the Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire, England, according to a report from BloodHorse.com. An investigation into the cause of the horses’ deaths is under way, but initial reports indicate that the horses might have been electrocuted.

Throughout a horse’s life, bone adapts and changes continually in relationship to its environment. Osteochondrosis (OCD) is the failure of the bone to develop strong cross-linkage of collagen fibers (which affects the cartilage) and is most commonly caused by poor nutrition, mechanical trauma, and rapid growth, with nutrition being the most important. Lesions caused by OCD can result in serious

A West Virginia man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges in connection with the alleged maltreatment of horses on his Greenbrier County farm. Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Kirby Hanson said that last week after responding to a tip about a downed horse, law enforcement officers discovered more than 30 horse carcasses on a 300-acre farm belonging to Grady Whitlock.

Instead of operating on a foal with guttural pouch tympany, veterinarians should consider placing a flexible tube through the opening of his guttural pouch(es) via the nasal passage, according to a veterinarian from Auburn University.

Whether in sports competition or the game of life, there are turning points that elevate the underdog to victory, redefining the anonymous as the unforgettable. In the face of mounting challenges, how does one identify and seize these pivotal moments to create a catalyst for success? In Lexington, Ky., from May 22-25, Alltech’s 27th Annual International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium will

An epiglottic entrapment is an upper airway abnormality that can cause poor performance in athletic horses. A team of researchers from the University of Montreal recently developed a safer instrument for surgically correcting an entrapped epiglottis. When a horse swallows food or water, the epiglottis (a movable, leaf-shaped piece of cartilage located at the base of the tongue and above the

“No foot, no horse” is perhaps the most used and still the most true statement there is in horse care. A horse is generally worthless without functional feet, which is why the American Association of Equine Practitioners devoted a complete day during the 2010 convention (held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md.) to farriery topics and the working relationship between veterinarians and farriers.

Sheryl S. King, PhD, PAS, director of Southern Illinois University’s (SIU) Equine Science Program, has been elected president of the Horsemen’s Council of Illinois (HCI), the voice of the equine industry in Illinois. King began her position as the equine specialist in the department of animal science at SIU in 1983 and presently serves a director of its equine science program, the only such

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