Latest News – The Horse

As of Aug. 25, Florida led the United States in the number of documented equine cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a mosquito-borne disease with mortality rates of around 90% in horses. Washington state officials had confirmed the most equine cases of West Nile virus (WNV) this year.

Thus far in 2009 cases of EEE are largely clustered in the Southeast. According to the USDA’s

The newly-formed safety committee of the California Horse Racing Board will meet for the first time Sept. 4 to begin the regulatory process to establish new standards and specifications for vests, helmets, and whips.

The committee will examine updated safety equipment that uses the newest technology and materials available for the protection of racing participants.

Chaired by

The results of an annual survey conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reveal an economic mixed bag when it comes to what new veterinary graduates encountered in 2009.

The survey results appear in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in a Sept. 1, 2009, article entitled, “Employment, starting salaries, and educational indebtedness of

An exhibitor at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has been suspended indefinitely after allegedly attempting to bribe a horse show official.

The Celebration’s management group suspended Walking Horse owner Clay Mills on Tuesday for violating a rule that prohibits any attempt to influence a Designated Qualified

The Illinois Equine Humane Center (ILEHC) recently relocated its operation to Elgin, Ill. The ILEHC’s herd of horses seeking adoptive homes can now be visited at their new facility, located at 9N673 Kendall Road in Elgin.

“We are very excited about our new location in Elgin,” said ILEHC President Gail Vacca. “The new farm has a huge indoor riding arena (something the old facility lacked)

Elmer Bandit, the 38-year-old record holder for competitive trail mileage, hasn’t hit the trails lately, but last weekend found the gray Half-Arabian and owner Mary Anna Wood working with a dressage trainer. The two had lessons on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

“We worked on being round, balanced, and straight,” Wood

An exhibitor at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is under investigation for allegedly attempting to bribe a Designated Qualified Person (DQP) during a pre-performance inspection.

DQPs are employed by horse show managers to examine horses for compliance with Horse Protection Act (HPA) rules against soring. Soring is the deliberate injury to horses’ feet and legs to achieve

The following is a statement released by the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA):

Veterinarians around Australia are mourning the death of Alister Rodgers from a Hendra virus infection, and urge governments to immediately increase investment in fighting the deadly disease.

“Just 12 months ago we lost friend and colleague Ben Cunneen to Hendra virus

A veterinarian in Australia has died after contracting Hendra virus while treating a sick foal in Cawarral, Queensland, Australia, in July.

Queensland state Health Minister Paul Lucas told the Associated Press Alister Rodgers, BVSc, died overnight in a hospital. He is the

A champion barrel horse is recovering from injuries sustained when it was allegedly stolen during a rodeo event in South Dakota in July, but its competitive future remains in question, said owner Wendy Halweg.

Halweg and her horse Dually were competing in the Fort Pierre Rodeo when the horse was taken from the Stanley County fair grounds on July 5. Sheriff’s deputies later found the