Latest News – The Horse

The ongoing investigation into contagious equine metritis (CEM) now includes more than 820 exposed or positive horses, according to the USDA.

The investigation began in mid-December 2008, when a Quarter Horse stallion on a Kentucky farm tested positive during routine testing for international semen shipment.

Accordin

Preston Madden, who bred Alysheba, called the 1988 Horse of Year and racing Hall of Fame member “a gift from heaven” during a memorial service for the pensioned stallion at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington April 29.

The bay son of Alydar was euthanized March 27 after he fell in his stall at the Horse Park, injured his right hind femur, and was unable to get up. A chronic

In a recent survey, 96% of respondents said they used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to control the joint pain and inflammation in horses, and 82% administer them without always consulting their veterinarian. More than 1,400 horse owners and trainers were surveyed to better understand attitudes toward NSAIDs, in a project sponsored by Merial, the maker of Equioxx (firocoxib).

During its semi-annual Board of Governors meeting April 25, the United States Polo Association (USPA) voted to establish a committee to examine existing and additional safeguards for polo horses, including developing a prohibited substance policy.

The USPA’s Board of Governors approved the following motion:

“In light of the tragedy that occurred this past week, the USPA Equine

As you handicap this year’s Kentucky Derby, you better ask yourself not only who can get a mile and a quarter, but who can do so on an off track. Some of this year’s contenders have been running on synthetic surfaces and never touched a track listed as sloppy or muddy. That might change May 2 because Churchill Downs has a traditional dirt surface, and the forecast is for rain.

It is

The co-owner of a Nebraska training ranch from which 211 BLM mustangs and burros were recently removed faces federal charges for the alleged maltreatment of a mustang adopted in her name.

On April 16, the BLM cited Anissa Meduna, co owner of the 3-Strikes Ranch in Alliance, Neb., with one count of inhumane treatment of a wild horse or burro, said BLM spokesperson Cindy Wertz.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hoping cash incentives will boost adoptions of wild horses and burros that would otherwise spend their lives in long-term holding facilities.

Under a pilot program slated to debut at an adoption event in Kellyville, Okla., next month, the agency will pay $500 to qualified individuals who adopt BLM mustangs or burros that are four years

Win Willy, fourth-place finisher in the Arkansas Derby, was declared out of the Kentucky Derby by trainer Mac Robertson on the morning of April 29, hours before entries were to be taken for the May 2 race at Churchill Downs.

Robertson said an X ray taken Tuesday revealed a “line” in the left front fetlock that could or could not be a problem. So, to err on the side of caution, the

NBC Universal is planning a full-court press when it comes to handling the 135th Kentucky Derby, with all-week coverage featured in a variety of programming and platforms.

The race itself will be part of a three-hour show from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. EST Saturday, May 2 airing on the NBC network, but Derby segments can be seen on the Today show. The show will air live from Churchill Downs Friday,

The pharmacy involved in the investigation into the recent death of 21 polo ponies in Wellington, Fla., has released a statement verifying that selenium was the excess ingredient in the medication prepared for the ponies.

Florida State Veterinarian Thomas J. Holt, DVM, reported yesterday that the animals had “significantly

Navicular disease was first described 250 years ago, when it was called “coffin joint lameness” because the lameness came from inside the horse’s hoof.

A bill prohibiting the euthanasia of healthy Bureau of Land Management (BLM) horses took a step toward becoming law on Wednesday when members of the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee approved the measure by a 21-14 margin.

H.R. 1018 amends the Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971 to allow the BLM to increase acreage available to free roaming herds, an