Latest News – The Horse
The Board Test for Lameness
Extension tests (such as trotting a horse off after he stands on a toe wedge for a short time) are sometimes used to detect certain lamenesses, but their use and interpretation are generally not very standardized between practices and practitioners. Until now.
Geldings Sought for Cushing’s Study at Auburn
Researchers at Auburn University need horses to participate in a study that will examine the use of chasteberry (vitex agnus castus) supplements in horses with Cushing’s disease.
This study, which is being conducted through the Department of Animal Sciences, will take place for seven months beginning in April. Chasteberry supplements are often used to treat Cushinoid
Table Topic: Infectious Disease
Several topics were discussed at the infectious diseases table topic at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention held in San Diego, Calif. Bonnie Barr, VMD, from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, and Josie Traub-Dargatz, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, from Colorado State University, facilitated the session.
The first topic discussed was rabies vaccination. In some parts
Of Ponies and Pompadours
Taking grooming to a new level, photographer Julian Wolkenstein’s series of images of elaborately coiffed equines are making the rounds. Whether it’s Rastafarian dreads
Hind Limb Lameness, AAEP 2008
Those in attendance discussed history and clinical examination of many typical hind limb lamenesses. They noted that once the decision to perform diagnostic analgesia (nerve blocks) or treatment is made, the concern for safety should be foremost in the clinician’s mind and appropriate restraint is critical.
Horse Rescue a Finalist for $1 Million Makeover
Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue of Glenville, Pa., has made it to the Top 10 in a $1 million shelter makeover contest sponsored by Zootoo.com, a Web site for animal and pet lovers.
Richard Thompson, founder of Zootoo.com, announced the top 10 shelters selected from a list of 20 finalists at the April 7 Humane Society of the United States Animal Care Expo in Las Vegas.
Shock Wave: No Analgesic Effect Found in Study
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is widely used to treat proximal suspensory desmitis (inflammation of the suspensory ligament). It is thought to improve lameness by inducing the release of cytokines (inflammatory mediators) that can result i
Vanderwall to Head UPenn Reproduction Center
University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Medicine has announced the appointment of Dirk Vanderwall, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, to chief of the reproduction section and director of the Hofmann Research Center for Animal Reproduction at New Bolton Center.
Cutting Costs: Ditch Supplements That Are Unnecessary
In efforts to save money around the barn, researchers recommend horse owners carefully consider the supplements they’re adding to their horses’ feed. The researchers behind the 2008 study, “Feeding management practices and supplement use in top-level event horses,” said many supplements are not needed, and giving too many can be
Homes for Horses Coalition Gathers for Conference
Representatives from dozens of national and state-based equine protection, advocacy, and rescue organizations gathered April 9 and April 10 at Bally’s Las Vegas for the third annual Homes for Horses Coalition Conference to discuss the re-homing of at-risk horses in America and other equine welfare concerns.
The conference was held in conjunction with The Humane Society of the United
New! Improved! Posts!
A writer-author friend with a popular blog says this blog isn’t personal enough for him. In an attempt to take things to another level, I
Injury Rehabilitation Underutilized by Equestrians, Researchers Say
It is our hope that through sharing the experiences of injury and recovery, other riders may be able to prevent some accidents from happening. Or, if they do sustain a horse-related injury, they will utilize the rehabilitation services offered to them during their recovery to ensure they achieve their maximum recovery possible.
Oklahoma Legislature Passes Cloning Bill
The Oklahoma legislature on April 7 approved a bill that prohibits cloned horses or the offspring of cloned horses from participating in races at tracks in Oklahoma. The bill provides that neither clones nor the offspring of clones would be permitted to race even if they are registered by a national breed registry.
Sponsored by State Sen. Joe Sweeden and State Rep. Don Armes, the bill is
Illinois Equine Board Awards More Than $72K in Grants
The Illinois Equine Industry Research and Promotion Board (EPB) has awarded more than $72,000 in grants, according to Karen Freese, chair.
Grants are funded by the Illinois equine checkoff program, which provides for the voluntary assessment of a nickel per 50-pound bag of horse feed sold at retail.
By law, EPB funds must go to support equine research, education and promotion in
Onetime Derby Favorite Old Fashioned Injured
Old Fashioned sustained a non-displaced slab fracture of his right knee during his second-place effort in the $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 11 and will miss the Kentucky Derby.
Trainer Larry Jones said the injury was not life-threatening and was unlikely to give the horse any long-term pain, but that it could end Old Fashioned’s career. He is to go to Rood and Riddle
Readers Put a Price on Riding Helmets
More than 1,090 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “How much would you spend on a helmet?”
Readers’ Most PopularWeekly Poll |



