Latest News – The Horse
Estrus Suppression
When a mare exhibits unexpected or undesirable behavior that cannot be explained by illness or injury, the owner might suspect it is related to the mare’s estrous cycle. He or she might notice the mare is more difficult to train or ride periodically, she might act aggressively toward other horses, wring her tail, urinate frequently, or exhibit pain or sensitivity in her flanks. Owners often ask
Building Immunity
The foal’s immune system is almost a blank slate at birth; researchers are figuring out how to best protect horses as they grow.

Probiotics and Prebiotics
When the levels of the good bugs wane–as in cases of stress, travel, or antibiotic administration–there are ways to replenish them with the help of probiotics and prebiotics for your horse.
Filling a Need? (Supplements)
When was the last time you stepped into a feed room that didn’t contain a wide array of buckets, bottles, and tubs of supplements? Supplements have become more the rule than the exception.
Sand Colic in Horses
Horses in some management conditions are susceptible to sand ingestion; here’s how to avoid sand buildup and resulting complications such as colic. Rarely do we see our horses lapping up sand like it’s some rare commodity. But inevitably horses end up with burdens of sand in their intestinal tracts from grazing sandy pastures or eating off the ground. In areas with sandy soil
Will the Worms Win? Part 2: Resistance
Anthelmintic resistance is a growing problem the world over. While we might not see “super worms” ravaging our equine companions, there is a pressing need to update deworming strategies and horse owners’ perceptions regarding available deworming tools.
Internal parasite populations develop anthelmintic
Racetrack Emergencies (AAEP 2008)
Preparation includes understanding the nature of racing emergencies along with an assessment on how to maximize available resources. Venue-specific concerns should be identified, as every situation is unique, and Scollay-Ward urged on-track veterinarians to develop team proficiency by collaborating on duties and establishing relationships prior to the need for implementing emergency procedures.
Minnesota Gelding Project Offers Free Castration
In an effort to reduce the number of unwanted horses in Minnesota, several equine organization are banding together to offer free equine castration for horses and owners that meet program criteria.
Organizers of the project include the Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition, the Minnesota Horse Council, the Animal Humane Society, and the University of Minnesota, in cooperation with the
Roaring Down the Track: Laryngeal Hemiplegia Basics
It is estimated that 3-5% of young Thoroughbreds have left laryngeal hemiplegia, also known as roaring.
Readers Rank Biggest Equine Health Concerns
More than 1,550 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “What is your biggest equine health concern?”
Weather the Big Question for Kentucky Oaks, Derby
The song says the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home, but there is no sun shining Kentucky Oaks morning, and the weather is the big topic of conversation.
Owners, trainers, and racing fans have been watching the skies over Louisville, Ky., all week. It was not raining as the abbreviated training hours ended May 1, necessitated by an early first post of 10:30 a.m. (EDT) both Oaks
Tally of U.S. Horses Exposed to CEM Hits 820
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
A Rash of Questions
In the spring and summer my Paint mare has a rash-type skin problem around her nose and moving to her shoulders. It starts out looking like what we were told was dew poisoning, but it has spread to the point of bumps, scabs, raw sores, and bleeding.
Alysheba Remembered at Memorial Service
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
Horse Owner Survey Shows NSAID Use Trends
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).
Polo Association to Develop Prohibited Substance Policy
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



