Latest News – The Horse
Big Horse? Small Horse? Help Scientists Study Size Genes
What makes your horse different from the horse in the next stall? Why doesn’t a Kentucky Derby contender walk like a Budweiser Clydesdale? Why don’t either of them look like Thumbelina, the Guinness Book of World Records’ smallest living horse?
The domestic horse comes in a range of sizes, shapes, and
Illinois House Rejects Horse Slaughter Bill
Legislation to reinstate the horse slaughter industry in Illinois failed to pass that state’s House of Representatives on Wednesday because the measure did not earn the 60 votes necessary for passage.
Sponsored by Rep. Jim Sacia, HB 0583 woul
De Worms is Winning!
Okay, I’ll admit it: I have a "rotation" schedule that I have used to deworm my horses. And that "schedule" probably hasn’t changed much since … well, since a
My Little He-Man
Art student Mari Kasurinen from Lahti, Finland, hit on my news searches this week for her customized My Little Pony sculptures, modified to portray
Foot Casts for Acute Laminitis (AAEP 2008)
There are many ways to support a laminitic horse’s foot; one common European method is to use plaster of paris foot casts.
Stress Busters
Our horses’ lifestyles, career demands, and the way we manage them can cause more stress than we might expect. Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, was preparing a horse for long-distance transport. Getting the horse fro
MSPCA Seeks Donations and Homes for Equine Program
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) Equine Center at Nevins Farm is on pace to receive and care for a record number of horses in 2009. However, the upcoming warmer months of the year are traditionally when equine adoption rates increase.
“We are currently caring for more than 30 homeless horses both on and off of our property with support from our
Michigan Bans Racehorse Steroids
Michigan Horse Racing Commissioner Christine C. White April 1 gave notice to the state’s horse racing industry that effective immediately, the presence of anabolic steroids will be prohibited in all horses entered to race at any pari-mutuel track in Michigan.
“Integrity remains our priority,” said White. “By incorporating a testing program for anabolic steroids, we are letting everyone
International Equine Disease Report, Fourth Quarter 2008
The International Collating Centre, Newmarket, England, and other sources reported the following disease outbreaks:
Two cases of contagious equine metritis (CEM) were confirmed in non-Thoroughbred horses in France. As of Feb. 23 the USDA reported 11 non-Thoroughbred stallions positive for (CEM) during the recent outbreak–four in Kentucky, three in Indiana, three in Wisconsin, and one in
Causes of Laminitis (AAEP 2008)
Progression of obesity and insulin resistance exacerbates laminitis risk. As a horse gets fatter, insulin sensitivity decreases. Insulin resistance worsens with chronic obesity, making a horse more susceptible to laminitis and less tolerant of triggering events.
Can We Prevent Strangles?
Strangles is a dreaded disease for horse owners. It is caused by bacterial infection with Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (referred to as S. equi). The bacteria typically infect the upper airway and lymph nodes of the head and neck. Strangles has affected horses for centuries, is highly contagious, can recur on farms with previous outbreaks, and is one of the most commonl
“Sticky” Third Eyelid
Twice, my 12-year-old Paint gelding has gotten his third eyelid “stuck” over the top of his eyeball for 10 or 20 seconds. The first time was when water splashed in his eye during a bath.
Insulin Resistance and Layup Time
My 18-year-old Percheron/ Morgan gelding was diagnosed with insulin resistance. Just prior to being confined to stall rest for a connective tissue injury, his insulin was 67 microIU/mL. The vet did a dexamethasone suppression test to rule out PPID,
Abnormal Sheath Buildup
I have searched the Internet and asked everyone I know about the abnormal sheath buildup on my 17-year-old palomino gelding. Ever since we bought him, we noticed a large, crusty buildup all over him.
To Breed, or Not to Breed?
A lot is asked of young show stallions, particularly when it comes to juggling performance and breeding. I wondered what your experience has been on this subject. Do you feel breeding can actually benefit the performance behavior?
Will the Worms Win? (Part 1)
Intestinal parasites, or “worms,” have been problematic since the domestication of horses. In this first section of a two-part series, we’ll review the identification, transmission, and problems associated with internal parasites.
Dawn of a New Era
It’s important that we focus on equin



