Latest News – The Horse
Breeders Speak Out in Favor of Kentucky Medication Changes
More than 100 Kentucky-based breeders have come out in support of new equine medication and related penalties proposed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.
Arthur Hancock III of Stone Farm near Paris, Ky., sent breeders copies of a
Slaughter Bill Heads to Senate for Approval
On Friday, Oct. 28, the U.S. House of Representatives approved by a vote of 318-63 an amendment prohibiting the use of federal funds for USDA horse meat inspections. That amendment was added to the $100-billion federal appropriations bill. If
Damaged Ear Repaired
A horse’s ear is designed distinguishing fine sounds at the same time protecting the sensitive inner structures and communicating with herdmates. The ear of an 18-month-old Belgian Warmblood filly was injured, which resulted in the ear
Enduring Chaos
More than 350 Louisiana horses and mules were rescued after Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of the Gulf Coast on August 29. Rescuers dealt daily with images of destruction—such as barns full of trapped horses that didn’t survive the storm surge.
Heroes Nonetheless
Hard to imagine, isn’t it? Two severe hurricanes hitting within a month of each other. Striking within miles of each other. People we know, people we’ve never met–their lives are changed forever. Their stories have touched us and made us cry.
Vaccinations for Youngsters
Protecting tender immune systems against disease is the surest way to ensure the young horse doesn’t fall victim to either temporarily uncomfortable or life-ending infections.
Even though foals receive some immunity by drinking colostru
Shock Wave Therapy for Pain Relief and Healing
In a recently completed study involving navicular cases, Byron found lameness in horses undergoing extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) treatment averaged improvement of about one lameness grade.
Nasal Septum Resection
If the nasal septum?the bony structure that divides the left and right halves of the nasal cavity?becomes deviated or thickened, the nasal passages become narrowed and breathing is impaired. Left untreated, it can lead to exercise intolerance an
Visualizing Joints During Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery in horses is commonly performed to remove abnormal pieces of cartilage, called osteochondral (OC) fragments, from the surface of joints. Visualization through an arthroscope is typically aided by
Latest Nutrition Tools
Hot, dry Tucson, Ariz., doesn’t conjure up images of equine nutrition research, but leading animal scientists convened there May 31-June 4 to present their latest findings on a variety of equine science topics. The following article highlights
Senate Passes Slaughter Funding Amendment
On Sept. 20, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan amendment (68-29) to the Agriculture Appropriations bill will eliminate federal funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors in slaughter houses for one fiscal year. Under the
Unwanted Horse Summit
Representatives from 20 equine-related organizations that make up the unwanted horse coalition met Sept. 21 at the American Veterinary Medical Association headquarters in Schaumburg, Ill., to focus on the group’s mission and to create a long-ter
AAEP Hosts Wet Labs
The American Association of Equine Practitioners held its annual Equine Veterinary Wet Labs on Sept. 6-7. The labs, held for the first time at the Kentucky Horse Park, focused on dentistry, musculoskeletal ultrasound, lameness, and reproduction.
Antioxidants and Heaves
When a horse inhales mold spores or other irritants, neutrophils (specific types of white blood cells) release reactive oxidants–generally very reactive substances that can break down mold in the airways. That’s not a bad thing, really. “But if
Hock MRI Studies
A U.K. researcher examined how age, exercise, and riding discipline and level affect hock joints, and she hopes to make recommendations on how to take better care of equine athletes’ hocks.
Orthopedic research technician Marion Branch,
Study Compares Cost of Castration Methods
Even considering a higher rate of complications, castrations performed in the field are less expensive than sterile procedures performed in a hospital setting, according a United Kingdom study.
The study compared the intial cost and
