Latest News – The Horse
Wanted: A Few Good Clippers (of equestrian land use articles)
The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource is looking for clippers–people who are concerned about the loss of equestrian land and riding areas and want to do something about it. These clippers clip newspaper and magazine articles, not shaggy horses, and send them in to the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource’s (ELCR) national office. The articles assist the ELCR in developing a national
Comments Sought on Equine Viral Arteritis: Uniformed Methods and Rules
The American Horse Council (AHC) has been asked to share the Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA): Uniformed Methods and Rules (UM&R) created by the USDA.
There is a brief period for review and comment and the AHC asks that you click here or visit
USDA Instituting New Blood Test for Equine Piroplasmosis
Effective Feb. 1, 2004, the USDA will institute a new blood test for determining the equine piroplasmosis status of horses upon entry into the United States.
The competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CELISA) is more sensitive than the Complement Fixation test (CFT), which is currently used to test for piroplasmosis. The CELISA has a greater chance of identifying chronically
Heavy Hooves: Tufts to Host Unique Conference
Flying feathers and pounding hooves will be examined on March 26-28 as Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine hosts the nation’s first conference specifically about lameness and shoeing of draft horses. The conference is being organized by Carl Kirker-Head MA, VetMB, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, Dipl. ECVS, the current Marilyn M. Simpson Chair in Equine Medicine at Tufts.
Speakers are a
AQHA To Host Free “Racehorse 101” Seminar
On Wed., Jan. 21, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) will present a free seminar, “Racehorse 101,” to inform racing fans about American Quarter Horse ownership. The seminar is part of the activities taking place during the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, Jan. 22-24 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Current and potential owners can learn more about partnerships, claiming horses,
South African Racing Loses to Equine Flu
The 1986 equine influenza outbreak in South Africa virtually halted racing in some parts of the country. Last month, equine flu again reared its ugly and contagious head, causing cancellation of races at several top tracks and forcing quarantine of horses suspected of being exposed to the virus. The flu affected six stabling/training complexes and approximately 3,000 horses, according to Rob
Increase In Leptospirosis Reported In Kentucky
Leptospirosis, often called just “lepto,” can cause flu-like illness in horses that sometimes results in abortion or uveitis (moon blindness). In Kentucky, there seems to be a cyclic pattern to abortions caused by leptospirosis. In 2001, there were about 40 cases, but over the past two years there were less than 10 each year. Through Jan. 12 of 2004, there have been already 27 cases, accordin
IVERCARE Award Winners Announced
Five winners are sharing prize money totaling $17,500 in the IVERCARE – Because You Care award program. The program, sponsored by Farnam Horse Products, rewards nonprofit organizations and individuals who strive to improve the health and welfare of horses and/or humans who love them.
The winners were chosen from among 100 equine industry nominees include: Rebecca Miolen in the
The American Quarter Horse Foundation Now Has Internet Presence
The American Quarter Horse Foundation (AQHF), the heart of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), now has a presence on www.aqha.com. Featuring its programs and educational outreach efforts, www.aqha.com/foundation highlights ongoing equine research and donation
Improved Diagnostics for the Upper Airway
“Endoscopy is the primary diagnostic tool for evaluation of the upper airway of the horse,” said Brett Woodie, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, at the clinic’s annual client education seminar held Jan. 5 in Lexington, Ky. He reviewed the history of endoscopy and its current use at rest, and the advantages of dynamic examination of the upper airway of horses which
Welfare Concerns Prompt AVMA Opposition to House Bill on Transportation and Processing of Horses for Slaughter
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) believes HR 857–The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act–could potentially harm more horses than it saves. An analysis by the AVMA reveals that HR 857, introduced by New York State Representative John Sweeney, fails to address the welfare of affected horses, fails to ensure levels of funding required to properly care for horses when
USRider Distributes 500 Copies of Large Animal Rescue Video
USRider has distributed more than 500 free copies of a large animal rescue video to U.S. organizations and individuals since the video’s introduction in the first quarter of 2003. The video, which was designed to increase awareness of the need for correct rescue training among emergency medical technicians, has been sent to Canada, Germany, Argentina, and the West Indies.
Many
Equine Industry Vision Award Nominations Due Jan. 15
Jan. 15 is the deadline date for nominations for the annual Equine Industry Vision Award, which will be presented at the American Horse Publications Annual Seminar in Lexington, Ky., on June 11. Pfizer Animal Health sponsors the award in partnership with American Horse Publications and developed the award to recognize outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the
Funding Sought for Reproductive Research
When mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) struck in 2001, the industry was scared and demanding answers. Nearly 3,000 of that year’s pregnancies were lost, some horses were diagnosed with heart and eye problems, and no one could figure out what was going on. And there were no funds set aside to handle a battle against an unknown equine disease.
Researchers at the University of
Texas Increases Number of Post-Race Drug Tests
The Texas Racing Commission has authorized the Texas Medical Diagnostic Laboratory to increase the amount of ELISA tests it conducts and decrease the number of screens it evaluates from urine samples collected for post-race analysis.
Officials have indicated the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test is cost-effective and highly sensitive, and it also tends to take less time to analyz

Your Horse is Missing. What Now?
One of the most painful experiences a horse owner can suffer is discovering his/her horse is missing. For the best chance of finding a horse, get people involved, one authority on the topic says. Here’s how.