Latest News – The Horse
Sabotaged Saddlebreds
In a malicious attack that garnered nationwide news coverage, five top American Saddlebreds were injected with an unknown, necrotizing (tissue-killing) substance the weekend of June 28-29 at Double D Ranch in Versailles, Ky. These were five of the most valuable horses at the 30-stall facility. The injuries were discovered the morning of June 30, and in the following weeks, three were
Wanted: Crystal Ball
Wouldn’t you like to be able to foresee the future, even if just for a few little things? Nothing so dramatic as making a killing on the stock market (if that can even be done these days) or hitting the lottery. Simple things would do, such as knowing when the tire is going to go flat on the truck or trailer so you can get it fixed before you get stuck on the side of the road. Or
Roaring Down the Stretch
Most people who have been around horses long enough have heard a few make abnormal respiratory noises while exercising. These horses usually draw attention to themselves by the sheer volume of noise they create as they go around the show jumping course or trot and canter around the show ring. Other times, the noise is more subtle and the rider will complain about a horse which just runs out o
Shock Wave Therapy — Does It Work?
What is shock wave therapy? Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) focuses a highly concentrated, powerful acoustical (sound) energy source to a focal area. The shock waves induce increased activity of bone-producing cells and might also lead to increased circulation in the focal region. As a result, the focal area undergoes a more rapid healing process than if left untreated. In addition,
I Never Thought it Would Happen to Me…
“Tornadoes Rip Through the Midwest,” “West Nile Races Across the U.S.,” “Ice Storm Paralyzes Central Kentucky,” “Drought, Wildfires Scorch Western States,” “Chemical Spill Forces Evacuation.”
News headlines trumpeting natural and man-made disasters have filled the front pages of newspapers at an exceptional rate in 2003, and disaster planning has become this decade’s Y2K phrase.
Focusing on the Flu
Equine influenza can strike a horse regardless of time of year. Competitive horses which attend events where other horses are congregated or horses which live in large boarding barns are particularly at risk. Not every horse which contracts a viral infection will display overt clinical signs, but such a horse might then be a carrier capable of infecting less immune-competent individuals. In
Late-Year Competition Horse Care
For many of us who compete with our horses, regardless of which discipline we compete in, fall is the time of year to seek the advice of our equine practitioners regarding any maintenance that will have our horses ready for competition next season. While many of us compete throughout the year, some of us are less active during the winter months. If your horse is still going to be used through
Pregnant Mares in Heat?
Can you supply me with a veterinary explanation on whether a mare that is in foal can come back into season? We have had many discussions about this subject at my barn and are still divided on the answer.
Salting Hay for Storage
I was told that using rock salt on hay that is kept in a small area would keep it from molding. Is this true, and would it do anything to the hay other than keep it dry?
Starting a Rescue Facility
I live in Florida, and I am researching private equine rescue facilities. I am interested in starting one in my area. I see a great need for it! Any info that you could send my way would be appreciated.
Dealing With EPM Today
While West Nile virus continues to dominate headlines when it comes to equine health, researchers are working to unlock the mysteries of that other, not-quite-so-new disease–equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). High on the list is understanding the life cycle of the disease.
“Knowing about the life cycle is important because it would allow us to more effectively test treatment
First 2003 West Nile Virus Finding in California
The first evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) in California this year was found in mosquitoes collected in Imperial County near the Salton Sea, announced Diana M. Bontá, RN, DrPH, state health director, on Aug. 20. Several flocks of
Vote in the Ivercare — Because You Care Award Program
Nearly 31,000 online votes were received from the public in the semifinals of the Ivercare–Because You Care award program sponsored by Farnam Horse Products. Earlier this year, more than 100 organizations and individuals were nominated for the award program, which was initiated by Farnam to recognize nonprofit organizations and individuals that strive to improve the health and welfare of
New President for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Board of Directors recently named Terence Collier president of the organization at its most recent meeting. Collier, best known in the horse racing industry as the director of marketing and the sales
Large Animal Rescue Video Deemed a Success
An organization has sought to remedy the problem of large animals being dragged, strangled, drowned, or dropped during attempted rescues due to improper training of emergency responders for lage animal rescues.. USRider has produced a video to
PHF in Oklahoma
The death of at least one Oklahoma horse has been definitively linked to Potomac horse fever (PHF), a disease rarely found in the state, and two of her stablemates likely died of the same illness. The horse manager at the farm with the confirmed