Latest News – The Horse

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) case reports have risen into the hundreds already this year, with confirmation of equine cases in at least nine states. Florida has been hit hardest, with a total of 183 equine cases reported from 47 counties as of July 31. The EEE mortality rate is up to 90% in some areas, and veterinarians continue to advise horse owners to vaccinate their animals against

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

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

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

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,

“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.

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

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

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?

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.

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