Latest News – The Horse
Wild Horse and Burro Adoptions
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is holding adoptions around the country in order to find homes for horses and burros in the program. These unbranded, unclaimed, free-roaming horses and burros are found on Western public rangelands administered by the BLM and the United States Forest Service. In order to prevent overpopulation on these lands, excess horses are put up for adoption to
2003 AAEP Convention a Success
A record crowd of nearly 6,200 attended the 49th annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in New Orleans, La. Adding to that total was twice the number of veterinary students who attended the 2002 convention. The convention offered nearly 100 scientific presentations, a hands-on wet lab, and an equine health seminar for horse owners.
The 50th Annua
New Broad-Spectrum Dewormer Targets Tapeworms and Encysted Small Strongyles
Phoenix-based Farnam Horse Products has released ComboCare, a new over-the-counter dewormer that kills ascarids, tapeworms, small strongyles (including the encysted stages), and bots.
“This is so timely now because recent surveys show a significantly high proportion of tapeworms in horses in the U.S. These tapeworms have been associated with colic in a number of cases,” said Tom
Kentucky Pasture Monitoring Programs
Comparing pasture samples from 2002 and 2003 didn’t associate mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) with anything other than the Eastern tent caterpillar. However, Wayne Long, MS, of the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Department of Agronomy, provided some insight on pasture management in Central Kentucky and stressed the dangers of tall fescue toxicosis. He presented field study results on
Residual Effects of WNV More Than Anticipated
Horse owners should be vigilant about having equine survivors of West Nile virus (WNV) re-examined by their veterinarians before putting the animals back into work. In a study of Minnesota horses which survived clinical WNV can make the horse more dangerous to ride or drive. Julia Wilson, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Associate Professor in Clinical and Population Sciences at the University of Minnesota’
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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



