As lead sponsor of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 857) in the U.S. House of Representatives, I feel it is important to respond to articles recently published in The Horse that grossly misrepresent my bill and the issue of horse slaughter as a whole.

Several misleading themes continue to be put forward by opponents of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act

Royal Kaliber, a prominent U.S. showjumper, was euthanatized Oct. 8 in the Netherlands. The stallion underwent colic surgery for intestinal adhesions on Sept. 27 and had been recovering well until his progress considerably slowed. Royal Kaliber took Chris Kappler to a team silver and an individual bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

According to Tim Ober, DVM, a veterinarian

Four horses that competed in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece–including one gold medalist–have tested positive for banned substances. The four positive horses are Irish show jumping gold medal winner Waterford Crystal, ridden by Cian O’Connor; German showjumper Goldfever, ridden by Ludger Beerbaum; German event horse Ringwood Cockatoo, ridden by Bettina Hoy; and Austrian event horse

I have a 2-year-old Quarter Horse gelding who has been in training for three months. When should I start giving him a joint supplement? Also, when should I begin giving him a vitamin supplement?

The Animal Supplement Council (NASC) has initiated a Quality Seal Program as part of its ongoing effort to improve and standardize the animal supplement industry. The seal is a way for consumers to know that when they buy a product, they buy from a reputable manufacturer. Different from the NASC logo, the seal signifies that the company has been independently audited for the implementation of

I think my 11-year-old mare isn’t getting enough sleep. What should I do so that she’ll sleep more?

While they aren’t used to improve vision in horses, soft contact lenses can be used to protect the eye and facilitate healing in horses with non-infected ulcerations. Reasons to avoid contacts for a particular horse include reduced tear production, infection, deep corneal ulceration where there’s a risk of rupture during lens placement, and abnormal corneal curvature.

No matter a horse’s talent, if he consistently engages in difficult, damaging, or dangerous behavior, he risks being found guilty of being a “problem horse.” He then will serve time wearing uncomfortable devices designed to break or hinder an unacceptable behavior, being handed corporal punishment by a frustrated handler, or being given capital punishment via a trip to auction and on to the

The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council, which hasn’t met since the fall of 2003, has been officially reconstituted. The council serves in an advisory capacity to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.

The terms of members of the previous council expired this summer. Gov. Ernie Fletcher announced the new appointments Nov. 23 in a release.

Connie Whitfield, vice chairwoman of

Once again, ’tis the season, and in most horsey households no gift list is complete until the names of equine friends appear right along with Uncle Joe and Cousin Mary Sue. As we do for our human friends and relatives, we want to get just the right gift–one that pleases both giver and receiver.

Needless to say, the Internet is a virtual wonderland of equine products and gift ideas. So

Even though horses are primarily forage eaters, many also seem to like candy, soft drinks, potato chips, and even meat.

It has been reported that more than 80% of highly trained horses will develop gastric ulcers. But only one anti-ulcer drug, GastroGard, has been found to significantly decrease the risk of developing moderate to severe gastric ulcers during training (see Research Reports, The Horse, August 2004,

Tendonitis of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in horses is a newly recognized cause of foot pain. Radiography and even ultrasonography have failed to detect abnormalities in this tendon, especially as it travels within the hoof capsule and attaches to the pedal or coffin bone. In an effort to improve the ability of practitioners to diagnose DDFT lesions within the foot, a study was