Since the middle of March, the United Kingdom’s Animal Health Trust (AHT) has confirmed influenza in 20 racing yards (stables) in Newmarket, located in different areas of the town, and in a single breaking/holding yard just outside Newmarket. Most of these diagnoses have been made on the basis of nucleoprotein ELISA positive swab samples but two have been diagnosed on the basis of

In the wake of the May 4 tornado that destroyed homes, buildings and lives in the Marionville, Mo. area, many horses were left wounded and without the necessities for survival. Several horses were killed or had to be euthanized due to injuries sustained when one of the worst tornadoes in Missouri history ripped through the state. The horses that survived faced injuries and loss of shelter,

The Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) presented its heralded May Award to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) during the ARCI’s 69th Annual Convention in April. The award is traditionally given to an individual or organization in racing for the highest level of service and contribution to the betterment of the racing sport.

The AAEP was

On Monday, May 5, acting secretary for department of health Robert S. Muscalus reported the first positive test for the West Nile virus (WNV) in Pennsylvania in 2003. The virus was detected in a dead crow in Philadelphia.

Acting Secretary for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Kathleen A. McGinty emphasized the importance of homeowners to remove

Some horse and agriculture farms were asked to be test farms during and after the mare reproductive loss (MRLS) crisis in 2001. One of those farms is Glennwood Farm in Versailles, Ky., owned by John D. Gunther and operated by Leslie K. Miller, general manager. The test farms have provided a wealth of information during the past 2 1/2 years, on

Laminitis specialist Robert Eustace, BVSc, Cert EO, Cert. EP, MRCVS, director of The Laminitis Clinic in Wiltshire, England, wants horse obesity to be declared a welfare concern. In a campaign launched at the annual meeting of the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) at the end of 2002, Eustace directed sharp words at the horse show judging system, which rewards round,

A study led by researchers at Colorado State University determined that the effects of West Nile virus (WNV) cost equine owners in Colorado and Nebraska more than $1.25 million in 2002, and prevention costs for WNV vaccinations likely exceeded an additional $2.75 million for the equine industry in those states last year. In 2002, Colorado reported 378 and Nebraska reported 1,100 confirme

A 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Crow Wing County, was Minnesota’s first equine West Nile virus (WNV) case for 2003, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (MBAH). Paul Anderson, MBAH assistant director, said the virus was expected to appear again this year, but not so early in the season. The first U.S. equine WNV case of 2003 was reported in Florida in early

ReRun Inc. has assumed management of Greener Pastures Equine Sanctuary, a 160-acre estate along the Sassafras River near Cecilton, Md., donated by the Wear Family. The facility, which was previously managed by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), is home to many retired racehorses and is also a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to preserving the nesting habitat of the blue heron and American

Blood-Horse Publications announces its second annual book warehouse clearance sale will be held Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 at 349 Virginia Avenue in Lexington, Kentucky.

Glucosamine is a popular nutritional supplement that horses are fed in hopes of protecting them from osteoarthritis. Researchers studying the mechanisms of osteoarthritis have identified several compounds, called markers, that are unique to the cartilaginous joints. Increased concentrations of these markers in the blood signify damage to cartilage and/or bone. Recently, a group of researchers

Of particular interest to horse owners was Johnson’s black-and-white linkage of the newly termed “Equine Metabolic Syndrome” (EMS) condition with laminitis and obesity. “Obesity-associated insulin refractory state” was Johnson’s precise description of EMS in these non-Cushing’s horses, many of which also suffer from recurrent laminitis.

Because of its subjective and complex nature, the severity of a horse’s pain is very difficult to assess. Recently, a comprehensive review was published by the University of Minnesota outlining the definitions of the types of pain and the difficulties associated with its assessment in animals.

Pain is broadly classified as acute (of short duration) or chronic (persisting over time), then

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the United Kingdom has advanced hoof balance from a farrier’s art form to a measurement of pressure inside the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint (coffin joint). Some day, a horse’s ideal balance might be determined by a pressure reading of this type.

Excess intra-articular pressure and/or joint fluid volume of the DIP joint is a

Spinal cord disease in horses is fairly common, but it can be difficult to precisely diagnose. Ancillary tests such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis, contrast myelography, and electromyelography can be helpful, but also somewhat risky. There is another diagnostic technique used in humans that is not painful and has no serious side effects. The technique is called transcranial magnetic

All of the cutting-edge hoof information presented at this symposium is very helpful to the fledgling field of equine podiatry. Equally valuable is the open, helpful atmosphere in which everyone is learning and helping each other understand new concepts.