Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a fast, accurate, quick, and easy testing method to diagnose pathogens associated with equine upper respiratory tract infections, and researchers on a recent study recommended that veterinarians pursue PCR in cases of infectious upper respiratory disease. Not only does it allow the veterinarian to pinpoint the causative pathogen, it also can help control the

Anyone who’s ever set foot on a farm has most likely encountered the plaguelike presence of Stomoxys calcitrans–otherwise known as stable flies. These pests are both an annoyance and a health risk for horses, but the results of a recent study indicate that a common treat for cats might be the answer barn managers are looking for.

Laminitis is a critical cause of lameness in horses: Not only is the exact cause not known in all cases, but considerable controversy persists about how to treat and manage this disease. At the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md., Jennifer Schleining, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS-LA, a clinician in the department of veterinary clinical science at

A Table Topic on stallion sperm morphology at the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md., revolved around the analysis of different sperm defects on the stallion and what their effects were on the fertility of individual stallions.

On Feb. 9, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) offered no details about or a timeline for the ongoing investigation into Life At Ten’s performance in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., though there was public acknowledgment of drug testing related to the case.

The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council (KEDRC), citing a need to explore use of corticosteroids in racehorses, agreed Feb. 9 to take bids for research into one of the drugs in the research planning phase.

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) in partnership with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association (KCA) will offer Level I Livestock Investigation Training in Wilmore, Ky., on March 16-18. The three-day intensive hands-on training prepares animal control and peace officers for the investigation and case management of livestock situations.

More than 12,000 compounding pharmacies operate in the United States, and each year compounded product sales reach $300 million–25% of that is spent in the animal pharmaceutical industry alone. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has developed regulations to provide assurances for safety and efficacy of drugs and devices, to ensure food supply safety, and to regulate food chain supplies and

Three Idaho ranchers are facing multiple animal cruelty charges in connection with the alleged maltreatment of nearly 100 animals, including 30 horses. On Jan. 18 personnel from the Payette County Sheriff’s Department, the Idaho Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Humane Society (IHS) removed the animals from a Payette County ranch 50 miles from Boise, said Pat Vance, director of shelter

On Feb 8, Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) officials lifted a quarantine at Beulah Park, declaring it safe for horses to move in and out of the facility, following an equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) outbreak that occurred between Dec. 22, 2010, and Jan. 11.

County-level data collected from Maryland’s 2010 Equine Census revealed an industry with assets valued at $5.6 billion and expenditures just under $513 million. There are approximately 81,000 equines in Maryland that are housed in over 16,040 locations around the state. The two largest equine counties are Prince George’s and Baltimore at 9,000 and 8,950 head respectively. Equine operations account

The Purdue University Extension and Historic Prophetstown will jointly sponsor workshops throughout the year for those interested in learning more about horse breeding, forage production, and driving. Three horse reproduction clinics will be offered Feb. 18-19, March 4-5, and March 12-13 at RX Acres Belgians breeding farm in Brookston, Ind, The clinics will cover topics such as horse health,

It isn’t every day that a new disease or ailment is discovered, as many of the most common equine health problems have been around for several decades, if not centuries. But within the past decade a new disease has emerged that appears most frequently in weanlings. The disease is equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE), a gastrointestinal disease that causes excessive weight loss and stunted growth

More than 850 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “Do you supplement your horse’s diet with electrolytes?”

Residing in horses’ skin are microorganisms known as skin flora–generally nonpathogenic bacteria that can cause skin disease, joint infections, and life-threatening illnesses if they enter the bloodstream or a joint, such as through an incision in the skin. According to the results of a recent study performed by researchers at Colorado State University’s (CSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and

Leaders of the Wyoming House of Representatives have declared allegations of ethics violations stemming from a complaint filed by a Wyoming resident against State Representative Sue Wallis unfounded. Wallis was the primary sponsor of HB 122, a measure allowing Wyoming livestock authorities to process abandoned horses and sell the meat. The measure also allows Wyoming livestock authorities to