More than 100 million horses, donkeys, and mules around the world spend their days working for a living: not necessarily working on their sliding stops, tempi changes, or jumping technique, but working to provide their human families with a means of transportation and a source of livelihood. These equids represent not only the family horse but also an animal that is a major player in the global

Temple Grandin, PhD, was the featured speaker at the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) on Jan. 26 when she gave her presentation entitled, “Animals and Autism.” She discussed proper handling of large animals, including horses, and how her autism helps her understand how animals think.

The process of becoming an Equine Fellow in the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry was covered during one of the Table Topic sessions at the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md.

More than 100 items, including horses and stallion seasons, have been donated to an auction benefiting equestrians that were affected by the recent flooding in Australia, according to a report from Horsetalk.co.nz. Organized by the Arabian Horse Society of Australia, the auction runs through Feb. 15, and all of the proceeds will go directly to affected horse owners, the report says. The items up

Most horse owners are diligent about deworming their horses on a regular schedule. But there might be a more efficient deworming program that both horses and their owners can benefit from. According to Claudia K. True, DVM, a practitioner with Woodside Equine Clinic in Ashland, Va., basing a deworming program on fecal egg counts allows each horse an individualized deworming schedule and reduces

Appropriate biosecurity program protocols for respiratory diseases on the farm was the first issue addressed at the table topic on respiratory diseases presented at the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md. Attendees agreed that segregating new arrivals/horses returning from horse shows and monitoring isolated horses’ temperatures are importa

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) recently introduced a new award, which recognizes public officials who make a significant contribution to keeping Kentucky’s horse community vibrant and growing. The first recipient of this award–the KHC Equine Heritage Award–was Representative Rick Nelson, whose district includes Harlan and Bell counties. Representative Nelson was commended for his perseverance

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) reminds animal producers, marketers, and veterinarians that maintaining a foot-and-mouth disease-free United States requires constant awareness and vigilance. Anyone involved with livestock needs to recognize the general signs of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and how to report suspicious symptoms. Foot-and-mouth disease is not contagious to people, but

Lynn Boggs recently turned to Facebook to find homes for 52 Ohio Thoroughbreds in need. The message she posted on Facebook gained international attention within hours, and all of the horses were placed in new homes within five days.

At the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md., Marjorie W. Miller, DVM, discussed medication rules from several equestrian governing bodies as well as the role of veterinarians in equestrian sport.

A Texas couple is facing multiple animal cruelty charges in connection with the alleged maltreatment of 39 horses removed from their Coryell County property earlier this week. In addition, 250 dogs, two Bengal tigers, two mountain lions, one primate, one deer, and one raccoon were found residing on the property.

A Florida man, Luis Miguel Cordero, was sentenced on Feb. 1 to serve four years in prison after he plead guilty to poaching two horses and butchering them for their meat. Miami-Dade County law enforcement authorities arrested Cordero in September 2009 as he attempted to poach two horses located in the pasture of a Northwest Miami-Dade County ranch. Cordero later confessed to the Miami Gardens

At the Table Topic session on shock wave therapy during the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md., attendees briefly discussed equipment–in particular, focused shock wave equipment. Treatment protocols were discussed in general. Practitioners noted a difference between treating specific injuries versus maintenance of a chronic problem. In treating a