Researchers have found that omega-3 fatty acids have direct anti-inflammatory actions that might be useful for the treatment of osteoarthritis and lameness in horses. Inflammation is characterized by pain, swelling, heat, redness, and loss of use. One of the most important mediators of inflammation (the substances responsible for initiating and regulating the inflammatory process) is

The Horseman’s Card donated more than $17,400 to the University of Kentucky (UK) Gluck Equine Research Center during the first three quarters of 2010. Since its inception in 1992, The Horseman’s Card Platinum Plus Visa Credit Card with WorldPoints Rewards has donated hundreds of thousands of research dollars to the Gluck Center to benefit horse health. The affinity card was created to specifically

Now in its 19th issue, the Bluegrass Equine Digest continues to provide the latest news on equine research at the University of Kentucky (UK) for the benefit of horse owners all across the country. The UK Equine Initiative (which represents all equine programs at UK) and the Gluck Equine Research Center, together with TheHorse.com and sponsor Pfizer Animal Health, have offered stories about

When a Quarter Horse colt born with a severely deformed right hind limb arrived at the University of Florida’s Large Animal Hospital last May, equine veterinarians recognized that traditional methods used for straightening abnormal legs in foals would not work. But five months, three surgeries, and one small animal surgeon later, the foal is living the good life at home in Palmetto, Fla.

A Florida man will serve five years in prison for poaching two horses and butchering them for meat. In September 2009 Miami-Dade County law enforcement authorities arrested Santiago Cabrera in connection with a July 2009 incident involving a horse discovered dead in a pasture near its stables, apparently butchered for its meat. Cabrera later confessed to taking part in a similar killing

Zenyatta finished second to Olympic gold medal-winning American skier Lindsey Vonn as The Associated Press’ 2010 Female Athlete of the Year, the second year in a row she was the runner-up for the award.

The gene responsible for causing the swaybacked appearance of many American Saddlebred horses might be playing an advanced game of “hide and go seek,” but genetic researchers at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center are one step closer to uncovering this gene and, thus, helping breeders one day avoid perpetuating the trait. Swayback, also referred to as lordosis, lowback, or

To give the everyday horse owner or manager access to a set of relatively easy-to-use budgets, the University of Kentucky departments of Agricultural Economics and Animal and Food Sciences have developed online budgeting tools available on their website.

People combat cold weather by putting on additional clothing, but horses fight the elements by using more energy to maintain body temperature. While most people can address their own needs, horses are dependent upon their owners to provide proper nutrition and protection from the weather, said Dave Freeman, PhD, PAS, Dipl. ACAN, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension equine specialist.

Oxidation is a normal metabolic process that allows horses to transform the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins they devour in meals into energy. An unavoidable side effect of oxidation is the creation of free radicals–compounds that have the

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has distributed financial grants to more than 30 equine rescue groups. The grants were made possible by a horseback riding fundraiser organized by the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) this summer.

Horses constantly ingest dirt when they graze. While excessive dirt consumption sometimes causes problems such as sand accumulation in the large intestine, the dirt that horses normally consume while grazing supplies some essential nutrients–most notably iron. Forages and grains contain additional dietary iron for horses.

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) have come and gone, but the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture hopes to reap the benefits of a worldwide exposure for years to come. From prospective students to new partnerships to general awareness about equine programs at UK, much was gained by the university’s involvement in the Games. Some of the key highlights of

When Merial put out the call for the next face and voice of ULCERGARD, a gastric ulcer prevention product for horses, the company received an overwhelming response. Horse owners, competitors, and veterinary professionals from throughout the country submitted entries that demonstrated their love and trust of the product, as well as their commitment to guarding their horses against sto

The concept of a balanced foot can be subjective, but farriers are now using technological advances to take some of the guesswork out of the process. Patrick T. Reilly, chief of farrier services at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, discussed evaluating hoof balance with in-shoe force measurements.

Horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) are at a higher risk for laminitis than the average horse, but veterinarians are learning more about diagnosing EMS early and minimizing its effects, including laminitis. At the Sept. 17-18 Laminitis West Conference in Monterey, Calif., Thomas J. Divers, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVECC, professor and Chief of Large Animal Medicine at Cornell University,