We interact with microchips every day–in our computers, telephones, and even our kitchen appliances. But the thought of putting a microchip into a horse can make us uncomfortable. Fear not–veterinarians say microchipping horses is a quick and simple procedure that provides safe, permanent identification. Kevin Owen, DVM, owner of Electronic ID Inc. (the U.S. ditributor for Destr

The American Association of Equine Practitioners advises coastal veterinarians and horse owners to review their disaster response protocol during the height of the 2010 hurricane season.

A Florida woman faces a felony charge for failing to inform state agricultural authorities that a horse on her property tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). EIA is an infectious, potentially fatal viral disease transferred from horse-to-horse by biting insects such as horseflies and deer flies. Infected horses display acute or chronic symptoms including fever, anemia, edema, and gen

Poultry and eggs were Kentucky’s leading farm commodity in 2009, with cash receipts of $911.6 million, ending the equine industry’s 10-year reign at the top of the list. According to a release Aug. 31 from state agriculture commissioner Richie Farmer, the equine sector was responsible for $780 million of the state’s total $4 billion. Kentucky farm cash receipts in 20

An effort to finalize proposed regulations on out-of-competition testing of horses in Kentucky erupted into a lively debate over penalties when two panels met in joint session via teleconference Aug. 31. The out-of-competition regulations have been drafted, revised, and debated over the course of several meetings and in public meetings conducted by a joint committee of the Kentuck

The number of piroplasmosis-positive horses imported from Europe varies considerably from one country to another, according to new findings by Swiss researchers. With piroplasmosis steadily creeping across the globe in the 21st century, spreading out of its once traditional tropical/subtropical regions, these researchers have been looking into prevalence statistics to better under

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker announced the state’s first confirmed equine case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) this year on Aug. 27. The affected horse was a 2-year old gelding kept in Oswego County. EEE is a rare viral disease of horses and humans that is spread by infected mosquitoes. To date, there have been no reported nor confirmed human cases of EEE i

At what age is it safe to start introducing a young horse to loading on a trailer? We have no reason to go anywhere just now, but we want to teach him to load before he grows up and has to go somewhere.

In 1998 the USDA estimated approximately 1.4% of the horse population was overweight or obese. A more recent study, however, found the number of overweight or obese horses to be alarmingly higher. Weight management is an important issue in equine medicine, particularly as more details on the underlying mechanisms of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance surface.

A handful of horses graze in a pasture one week; a herd of goats mow down its bushes and weeds the next. This multi-species rotational grazing system has its advantages, but whether they outweigh the disadvantages will depend on your situation, purposes, climate, and forage growth.

Shoppers at 166 Kroger stores in four states will be able to purchase Flex Grounds Pass tickets to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games along with their grocery items from Sept. 1 – Sept. 24. Kroger stores in Central Tennessee, Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, and Kentucky spanning locations from Owensboro and Louisville to London and Corbin will offer the Flex Grounds Pass

How owners manage pastures and seasonal consumption of grass carbohydrates can significantly affect horses with Cushing’s disease, according to researchers from the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine. And, while the researchers’ study did not focus directly on laminitis, owners could avoid laminitis by heeding its findings. Horses with Cushing’