A recent University of Kentucky (UK) HealthCare survey found that 60% of Kentucky horseback riding respondents did not wear any safety apparel the last time they went riding. “Many riders who have been injured say that they feel that those injuries were preventable,” said Fernanda Camargo, DMV, PhD, equine extension professor at UK. “Wearing a helmet and paying atte

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) will take place in Lexington, Ky., from Sept. 25-Oct. 10. The World Equestrian Games are held every four years like the Olympics and are the world championships for eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Despite being the pinnacle of equestrian competition, the Games are no

A recent outbreak of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), a highly infectious viral disease of horses, has been confirmed on a breeding farm in northern Tasmania. One mare died and several others aborted their foals. According to Horsetalk, Rod Andrewartha, chief veterinary officer for Tasmania’s Pri

A group of equine welfare advocates want the USDA to adopt new regulations designed to beef-up enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) of 1970 at Tennessee Walking Horse exhibitions. The act forbids soring, the deliberate injury to a horse’s legs to achieve an exaggerated “big lick” gait.

The AAEP’s first equitarian meeting, to be held Oct. 17-22 in Vera Cruz, Mexico, offers veterinarians the cultural knowledge and field training to assist struggling communities where working equids are used for subsistence. Attendees will gain hands-on experience serving equids in impoverished areas of Vera Cruz, where hundreds of horses are in need of saddle fitting, disease treatment, castration

A foal’s immune system is known to be weak and immature, but new cell-based research suggests that “immunodeficiency” might be too broad a term to define the disease-fighting capacity of the youngest horses. The research is overturning old theories about foal immunity, which could soon lead to improved disease prevention methods and more effective treatments for sick

A stallion has tested positive for the venereal disease Equine viral arteritis (EVA) in Staffordshire, England, reports HorseandHound. Breeding restrictions have been placed on the stallion.

Not much else is known, but the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs in the England said in a s

More than 80 horses are receiving care at an undisclosed location after law enforcement authorities removed them from a Coffee County, Kan., farm July 30. Det. Tom Johnson of the Coffey County Sheriff’s said sheriff’s deputies discovered the horses after a tipster complained about their condition. The investigation into the case is ongoing.

Coffey County Attorne

Knowing whether a horse favors his left or right leg can help owners and trainers develop better training programs for him, according to Amanda Warren-Smith, PhD, of the Millthorpe Equine Research Centre in New South Wales, Australia. An easy way to determine his laterality is with a pedometer designed for people. Laterality is the preference an animal shows for one side of its bo

Many horse owners will eventually face tough decisions regarding animal mortality and disposal. The Unwanted Horse Coalition receives many calls from concerned owners regarding the legalities and options for disposing of horse carcasses. The problem arises with the diminishing disposal options for animals and livestock. Burial is not legal in all areas, many landfills do not accept animals,

The Jockey Club reminds stallion owners to submit their Reports of Mares Bred (RMBs) for the 2010 breeding season as soon as possible.

“Timely submission of RMBs helps avoid unnecessary delays in the registration process,” said Matt Iuliano, The Jockey Club’s executive vice president and executive director. “Additionally, prompt reporting helps ensure that the b

Build-out projects at the Kentucky Horse Park are picking up as the countdown to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games continues. Many construction projects are underway for different temporary structures around the park. Construction crews have started assembling the temporary Driving Stadium on the Secretariat Polo Field adjacent to the Camp Ground. The temporary Driving S

Veterinary involvement in the selection of the Haggin Cup, awarded to the horse found to be in the “most superior physical condition” after successful completing 100 miles of the Western States Trail, is extremely important. Greg Fellers, DVM, head veterinarian of the event for the past five years, explained, “The physical examination findings carry the most weight

A bipartisan group of congressmen have asked Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to halt controversial gather operations in Nevada and postpone all pending wild horse gathers until an independent study of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mustang management operations takes place. The BLM is a division within the Department of Interior, and the Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971 p

Kentucky Department of Agriculture officials have concluded a recent case of Potomac horse fever that was diagnosed in a horse at Keeneland’s training center on Rice Road was not contracted or introduced to the horse while he was stabled on the grounds. State veterinary officials were alerted July 30 when a horse that had been stabled at the facility tested positive for the di