On July 15 a chuchwagon race outrider horse became the sixth equine to die during the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada. The annual event features rodeo-style competitions and livestock exhibitions, including the GMC Rangeland Derby chuckwagon race, which pits four teams of horse-drawn wagons against each other in a series of

Colorfully decorated fiberglass horses are appearing all around Lexington, Ky., in preparation for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). Horse Mania 2010 kicked off July 15 with 82 horses, an increase over the 79 statues displayed in the inaugural Horse Mania display in 2000. Regional artists were selected for the opportunity to paint and decorate the life-sized statues, which a

The number of mustangs either found dead or euthanized due to complications from water starvation/dehydration or subsequent water intoxication after being relocated from their ranges to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) temporary holding facilities in Nevada rose this week to 11 this week, according to an agency statement released July 14. The mustangs were among 228 animals gathere

Taking the initial step to help unwanted horses is critical to solving the problem of excess horses facing the horse community. The Unwanted Horse Coalition’s (UHC) new handbook, Best Practices: How Your Organization Can Help Unwanted Horses, details the first step to any organization, association, or event getting involved in the problem of unwanted horses today.

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With the adoption of the new Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMR), effective since April 2010, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has reinforced the concept of the Person Responsible in doping cases. The recent doping case of German rider Marco Kutscher, who was tri

Five horses have died in separate incidents at this year’s Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada. The annual event features rodeo-style competitions and livestock exhibitions. Veterinarians have attributed the deaths to cardiac episodes and fractures. Stampede spokesman Doug Fraser said that on Sunday, July 11, a Quarter Horse suffered an apparent cardiac episode and died during

Louisiana horse owners are being urged to get their animals vaccinated for rabies by the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter extension veterinarian. A horse in Jefferson Davis Parish recently was diagnosed with rabies, said Christine Navarre, DVM, MS, DACVIM, professor and LSU AgCenter extension veterinarian.

Multiple grade I winner and prominent sire Dixie Union was euthanized July 14 at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington because of a deteriorating neurologic problem. The 13-year-old stallion stood at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Ky.

His death came shortly after his son Gone Astray took the July 3 Salvator Mile Stakes at Monmouth Park. Last year, Gone Astray won

The beauty of the horse and the spirit of the Bluegrass will be showcased in the unveiling of the trophies and medals to be presented to the world champions of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Lexington-based luxury gift store and fine trophy provider, L.V. Harkness & Co., has worked intimately with Moser Crystal of the Czech Republic to create team and individual troph

The nutritionists at Kentucky Equine Research are frequently asked questions about dietary influences on hoof health. Questions have been posed by farriers, veterinarians, trainers, and owners. In recent years, more horse people have expressed an int

This spring, the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC) vaccinated 1,600 unwanted horses against critical equine diseases. Established in December 2008, UHVRC provides qualifying equine rescue and retirement facilities with complimentary equine vaccines for horses in their care. To date, more than 4,000 horses across the United States have received vaccines through the program.

A Nevada woman is seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from completing the July 10 gather of 1,200 mustangs from the Owyhee complex in northern Elko County until mid-August, after most foals in the herd are born. At the start of the gather, agency personnel used helicopters to drive 228 animals off Owyhee, Rock Creek, and Little Humb

Very high doses of vitamin E appear to benefit older horses’ immune systems and could be an inexpensive means of battling “immunosenescence”–the decline in immune function because of the aging process.

The hottest ticket in town just got hotter. Ticket prices for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), to be held Sept. 25 – Oct. 10 in Lexington, Ky., have been temporarily lowered in an effort to boost sales, according to Kentucky.com.