For the first time in history, the United States will host a 16-day sporting extravaganza that will approach the U.S. Open (which drew 700,000-plus spectators in 2009)–the World Equestrian Games, starting Sept. 25, 2010. The Games include championships for the horse-and-human disciplines of eventing, jumping, dressage, para dressage, driving, endurance, reining, and vaulting.

A new, potentially fatal syndrome in horses called equine fescue edema has been reported by Australian scientists in the Australian Veterinary Journal. The researchers noted that all affected horses in the study were grazing pastures sown with Mediterranean (winter active) varieties of tall fescue containing endophytes, and have suggested that a combination of fescue variety and endophyte strain

A study performed by Equibase at the request of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) indicates the percentage of “career-ending did-not-finish” (CEDNF) incidents was about twice as high on dirt than synthetic surfaces in 2009. The study is based on a review of official racing charts. The “CEDNF” statistics, as they are called, are for horses

Two novel discoveries about how different types of tendons age and “refresh” themselves made by researchers from University College London in the United Kingdom help explain why aging horses are atrisk for tendon injury. Tendons play key roles in locomotion as they are the link between muscles and bones. Ten

According to a recent report, one out of every 10 work-eligible Kentuckians is unemployed. In response to the significant increase in jobless horse owners, the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) has modified eligibility requirements for their Equine Safety Net program. Started in April 2007, Equine Safety Net provides feed for horses owned by individuals who have recently lost a job or

Florida horse owners are being urged by Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson to get their animals vaccinated following an upsurge in the number of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) cases.

According to the USDA, in 2009 Florida led

Hurricane Alex poses no immediate threat to the safety of horses residing Gulf Coast communities, according to owners in the region.

The first storm of the 2010 season, Hurricane Alex began pelting Brownsville, South Padre Island, and Los Fresnos, Texas with heavy rains and strong winds on Wednesday, June 30. The Category 1 storm is expected to continue produce similar severe weat

Dana Zimmel, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ABVP, a clinical associate professor at University of Florida’s (UF) College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named interim chief of staff of UF’s Veterinary Hospitals. Zimmel has served as associate chief of staff for the UF Large Animal Hospital since Jan. 26. Due to recent administrative restructuring, both the large and the small animal h

A Maryland horse rescue is seeking volunteers and materials to assist in the care of 26 allegedly malnourished horses removed from a Garrett County farm on June 17.

Animal welfare authorities removed the horses along with other livestock after receiving a tip about their condition, said Denise Clatterbuck Lohr, animal control officer for the Garrett County Humane Society. The horses are curre

The biggest takeaway message from a panel on transitioning Thoroughbred racehorses to second careers during the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit at Keeneland June 28 was how trainers need to protect their horses while they’re on the track in order to give them more fulfilling opportunities down the road.

More than 520 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “What do you use when your horse is sore from training, competing, traveling, etc.?”

American Quarter Horse owners love their horses–past, present, and future–and many want to keep track of those horses even after they are sold. The American Quarter Horse Association developed the Full Circle program to reunite breeders and previous owners with horses they remember well. Through the free Full Circle program, AQHA members will be able to indicate on a horse’s

Nick Nicholson, the president and chief executive officer of Keeneland, called for the Thoroughbred industry to expand its efforts to protect its participants – both human and equine – from injury on the opening day of the third Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit June 25 at the Lexington track. The Keeneland executive also said tracks should release, on an indi

An initial analysis of equine injury data released earlier this year shows no statistically significant difference in the risk of fatalities in Thoroughbreds on different racing surfaces, officials said June 28 during the third Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit.

A California woman is offering a $1,000 cash reward for the safe return of her Arabian gelding lost June 20 during an endurance training session in Los Angeles County.

Jacqy Gamble became separated from the horse when it bolted after being frightened by a dog. Searchers have turned up no sign of the horse.

“A lot of people trailer their horses in to ride there, so

If a foal comes down with signs of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE), confirm the diagnosis, treat the affected foal, and monitor the herd for additional cases, Connie Gebhart, PhD, said at the 2010 ACVIM Forum, June 9-12 in Anaheim, Calif.

Clinical signs include peripheral swelling, weight loss or slow growth, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, colic, diarrhea, and low blood