Confusion about medication rules still exist however, because the FEI and USEF differ in their selection and testing of horses, in who is held responsible for drug violations, and in their lists of permitted substances. Therefore, said Allen, it is very important for owners, trainers, and veterinarians to understand not only what is prohibited, but also what might potentially cause an inadvertent

Nearly 5,000 horses from 500 different farms helped identify anhidrosis factors for University of Florida researchers. Geography, breed, and use of horse were examined to determine factors for anhidrosis–the lack or decreased production of sweat. While it is widely known that some horses lose the ability to sweat properly in hot, humid climates like Florida, accurate information

Strebors Black Magic On Demand, a Miniature Horse registered with the American Miniature Horse Registry, is spreading her own magic as a therapy horse. Known to her many fans as Magic, the black mini with blue eyes was recently named the Most Heroic Pet in America by the AARP. Magic, owned by Debbie and Jorge Garcia-Bengochea of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses in High Spr

Champion Summer Bird, who catapulted to stardom in the 2009 Belmont Stakes, has been retired due to complications of a fracture suffered last fall prior to the Japan Cup Dirt. The son of Birdstone–Hong Kong Squall, by Summer Squall, burst on the scene when he scored an impressive 2 1/4-length victory in the Belmont Stakes at odds of 11-1 for trainer Tim Ice. Follo

Horse owners in Ohio whose animals unintentionally roam from their enclosures could be spared criminal prosecution under a new bill designed to refine the state’s so-called running-at-large law. Under current law, owners can be held criminally liable if their horses and other livestock are found running at large under any circumstances. HB 503 refines that state’

Ice Box, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, drew post position 6 and was installed as the 3-1 morning favorite when a dozen horses were entered for the June 5, $1 million Belmont Stakes. The 1 1/2-mile Belmont is the third leg of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. Trained by Nick Zito for owner Robert LaPenta, Ice Box is one of three Derby starters ente

Chinook Pass, an 11-time stakes winner and the only Washington-bred to win an Eclipse Award, was euthanized May 31 at owner Jill Hallin’s farm in Maple Valley, Wash. Chinook Pass, who was 31 at the time of his death, was believed to be the oldest living Eclipse Award winner. According to Hallin, Chinook Pass had a high pulse rate and was in distress from heart malfu

Mutations in the gene called OAS1 contribute to a horse’s ability to fight West Nile Virus (WNV), reported a group of researchers led by David Adelson, PhD, Professor and Chair of Bioinformatics and Computational Genetics from the University of Adelaide in South Australia. Previous research in mice indicated that the OAS genes played a role in immunity to flaviviruses (such as

A West Virginia man faces animal cruelty charges connected to the alleged neglect of more than 50 equines seized from his Wayne County property last week. Acting on a tip, Wayne County law enforcement authorities discovered the 51 allegedly malnourished horses, mules, and donkeys residing in a muddy three-acre enclosure without access to adequate food and water. More than 40 alleg

Safe Haven Horse Rescue will host For the Love of Horses, a benefit dinner and wine tasting on June 12 at 6 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Sacramento Arden West Hotel. The event, to be held in conjunction with the June 11-13 Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento, Calif., will include dinner, a silent auction, wine tasting, live music by Buck Ford and his Pure Country B

When dealing with a starved horse, how should you feed him? How much, how often, and what type of feed will bring the horse back to good health without causing more problems? The starved horse is in a most delicate health predicament, and returning him to health requires using proper “refeeding” protocols.

What do you look for behavior-wise in terms of predicting whether a horse would work out well as a companion horse? Any tips on a good source of such animals and how to select appropriate candidates?

To take the dizzy factor out of understanding neurologic disease in horses, I.G. Joe Mayhew, BVSc, FRCVS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, ECVN, has dedicated much of his career to helping practitioners and owners understand equine neurology. He made several presentations at the 11th Congress of the World Equine Veterinary Association on topics ranging from simple reviews of common neurologic diseases

If someone says he or she can think or talk about equine neurology without becoming dizzy, that shows only the person has not understood anything about it… To take the dizzy factor out of understanding neurologic disease in horses, I.G. Joe Mayhew BVSc, FRCVS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, ECVN, head of Equine Massey and professor of equine studies at New Zealand’s Massey University, has dedicated much of