With four days of consecutive dressage lessons that ran from Nov. 20-23, Elmer Bandit, the 38-year-old National Competitive Trail mileage holder, observed Thanksgiving by resting at his Independence, Mo., boarding stable home.

How has Elmer prepared for winter?

"He has grown an inch of hair, at least, and is very soft and furry," reported his lifetime owner,

Summer Bird, winner of the grade I Belmont Stakes, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup, was withdrawn from the Dec. 6 Japan Cup Dirt after suffering an injury in a workout at Hanshin Race Course.

According to owner Dr. K.K. Jayaraman, the son of Birdstone came back from his work Nov. 29 showing signs of lameness.

One theory explaining this “horse of a different color” phenomenon is that, historically, only a few coat colors might have been appropriate for survival in the wild. For example, horses of a certain color could have been better camouflaged, considered a more appropriate mate, have more tolerance to certain pathogens, or better adapt to the environment than horses of other colors.

For years, the fabled Hialeah Park race track has sat idle — battered, broken, and left to rot.

These days, fresh paint coats the walls, pink flamingos are practicing their familiar moves and some of the luster has been restored to Florida's grand old track. On Saturday, those famous flamingos are expected to fly again, when Hialeah reopens for its first race day in

"The more we look for neurologic signs, the more we discover new syndromes," said I.G. Joe Mayhew, BVSc, FRCVS, PhD, Dipl ACVIM, ECVN, head of Equine Massey and professor of Equine Studies at Massey University in New Zealand, at the 2009 WEVA Congress. Mayhew gave several presentations, including an update on emerging neurologic syndromes.

"Over the last five year

The State of Victoria in Australia will prohibit jump racing after the 2010 season, stated an article on straitstimes.com.

The governing body in that state, Racing Victoria Limited (RVL), made the announcement today (Nov. 27).

The article noted that eight horses die

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance is seeking public comment on its activities in advance of the release of an annual report in late December.

Tommy Thompson, a former federal and state official who serves as independent monitor for the alliance, is preparing the year-end report. The alliance was formed in the fall of 2008, and this year i

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information about who shot and killed a 6-year-old Palomino gelding named Firecracker near Fawn Grove, Penn., just across the Maryland state line, according to an article on inyork.com.

According to the article the shooting probably took place the

The family of 55-year-old Dr. Alister Rodgers, the equine veterinarian in Australia who was the most recent person to lose his life to Hendra virus, is urging the horse industry and the Australian government to do more to combat this disease, according to an article on

Ira "Babe" Hanford, who won the 1936 Kentucky Derby aboard Bold Venture, died Nov. 21 in Ocala, Fla., after a lengthy illness. He was 91.

Hanford was the oldest living Kentucky Derby-winning jockey and was the first apprentice to capture the Run for the Roses.

One of 10 children, Hanford grew up in Fairbury, Neb., and followed his two brothers to the East

The Arabian Horse Foundation today announced establishment of a scholarship in honor of the late actor Patrick Swayze and his wife, who raised and showed Arabian horses.

Foundation president Larry Kinneer said the scholarship, “creates a lasting testimony to their careers in dancing, theater, and movies, love of the Arabian breed, and contributions over the years

A mustang mare believed to be around 38 years old is thriving, and has delivered a healthy filly since authorities removed her and 209 other horses from the 3-Strikes Ranch in Alliance, Neb., earlier this year, reported Habitat for Horses President Jerry Finch.

In April, Morrill County authorities and

A 6-year-old Thoroughbred that was abandoned with a gaping wound in his head has recovered from his injury and found a permanent home at Equine Voices Rescue in Green Valley, Ariz.

Superstar filly Rachel Alexandra jogged lightly once around the track at Churchill Downs at the end of training hours Nov. 23 with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry up, accompanied by assistant trainer Scott Blasi on a pony.

Undefeated in eight starts in 2009, including three victories over males and a 20 1/4-length victory in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), Rachel Alexandra

Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center has announced its 2009-2010 Tuesday Talks schedule. This series of free lectures is designed to provide veterinarians, horse owners, and horse professionals with valuable insight and practical advice related to a wide array of equine health care topics.

The 2009-10 Tuesday Talks schedule is as

Purdue University researchers will use a $1.3-million grant to help further students' understanding of the role animals play in keeping people healthy.

Timothy Ratliff, MS, PhD, and Sandra Amass, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ABVP, of the School of Veterinary Medicine received the five-year grant to create a new health science curriculum for students in the third, sixth, and