U.S. farmers expect to grow more corn this year than last. However, corn planting is progressing much more slowly than usual this spring due to rain and cool temperatures in the Midwest.
National Trails Day is planned for June 1. Trail riders as well as other groups of trail users are urged to plan events and activities to promote and enjoy the nation’s trails.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) will offer a Breeding Clinic from May 31 to June 2 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Enthusiasts in the discipline of cutting will have a chance to build point totals during the AQHA-NCHA Weekend held May 30 to June 2. Classes and scheduled throughout the United States and Canada.
Global feed production for all domestic animals was 954 million tonnes in 2012, according to a recent survey. Asia, with a total of 356 million tones, produces more feed than any other region.
Keg Shoe Modification Forge Classes will be held in Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in mid-May and at other times throughout the rest of the year.
The Equine Tax Parity Act, which would make horses eligible for capital gains treatment after twelve months rather than the currently legislated 24 months, has been introduced. If passed into law, the act would give horses a similar status to other business assets.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) will hold a Thoroughbred Ownership Seminar on May 17 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Influential Thoroughbred sire Storm Cat has been euthanized due to declining health and old age.
Knowing a foal’s body weight is important in tracking growth and determining the correct doses of dewormers and medications.
At the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit held in the fall of 2012, attendees were informed about the current rules detailing inspection of Thoroughbred horses entered in a race. The rules were written and approved by the Association of Racing Commissioners International.
Two veterinary workshops will be conducted from May 11 to 17 at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
According to recent research, heart valves from donkeys may be useful in human medicine. Certain characteristics make them more desirable for use in humans than bovine valves.
When is that mare going to foal? This question has been asked countless times, and various warning signs have been cited as “foolproof” markers of impending birth. Just as many times, however, mares have proven that only they know when the time is right.
The Minnesota Horse Expo will be held April 26 to 28 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The University of Kentucky’s College of Law will host its 28th Annual National Conference on Equine Law May 1 and 2 at Keeneland Race Course, in Lexington, Kentucky.
New evidence sheds some light on the question of whether domestication occurred in only one place or in several locations more or less simultaneously.
A study in Germany has indicated that jumping ability in horses has some heritable aspects.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota are looking for horse farms within two hours of St. Paul, Minnesota to collaborate on a study investigating the relationship between laminitis and weeds.
After completing four years of data collection through the Equine Injury Database, The Jockey Club has released an updated fatality rate for Thoroughbred racehorses in North America.
Four men and five horses have been selected to join the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2014. The newly honored individuals were chosen on the basis of having served the American Quarter Horse in various ways.
The American Feed Industry Association will host the workshop "FAMI-QS Awareness in Feed Safety Program: Solutions for the Specialty Feed and Mixture Industry" April 17 to 18 in Des Moines, Iowa.
A Keg Shoe Modification Forge Class will be held April 20 in Fouke, Arkansas.Various techniques will be taught to new and apprentice farriers.
Many retired racehorses find success in other discipline, but the wear and tear of their racetrack days often predicts the speed in which they are transitioned to their next career.
At the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala, the Hickstead Trophy went to deceased Thoroughbred stallion Northern Dancer who was selected as Horse of the Year.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will hold a Thoroughbred Ownership Seminar on April 19 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.
Scheduled for April 15 to 18, an e-workshop produced by Equine Guelph is designed to help horse owners understand colic.
An FEI Sports Forum will be held April 8 and 9 in Lausanne, Switzerland, at the International Institute for Management Development.
The 4th Global Feed and Food Congress will be held April 8 to 12 in Sun City, South Africa. Presentations will focus on feed and food safety, food security, technology, and sustainability.
Grain planting estimates in the U.S. have risen from previous forecasts, and predictions for corn, soybean, and wheat crops are higher than previous USDA figures released this year.
Equine Affaire will be held in Columbus, Ohio, from April 11 to 14.
Equine Guelph is offering a Horse Behavior and Safety eWorkshop from April 1 to 14. The online course will present information about handling horses safely.
Equine Guelph will present a research seminar April 6 seminar at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. The seminar marks ten years of Equine Guelph’s service to the equine industry.
The Kentucky Equine Youth Festival will be held March 27 at the Kentucky Horse in Lexington, Kentucky. The festival is designed to introduce school children to the world or horses and riding.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are beginning a new clinical trial to evaluate the effect of a drug on hock osteoarthritis in horses. They are looking for 40 horses with hock problems to use in a double-blind study.
Live Oak International will be held March 20 to 24 in Ocala, Florida and will showcase world-class driving and Grand Prix show jumping. A sport horse forum hosted by Kentucky Equine Research and featuring world-class equestrians will be held during the event.
Equitana, billed as the world’s fair of equestrian sports, will be held March 16 to 24 in Essen, Germany.
Nineteen horses that died at the Wild Horse Inmate Program facility in Colorado were probably poisoned by narrowleaf whorled milkweed that was in baled hay, according to findings from the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Colorado State University.
The AQHA Educational Judging Seminar and Novice Judge Testing will be held March 18 to 20 in Irving, Texas.
Horse owners in the U.K. are being asked to share information about the management and health of their horses by taking the online National Equine Health Survey (NEHS).
Champion race mare Black Caviar has been chosen for induction into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. The choice marks only the second time a horse has received this honor while still racing.
A rule change by the United States Equestrian Federation mandates the wearing of protective headgear for dressage competitors beginning April 1, 2013.
The 2013 American Quarter Horse Association Convention will be held March 8 to 11 at the Hyatt Regency Houston in Houston, Texas.
Researchers have begun a study to determine the safety and efficacy of a vaccine approved for the treatment of melanomas in dogs. The vaccine could prove useful in horses, as these tumors are common in gray horses over the age of 13 where about 80% of this population are affected.
An e-workshop produced by Equine Guelph is designed to help horse owners understand colic and take preventative measures to reduce the risk of this common but serious horse malady by following good stable management practices. The e-workshop will be held March 11 to 24.
Top international combined driver Chester Weber will donate two days of training to help the USET’s fund-raising effort “Salute to Driving.” The winner of the training package will be able to bring personal horses for two days of training with Weber at Live Oak Stud, his driving facility in Ocala, Florida.
The Bureau of Land Management has announced internal policy changes in an effort to strengthen the humane treatment of mustangs and increase public transparency.
Road to the Horse will be held March 15 to 17 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. In this competition, elite horse trainers select unhandled three-year-olds out of a group of Quarter Horses brought from the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas.
A year of good weather would go a long way toward replacing stocks of grain and other animal feed products, according to a talk given at the International Production and Processing Expo recently held in Atlanta, Georgia.
A stockhorse on a property near Mackay in northern Queensland, Australia, has succumbed to Hendra virus infection, marking the first equine death of the year from the virus.
The Sixth European Equine Nutrition and Health Congress will be held March 1 and 2 in Ghent, Belgium. The focus is “Feeding for Gastrointestinal Health.”
Britain’s 21st National Equine Forum will be held on March 5 in London. The meeting will bring together many sectors of the equestrian industry to listen to and debate the latest equestrian news and views.
According to the results of an international survey, global animal feed production for 2012 was 959 million metric tons, with feeds for horses and other equines totaling 11 million metric tons.
The University of Minnesota is offering a series of Hands-on Horse Owner Education Seminars on Thursday nights at the university's Equine Center.
Cellulitis, an extreme swelling in a horse's leg caused by a bacterial infection, is characterized by warm, painful tissue, and it is usually best for a veterinarian to treat this condition.
The 11th Annual Pennsylvania Horse World Expo will be held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg from February 21 to 24.
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and UK Ag Equine Programs will host “Pastures Please!” on February 18 in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) has given final approval to more than 375 horse shows to be held in 37 states and Canadian provinces.
The American Feed Industry Association and the International Grains Program of the Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University have scheduled the AFIA-KSU Advanced Feed Manufacturing Short Course on February 18 to 21 in Manhattan, Kansas.
Kentucky had an increase in farm receipts related to horses from 2010 to 2011, the most recent years for which statistics are available, rising from $700 million to $800 million in those years.
Equine Guelph, an information center provided to horse owners and caregivers by the University of Guelph in Canada, is offering a new program called Health Flash.
To perform at maximal ability, a horse must be able to move freely without discomfort. Anything that impairs free and easy movement limits performance. Serious flaws in conformation are among the causes of inefficient movement.
Grazing pastures with endophyte-infected fescue poses serious dangers to late-pregnant mares and their unborn foals. A possible new threat associated with fescue endophyte has been uncovered by recent research.
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is offering a free five-week online course in equine nutrition. The course is set to begin in late January.
The USDA is conducting a census of farm and ranch owners. Owners of property used in any type of horse business are eligible to participate to present an accurate picture of the importance and scope of the horse industry.
The Hutson School of Agriculture Career Fair will be held February 6 at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Representatives of agriculture-related companies will be able to give students insight into the professions attainable within the agriculture industry.
The 23rd Annual Practical Short Course on Feeds & Pet Food Extrusion will be held February 3 to 8 in College Station, Texas.
Bone fragility disorder is a malady that sometimes strikes horses living in northern coastal California. Researchers have encouraging results from a new medication for this disease.
Kentucky Round-Up, a family event featuring horse fun, learning, and interaction, will be held February 2 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
The International Feed Expo will be held on January 29 to 31 in Atlanta, Georgia. The event is a showcase of the newest technologies and emerging trends in the feed industry.
A booklet containing information on handling horses safely outside the barn area has been released by the University of Kentucky. It was written with input from experienced horse managers and is intended to teach less experienced owners correct handling
AAEP's 15th Annual Resort Symposium will be held January 27 to 29 in Aruba. A variety of veterinary topics will be discussed during this interactive meeting.
Ideas on how to judge a horse’s age can be found in the "Official Guide for Determining the Age of the Horse," a publication available from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
In a recent study of equine body condition scores, about half the horses were found to be overweight or obese, a figure higher than reported in previous studies.
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) will hold its 23rd Annual Stallion Season Auction on January 3 to 5. A number of other items will be included in the auction.
The 17th Annual Maryland Horse World Expo will be held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium from January18 to 20.
A Coaches Professional Development Day sponsored by the Horse Council of British Columbia will be held January 18 at the Kamloops Convention Center in Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada.
In a nationwide survey recently conducted by American Horse Publications, horse owners were asked to identify the most significant issues impacting the equine industry. More than 10,000 responses were collected from horse owners and managers.
The 2013 Equine Showcase & Breeders’ Short Course will be held January 18 and 19 at the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Auditorium in Lexington.
A draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines in Canada is being offered for review and comments. The document was prepared under the direction of Equine Canada and is designed to reflect a common understanding of equine care expectations and recommended practices in Canada.
The American Hanoverian Society Annual Meeting will be held January 18 to 20 in San Diego, California. The meeting will feature educational programs and seminars.
A comprehensive report about the economic impact of the Irish Sport Horse industry has been released.
The 31st Annual Horse Breeders and Owners Conference will be held January 11 to 13 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.
The Australian Horse Industry Council is encouraging all horse owners in Australia to complete a survey about Hendra virus even if they live outside the high-risk areas.
Donkeys and mules do not require the same level of nutrition as horses, partly because they evolved as browsers, consuming shrubs and woody vegetation.
Plant scientists have discovered a gene that could improve rice yields, and further studies may reveal ways to boost yields of oats, corn, and other grain crops used to make human food as well as feeds for horses and other livestock.
Brazos Valley Equine Hospital and Texas A&M University are partnering to offer a Technical Large Animal Emergency Response class on December 14 and 15.
The J.T. Vaughan Equine Conference for the Practitioner will be held December 6 and 7 at Auburn University in Alabama. Many topics are on the schedule, some of which include nutritional management, dental surgery, and legal aspects of overseeing a pharmacy.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners 58th Annual Convention will be held December 1 to 5 in Anaheim, California.
A long-awaited vaccine to protect horses against Hendra virus is now available through veterinarians in Australia. Carried by large fruit bats known as flying foxes, the virus has killed more than 80 horses in the last 20 years.
Combine a horse, a rider, one or more cattle, a stopwatch, and a figure-eight course around ground pegs and through a gate. What do you have? The answer is campdrafting, an equestrian sport that combines elements of cutting, team penning, and even barrel racing.
A recent study by the Japan Racing Association examined stress in horses traveling by land or air, using heart rate as an indicator of stress.
Brazil’s production of corn has grown steadily in the last decade, according to figures released by the U.S. Grains Council.
The Third International Conference, “Grain Industry in the Twenty-First Century,” will be held November 20 to 22 in Moscow, Russia.
In the spring of 2010, American Horse Publications conducted a nationwide online survey to collect facts about the horse industry. More than 10,000 responses were collected from horse owners and managers.
The Fiftieth Annual Ocala Equine Conference will be held November 16 to 19 in Ocala, Florida. Lecture topics will include various aspects of lameness, surgery, upper respiratory tract issues, internal medicine, dentistry, and cardiology.
The FEI General Assembly resulted in a change in veterinary regulations such that all horses to be newly registered with the FEI must be microchipped.
The University of Kentucky Department of Veterinary Science will host a symposium on November 15, focusing on equine proliferative enteropathy, a gastrointestinal disease.
Several breed associations are seeing fewer new registrations. Associations noting a decline in foal registrations include The Jockey Club, the American Quarter Horse Association, and the United States Trotting Association, a registry for Standardbreds.
The AFIA Equipment Manufacturers Conference will be held November 8 to 10 in San Diego, California, and Equine Affaire will be held at the Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield, Massachusetts on November 8 to 11.
Riding, grooming horses, and mucking out a barn are all activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle, according to a study conducted by the British Horse Society.
A research team at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research looked at hundreds of French sport horses of various breeds and tried to identify genetic performance links by using a DNA analysis chip.
Construction has begun on the first phase of the new Texas A&M Equine Complex in College Station, Texas. The new complex will provide a home for equine science education, research, and outreach.
The 7th Conference of the World Mycotoxin Forum and the 13th IUPAC International Symposium on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins will be held November 5 to 9 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Though drought conditions in the U.S. have eased in some growing areas, other regions are still so dry in late fall that winter wheat planting and emergence could be seriously affected.
A course devoted to developing a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan will be held November 5 to 8 at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
The 2010 Canadian Horse Industry Profile Study was commissioned by Equine Canada and involved responses from well over 2,500 adults directly involved with horses. The respondents were chosen from all Canadian provinces as well as the northern territories.
In the last few years, Miniature Horses have joined dogs as service animals trained to guide visually impaired people. Miniature Horses tend to have a longer working life than dogs, meaning that a blind individual will not have to replace his guide animal as frequently.
The University of Kentucky Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center will host the International Conference on Equine Infectious Diseases to be held in Lexington, Kentucky, from October 21 to 26, 2012.
Students in Lexington, Kentucky, who have trouble succeeding in traditional classrooms now have another option. As part of The Stables, an alternative school program, young people pursue a course of academic studies but also have barn chores.
The J.T. Vaughan Equine Conference for the Practitioner will be held December 6 and 7 at Auburn University in Alabama.
A Tennessee Walking Horse trainer will pay a substantial fine and serve probation as a result of federal charges related to transporting and showing horses that had been subjected to abuse.
Stocks of corn in the U.S. at the end of September are the lowest in eight years and represent a drop of 15 million bushels from the previous season. Wheat stocks, on the other hand, have increased from last year's total.
The Florida Association of Equine Practitioners 8th Annual Promoting Excellence Symposium will be held October 11 to 14 in Naples, Florida.
The Jockey Club and the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation will host a Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit on October 16 and 17 at the Keeneland Association sales pavilion in Lexington, Kentucky.
An impressive group of horses and the presence of some new and returning buyers combined for elevated prices and averages at the 2012 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
West Nile virus (WNV) was confirmed on serologic samples from a 29-year-old mare this week. The horse had no travel history outside of Westchester County, New York.
The AFIA-KSU Advanced Feed Manufacturing Short Course will be held October 8 to 11 at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
A guided trail ride will be held on October 6 at Hisle Park northeast of Lexington, Kentucky. Hisle Park is one of the city's newest, encompassing 280 acres of rolling pastureland.
The Jockey Club recently released foal registration statistics for the current year. The figures indicate that registrations for this year are down, continuing a trend toward fewer registered Thoroughbreds.
West Nile virus has been reported in animals in at least 25 states during the late summer and early fall of 2012. The number of cases is the highest since the disease was first found in the United States more than a decade ago.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has assembled a summary of recent trends in the bioenergy, grain, feed, and livestock industries.
Good-quality pressure-treated wooden fence posts can be expected to last about twice as long as nontreated posts. Is there a real danger in allowing horses to be exposed to pressure-treated wood?
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will host a pedigree and conformation clinic on October 8 and 9 in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Jockey Club has launched two games that may appeal to anyone interested in horses or horse racing, and both games are accessible through Facebook.
The American Feed Industry Association will host a workshop on “Awareness in Feed Safety Program: Solutions for the Specialty Feed and Mixture Industry” on September 25 and 26 in Rosemont, Illinois.
The Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) will offer a Certificate Program in Arlington Heights, Illinois, on September 28 and 29.
A surprising result was found when researchers looked at heart rate in horses that had been denied access to feed.
The American Quarter Horse Association “Life Is a Ride” trail ride will be held September 21 to 23, near Mammoth Cave National Park in western Kentucky.
Equine Guelph, an equine center at the University of Guelph in Canada, is conducting a colic survey in an attempt to better understand colic management practices.Find out more!
Steve Beshear, Governor of Kentucky, has used his executive powers to override a decision that blocked changes in medication procedures for racehorses.
The FDA has approved a new medication for the treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). The new product is said to be less expensive than previous treatments.
The Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners will hold its annual symposium September 20 to 22 at the Westin Pittsburgh Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Jockey Club has released final figures for comparisons between the 2000 and 2010 Thoroughbred foal crops, and offers a prediction of the 2013 foal crop numbers.
Choosing potential racehorses requires great skill and a certain measure of luck, and even then a profitable equine athlete can be elusive. A recent study conducted at the University of Melbourne offers some guidelines that might help yearling buyers at least break even more often.
The AFIA Liquid Feed Symposium will be held September 12 to 14 in Denver, Colorado. This is the country’s largest gathering of liquid animal feed supplement leaders in manufacturing, nutrition, quality, sales and marketing.
Cases of serious illness from West Nile virus in humans have been reported earlier than usual this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Numbers are the highest since 2004 for this disease that usually occurs later in the summer.
The University of Kentucky Department of Veterinary Science will host a symposium on equine proliferative enteropathy on November 15, 2012, at the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Even though some drought-stricken areas have had rain in the last few weeks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture continues to lower the outlook for this year’s corn crop. The latest prediction is that the harvest will be the smallest since 2006.
A veterinarian and a prosthetics firm have teamed up to offer a miniature donkey with an injured limb a new lease on life, and implications gleaned from the experience may support efforts to fit larger equines with prosthetic limbs.
The third annual Horse Forage Field Day will be held August 28 at the Leatherdale Equine Center on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. The focus of the event is “Establishing a New Pasture.”
The Fédération Equestre Internationale, the controlling authority for all international events in the equestrian disciplines, has reversed its position on the eligibility of cloned horses.
Equine cases of vesicular stomatitis were found earlier in the summer at several premises in New Mexico, and Colorado has now confirmed a case of the disease.
What can you do to make it easier to identify your horses and get them back home safely in the event they become lost? Here are some useful tips.
The Society for Theriogenology will hold its 2012 Annual Convention and Symposium from August 20 to 25 in Baltimore, Maryland, and a slate of equine topics are scheduled.
The Recreational Trails Program that provides funding for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding trail construction and maintenance has been reauthorized as part of the transportation bill approved by the U.S. Congress in the summer of 2012.
Horses are a big draw for tourism, according to a listing in The Lane Report, a publication that focuses on business and economic development in Kentucky.
Due to continuing drought conditions in the major growing regions of the U.S., corn production estimates for 2012 have dropped to the smallest harvest in five years.
Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital will host an educational forum on August 16 to discuss sales yearlings. The meeting will take place in Lexington, Kentucky, and will include a panel discussion.
The Jockey Club’s 60th Annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing will be held August 12 at the Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Potomac horse fever has been reported in Indiana, and West Nile virus was found in a mosquito in Ohio. This summer’s hot, dry weather may have something to do with the incidence of these diseases.
The Arabian Canadian National Championship Horse Show is planned for August 13 to 18 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
An international conference to address jockey health will be held September 15 and 16 at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey.
At the European Workshop on Equine Nutrition, Catherine Hale was named Young Scientist of the Year for her doctoral project, a study of forage digestibility in horses that suggested horses with a history of diet-induced laminitis seem to have compromised fiber fermentation in the hindgut.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will host a pedigree and conformation clinic on August 6 in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Below-average rainfall in late spring has led to a serious drought in the midwestern United States, with nine states rating crop conditions as poor or very poor. The drought will affect the total harvest of corn expected.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will host a Thoroughbred Ownership Seminar on August 9 in Saratoga Springs, New York. The seminar is open to anyone interested in purchasing a Thoroughbred racehorse.
Dave Palone, a harness racing driver living in Washington, Pennsylvania, has achieved 15,000 wins throughout his career. Palone is the second driver in North American harness racing to claim this many wins,
he Junior League of Lexington's 76th annual Charity Horse Show is taking place this week at the Red Mile harness-racing track in Lexington, Kentucky.
Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) has been confirmed in horses in the southeastern United States during the last few weeks. The disease is spread by mosquitoes and can be prevented in horses by vaccination.
An early planting season and favorable weather have led to predictions of a record harvest, possibly as much as 9% larger than the total for 2011.
At least 11 horse premises in New Mexico are under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis. The disease is usually not fatal, but can cause painful mouth sores for the animals.
Pigeon fever, a bacterial disease most often occurring in hot and dry regions of the country, has been reported in Florida this year. The disease causes large swollen areas in the muscles of a horse’s chest, leading to a puffy, pigeon-breasted appearance, hence the common name.
The historic Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, will be the site of a trails conservation workshop associated with the Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference.
The first confirmed case of anthrax in a Texas animal for 2012 has been detected in an adult white-tailed male deer near Uvalde in southwest Texas. Horses are somewhat less susceptible to anthrax than cattle and sheep.
An unusual blue-eyed, white-coated Standardbred colt has been born to a bay mare and stallion in New Jersey. Genetic tests show the unusual color is the result of a spontaneous mutation.
Almost 40 years after he captured the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing, Secretariat has been recognized as setting race and track records in the Preakness Stakes, which he won in 1973.
Postrace testing has identified dermorphin, also known as "frog juice," in more than 30 racehorses in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. It acts a strong painkiller and stimulant when administered to horses.
Because hungry horses have been known to eat hay or straw used as stall bedding, some owners have used sawdust or wood shavings in stalls. Apparently, however, hungry ponies can develop an appetite for wood shavings.
Trail riding by Minnesota residents results in almost $43 million in consumer spending each year, with an additional $6.9 million in spending by riders coming to Minnesota from other states.
With initial financial support from various groups, an organization has been founded to raise funds for the care of retired racehorses and to be an accrediting body for facilities that take over the care of horses no longer in active race training and competition.
A recent study collected information on the health challenges faced by Australian jockeys. In addition to injuries sustained from falls, jockeys are also prone to problems related to food restriction.
The Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference, one of the foremost supporters of equestrian trails advocacy and sustainability, will host a meeting in Lexington, Kentucky in July.
The American Horse Council Annual Meeting will be held June 24 to 27 in Washington, D.C. The meeting will include a National Issues Forum with a theme of “Reinvigorating the Horse Industry.”
The National Cutting Horse Association Convention will be held June 22 to 24 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Equine atypical myopathy, a serious and often fatal muscle disease, has been reported from at least three countries this spring. Twenty-three horses in France, New Zealand, and England have been affected.
Donkeys in at least nine states have been diagnosed with besnoitiosis, a disease caused by a protozoan parasite related to Sarcocystis and other organisms known to cause illness in horses.
The 13th Annual Conference of the Brazilian Association of Equine Practitioners will be held at the Royal Palm Plaza Convention Center in Campinas City, São Paulo State, Brazil. The conference dates are June 22 to 24.
The American Feed Industry Association Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Committee will host the Feed Industry Institute from June 11 to 14 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Suspected or confirmed cases of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) have been reported in Colorado, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi.
Eosinophilic granulomas are flat, marble-sized bumps typically found on the horse's neck, withers, and back. They usually don't cause problems unless they are in a position to be rubbed or irritated by tack or blankets.
A relatively new apparatus used for training or injury treatment is the therapeutic vibration floor. Introduced in Europe around the turn of the century, the technique involves having horses stand on a vibrating platform.
The economic impact of Indiana’s horse industry is more than $2 billion a year, according to a study conducted by Purdue University and using figures from 2010.
The Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center in Lexington, Kentucky, is marking its 25th year in operation. The research center maintains a full-time focus on health issues in horses.
The American Quarter Horse Association is offering several options for coat color testing including a multitest panel and a number of individual tests.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will host a breeding clinic on June 1 to 3 in Lexington, Kentucky. A wide range of topics pertaining to raising Thoroughbreds will be covered.
Livestock Investigation Training for public safety officials will be held at Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky, on May 16-18, 2012.
Researchers are investigating the genetic basis for the fading of coat color around the flanks, behind the elbows, around the muzzle, and sometimes around the eye.
Laurie Lawrence, Ph.D., a professor in the department of animal and food sciences at the University of Kentucky (UK), was recently awarded the Provost's Distinguished Service Professorship.
Eddie Arcaro had a memorable 30-year career as a jockey, with wins in more than a dozen of the Triple Crown races. His mounts swept the Triple Crown in 1941 and 1948.
The American Quarter Horse Association is offering two horse show management workshops, one for those new to the job and another for more experienced managers.
Because of the early spring experienced by several regions in the United States, wild animals may become active earlier than usual this year, increasing the chance of spreading diseases.
Many ex-racehorses are suitable for second careers in various equestrian disciplines, and the Retired Racehorse Training Program offers a directory of trainers, available horses, and educational resources.
The 116th Annual Conference and Expo of the International Association of Operative Millers will be held May 7 to 11 at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, Washington.
The Jockey Club and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) have launched a website called America’s Best Racing. The site is designed for use by horse owners and other racing enthusiasts.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) considered but failed to pass a rule that would have banned the use of Salix (Lasix) on the day of a horse’s entry in a race.
The 4th Annual Equine Farm and Facilities Expo will be held Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Margaux Farm, Midway, Kentucky. Sponsored by the University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs, the expo highlights equine supply and equipment companies throughout central Kentucky.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will present a Thoroughbred Ownership Seminar on May 3 at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.
The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is presenting a Healthy Horses Conference on Saturday, April 28, in Gainesville, Florida.
A researcher plans to study horses with equine metabolic syndrome in an attempt to understand why the disease occurs. She is asking owners of horses that fit the EMS body type to donate their horses to the study group.
The University of Minnesota is offering a pasture management program aimed at optimizing the use of Minnesota horse pastures.
The Jockey Club has released an updated version of the Reformed Racing Medication Rules that features a new categorization of medications, more clearly defined regulatory limits, and dramatically remodeled penalties.
The warmest March on record in the United States has encouraged corn growers to plant earlier than normal. Growers are counting on high demand and low stocks to boost the profit for farmers who are able to bring corn to the market before the main harvest.
HRTV, a network covering a wide variety of horse-related sports, has launched a new website offering video-on-demand programs that cover more than 20 types of equestrian activities and competitions.
Pony Club instructors and members who have achieved upper rankings are eligible to receive scholarships to attend Instructor Certification Program Workshops at a greatly reduced cost.
Dr. John Mitchell, president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, released a public statement in response to an article published in the New York Times that was extremely critical of the racing industry.
Equibase, a Thoroughbred pedigree and performance database, has introduced owner profile pages designed to present current racing statistics for individual owners, owners who belong to partnerships and stables, and other racing entities including syndicates.
The University of Kentucky’s Horse Racing Club will host a panel featuring leaders within Thoroughbred horse racing April 17 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington.
The University of Guelph is offering an e-session April 16 to 29, 2012, on protecting horses from infectious disease. Entitled “Beat the Bugs,” the biosecurity session will share information about disease risks and prevention.
Much like brands, microchips, and photographs of horse's chestnuts, digital scanning the eyes of horses is a new identification technique gaining in popularity.
Kentucky’s share of the national Thoroughbred horse breeding market equals the combined total for the next nine states, according to a report from the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.
The 17th Annual American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Symposium will be held April 12 to 15, 2012, in San Antonio, Texas.
The North American Racing Academy in Lexington, Kentucky, will have an informational meeting for high school students and their parents, as well as anyone who is interested in becoming a jockey.
More than a dozen horses have been diagnosed with strangles, a highly contagious bacterial infection, at Saratoga Raceway in Saratoga Springs, New York. No cases from other stables or tracks have been tied to this outbreak.
All mounted riders are required to wear approved protective headgear at dressage competitions sanctioned by Equine Canada.The rule covers riders of all ages and at all levels of competition.
The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation will provide funding for 16 research projects in 2012. Eight new and eight continuing projects will be supported at universities across the country.
Corn and wheat acreage in the United States will rise and soybean planting will be down slightly from earlier forecasts.
A trio of meetings of interest to international grain traders and feed manufacturers will be conducted in April.
The U.S. corn harvest is expected to set a record of 13.9 billion bushels in 2012. This total would be 6% larger than the current record crop grown in 2009.
The U.S. Senate has approved an amended bill that would reauthorize the Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for two years and allocate much-needed funding for the program.
Several horses in Tennessee were confirmed positive for rabies in early 2012. The horses died in January and February because of infection with the rabies virus variant found in skunks.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will host an Ownership Seminar on March 22 in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
Eastern tent caterpillar eggs have begun to hatch several weeks ahead of their normal schedule because of central Kentucky’s unseasonable warm February weather.
The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) is providing coordination for the U.S. Equine Disaster Relief Fund to support horse owners affected by the severe weather.
Horse-racing sensation Zenyatta delivered a healthy colt on March 8 at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. Zenyatta was the first mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, one of the world's most prestigious races, and was named Horse of the Year in the United States in 2010.
Are you an equine professional who would like to assist in the training of para-equestrians? The United States Para-Equestrian Association has the program for you!
The Jockey Club announced recently that 167 horse shows from 26 states and two Canadian provinces have been approved for participation in its Thoroughbred Incentive Program.
Everyone has heard at least one frightening story about horse trailer accidents or overturns. What should you do if it ever happens to you?
The American Horse Publications (AHP) is launching its second Equine Industry Survey to gauge trends in the U.S. equine industry. The AHP Equine Industry Survey is being sponsored in part by Kentucky Equine Research.
Classic race winner Rachel Alexandra successfully transitioned from star athlete to motherhood with the birth of her first foal.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the registration of the first approved contraceptive vaccine for horses.
The Jockey Club has launched a new mobile application, The Jockey Club Naming App, and announced an update to The Jockey Club Identification App. Both apps are available free of charge in the iTunes store.
Large Animal Emergency Rescue Training will be offered March 30 to April 1 at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. The training is open to students, rescue professionals, and the public.
An FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage Judge Course will be held March 9 to 11 at the Del Mar Horse Park in Del Mar, California, and will run concurrently with the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI***.
The University of Kentucky's Ag Equine Programs, formerly known as the U.K. Equine Initiative, is a resource for the Kentucky horse industry as well as the international horse industry.
Several conferences on grains are planned for March, including the National Grain and Feed Association Annual Convention in Charleston, South Carolina.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved a bill that would reauthorize the Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for five years and allocate $85 million in annual funding for the program. In the past this funding has benefited equestrians.
During the spring foaling season, veterinary hospitals try to fill requests from owners of foals who need colostrum because of the dam’s death, foal’s inability to nurse, or another problem. Demand for colostrum often outpaces supply. Here's a way to help.
The Jockey Club 60th Annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing will be held in August.
Spending time in finding the right instructor is important for a beginner rider's safety. Even if you know little about horseback riding, it is possible to find a competent instructor that can help you or your child become a better rider.
A horse in Patrick County in southern Virginia has tested positive for rabies. The disease is uncommon in horses and can be prevented by annual vaccination.
Vaulting is an equestrian discipline that involves making gymnastic moves on the back of a cantering horse. For those who would like to try vaulting, the Life Adventure Center in Versailles, Kentucky, is offering open vaulting sessions.
The Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners will hold its Fourth Annual Symposium this year on September 19 to 22 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Horses in California and North Carolina have been diagnosed with the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).
The American Association of Professional Farriers is a new group for hoof-care professionals and other interested individuals.
A course in wilderness navigation will be offered in central Kentucky, and will include both classroom time and field training.
A free-access website allows horse enthusiasts to find out about outbreaks of equine herpsevirus, West Nile virus, Potomac horse fever, and other illnesses in their regions or elsewhere across the country.
Purdue University released a study that showed the relevance of the horse industry to Indiana's economical landscape.
Thoroughbred racing sensation Smarty Jones will travel to Uruguay for that country's 2012 breeding season.
Hendra virus hit the equine population of Queensland, Australia, for the first time in nearly eight years when a horse died of infection earlier this January.
Equine veterinarians from Brazil and other countries will convene for the XIII Conference of Brazilian Association of Equine Practitioners in June.
The USEF Show Jumping Selection Trials for the 2012 Olympic Games will be held in March in Wellington, Florida.
To be held in Las Vegas, the convention offers a venue for committees and members to consider rule changes and other matters that affect Quarter Horse enthusiasts.
Scheduled for March, the International Road to the Horse World Championships is hugely popular as a spectator event for the public.
The Equine Lameness Conference will be held March 3 and 4 in Milton, Ontario, Canada, with many topics on the schedule.
The Second Annual Salute to Driving event will be held in Aiken and Windsor, South Carolina, on February 18 to 20, 2012.
Kentucky horse owners and others associated with the horse industry in Kentucky are asked to participate in a survey to update the state's equine-related statistics.
Wildlife experts concluded that the low reproductive rate may be due to inbreeding that has caused mares to have abnormal ovarian function and reproductive cycles.
Participate in a survey conducted by Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) to gauge the scope of involvement in this industry.
The Konik is a Polish breed of horse, characterized by its dun coat, dorsal stripe, and small, primitive stature. The word “konik” is actually the diminutive for the Polish word “koń,” which means horse.
Whether it’s a weekly sale at the local stockyards where children’s ponies find new friends or a revered Thoroughbred sale where racing’s future stars change ownership, horse sales are commonplace the world over.
The available variety of bit styles, sizes, actions, and materials is overwhelming, and choosing the right bit isn’t always easy, especially for a new rider.
The Jockey Club is ready to launch the Thoroughbred Incentive Program, or T.I.P., to recognize and reward the versatility of Thoroughbred horses.
The Jockey Club is projecting an 11.5% drop in stallions used and a 10% drop for mares bred compared to numbers for 2010.
Get information, do some planning, and make choices that will keep the activity as safe as possible for you and your horse.
Economic indicators for Thoroughbred racing showed a trend toward less wagering and fewer days of racing, though purses increased somewhat.
After the last horse show, trail ride, or mounted club meeting in the fall, it’s time to put your trailer away for the winter.
A Danish study looked at the association between parasite burden as judged by faecal egg counts (FEC) and performance in 213 Standardbred trotters.
A study in France showed that horses exercising on sand had a lower rate of concussion and vertical loading.
Basic longeing is often used to teach voice commands, obedience, and cooperation to a young horse that is mature enough for some structured exercise.
Here’s how to plan your endurance ride competition day so that your horse has the best chance, from a nutritional management standpoint, of giving you his maximal performance when the time comes.
The Jockey Club has made some changes to its Thoroughbred Connect program, an online resource for rehoming Thoroughbred horses at the conclusion of their racing or breeding careers.
Now is the time to check every piece of tack and have any necessary repairs taken care of so you’ll be ready to get back in the saddle as soon as spring arrives.
Argentina, the land of gauchos and top polo players, claims a large share of successful breeding and racing Thoroughbreds.
With about 85% of this year’s records in, The Jockey Club reported that the Thoroughbred foal crop will number about 27,000 live foals in 2011.
Black Caviar, an unbeaten five-year-old Thoroughbred mare, was named Australian Racehorse of the Year at a recent awards ceremony held in Melbourne.
A research project has looked at the behavior of 119 geldings to determine whether their personalities were correlated with the disciplines for which the horses were being trained.
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities released figures for 2009 showing that the United States, Australia, and Japan had the highest number of Thoroughbred races offered per year.
Because using an equine treadmill is a novel concept for most people, as well as a new experience for many of the horses themselves, the question of safety often arises.
From Walers to Australian Stock Horses to Miniature Ponies, Australia features several unique breeds of horses and ponies.
Horses are expensive to buy, keep, care for, feed, and transport. Yearly costs will vary depending on the type of horse, the intended use, where it is kept, and the individual needs of the particular horse.
Researchers examined if synchronization of muscle-specific, performance-related genes occurs in equine skeletal muscle in response to a set training time.
There was no difference in the number of starts for two and three year olds that were diagnosed with osteochondrosis and those that were not.
The Jockey Club has started an online service to aid in the placement of retired Thoroughbreds into new homes and careers.
Follow these tips to avoid becoming the victim of an assault or robbery while you’re out on the trail.
Horses, riders, and equine enthusiasts from 63 countries came to Lexington, Kentucky for the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG).
Installing and maintaining the correct type of arena footing can be costly and time-consuming. However, getting and keeping the right material is essential for keeping your horse sound.
Spaying (the surgical removal of a mare’s ovaries) sometimes puts a stop to physical problems and emotional mood swings related to estrus.
If you are considering buying a horse, get as much information as possible by asking the seller these questions.
The horse industry is worth more than $1.2 billion each year to the economy of Virginia.
Instinct makes the horse react as a prey animal that is in constant danger of being attacked by predators.
The process of buying a horse should not be rushed because you need to find the right horse for your needs. Here are points to consider when buying a horse.
Horse racing constitutes the third largest industry in Australia.
Use these tips to keep your horse as comfortable as possible during periods of hot weather.
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Rule Book guidelines for selecting a registered name for a Quarter Horse foal.
To negotiate tough routes, draft horses have been pressed into service to tow fiber-optic cable into place.
Artiste Royal will be the first son of Danehill to stand in Uruguay.
The aim of new research is to develop a system to be used for in-the-field measurements regarding how hard the hoof hits the ground, the way the limb moves, and the biomechanics of joint movement and muscle activity.
Just how fast are the gaits of an average horse?
A new ruling enacted late in 2010 gives current USTA members the right to convert a horse's registration to "Pleasure Horse" status.
Under proposed minimum standards to avoid cruelty to animals, horses are not to be branded using hot irons or corrosive chemicals.
By mid-spring of 2011, worldwide wagering on Thoroughbred races in the United States was down 8.5% from the same time in 2010.
Statistics continue to shift as to racing fatalities on dirt, turf, and artificial track surfaces.
Horses with chips earned about $1,500 less per start than control horses, and therefore earned lower totals in their racing careers.
Australian Olympic legend Bill Roycroft passed away May 29 at age 96.
There are many stories of racing fillies and mares that have shown significantly better race results after being bred and settling into early pregnancy.
If you're anticipating building a new barn or remodeling your present structure, you need to consider lots of factors.
Arena footing material was correlated with risk of injury to horses in a study conducted by researchers in England and Scotland.
Nano liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was effective in detecting human insulin in horse urine.
Are these perceptions of Thoroughbred and Arabian horses based simply on the most common use of each breed, or on particular innate characteristics or abilities that set the breeds apart?
<p> How accurate is this formula for estimating a horse’s weight: [(heart girth<sup>2</sup> x length)/330]?</p>
Research might indicate which Thoroughbred sires have better records of continued soundness and durability in their offspring.
The exercise program that one uses to get horses fit may be very different from farm to farm and indeed even from horse to horse.
Beginning physical conditioning before a horse is a year old does not speed up the changes that occur naturally with growth.
Maryland is home to more than 80,000 equines living on 16,000 properties.
A survey by the Natural Resources Conservation Service shows that every state in the United States lost agricultural land between 1982 and 2007.
White Thoroughbred horses are rare, with only about 100 registered by The Jockey Club.
Getting back into show condition needs to be done gradually to avoid injury or muscle soreness.
A study concluded that whipping Thoroughbreds in the final stages of a race had no effect on the race's outcome.
The Equestrian Australia (EA) Sport Achievement Awards Night will be held on May 4.
To guarantee that you and your horse are prepared for a great ride, begin planning well before your first venture onto the trails.
Older horses have a more difficult time than their younger counterparts when dealing with exercise in hot weather.
PSI Dressage and Jumping with the Stars at Werribee last weekend hosted the first qualifier for the 2011 Equestrian Grand Final.
Being a responsible trail rider means leaving the trails, parking areas, and campsites in good condition.
Wagering, purses, and number of days of live Thoroughbred racing declined in 2010 for the third year in a row.
It is known that head-neck position (HNP) is related to freedom of movement and loading pattern on the equine locomotor system.
Sign up for Equinews.com newsletters for a chance to win an iPad 2 from Kentucky Equine Research.
The American Saddlebred breed has a rich history and a special place in the hearts of horsemen worldwide.
Often explained as toenail remnants from previous eons, chestnuts are actually vestiges of foot pads, the tough-fibered cushions that animals walk on.
While your trailer might be enjoying its hibernation, you need to check it periodically just in case an equine health emergency sends you on a sudden trip to the veterinary clinic.
Horses consumed various feeds at the World Equestrian Games and the Asian Games.
Digital scales provided by Kentucky Equine Research helped competitors and organizers at World Equestrian Games.
The equine center at the University of Guelph in Canada is conducting a survey of horse owners and other individuals in the horse industry.
At the recent annual meeting of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the board of directors approved new helmet rules for riders in both eventing and dressage.
Equestrian communities in the flood-affected areas of Queensland, Australia, have been heavily impacted by the events of the past month.
The Thoroughbred racing industry thrives in India, where births of foals increased by half in the last decade.
South Africa is home to a variety of equids.
The USA Equestrian Trust is accepting applications for financial grants to nonprofit equine organizations to be funded in 2011.
Thoroughbred owners and breeders can now use the camera within their iPhones to take and submit identification photos for foal registration.
Brazil is home to approximately 5.7 million horses and other equids.
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has voted unanimously to prohibit the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone (bute) and flunixin meglumine in international competition.
Late-January Australia Day races had to be canceled because kangaroos invaded Hanging Rock Racecourse.
The National Horse Show and ASPCA Maclay Finals will be held in Kentucky this year.
Three of the world's most elite equestrians assess the same horse's potential for their different disciplines.
Mike Smith, who rode Horse of the Year winner Zenyatta to victory in many races, has received the Big Sport of Turfdom Award.
The Pinto Horse Association of America (PtHA) has broadened its registration requirements to allow draft-type horses with pinto coloring.
Dr. Kathleen Crandell, a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research, explains the 10 key concepts for feeding the performance horse in this on-demand webinar.
The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) has named Kelsey Kimbler of Aberdeen, S.D. the 2010 AHA Youth of the Year.
If your young or mature horse is headed for the sales ring, it's never too early to start preparing for this event.
A study led by a Danish scientist showed that horses may resent and try to avoid bit pressure.
A couple of tax benefits have been continued or reinstated with passage of the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010.
Thoroughbred foals that were born in 2009 must be officially named by February 1 of 2011 if owners and breeders want to avoid paying a late fee.
Combined driver Chester Weber will donate a two-day training package at upcoming fundraiser.
Zenyatta has been honored by the Associated Press (AP) for the second year in a row.
First Down Dash died of natural causes at the age of 26.
Bob Baffert, a Racing Hall of Fame trainer whose equine charges have won 13 Eclipse Awards, has chalked up 2000 wins in his training career.
A Riding Center Program allows youth who don't own a horse or pony to participate in USPC activities and work toward skill rankings.
Is there a specific "speed gene" in Thoroughbred horses?
This horse has the best topline of any of the horses evaluated thus far in the series.
Various studies have shown a significant positive correlation between birth height and mature height, and proved that birth height can be an accurate predictor of mature height.
All of today's Thoroughbred horses trace back to one or more of the three foundation sires.
This horse is long and lanky, especially when compared to the first two horses in the series.
Analysis of a second reining prospect by Lisa Coulter.
Training goes faster when positive reinforcement involves food rewards.
Analysis of a reining prospect by Lisa Coulter.
Although an exact definition may be elusive, most people know a pony when they see one. What comes to mind is an animal that is smaller and often somewhat more heavy-bodied for its size than a horse.
KER has a long history of coordinating equine feed and bedding for international equine events, including the last four Olympic Games.
Moorlands Totilas and Edward Gal of The Netherlands receive a standing ovation for their golden performance in the Grand Prix Special at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Because of its size and complexity, WEG presented huge logistical challenges involving transportation, quarantine and feeding.
Tim Lips' aspirations of earning a medal for the Netherlands at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games were dashed when his mount, the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Concrex Oncarlos, tumbled on the cross-country course.
Before parents consider buying a pony or horse for their youngster, the child should take a minimum of six to 12 months of riding lessons that include all aspects of horse care.
The FEI has today launched a mobile phone application which gives those involved in horse sport much faster and easier access to crucial information on prohibited substances.
For those patient, forward-thinking individuals that seek satisfaction in creating the next generation of hunters, regardless of their future use, there exists the hunter breeding division at shows sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Entries are judged on conformation, way of moving, quality, substance, soundness, and suitability to become hunters, according to USEF rules.
A news release from the Kentucky Horse Park, site of this fall's World Equestrian Games (WEG), indicates the largest ever airlift of horses to a single event took place in mid-September.
Tongue ties are sometimes used on racehorses for one of two primary reasons.
Mark Martinelli, an equine orthopedic surgeon, points out that differences between Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races are reflected in the types of injuries common to each breed.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners has issued guidelines for veterinarians who treat racehorses.
If you've competed at lots of horse shows, the drill is pretty routine. You know what will happen at the show, whom you will probably see there, and how long you'll be gone. Assuming your horse is a show veteran also, there shouldn't be many surprises.
The terms "hunter" and "jumper" refer to types, rather than specific breeds, of horses. Although both groups routinely jump over obstacles, the most obvious difference is in the way the horses move and the work they are asked to perform.
Petr Eim, a veterinary student, prevailed in the men's competition at the FEI World Vaulting Championships in Brno, Czech Republic.
Para-equestrian is a broad term that encompasses horse sports for individuals with a range of disabilities and impairments.
If the horse is fed in a group where he must eat quickly to avoid competition, isolating him at feeding time may help. Making sure the horse is not quite so hungry at mealtime, either by feeding some hay before grain or by feeding smaller meals more frequently, may slow the greedy eater.
A list of suggestions for boosting the fuel efficiency of your truck/trailer combination. You'll possibly save a little money. You'll also gain assurance that you and your horse are traveling in an economical and safe manner.
Researchers looked for an association, if any, between the age of the dam and the foal's risk of fracture later in life, and also any correlation between birth order (dam's first foal or a later foal) and risk of fracture.
Megan Jones crystallized her Olympic dream by being the highest placed rider on the Australian Eventing Team, leading the squad to an outstanding silver medal performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The challenge as official Olympic supplier is to provide feed, forage, and bedding that is acceptable to the competitors and that meets the nutritional requirements of the horses under the environmental conditions present at the venue.
Georgia Bruce brought home two bronze medals in the Grade IV individual competition at the Paralympic Games in Hong Kong.
Equine events such as horse shows, sales, rodeos, race meets, fairs, and clinics are an enjoyable part of horse ownership. Unfortunately, they are also potential avenues for the transmission of contagious diseases.
The Icelandic horse is a breed of small equines found in Iceland. Individuals are stocky, short legged, and quite strong for their size.
Taking a horse to a show, trail ride, lesson, parade, or other event is something many horse owners do on a routine basis. Sometimes the horse has a cough, runny nose, fever, or another sign of illness. Where did the disease originate, and how many horses have taken the infection home with them, possibly to far-flung states and even other countries?
The choice of lead may be linked to biomechanical factors affecting ease of breathing (each complete gallop stride is accompanied by one inhalation and exhalation) or "handedness" (individual preference for one lead over the other).
A competitive trail ride (CTR) is a timed, judged trail ride. The sport emphasizes safety, proper horse management, and communication and teamwork between horse and rider.
<p> Is it acceptable to offer horses of all ages and uses the same feed but in slightly varying quantities?</p>
Yearlings that commanded bids higher than the median price of the session in which they were sold tended to be heavier and slightly taller, but not fatter, than yearlings receiving bids below their session's median price.
Horse knowledge is sort of like manure...over the years, you seem to pick up a lot of it! Can you answer these random queries on equine behavior, sports, breeds, and terms?
World championship competitions were organized for several equine sports in the past, but it was not until 1990 that dressage, eventing, vaulting, endurance, driving, and show jumping combined their efforts for the first time in Stockholm, Sweden.
Miss Finland left an unforgettable mark on the Australian racing scene by beating a class-packed field and finishing four and one-half lengths ahead of her closest rival.
Improving the land, acquiring premier breeding stock, building an experienced and capable staff, and following expert nutritional advice have moved Vessels Stallion Farm to its position at the top of the equine industry.
Investigation of factors that influence risk of lower limb injuries to Thoroughbreds training and racing in New Zealand.
The Australians have a rich tradition of performing well in endurance world championship competition.
Follow along on a horseback riding vacation in Wyoming.
Grand Prix show jumper turns to careful equine management in his quest to qualify for the Olympics.
The name "ride and tie" explains the essence of this interesting blend of running and riding.
<p> Is it possible to keep horses on small acreage? What are the drawbacks of not allowing horses to graze for several hours each day?</p>
Irish Draughts are bred for dense bones and powerful muscles. Some breeders suggest that the most important attribute of the Irish Draught is not its versatility as a performance horse, but its ability to improve other breeds, lending size, strength, soundness, and a sensible mind to many crossbreds.
The Norwegian Fjord Horse combines strength, versatility, and a calm temperament in a small package.
Throughout a competitive trail ride, veterinarians are stationed at designated checkpoints where the horse's heart rate, vital signs, and soundness are monitored.
What seems to set these horse sports apart is the fact that, in each case, the horse is asked to move far beyond his instinctive comfort zone, placing his trust in his human companion.
According to figures released by the American Horse Council, there are about 6.9 million horses in the United States.
The polished weanlings and yearlings and the athletic two-year-olds that grace the sales rings throughout the world today are slightly different from the horses that went before them. Technology and research have combined to provide consignors and buyers with a slightly different opinion of what constitutes good health.
Mounted competitions are arranged for vaulters of all skill levels.
There are many levels of endurance competitions, ranging from short rides 25 miles or less to 250- mile races run over five days.
Whether the experience is a hansom cab ride through Central Park in New York City or a gypsy caravan rented for a quiet countryside tour in southern France, there is a great likelihood that the livery stable will be operated by people who love their animals.
Nearly five hundred years following the decline of tournaments, resurgence in the popularity of jousting and all things Renaissance began.
As a leading equestrian organization, Pony Club has brought together legions of children and their adult mentors with the horses that have had lasting impacts on all of their lives.
Polo enthusiasts from the top players to the beginners will adamantly state, "Polo is one of the most exciting sports to play."
Perhaps the most recognized of all equine breeds, thanks in large part to their daring feats on and off the racetrack, the Thoroughbred's very name is synonymous with words such as well bred, excellent and first-rate.
In 1791, Justin Morgan, a soft-spoken schoolteacher from Springfield, Massachusetts, accepted a little bay stallion as partial remuneration of a debt. By all historical memoirs, the bay stallion was small and sturdily assembled with a short back, powerful loin and voluminous muscling blanketing oblique shoulders and ample quarters.
Nothing compares to the sight of a youngster clutching a well-deserved ribbon and hugging the horse which helped the child win it. This very vision is one reason I agree to judge 4-H and small open shows.
I am planning on attending the Paso Fino World Championships that are being held in Tampa, Florida this year to learn more about these fascinating horses. Would you please explain the other movements (gaits) so that I will know what I am looking for when I get to the Championships?
It takes a special breed of horse to win the immediate adoration of horsemen and laymen together and the Friesian was tailor-made to fit the bill. With their attractive appearance, gentle nature, and willingness to learn, the Friesians are a popular attraction at equine events all over the world.
Whether in the show ring, rodeo arena, riding program or back yard, the American Quarter Horse has endeared himself to legions of fans. The breed goes far beyond a working man's partner or a betting man's pleasure to be a shining example of why horses and humans have formed such a lasting attachment.
Dressage takes a great deal of time, a commitment to working with the best people and a level of maturity that grants an individual a great deal of patience.
Rich in tradition and pageantry, the centuries-old sport of foxhunting is thriving in the United States and abroad.
The Paso Fino horse combines fire and energy with trainability and willingness to be a horse worthy of his ancestors and ready for whatever the future holds.
True partnerships between horses and humans provide some of the most compelling stories.