PMU RANCH NUMBERS REDUCED

Because of a reduction in the number of prescriptions being written for hormone replacement therapy in women, and because of recent federal approval of a lower-dose hormone replacement medication, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals met with ranchers who supply the raw product (pregnant mare urine) on Oct. 10 and announced that the number of ranches under contract for next year would be reduced from 409 to 264. Of the 145 ranches that will no longer be collecting urine, 43 voluntarily took a "buyout" program, and 102 were non-voluntary participants, according to Norm Luba, executive director of the North American Equine Ranching Information Council, the rancher's organization. MORE...

RESCUED MARE RECOVERS FROM LEG SURGERY

A rescued 4-year-old mare with a debilitating injury to the fetlock joint underwent a lengthy and expensive surgery funded by donations on Sept. 22, and she is recovering well, according to her caretakers at Contented Critters, an animal rescue shelter in Makinen, Minn., and her surgeon at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. MORE...

OLYMPIC COMMITTEE BOARD APPROVES U.S. EQUESTRIAN AS NGB FOR EQUESTRIAN SPORT

Setting the stage for a new era for equestrian sport, the U.S. Olympic Committee Board of Directors gave final approval to a new National Governing Body (NGB) for equestrian sport. The new organization, formed through the combination of USA Equestrian and the United States Equestrian Team, is formally called the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., and it will be commonly referred to and marketed as U.S. Equestrian. MORE...

GROUP LAUNCHES NATIONAL ANTI-SLAUGHTER BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN

According to an Oct. 15 news release, the Equine Protection Network (EPN) has begun a national horse slaughter awareness billboard campaign in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Indiana. The group also has launched a new web site giving EPN's views on equine slaughter. MORE...

AAEP ASK THE VET: FRONT FOOT FLICK

Q. My 12-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse often "flicks" his left front foot when putting it forward. His previous owners said it was only a cosmetic problem, but my friends say it hurts him when I ride. However, after our latest three-mile ride, he didn't show any pain. What could cause this, and might he be in pain?

A. Click here for the answer.

POLICE HORSE DIARY: DON'T YOU COME NEAR ME WITH THAT HOSE!

Sunday afternoons mean a few extra hours to spend catching up, and this past Sunday it was catching up with the weanlings' training. Since the weanlings got here Oct. 1, that means I'm nearly through with week three. Some things are accomplished, some aren't. It seems I'm getting ahead of Dr. McDonnell's 12-Weeks to a User-Friendly Junior Weanling curriculum in some things, and behind in others. MORE...

FOOT CARE TECHNOLOGY

It has been said that more than half of all lameness in horses is the result of pain within the hoof or is associated with the consequences of improper hoof wear; however, your horse cannot speak and describe pain or discomfort. Typically for lameness to be noticed, it must be evident at the walk or slow trot, however with modern technology we can obtain information that previously would only have been available if the horse could describe how he felt. To read about one veterinarian's experience with these high-tech diagnostic tools, check out "If Your Horse's Feet Could Talk" in the October 2003 issue of The Horse. MORE...

HIND LIMB LAMENESS

As the pivotal hind limb joint, the hock receives considerable forces. It's no surprise, then, that this hard-working joint is the most common site for rear limb stress injuries, performance-limiting problems, and pain. To learn more about the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of hock problems, read "A Pain in the Hock" in the October 2003 issue of The Horse. MORE...

UNDERSTANDING EQUINE LAMENESS

Les Sellnow's Understanding Equine Lameness is an easy-to-read book on the broad topic of equine lameness. This book discusses the horse's gaits, the anatomy of the legs and joints, and conformational problems that can lead to lameness. Understanding Equine Lameness also discusses lameness that can arise from strenuous activity and from trauma. A variety of other sources--fractures, tender splint bones, and bursitis--are also covered in this practical handbook. Order online at ExclusivelyEquine.com and save 10%.

AAEP HEALTH LINK: TRAILER LOADING

The method to be described is a safe and effective way of teaching horses to load and stand quietly in the trailer without resorting to drugs or force. Plus, the principles and concepts used here can be applied to many other areas of human-horse interactions. To read "Trailer Loading Made Easy" in its entirety, click here.

MATCHMAKING: ADOPTABLE HORSE OF THE WEEK

Goodie is a 12-year-old Appaloosa mare available for adoption from Emerald Valley Equine Assistance in Eugene, Ore. She is about 14.1 hands and has not been started under saddle, but with a little training she should make a nice trail horse.

Click here for more information on other horses available at EVEAHR, or e-mail [email protected].

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