The new Time To Ride program is designed to introduce school-age children to horseback riding and horse care in a safe, welcoming environment. The goal is to familiarize school-age children with horses through an initial series of lessons that include basic horse care as well as riding.

It is very important for owners to understand what puts a horse at risk of PAL or laminitis from an inappropriate diet, even with no pasture access. PAL is linked to elevated insulin responses. The classical appearance of a horse or pony at risk is one that is overweight with an obvious, fatty crest on the neck, but many metabolically abnormal horses have a normal weight. A horse that is older may also develop Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID/Cushing’s disease) and change from one that always tolerated pasture well to one that is now at risk of laminitis.

“We were able to remove a substantial portion of the tumor in order to open the sinus cavity and take any pressure off Honesto’s eye socket and brain. He’s one tough horse.”

Inflation-adjusted average yearling prices from two years ago are directly related to the current year’s supply of foals. These real prices have trended downward over the study period ending 2016, hence leading to a decrease in the number of registered foals.

According to the Colic Risk Rater, there was an 11% chance that Brandy may colic while at the training facility. Now, in the 24-hour time period after Brandy returns to her home facility, there is a 50% chance that she may colic. There are things we can do to reduce this risk. Strategies like bringing water, hay and concentrate feed from the training facility and making a gradual transition to the feeds used at home will lessen the many changes that Brandy already has to adjust to.

AQHA is opposed to any federal legislation that would ban therapeutic medications, as well as race-day use of furosemide, and therefore continues to work with international, national and state racing organizations and commissions that are well versed in specific racing issues to evaluate protocols to allow for uniform medication rules and deterrents of performance-enhancing drugs. 

“There does seem to be some misconceptions regarding specific vaccines, especially the modified live vaccines. By far, the biggest concern I hear from horse owners is that their horse could potentially become sick from the modified live vaccine and they are concerned that their horse could then pass this disease onto other horses. I also hear concerns of unvaccinated horses becoming inadvertently vaccinated from a recently vaccinated horse within the herd.”

Thrush is the destruction of a portion of the horse’s hoof called the frog. This destruction is caused by an anaerobic bacteria and fungi that is not contagious. Thrush brings with it a recognizable, strong-smelling odor coming from the affected area. Although thrush is a somewhat common condition, it shouldn’t be underestimated. If left untreated, it may penetrate the sensitive structures of the hoof and cause temporary to permanent lameness.

Scientists have taken a step towards the goal of regenerating damaged tendons with the discovery that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can produce “artificial tendon” in the presence of inflammation.