Number of Unwanted, Abandoned Horses Rising

Problems with the economy, drought, rising costs of hay and increases in the cost of euthanasia and carcass disposal are leading to a nationwide rise in the number of unwanted, neglected or abandoned horses.

With the help of equine associations, veterinarians, breeders, horse owners and related groups, the problem of unwanted horses is being studied through a nationwide initiative by the Unwanted Horse Coalition. Everyone with an interest in the welfare of horses is asked to take a survey at http://survey.ictgroup.com/uhcsurvey/.

The survey is phase I of the study. It will collect information from people most affected by and involved with the issue. This will help researchers learn more about the problem and possible solutions.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners says unwanted horse are "horses which are no longer wanted by their current owner because they are old, injured, sick, unmanageable, fail to meet their owner's expectations, or the owner can no longer afford or is incapable of caring for them."

By Allie Byrd
University of Georgia

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World's Smoothest Riding Horse Comes to Jacksonville, FL, Nov. 7-9

/PRNewswire/ -- You can actually feel it before you see it because the ground almost trembles. Then, a moment later you can hear it. It is a rhythm unlike any you have ever heard. And when you finally see it, you get it. It is excitement and it is back. Today is a new day in the Paso world. It is the opportunity for all of us to remember why we were drawn to these magnificent equine athletes from the moment we first saw them. It is the opportunity to honor and celebrate the heritage of the breed. It is the opportunity to share the passion and emotion when the winner emerges above the rest.

It's the World's Smoothest Horse, and they are coming to the Jacksonville Equestrian Center (13611 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL) this weekend (November 7-9, 2008). Come experience a ride on the World's Smoothest Horse at the IPHF U.S. National Championships.

The International Paso Horse Federation (IPHF) is hosting the first-ever U.S. National Championships, and is inviting the public and the press to come out and experience the Paso Horse. Over 375 of the best horses in the country will be competing for the top honors of the breed during this three-day event.

The International Paso Horse Federation will be sponsoring a Ride a Paso Fino event during the show, and it will give anyone who would like to experience the World's Smoothest Ride an opportunity to ride one of these amazing horses. Come on out to the Jacksonville Equestrian Center this weekend, and experience the ride for yourself.

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The Humane Society of the United States Applauds AAEP White Paper on Horse Soring

The Humane Society of the United States applauded recommendations set out in the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ newly released white paper, “Putting the Horse First: Veterinary Recommendations for Ending the Soring of Tennessee Walking Horses.”

The Association’s recommendations include: immediate implementation of a drug testing program at horse shows; the abolishment of the industry-run Designated Qualified Persons self-regulation program, turning inspection duties over to qualified veterinarians; 24-hour security personnel and inspectors in the stabling areas of show grounds where violations are known to occur; and the establishment of much more severe penalties for Horse Protection Act violations than in the past.

“The soring of Tennessee Walking Horses is one of the most egregious forms of equine abuse and it is time for it to be brought to an end”, said Keith Dane, director of equine protection for The Humane Society of the United States. “Ending soring is a top priority of The HSUS and the AAEP paper echoes many of the same concerns we’ve raised and the changes we’ve been recommending. We are very pleased that AAEP has taken a stand for the welfare of the horse and believe its influence will be a valuable asset in the continued fight to end soring. We urge the Walking Horse industry to immediately end the cruel treatment of its horses.”

Soring involves the use of caustic chemicals, chains and other irritants on the legs of Tennessee Walking Horses and other gaited breeds, causing severe pain and forcing an exaggerated, high stepping gait. Soring is considered so cruel that, in 1970, Congress passed the Horse Protection Act giving the U.S. Department of Agriculture authority to inspect horses at shows and other venues for signs of soring. While the HPA was intended to eliminate soring, inadequate funding and spotty enforcement of the law has allowed widespread soring to continue.

Because USDA does not have the funding to attend every show, the agency created the Horse Industry Organization program of self-regulation, which allows trained civilians, known as Designated Qualified Persons, to conduct inspections at shows. Many of the DQPs are directly involved in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and The HSUS has long criticized the effectiveness of the HIO program, calling it a case of “the fox watching the henhouse.” The AAEP white paper cites similar concerns with the DQP program and calls for its abolishment.

In addition to the Horse Protection Act, there are several state laws that prohibit soring. Currently, The HSUS is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction under Tennessee's anti-soring statute. Earlier this year, The HSUS and other horse industry groups formed The Alliance to End Soring to work with the USDA, Congress and Tennessee Walking Horse industry stakeholders to advocate for increased enforcement of the Horse Protection Act and raise public awareness of the pervasive use of soring in the industry.

In 2006, the annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tenn., failed to name a World Grand Champion when most of the finalists were disqualified for violations of the federal Horse Protection Act.

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Congress Addressing Horse Slaughter Cruelty in New Federal Legislation

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers has introduced legislation to ban the slaughter of American horses for human consumption overseas, as well as the export of American horses to other countries for slaughter. House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) introduced the bill, H.R. 6598, known as the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008.

In addition to Conyers and Burton, the original co-sponsors of the legislation include Reps. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Jim Moran (D-Va.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Betty Sutton (D-Ohio). The legislation has strong support from The Humane Society of the United States and other animal protection organizations.

"Every day the Congress waits, there will be more torment and more suffering for America's horses," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "The horse is an American icon, and it is a betrayal of our responsibility to these animals to treat them like cheap commodities and send them across our borders for slaughter. We ask leaders in Congress for an up or down vote before the end of the session."

State legislatures have recently acted to ban horse slaughter, shuttering the last remaining foreign-owned horse slaughter plants in the U.S., but Congress has failed to act to stop the export of live horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. More than 45,000 horses have been sent across U.S. borders to slaughter in Canada or Mexico so far in 2008, surpassing the number of exports to date in 2007.

Past congressional actions on horse slaughter have demonstrated a strong, bipartisan desire to prohibit killing horses for human consumption. In the 109th Congress, legislation to stop horse slaughter passed the House of Representatives numerous times by a margin of more than 100 votes, and passed the Senate by a more than two-to-one margin. But so far in the 110th Congress, the existing legislation, H.R. 503 by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), and John Spratt (D-S.C.), and S. 311 by Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.), has not yet been enacted because it has been blocked by House committee leaders and Western senators. Animal advocates hope the new bill will advance quickly in Chairman Conyers' House Judiciary Committee.

Butchering horses is a particularly cruel end for these loyal and trusting creatures. The HSUS documented the cruelty and abuse when investigators followed "killer buyers" transporting horses thousands of miles from auctions to feedlots to interstate highways. They also documented a barbaric method of slaughter on a kill floor in Juarez, Mexico. Thousands of horses are stabbed with short knives, a method that leaves them paralyzed and unable to breathe. The animals are still conscious as they are hoisted up by a chain and their throats slit.

The HSUS is joined by members of Congress, the National Show Horse Registry, American Horse Defense Fund, Veterinarians for Equine Welfare, United States Equine Sanctuary & Rescue, American Walking Pony Association, American Indian Horse Registry, Palomino Horse Association, United States Eventing Association, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Steeplechase Association, Churchill Downs and more than 500 endorsing organizations along with the majority of Americans in support of the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act.

New Technology Could Help Prevent Fractures in Horses

BUSINESS WIRE--Researchers are developing a monitoring system similar to those used by earthquake seismologists to detect tiny cracks in bones, a technology that could help prevent fractures in humans and racehorses.

The new monitoring system records "acoustic emission data," or sound waves created by the tiny bone fissures. The same sorts of acoustic emissions are used to monitor the integrity of bridges and other structures, said Ozan Akkus, an associate professor in Purdue University's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering.

"When a microcrack occurs in a bone it generates sound waves similar to those created by earthquakes," Akkus said. "The goal is to create a wearable device that would alert the person when a stress fracture was imminent so that they could stop rigorous physical activity long enough for the bone to heal."

Catastrophic injuries are rare in racehorses but still remain a major concern to horse owners and racing fans. This problem was highlighted by the recent tragedy involving this year's Kentucky Derby second-place finisher Eight Belles. The 3-year-old filly broke both ankles as she was slowing down at the end of the race and had to be euthanized. Big Brown won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and is favored to win the Belmont Stakes on Saturday (June 7).

"The need for new technologies to prevent stress fractures and the many other causes of catastrophic injury to racehorses is great," said Stephen Adams, a veterinarian and professor in the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine, who specializes in equine lameness and surgery. "These horses are running 40 miles an hour, and if there is a microfracture in the animal there is danger it will become a catastrophic failure."

Shane Fimbel, technology transfer manager for the Purdue Research Foundation's Office of Technology Commercialization, is helping to move the technology to the market.

"This technology is important in many ways, but in particular with horses and other animals because they cannot articulate why they are in pain," Fimbel said.

Such a technology also might protect soldiers, athletes and dancers. Akkus will be visiting West Point this summer to test the monitoring system on cadets going through basic training.

Bones most affected in horses are the cannon bones of the front legs. The most commonly affected bones in humans are those in the feet, legs and hips.

Researchers at Purdue and the University of Toledo have jointly filed patents on the discovery through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.

Thoroughbred Charities of America Given UPS Donation of $10,000

BUSINESS WIRE--The UPS Foundation (NYSE:UPS) has pledged $10,000 to Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) to support its mission of providing a better life for thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers.

“Although UPS was thrilled to see Big Brown cross the finish line first at the Kentucky Derby, we were saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Eight Belles,” said Ron Rogowski, UPS’s director of sponsorship. “The UPS Foundation wanted to honor this incredible filly by making a donation to TCA to support this organization’s focus on the continued humane treatment of animals.”

TCA is a fundraising organization that gives annual grants to equine-related non-profits that focus on the following sectors: thoroughbred rescue, rehabilitation and retraining for secondary careers post-racetrack; research in all equine scientific fields; equine educational organizations and thoroughbred-based educational programs; support of backstretch workers including disabled jockeys, farm and track employees; and therapeutic riding programs that incorporate thoroughbreds.

UPS long has been a sponsor of horse racing and its supporting organizations. The company became the Official Delivery Company of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association in 2006 and has created several cross promotions with its other sponsorships, including NASCAR. UPS also has an exclusive marketing agreement with jockey Kent Desormeaux and IEAH Stables, the ownership group for Kentucky Derby champion Big Brown.

Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation's major areas of focus include community safety, nonprofit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability and diversity. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. In 2007, The UPS Foundation donated more than $46 million to charitable organizations worldwide. Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.

UGA College of Veterinary Medicine sets annual Open House for April 4

The University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine will hold its annual Open House on Friday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A parade of dog breeds, rodeo and farrier demonstrations, and veterinary hospital tours are just some of the activities available at the event sponsored by UGA’s veterinary students.

This annual event will focus on veterinary medicine as an exciting, rewarding career, and will demonstrate the variety of career options available to veterinary medicine graduates.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to see firsthand the role of today’s veterinarian,” said Dr. Lari Cowgill, faculty advisor for Open House. “Veterinary medicine entails so much more than the care of cats, dogs, horses and cows. What we learn from animal health has a significant impact on public health issues.”

Other activities will include horseshoeing, hatching quail eggs, face painting, a dog dancing demonstration, and question and answer sessions with current veterinary students. Children also may assist while veterinary students repair their favorite stuffed playmates in the Teddy Bear Surgery area.

“Last year we had a record turnout, and we anticipate the same response this year,” said Denise Brinson, vice president of the class of 2010 and co-organizer of the event. “Parents and teachers look forward to this each year, and the kids always have a great time interacting with the animals and the veterinary students.”

In addition, tours of the small and large animal hospitals will be available all day, with scientific exhibits showcasing every kind of animal from dogs to horses to exotics. Students will sell snack and lunch items, refreshments and UGA merchandise.

Admission is free and open to the public. Parking will be available at the softball complex on Milledge Avenue with shuttles running to the college throughout the day. Maps also will be available to ease navigation through the exhibits.

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians, and conducting investigations to improve the health of animals as well as people. The college benefits pets and their owners, food-producing animals and wildlife by offering the highest quality hospital and diagnostic laboratory services. Equipped with the most technologically advanced facilities located on a university campus, the college is dedicated to safeguarding public health by studying emerging infectious diseases that affect both animal and human health. The college enrolls 96 students each fall out of more than 500 who apply. It has more than 130 faculty members.For more information and scheduling updates closer to the event, please visit www.vet.uga.edu/ERC/openhouse.