Equine

Dissecting a state-board investigation can go a long way to easing fear and stress.

Methuen, Mass. -- Staff and volunteers at the Massachusetts SPCA?s Nevins Farm have seen a record number of horses surrendered to the facility this year.

National Report -- Of 35 equine cases of West Nile virus (WNV) reported nationwide so far this season, 20 are in Washington state.

Brighton, United Kingdom -- Horses are closely watching your body language to see if they?ve got your attention, according to research by Leanne Proops and Karen McComb at the University of Sussex.

Brisbane, Australia -- An equine practitioner from Queensland, Australia, is in a medically induced coma after contracting the potentially fatal Hendra virus from a horse, according to the Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC).

Seventeen states have reported 140 cases of Eastern equine encephalitis so far this season.

Elmont, N.Y. -- Surgery to repair Mine That Bird's entrapped epiglottis "went perfectly" Tuesday, according to Leonard Blach, DVM, co-owner of the horse that won this year's Kentucky Derby.

East Lansing, Mich. -- There's a new equine medicine residency at Michigan State University (MSU), thanks to an endowment from an alumni couple.

Elmont, N.Y. -- Mine That Bird, the 3-year-old gelding that won this year's Kentucky Derby, will undergo minor surgery Tuesday morning for an entrapped epiglottis.

Washington -- A new government study says the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) didn't adequately assess the biosecurity and economic risks of moving the Plum Island, N.Y., animal-disease research lab to a Kansas State University site in Manhattan, Kan.

Louisville, Ky. -- Flash flooding from a record six inches of rain in one hour flooded parts of Churchill Downs racetrack yesterday, forcing the evacuation of 30 to 35 Thoroughbred racehorses.

The USDA has filed an injunction against Teva Animal Health Inc. leaders.

The economy is the No. 1 reason for a dramatic increase in the number of unwanted horses.

In another step toward reform of the Thoroughbred racing industry, the RMTC approved new national standards for drug testing.

Washington -- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) again delayed implementation of its new rules to fight identity theft. The enforcement date for the controversial Red Flags rule is now Nov. 1, 2009, the agency reports today in a prepared statement.

A new list shows upcoming events in equine practice.

Philadelphia -- In an open letter to friends and supporters, the dean of the University of Pennsylvania?s veterinary school warns that a proposed 24 percent cut in state funding for the school will have a ?devastating impact? on the school and the Commonwealth.

Washington -- A summary of the latest research on equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), based on interviews with 18 veterinarians or state equine program managers who dealt with outbreaks in recent years, is available through the USDA?s Animal and Plant Health Inspections Services' (APHIS) Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health (CEAH).

Phoenix -- Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed legislation banning the practice of horse tripping and creating a registry of equine rescue facilities and a public list of those facilities.

Washington -- As the deadline nears to implement Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft rules, federal agencies issued a set of frequently asked questions to help affected businesses, such as veterinary practices, comply.

Finding may offer improved treatment for human stress-related syndromes, such as burnout.

Lexington, Ky. -- The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) board of directors approved new national laboratory standards for racehorse drug testing and created an accreditation program for laboratories, along with an independent Equine Quality Assurance Program to provide third-party examination of testing labs.

Lexington, Ky. -- Scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 were awarded through the Winner's Circle Scholarship Program during June to 33 students who study equine veterinary medicine in 28 states, four Canadian provinces and at one school in the West Indies.

Raleigh, N.C. -- The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is adding a second "Focus" continuing-education session this year, offering two days of lectures and a day of laboratories on equine ophthalmology in October.

Washington -- Starting Aug. 3, imported horses can be quarantined in permanent, privately owned facilities.

Elmont, N.Y. - At least the victory stayed in the family. Mine that Bird, this year's Kentucky Derby winner, finished third in this year's $1 million Belmont Stakes.

Washington - Reopening of U.S. processing plants is among the four most popular solutions suggested for dealing with increasing numbers of unwanted horses, according to a new survey.

National Report - The nation's last three horse-slaughter plants have been shuttered since 2007, but new ones may start to open around the country in coming months.

Elmont, N.Y. - Ruffian was considered by many to be the finest Thoroughbred filly in racing history. It is on the site of her burial that the Ruffian Equine Medical Center opened this year.