Horse news in brief, 2007-01-27

Bailando a los saltos, originally uploaded by Eduardo Amorim.

Researchers are studying antibiotic-resistant staph in horses and humans…

Texas slaughterhouses continue to process horse meat for zoos and pet food…

Horse statues in Chicago have been wrapped with Bears-logo blankets in honour of the team’s upcoming Superbowl game…

Among the bizarre insurance claims received by Norwich Union (UK) last year: horses tried to eat a parked car…

One of Scotland’s most famous police horses has died in retirement after clocking up the longest track record of any equestrian public servant…

Someone’s been shooting horses in eastern Kentucky…

The trial of a doctor charged with injecting race horses with vodka is set to resume March 29 in Nebraska…

Seven women have embarked on a tour of the United Arab Emirates on horseback to spread awareness of Arabian horse traditions and raise money for charities…

 

 

DSLD – ESPA

I received the following message on an equine YahooGroups list I subscribe to; the authors asked that we crosspost and disseminate it any way we can.

We would like to request your (and your group members’) help in disseminating the information below regarding DSLD – ESPA (Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis / Equine Systemic Proteoglycan Accumulation) to your group members. We realize this is an unusual request; however, our goal is to aid and further the current research by reaching as many horse owners as possible to familiarize them with DSLD – ESPA.

We are sincerely grateful for your time, help and cooperation.

———————

Dear Horse Owner:

We would like to familiarize you with DSLD – ESPA (Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis / Equine Systemic Proteoglycan Accumulation). DSLD, more recently renamed as ESPA, is a systemic connective tissue disease that was once thought to affect only the legs. The current research, which is focused on the biochemical and genetic aspects of this disease, has found ESPA not only in the leg tendons and ligaments, but also in the nuchal ligament, patella, eyes, aorta, and other organs. ESPA has been found in many breeds including Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Morgans, Peruvian Pasos, Paso Finos, Saddlebreds, Warmbloods, Appaloosas, Friesians, Missouri Foxtrotter, Tennessee Walker, Paints, National Show Horses, Mustangs, crossbreds, mules and more.

Dude, we have to talk

David Beckham poses for an ad in a new Disney advertising campaign.

Dear Becks:

You’ve always struck me as a nice guy (even if all your brains appear to be in your right foot) but just be careful, OK? The horse is gorgeous but you’re still pimping for Disney, and your apparent flirtations with $cientology are worrying me. Stick to footie and keeping Posh away from that poor Katie Holmes.

Guide horses for the blind

Guide horses are a great alternative to the traditional guide dogs for the visually impaired. In the photo above, Ann Edie is guided from a bus by her miniature horse, Panda.

More info:

The Guide Horse Foundation was founded in 1999 as an experimental program to access the abilities of miniature horses as assistance animals. There is a critical shortage of guide animals for the blind.

In early experiments, Guide Horses have shown great promise as a mobility option, and people who have tried Guide Horses report that the Guide Horses perform exceptionally well at keeping their person safe. These friendly horses provide an experimental alternative mobility option for blind people. People who have tried Guide Horses report that the horses demonstrate excellent judgment and are not easily distracted by crowds and people.

Guide horses are not for everyone, but there is a strong demand for Guide Horses among blind horse lovers, those who are allergic to dogs, and those who want a guide animal with a longer lifespan.

An international poll by the Discovery Channel showed that 27% of respondents would prefer a Guide Horse if they required a guide animal.

You can make a donation to the Guide Horse Foundation online, or order the book Helping Hooves. Read more about minis in this article, which proves that everything isn’t necessarily bigger in Texas.

Apocalypse Ponies

This is just weird. No surprise, raincoaster suggested it to me. 😉

Equine herpes outbreak declared “officially over” in Florida

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced Tuesday that the outbreak of Equine Herpes virus-type 1, which affected horses in Jupiter, Indiantown and Wellington, among other locations, has been brought under control.

There have been no new cases in three weeks of the virus, which killed six horses and infected 12 others who recovered with treatment.

“I credit the cooperation and proactive steps taken by the equine community and the quick response by the department’s division of animal industry with the end of this outbreak,” Bronson said. Link

More info from the horse blog world:

Memphis Horses: Wellington, FL EHV-1 Outbreak Alert

Windrock Farm: Equine Herpes Virus in the Equestrian Community

The Horse Doctor: Equine Herpes Virus Outbreak

The Jurga Report: EHV Found in Dutchess County, New York…Maybe?

Household Cavalry to stage pageant in London

An extravaganza involving more than 220 horses, a camel, a former government minister and an Oscar-winning actress (yes, I know, it does sound like a punch line) will be held in London this summer, to mark the opening of the new Household Cavalry Museum.

The Household Cavalry Pageant will take place on 12 June at Horse Guards Parade in London when the museum is opened by The Queen. The museum, which has cost more than £4million to build, is being relocated from Windsor. Read more (including what they intend to do with that camel)