A yearling filly in Davis County, Utah, recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The filly, who is unvaccinated, developed clinical signs on Aug. 19, including mild hind limb ataxia. She had recovered by Sept. 1.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.WNV 101West Nile virusis transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. Not all infected horses show clinical signs, but those that do can exhibit:Flulike signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed;Fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculation (involuntary twitching);Hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity to touch and sound);Changes in mentation (mental activity), when horses look like theyre daydreaming or just not with it;Occasional drowsiness;Propulsive walking (driving or pushing forward, often without control); andSpinal signs, including asymmetrical weakness; andAsymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia.West Nile virus has no cure. However, some horses can recover with supportive care. Equine mortality rates can reach 30-40%.Studies have shown thatvaccines can be effective WNV prevention tools. Horses vaccinated in past years need an annual booster shot, but veterinarians might recommend two boosters annuallyone in the spring and another in the fallin areas with prolonged mosquito seasons. In contrast, previously unvaccinated horses require a two-shot vaccination series in a three- to six-week period. It takes several weeks for horses to develop protection against the disease following complete vaccination or booster administration.In addition to vaccinations, owners should work to reduce mosquito population and breeding areas and limit horses mosquito exposure by:Removing stagnant water sources;Dumping, cleaning, and refilling water buckets and troughs regularly;Keeping animals inside during insect feeding times (typically early in the morning and evening); andApplying mosquito repellents approved for equine use.

A stolen miniature Shetland foal has been reunited with its mother after being found more than 300 miles away from home.Lucy, a two-month-old miniature Shetland pony, was taken from owners Jean and Pete Curds smallholding in Allet, Cornwall, sometime between the 11 and 12 July.Jean was extremely concerned for the skewbald foals wellbeing as she was still reliant on her dam Nancys milk.After weeks of worry, she has finally been returned home after a member of the public alerted the police to Lucys whereabouts.I have no idea why anyone would want to steal her, said Jean.There was a strong chance she might not even survive because she was so young.If they had taken a bigger pony I might have understood it, but to take a tiny foal? I guess she was easily moveable. Appeal reaches over one millionMore than one million people saw the social media appeal launched by Devon and Cornwall Police.PC Lee Skinner and PC Lucy Wyatt from the forces rural affairs unit explained the decision to use social media: It was quite unusual for us to put something on social media like that.Its the first time we have taken this media approach.We realised quite quickly that there was no huge amount of new inquiries we could follow physically. There was no CCTV, and we didnt know much that we could follow up on, so the sergeant thought we should try something new. Anonymous tip offDevon and Cornwall Police received an anonymous tip-off that Lucy had been sighted over 300 miles away in Hertfordshire.Acting on the information, Hertfordshire Constabularys rural affairs unit used a drone to search a caravan park, where the foal was found on 21 August.Officers (pictured top) seized the foal and she was transported back to Cornwall, arriving home by 11pm the same day.Sgt Alex Winning of Hertfordshire Polices rural operational support team was part of the task force that recovered Lucy.We were lucky enough to have a piece of anonymous intelligence come to us via Devon and Cornwall Police, he said.We acted on it immediately, got a few officers and myself out to the site that had been identified and put a drone up above it to see if we could find Lucy.Very quickly we found her and identified her by her markings and size.She was in an OK condition, ever so slightly skinny and a little bit of a cough, but I was pleasantly surprised, bearing in mind she had been away from her mother for a month and wouldnt have had milk and those nutrients.A callous theftPC Wyatt reflected: We showed tenacity to resolve what was a callous theft that had such a big impact on Jean and Petes life.Were glad to see Lucy back home where she belongs.Jean described the relief of the foals return. I cant describe it, its absolutely wonderful, she said. Its something we didnt think would happen.We thought to start with, yes, shell be back, but as the weeks progressed, I think we lost hope.PC Lucy Wyatt called the result an excellent outcome to a horrible situation.Ive been really surprised at how concerned people have been when they dont even know Lucy, added Jean.So many people have gone out of their way to try and find her.Main image courtesy of Herts PoliceRelated contentEndangered Przewalskis foal rejected by mother after emergency surgery is adopted by grey marePlasma transfer saves the life of newborn foal born to rescued mare (and both are named after cheese!)Miracle foal born to mare saved as part of the Trafficked 20Five-day-old foal found with a bloody mouth and jaw hanging out of placeThe post Stolen foal reunited with mother after being found 300 miles away appeared first on Your Horse.

Two older horses at a private stable in Providence County, Rhode Island, recently tested positive for strangles. A state quarantine has been placed on the additional 20 horses at the facility.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About StranglesStranglesin horses is an infection caused byStreptococcus equisubspeciesequiand spread through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses that arent showing clinical signs can harbor and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses remain contagious for at least six weeks, with the potential to cause outbreaks long-term.Infected horses can exhibit a variety of clinical signs:FeverSwollen and/or abscessed lymph nodesNasal dischargeCoughing or wheezingMuscle swellingDifficulty swallowingVeterinarians diagnose horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with either a nasal swab, wash, or an abscess sample, and they treat most cases based on clinical signs, implementing antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can prevent an infected horse from developing immunity. Most horses make a full recovery in three to four weeks.A vaccine is available but not always effective. Biosecurity measures of quarantining new horses at a facility and maintaining high standards of hygiene and disinfecting surfaces can helplower the risk of outbreakorcontain one when it occurs.

A combination of appropriate vaccination, environmental management, and good biosecurity can help protect your horse from respiratory diseases. | Adobe StockQ: Are there specific vaccinations or preventive measures that protect horses from common respiratory problems?A: For the more common infectious causes of respiratory disease in horses, such as strangles (secondary to Streptococcus equi subspecies equi bacteria exposure), influenza virus, rhinitis virus, and herpesvirus (EHV-1 /EHV-4), there are commercially available vaccines veterinarians administer semi- or biannually as part of a horses core vaccinations. These vaccines will not completely eradicate the risk of a horse getting infected and sick from the respiratory disease completely but will help prime their immune system to mount a response if exposure occurs.Most well-vaccinated horses have a shorter period of passive shedding into their environment and overall can recover quicker when compared to those animals that have not been vaccinated. Timing of vaccination is key, especially for horses that will be traveling because, ideally, they schedule prophylactic (preventive) vaccinations for respiratory diseases weeks prior to the anticipated shipping time. Long travel distances, coupled with the stress of transport, can weaken the healthiest of immune systems, increasing the risk of secondary contracture of an illness when exposed to another horse or horses shedding virus or bacteria into the shared environment.Environmental Management and Equine Respiratory DiseaseAnother mainstay of prevention centers around environmental management and strict biosecurity measures for new horses or horses that have been traveling long distances. At facilities housing multiple horses, prioritize good ventilation year-round to prevent stagnant air, which can trap airway-irritating allergens or infectious agents (pathogens) and contribute to asthma, viral disease, or secondary bacterial pneumonia. Also consider utilizing methods to improve air quality: using low-dust bedding, storing hay and bedding away from where horses are stabled, cleaning and disinfecting stalls and common areas, and steaming or soaking hay to reduce the overall allergen load.Biosecurity to Prevent Equine Respiratory DiseaseImplement a strict biosecurity protocol for new and returning horses as a main method to prevent exposure to and spread of infectious respiratory disease. Isolate such horses away from the general population for a period of two to three weeks, preventing nose-to-nose contact and monitoring for development of fever, nasal discharge, or cough in any animals to prevent viral or bacterial spread. Additionally, wash hands between animals and using separate mucking supplies to help prevent environmental contamination.Equine veterinarians always recommend immediate veterinary care and consultation in any event of suspected exposure or outbreak because they are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent most disease outbreaks in horses.Take-Home MessagePreventing respiratory disease in horses demands a layered approach. Core vaccines against strangles, influenza, rhinitis virus, and EHV reduce illness severity, especially when timed appropriately ahead of travel. Management practices such as good ventilation, low-dust bedding, and soaking hay protect horses airways, while strict biosecurityisolating new or returning horses and preventing nose-to-nose contacthelps stop contagious spread. Combining vaccination, smart stable practices, and vigilant monitoring gives horses the best chance to stay healthy and perform their best.

Adapt your horses nutrition to support his activity level as he ages. | Adobe StockMany horses are living longer thanks to advances in optimal care over the past few decades. Today horses considered seniors that once would have needed to retire often remain active and healthy. As horses age, their care needs to change, particularly when it comes to nutrition. Feeding your active horse appropriately as he ages supports his longevity and well-being.When Is a Horse Considered Senior?Theres nothing official that says horses that are 20 years old are called senior, or 15, or 18, or 25, etc., says Carey Williams, PhD, extension specialist and professor at Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It just means an older horse and, depending on who you ask, answers are going to differ.Some consider 15 or 16 years of age as a senior horse benchmark, but I believe that age is just part of the equation, says Kelly Vineyard, MS, PhD, equine nutritionist and owner of EquiVine PhD Nutrition, an independent equine nutrition consulting company based in Gainesville, Florida, noting the many factors affecting how a horse ages. The other parts are genetics, veterinary care, and nutrition over a horses lifetime. When horses experience changes due to age such as decreased digestive efficiency, poor dentition, muscle loss, and arthritis that necessitate adjustments in feed, management, and medical care, that signals the senior transition is occurring.People also use the term geriatric to describe horses with clear age-related health issues. I have seen some 15-year-old horses that look worse than some 25-year-old horses, says Williams. If theres an older horse that has a health issueit could be arthritis, pituitary dysfunction, dental issues, etc.we start calling that horse a geriatric horse.Rather than fixating on a number, focus on noticing changes in your horse and adapting nutrition and management to support them.Nutritional Considerations With AgingWhen designing a nutrition program for an athletic senior horse, you must consider a variety of aspects, track body condition, and schedule regular veterinary exams. Even with diligent care, age-related changes will still occur.As horses age, fiber, protein, and phosphorus digestibility declines, so it becomes more important to provide good quality sources of these in a senior horses diet, says Vineyard.Additionally, tissues start to break down, which changes (horses) ability to digest and metabolize feed the way that they did when they were younger, notes Williams.Vineyard says she commonly sees poor dentition and quidding in aged horses, which can lead to difficulty chewing and swallowing long-stem forage. In these cases the horse might benefit from hay alternatives such as soaked hay cubes or pellets. Senior horses also experience a decline in immune function, known as immunosenescence, making them more susceptible to infections, she says. In addition, a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state known as inflammaging often comes with aging. Supplemental antioxidants and proven immune-modulating additives can help support optimal immune function in aging horses.Athletic Senior HorsesHorses do not know how old they are, says Vineyard. If they are healthy and sound, they will benefit from regular exercise. Again, reaching a certain age does not mean a horse must be retired, but his body needs thoughtful support.Quality protein becomes even more critical for senior performance horses, as they are simultaneously challenged with post-exercise muscle repair and age-related declines in muscle mass and performance, she adds. Adequate vitamin E intake for antioxidant support also becomes important, due to the added oxidative stress of exercise paired with the aging process. Providing such nutritional support to reduce exercise-induced inflammation also helps keep the older athlete comfortable.Senior horses rely on ample energy, too. These horses do not just need higher energy to help them maintain weight because they are older, they are also exercising, so need that additional caloric support, says Williams. The best way to keep their energy up is with fat sources. Rice bran is my favorite because you also get that added fiber. Oils are also an option, whether it is just vegetable oil, soy oil, rice bran oil, or something higher in omega-3s.Senior Horse FeedsHorse owners have many commercial feed options to meet their aging horses needs. Traditionally, senior horse feeds are complete feeds, meaning that forage is built into the formula, says Vineyard. These senior feeds are made specifically for horses with a reduced ability to chew or digest hay, and they are fed at a higher feeding rate because they are intended to replace all or a portion of forage in the diet.Vineyard says manufacturers also offer senior feeds that dont replace forage. They are formulated to meet the specific needs of senior horses (better quality protein, added antioxidants, specialized additives to support immune function) that can still chew and digest hay, she adds.Processing can also affect the digestibility of senior horse feeds. A lot of these senior feeds are not just pelleted; they might be whats called extruded, says Williams. Sometimes pellets can be firm and hard to digest; the extrusion process involves heat and pressure, which makes the pellets puff up a little bit and in turn, makes them easier to digest.She stresses the importance of feeding the recommended amount of a product to ensure your horse receives complete nutrition from it. If youre only feeding half as much as the bag recommends, youre not only potentially feeding too few calories, but youre also feeding too few vitamins, minerals, and all the other nutrients that have been formulated in that bag at that level, she says.If youre feeding less than the manufacturers recommended rate, a ration balancer or vitamin-mineral premix can help. But if your senior horse needs to gain weight, nutritionists recommend following the feed tag instructions to ensure adequate nutrient intake.Take-Home MessageSenior horses have the distinct benefit of having years of training behind them, and these are the best years to experience the joys of riding a well-trained horse, says Vineyard. You know your horse best, and they will tell you when they are ready to slow down. Monitor health and body condition closely, and adjust feed program changes as needed to support your athletic senior horse.

Two horses in Kentucky recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The cases are located in Grayson and Bourbon counties.In Grayson County, a 5-year-old Standardbred mare tested positive on Sept. 4. The mare, who was unvaccinated, developed clinical signs on Aug. 27, including lethargy and front limb ataxia. She is deceased.In Bourbon County, a 10-year-old polo pony mare tested positive on Sept. 4. The mare, who was not vaccinated in 2025, became lame on Aug. 29, which progressively worsened to front limb ataxia and muscle fasciculations. She is still alive.There have now been seven confirmed equine WNV cases in Kentucky in 2025.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.WNV 101West Nile virusis transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. Not all infected horses show clinical signs, but those that do can exhibit:Flulike signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed;Fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculation (involuntary twitching);Hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity to touch and sound);Changes in mentation (mental activity), when horses look like theyre daydreaming or just not with it;Occasional drowsiness;Propulsive walking (driving or pushing forward, often without control); andSpinal signs, including asymmetrical weakness; andAsymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia.West Nile virus has no cure. However, some horses can recover with supportive care. Equine mortality rates can reach 30-40%.Studies have shown thatvaccines can be effective WNV prevention tools. Horses vaccinated in past years need an annual booster shot, but veterinarians might recommend two boosters annuallyone in the spring and another in the fallin areas with prolonged mosquito seasons. In contrast, previously unvaccinated horses require a two-shot vaccination series in a three- to six-week period. It takes several weeks for horses to develop protection against the disease following complete vaccination or booster administration.In addition to vaccinations, owners should work to reduce mosquito population and breeding areas and limit horses mosquito exposure by:Removing stagnant water sources;Dumping, cleaning, and refilling water buckets and troughs regularly;Keeping animals inside during insect feeding times (typically early in the morning and evening); andApplying mosquito repellents approved for equine use.

One of Britains last horse-drawn barge businesses is up for sale as its owners Phil and Jacquie Brind prepare for retirement.The Tiverton Canal Co, an award-winning family-run business and heritage attraction in Mid Devon, has been operating for over 40 years. Based on the Grand Western Canal in Tiverton, the company holds sole passenger-carrying rights for the length of the canal, operating from the historic Lime Kiln Wharf and canal basin.The Brind family has overseen the business since the mid-1980s, with Phil and Jacquie taking ownership in 2005 from Phils father.Over the years, heavy horses including Shires, Clydesdales and a Welsh section D x Shire named Taffy, who featured in the BBC Countryfile calendar in 2012, have pulled the barges.Staff wear traditional period clothing to reflect the heritage of the barge experience. Its been very important to Jacq and I to be seen as a true horse-drawn living heritage attraction, with the request that all our team wear old-fashioned clothing, said Phil.New owners soughtThe business is for sale with a leasehold price of 425,000 and will continue running until a new owner is found.Phil explained that the priority is finding the right person to safeguard the attractions future.He reiterated that the only reason for the sale is due to retirement and wanted to thank all those who have visited. We wish to say a big thank you for your support over the years, and may the horse-drawn barge continue for many years to come.The sale, which is being handled by business sales specialists Everett Masson and Furby, includes two horses, George a 15-year-old Welsh cob and Brindley, a seven-year-old Shire.The pair are to be sold with all associated tack and equipment, including a 70-foot horse-drawn barge, licensed to carry up to 80 people.View the sale particularsRelated contentMaster saddler wins national shire horse title with harness she handcrafted herselfYorkshire equine hospital performs pioneering stomach surgery to remove tumour from horseClydesdale with 720 colon twist has colic surgery two months after giving birthHow to tell if a horse is happyThe post One of Britains last horse-drawn barge companies goes up for sale appeared first on Your Horse.

Last year, Emma Thomas had to walk the Defender Burghley cross-country course with a cane after being kicked in the thigh and rupturing a muscle. She still has that hole in her leg, but is now pain-free, and bidding for a third consecutive placing with Icarus, whom she has produced from a five-year-old. Im so much happier this year. I didnt realise quite how much that stressed me out last year, said the 26-year-old rider. The hole is permanent, but it isnt sore. Ive done a lot of strength work with it and tried to scaffold around it.Emma studied biological sciences at the Royal Veterinary College, but opted to event professionally after being selected as a Wesko Foundation rider in 2021.She made her five-star debut just two years later, finishing 18th at Burghley on Icarus with one of only three double jumping clears, but has struggled with imposter syndrome.Following the dreamI was going to go off and have a very normal career, but I had these two horses that went all the way to the top of sport, and why would I not follow that dream? said Emma. Its been a journey, but its helpful I have a lot more friends at this level now, and Ive had some success. Winning the under 25 championships [at Bramham] last year was a big moment for me. A real watershed moment for the imposter syndrome, because seeing all the other incredible names on that trophy cant be that bad.Ive got another couple of young horses now and seeing how much better I am at it this time around, with all the experience that these guys have given me, thats really validating as well.This is, I think, my fifth five-star. Its obviously a huge deal, but it doesnt feel like an impossible dream anymore. Pressure is a privilege and its a privilege to come. I have to remind myself of that when Im getting nervous.Imposter syndromeIcarus is one of two horses that she she has ridden since she was a teenager.Weve had to learn together and so, unfortunately, we were learning the ropes together. Its taken this long for me to feel established at this level without imposter syndrome and to trust my system, said Emma. Its really hard when you see everyone else who are much more senior and more successful than you are doing their thing. Its really hard not to think, Oh God, should I be doing that? But actually, each horse is different, and he [Icasrus] needs me to hold his hand.Thats all Ian Woodhead, who trains me, says. Hes not coaching me through any movements. Its just to be there for him, because thats all he wants from me.All of Emmas horses live out 24/7 at home, and so her groom, Will, has been spending long periods of time hand grazing Icarus at Burghley.Will is his one of his favourite human beings. Will will just sit and hand graze for two hours. Theyre in love with each other, smiled Emma.She added that the KWPN gelding measures 15.2hh or 15.3hh with shoes on.Everyone who meets him says hes so small! Thats not a secret, but I think A, I dont make anything look big, and B, he has the longest stride of anything Ive ever ridden, so he doesnt look small when hes going and he jumps so big.It stops me faffingDressage has been a tricky horse for the pair, but Emma was pleased with their test yesterday.He was so much more relaxed and really listening. I knew as we were cantering around the edge that we were going to have a better time, she said.Hes pretty easy to read in that way and he just loves it here, the crowd is slightly further back here too, which helps.Improving their performance on the flat has involved taking the pressure off, especially in the warm up.Hes been really tricky to bring up through the grades, because he panicked anytime there was anything new to learn. But hes great with his changes, and he knows exactly what hes doing with his half pass and his lateral work. So actually all I do now is pretty much long and low, because thats the only thing thats really going to improve from this point, his relaxation and his suppleness. I did one change each way and one half pass each way. The rest of the warm up is how supple can we be, how relaxed can we be. Its great for me as well it stops me faffing.Loads of staminaHaving been around here twice before, this pair are familiar with the cross-country track, although it is the first time they will tackle it in this direction. It is a completely different feel, but I think it might suit him. Having the water early on might just make him clock on and concentrate, said Emma. He slightly ran off with me down that hill last year, so the uphill climb will really help, and he doesnt run out of stamina, so having the Trout Hatchery, Defender Valley, and the Leaf Pit, in the second half doesnt worry me.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentTop riders battle with nerves, too! How one Burghley rider overcame a confidence lossProperty director and cheap ex-racehorse make their CCI5* debutBurghley top 10 in pictures: Townend leads the field after dressageHow to watch Defender Burghley Horse TrialsThe post Pressure is a privilege: rider with imposter syndrome bids for third Burghley completion appeared first on Your Horse.