Penn State Horse Newsletter

Edited by Extension Horse Specialist Dr. Ann Swinker, the Penn State Horse Newsletter publishes articles on the many facets of horse health, management, Penn State equine events related to the horse industry in Pennsylvania.

Current articles are listed on this page. For older articles, see our Archive.

Equine Glanders Out Break Affects Equine Transport

Glanders is a bacterial disease of perissodactyls (odd-toe dungulates) with zoonotic potential that has been known since ancient times [14]. The incubation period is from a few days to many months [15]. Glanders is transmissible to humans by direct contact with sick animals or infected materials. In the untreated acute disease, there is 95% mortality within 3 weeks.

Bot Flys--- More Than a Nuisance to Horses

Consult your veterinarian for drugs available for internal parasite control. Remove (by clipping or scraping) the yellowish bot eggs from the horse’s hair before they hatch.

Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE)

EEE is a virus that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can be contracted by horses and people by this mode of transmission.

Fall Dangers and Your Horses

Never feed lawn grass clippings or raked leaves from the yard.

Up-Date on Equine Piroplasmosis 2008

Equine piroplasmosis is considered a foreign animal disease; the United States has screened all imported horses for piroplasmosis for nearly 30 years.

Student Takes the Reins

Woolam hopes her love for event planning will turn into a career in promoting agriculture outside the classroom.

Florida Counties Test Positive for Equine Piroplasmosis

 

2008 Equine Issues Forum November 22, 2008

2008 Equine Issues Forum and PEC Annual Meeting November 21-22, 2008 at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, PA.

Penn State Announces Addition of Two 4-H Horse Program Associates

Two 4-H Horse Associates joined the staff in September, with multi-county responsibilities in providing support to county extension educators, volunteers and youth for 4-H horse program development.

Rare horse disease surfaces in Manatee

Blood and tissue testing of a 7-year-old gelding euthanized after a three-week illness confirmed a diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis or EP.

Penn State Equine Identification Project Continues to Educate

Programs are being conducted to inform and demonstrate microchipping for the equine industry.

Three EIA-Positives Found in Indiana; Horse Owners Advised to Test Animals Regularly

Horse owners and veterinarians should watch their horses, mules, donkeys and other equine closely for any unusual disease symptoms, in light of a cluster of recent positive cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA).

Horsemanship Skills Level 1-2 Examiner Trainings

Two horsemanship skills examiner training clinics announced.

2008 4-H Horse Program Regional Driving Clinics

4-H Driving Clinics added as news items

US Will Start Microchipping Throughbred Racehorses

The microchipping of thoroughbreds in the US is set to begin, with the Jockey Club now offering microchips for sale. Microchips are not currently a requirement for thoroughbred registration and participation is voluntary.

McAllister Receives 4-H Horse Program Outstanding Service Award

Dr. E. Scott McAllister, VMD, was recognized for his service to the equine industry and for his faithful and dedicated support the 4-H Horse Program.

Animal Care and Well-Being: Facts Not Fiction-Workshop April 1-3, in Indianapolis, Indiana

This meeting is an ideal time for producers, animal health and management professionals, animal agriculture extension specialists and all individuals involved in animal agriculture - cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and equine - to gather in one place, exchange information and take an in-depth look at animal care and well-being.

Winter Care For Your Horse

Posted 09-Oct-07 Water for the horse during cold weather is too often overlooked. The water may freeze up making it inaccessible to the horse. Mature horses need about 10 gallons of water a day.

National Hay Shortage Problems

Agriculture experts around the country are warning hay farmers and buyers to watch for scams amid at feed shortage and resulting high prices.

Spread The Word On Owning Responsibly

The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) is asking breed registries, equine organizations, state associations and individual horse owners and service providers to spread the word to "Own Responsibly."

Fall Hazards -- Fallen Leaves

Because we are so short on pasture grass and hay this fall, horse owners are looking for alternative forage sources. Owners beware, there are a few things you DO NOT want to do.

USDA Approves New MicroChip for Equine Identification

Microchips are a valuable tool to the equine industry to identify horses, whether as proof of ownership if lost or stolen, or to identify horses in breeding or boarding operations, competitions or domestic and international travel.

New Nutrient Requirements of Horses (6th Edition) Published

A free online computer program is available that helps users determine nutrient requirements of the horse.

Equine Cases of EEE and WNV in Virginia

Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus are transmitted by mosquitoes.

Equine West Nile Virus (WNV) Update 2007

As of September 11, Montana and California had reported the highest number of equine West Nile Virus (WNV) cases in the United States.

Staniar Joins Penn State Equine Faculty

Staniar brings a strong background and wide experience in the Thoroughbred industry, and will provide leadership in both research and undergraduate programs.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Found in Horse Populations

Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) officials confirmed the discovery of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus - a mosquito-borne viral disease - in a central-Ohio horse and a northwest-Ohio horse.