More Sightings of Equine Herpes

Agriculture Commissioner of Raleigh Steve Troxler is asking horse owners in North Carolina to watch for symptoms of a highly contagious equine disease following the positive diagnosis of a horse in Virginia. Animal health officials in Virginia and Maryland imposed quarantines Thursday on four horse farms in Virginia and eight in Maryland. Horses on these premises might have been exposed to equine herpes virus, known as EHV-1. The quarantine means that no horses can leave or enter those farms.

Horse Riding Lessons and Boarding near Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Equestrian is a new business in its first phase of development. It is located on 30 acres of land just one mile north of Route 40 in Chapel Hill, and nestled adjacent to Duke Forest and the Triangle Land Conservancy.
We are in the process of constructing a high quality and beautifully maintained riding facility offering training, riding lessons and full service horse boarding. Group lessons are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Private and Semi-private lessons can be scheduled at your convenience 7 days a week 8am-5pm. For information or directions visit: www.chapelhillequestrian.com

photo provided by Chapel Hill Equestrian

Countdown to the Best Error in a Horse Ad

21. Appleloosa for sale.

20. Willingly piaffes & massages.

19. Bay 3-yr-old, lightly started, lounges well.

18. Cooked semen available.

17. Welsh filly, pretty head & eye. Just stared over fences.

16. 3-yr-old TB mare, recently startled under saddle.

15. Aged race gelding, has four clean kegs.

14. Rider must sell: horse going to college.

13. Gray pony, very athletic, broke to dive.

12. Small horse farm for sale, 33 acres, large fenced pastures plus three small haddocks.

11. Attractive gelding for Combined Training, ready to brake in the spring.

10. Aged Warmblood mare, no lices. Reasonably priced to good home.

9. Registered Hockey Club mare.

8. Super mover-gloats over the ground!

7. Always in the ribbons over fences & thunder saddle.

6. Select young stock for sale, top scores at insurrection.

5. 1899 filly offered for sale.

4. Oldenburg colt, will manure to 17 hands.

3. Young Hanoverian, started u/s, bumping over small courses.

2. Many sport horses for sale, all apes and sizes.

1. LFG-Live Floral Guarantee.

The countdown above is courtesy of Hunter & Sport Horse Magazine

Equine Research Foundation

Looking to become involved in groundbreaking scientific equestrian projects? The Equine Research Foundation has a purpose to further scientific and public knowledge about equine learning abilities, perception, behavior, training, care and welfare and, thereby, improve human-horse interactions. All studies are noninvasive and rely on positive reinforcement. It is run by a Board of five Directors and offers riding and learning vacations, internships, clinics and volunteering. For more info:

www.equineresearch.org/index.html
photos courtesy of Equine Research Foundation

Equine Herpes in the States

A horse imported from Germany and treated for fever at a USDA facility has been connected to an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus – type 1 (EHV-1) affecting 14 horses, half of which have died. The imported horse arrived with 14 others from Germany. After their release from quarantine in various facilities, they were dispersed around the country. Five were shipped to Florida locations. Florida now has seen 13 confirmed cases of EHV-1, 10 in Wellington and one each in Indiantown, Jupiter Farms and Ocala. Of those cases, six horses have died and 10 stables were put under quarantine. California also reported the death of one horse connected to the German imports. Initial signs of infection include high fever, weakness and coordination problems.

Horse Slaughter Bill

A bill that would prohibit the transportation of horses into Illinois for the purpose of slaughter for human consumption was introduced to the state legislature last week. Sponsored by Rep. Bob Molaro, the bill was introduced Feb. 22, representing the state's second try at an anti-slaughter bill. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, more than 100,000 horses were slaughtered last year in the Texas and DeKalb, Illinois plants. Help put an end to the cruelty and protect these horses.

The Carolina Cup is Almost Here!

Last call for the Carolina Cup Steeplechase tickets! This is one event that equestrian competitors should not miss! There will be opportunities to meet with the jockeys at the barn, the warm up area and the winners circle! You will often see jockeys wondering around the park after their races are completed. There are also many amusing attractions that happen before the race begins such as dog races, pony rides, animal exhibits, vendors and don't forget the historic steeplechase museum behind the track!

photo courtesy of Ashley Chatham