The fight over a drug great for horses but horrific for humans

Drug dealers are mixing xylazine, an animal tranquilizer relied on by veterinarians, into fentanyl with deadly results. But controlling it is tricky. » Excerpted from New York Times, 20 April 2023 by Jan Hoffman Penny, a 3-year-old sorrel mare with a white blaze, had been slobbering her feed and fighting her bit, signs of a…

Viral video showing what happens to horses during hurricanes shocks viewers

Via Newsweek » A video that sheds light on what happens to horses during hurricanes has gone viral on social media and upset thousands of viewers. Sam J. Hobbs, a Florida horse owner, posted the video to TikTok on Tuesday, writing: "[I] braided my info in my horse's mane [and I'm] leaving him outside for…

Ukraine horses in the news

There is not much news about horses in the Ukraine, but we did find a bit. Support for Ukraine equestrian community A FEI Solidarity relief fund of 1 million Swiss Francs (£813,760) is being allocated to help the equestrian community in Ukraine. The FEI is liaising closely with the Ukrainian federation and neighbouring countries to…

Broadcast company apologises for death of horse used while filming

Death of horse tripped while filming stunt for South Korean drama prompts outcry • CNN originally reported: January 21st — In a video posted to the Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA) Instagram page on Thursday, an actor in traditional costume can be seen riding a black horse, which has a rope tied to one of…

The horses of “Las Luminarias”, the Festival of Fire

Every year, in the central province of Avila in Spain, locals honour San Antonio Abad (Saint Anthony). Saint Anthony is a patron saint of animals and locals celebrate him in the traditional festival of Las Luminarias. The night before the festival, dozens of locals ride horses through bonfires to honour the saint. Is this how…

U.S. House votes to ban unsafe horse transport

AWI PRESS RELEASE July 1, 2021 WASHINGTON, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Horse Transportation Safety Act (HTSA) today as part of a massive infrastructure bill. The HTSA would ban the use of unsafe double-deck trailers to haul horses in interstate commerce. The $715 billion INVEST in…

Attitudes of the equestrian public towards equine end-of-life decisions

by Catherine Bell and Suzanne RogersEquine Behaviour and Training Association, Godalming GU8 6AX, UK A recent study indicated that welfare issues concerning emotional state or behaviour are at risk of being omitted from end-of-life decisions. ABSTRACT A key welfare concern for the equine population in the U.K. has been identified as delayed death, leading to prolonged suffering…

Digital passport proposed to allow for free movement of horses after Brexit

The International Sport Horse Confederation (IHSC) Taskforce for Brexit and European Union Animal Health Law has created a digital passport solution to ensure the cross-border movement of sport, racing and breeding horses from 2021. The passport would allow for the free movement of horses between Britain and Europe following the end of the Brexit transition period in December…

France: Up to 30 horses killed, mutilated

PROBE UNDERWAY UPI reporting. By Sommer Brockaw. Aug. 29 (UPI) — French authorities said they're investigating the killing and mutilation of up to 30 horses and ponies in pastures across the country. Officers are looking into whether the motive for the slayings in recent weeks is linked to satanic rituals or an online challenge. The…

Horse racing off and on

Horse racing is continuing in many parts of the world despite the Coronavirus threat. However, more race venues are beginning to cease racing. While these track closures continue, there is great concern about what racehorse owners will do with horses who are not racing. It is a costly enterprise maintaining a racehorse, and no one…