Horses linked to Zetas drug cartel go for $8.8 million

WRITTEN BY DIANNE SOLIS Cross-posted from the Dallas Morning News More than 300 quarter horses seized by federal authorities in a money-laundering case against the Zetas drug cartel fetched $8.8 million in an Oklahoma City auction this past weekend. Authorities say one, A Dash of Sweet Heat, drew a whopping $1 million at the Heritage…

New AQHA equipment rules to ensure horse welfare

EDITED PRESS RELEASE Cross-posted from TheHorse.com The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Executive Committee has adjusted some rules regarding equipment use at all AQHA-approved shows and has approved a structure of fines and penalties that will be assessed to violators of these rules, the organization announced Sept. 14. All of these changes are based on…

First of indicted Dixon treasurer’s horses bring $1.64M in online auction

by MELISSA JENCO Cross-posted from Chicago Tribune About 80 horses once owned by indicted former Dixon Treasurer Rita Crundwell brought in $1.64 million this week at an online auction, money that ultimately could go to the northwestern Illinois city's coffers to offset the huge losses from her alleged fraud scheme. The horses sold for a…

Horse given exotic painkiller breaks down at New Mexico racetrack

Cross-posted from New York Times Written by WALT BOGDANICH and REBECCA R. RUIZ "A horse [who] recently tested positive for a supercharged painkiller drawn from a type of South American frog broke down and was euthanized Thursday at a New Mexico racetrack after winning a trial heat for the coming All American Futurity, one of…

With 11 dead Judge says Feds can auction Zetas drug case horses

HORSES confiscated in a criminal case as "evidence" are typically taken care of pending the outcome. However, in this instance the Judge is allowing federal prosecutors to the horses at auction before the case goes to trial. DALLAS, Tex. -- (AP) A federal judge in Texas is allowing prosecutors to sell more than 400 racehorses…

Horse cloning and embryo transfer legal issues discussed

By UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE One of the hot topics discussed during the 27th Annual University of Kentucky Conference on Equine Law, held May 3, 2012, in Lexington, was the legal implications of cloning and embryo transfer in the horse industry. While the legalities of these topics are not discussed frequently in Kentucky,…

Feds take over 300 horses from suspected Illinois embezzler

Until now, we have not reported on the story of Rita Crundwell, the woman accused of embezzling in the neighborhood of $53 Million of public funds from the city of Dixon, Illinois. Crundwell reportedly used the money to support a lavish lifestyle including the breeding and exhibiting of world class Quarter Horses. What caught our…

Kentucky tightens incentive fund rules (KY)

Well, hey, here's yet another racing commission in Kentucky. This one wants to protect all sex mad horses doing one another for profit, even if they're not one of those high filutin' Thoroughbreds. Some of them don't even have to work at the local racetracks to get some of the moola, although it's just a…

Quarter horse policies part of the problem, not the solution

by DUANE BURRIGHT May 22, 2008 Duane Burright argues that the American Quarter Horse Association shows its hand in arguing for the need for a United States slaughter industry, while at the same time having policies which encourage breeding on a massive scale. A few weeks ago, I wrote an opinion piece which argued why…

Horse on the Hill: April 15, 2008

MUSTANG KILLER JOINS AQHA Conrad Burns registers as lobbyist for horse group Posted on April 9 By MARY CLARE JALONICK of the Associated Press WASHINGTON - Former Sen. Conrad Burns has registered as a lobbyist, working for a group that supports the slaughter of wild horses. Burns registered with the Senate as a lobbyist for…