By Cynthia Foley, February 14, 2012
Sometimes it feels like all people do is shuffle information back and forth at one another. Everyone’s busy giving their opinion, but no one’s listening. The Internet is overstuffed with facts, myths and opinions. Where do you turn, and how do you separate fact from fallacy?
Of course, I’m going to tell you that’s where we can help. Dr. Grant Miller’s upcoming March article on tendon care is the perfect combination of hands-on first-aid for an injured tendon, with concise, easy-to-understand explanations the technology available to bring your injured horse back. (He talks about prevention, too!)
Dr. Deb Eldredge’s two-part deworming series in February and March hits the nail squarely on the head with fecal egg counts, the only realistic way to effectively win the battle against parasites on your farm. If you’re thinking, “I’ll just give ivermectin,” think again. Even this powerful broad-spectrum drug is hinting at resistance problems. If you just keep using it without a thought, eventually you may have a problem on your hands.
Actually, worm drug-resistance worries are so bad that the FDA has announced a public meeting March 5-6 in Rockville, Md., to discuss dewormers and resistance problems in horses (and ruminant animals). There are no new drugs on the horizon, so judicious use of the drugs we have available is increasingly important. Get the rest of the story here
Slaughter Issue - Unless you live under a rock, you likely know that there’s growing concern about equine slaughterhouses reopening. The ASPCA and The Humane Society are both working hard to prevent its return with a new bill in Congress. The ASPCA states that 80% of the nation opposes horse slaughter.
Homeless Horses - We were shocked to read a newspaper report in the Kansas City Star that economical difficulties are causing some people to actually turn their horses loose in the wild to fend for themselves.
Wild Horse Protection - The Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act passed without opposition, protecting free-roaming wild horses around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. The herd was being maintained at just 60 horses, a number experts believed was insufficient to sustain the Corolla horses. They date back to the 16th Century. Thanks to this legislation, the herd is now going to be allowed to increase to no fewer than 110 horses with a goal of 120 to 130.
We found a 3-year-old 7/8 Trakehner in Illinois for $700. He’s at www.equine.com part of the A Home For Every Horse program. Initiated by the Equine Network, it’s working to help spread the word about the many nice horses looking for a barn to call their own. 
