Horses

“Nicole’s Law” promotes safety of children under 16 who participate in equestrian activities

June 8, 2009 -- LOXAHATCHEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed House Bill 169, “Nicole’s Law.” The legislation creates safety standards to minimize the number of serious or fatal head injuries to Florida youth sustained during equestrian activities and recreation.

“Today I am proud to sign legislation that will help ensure the safety of Florida’s children and prevent serious injuries that otherwise could have been prevented,” said Governor Crist. “I applaud our Legislature for taking action to protect Florida’s future leaders.”    » read more »

VLTs would be limited to tracks, provide needed revenues

June 04, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Saying Kentucky’s horse industry is threatened with extinction, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today added a proposal to this month’s special legislative session to allow expanded gaming at the state’s racetracks to increase purses and breeder incentives.

“Kentucky’s horse industry – a living, breathing part of our cultural heritage and one of our strongest, most precious commodities abroad – is in a state of crisis,” Gov. Beshear told reporters today in announcing his proposal. “Some even say it’s dying.”    » read more »

May 6, 2008 -- TRENTON - Racing Commission Executive Director Frank Zanzuccki announced today that a Racing Commission investigation has resulted in the first positive test results obtained under the state’s recently-expanded testing protocols aimed at detecting the use of performance-enhancing substances in race horses.

Harness racing: Photo by Jill (CC)    » read more »

October 01, 2007 -- LEXINGTON, KY -- The thrilling sport of combined driving will take place during the Lexington Combined Driving Classic, October 5–7 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The three distinct phases of combined driving—driven dressage, cross-country marathon, and obstacle (cones) driving—were originally modeled after the ridden sport of three-day eventing (such as the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event).    » read more »

August 22, 2007 -- LANSING - Michigan Department of Agriculture officials have identified the state’s first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) for the 2007 season. A two-year-old mare from Lapeer County tested positive for EEE at the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health on August 17, 2007.    » read more »

May 24, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation that bans the slaughter of horses in Illinois for human consumption. House Bill 1711, sponsored by State Representative Robert S. Molaro (D-Chicago) and State Senator John Cullerton (D-Chicago), bans importing or exporting horsemeat if any horsemeat will be used for human consumption.

“It’s past time to stop slaughtering horses in Illinois and sending their meat overseas. I’m proud to sign this law that finally puts an end to this practice,” Gov. Blagojevich said.    » read more »

Vaccination recommended to protect horses from potentially deadly virus

May 11, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Agriculture is reminding horse owners to vaccinate their animals before the onset of mosquito season to protect against West Nile virus (WNV).    » read more »

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 4, 2007) – Blood samples from the 20 horses entered in the Kentucky Derby tested negative for "blood-doping" agents, according to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority (KHRA).

"The equine industry is Kentucky’s signature industry, and our efforts to craft a new, comprehensive equine drug policy have been undertaken to protect and maintain the integrity of the industry," Governor Ernie Fletcher said.    » read more »

May 4, 2007 -- The stable in Wales, Maine which had been under quarantine since March 30 for an outbreak of equine herpes virus, type 1 (EHV-1), has been released from quarantine. Laboratory testing on all horses at this stable were negative for the presence of EHV-1 virus. A second stable in Rome, Maine, which was also placed under quarantine on March 30, remains under quarantine pending the results of further testing for EHV-1 virus. All horses at the Rome stable are healthy.

Source: Maine.gov