Dangerous Disease If Spreading In West Tennessee

JACKSON, Tenn. -- An extremely dangerous and possibly fatal horse disease is spreading in West Tennessee.

"It's called equine infectious anemia, or EIA, and is something we take seriously," Corinne Gould said.

The state veterinarian announced Thursday four cases of the illness, also known as Coggins, has been reported at three different locations in Henderson County.

"It's like HIV for humans," Tina Wooley with R&J Feed Supply said. "It completely shuts down the horse's immune system."

Experts say a horse should be tested for Coggins every year, typically in spring.

The state requires any horse that's leaving its stable to test negative for Coggins before they travel.

If a horse tests positive, the owner has only two options.

"They either have to put the horse down or they have to put them in quarantine," Gould said.

Experts say Coggins is spread through insect bites and that mosquitoes and horse flies are the typical transmitters.

"If a fly bites a horse that's contagious, then bites the horse I'm carrying, his chances are a lot higher," Wooley said.

State officials say to practice high standards of fly control to prevent that from happening.

Horse gets into a spot of “Mischief” in London

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Mischief lies trapped in a ditch in northwest London. Photos: London Fire Brigade/@LondonFire/Twitter

Firefighters come to the aid of Mischief.

A horse named Mischief has lived up to his name, after getting stuck in a ditch in northwest London.

The London Fire Brigade was called on Tuesday afternoon to help free 22-year-old Mischief from his predicament on a farm on Woodhall Road in Pinner.

Mischief, who stands at 15 hands, had been unable to get to his feet after becoming stuck on his side in the channel.

“Mischief didn’t have enough room to get himself to his feet so firefighters dug a little bit out of the embankment to give him some extra space,” Borough Commander Richard Claydon, who was at the scene, said.

“Crews used a harness to turn him around in the ditch before giving him a helping hand to his feet.

“He was a little bit shaky at first, but was soon happy enough to walk away.

“Fortunately, he has no injuries.”

Firefighters had Mischief on his feet an hour after receiving the call. Crews from Wembley and Harrow fire stations attended with specialist animal rescue equipment.

On his feet: Mischief gets on his way.

The Health Benefits of Horseback Riding

Before we all had cars to drive in, people used horses to get around, and almost everyone was taught to care and ride a horse. Today, our dependence on these large mammals is non-existent and horseback riding has become recreational. There are many obvious health benefits to riding, including strong core and legs, but there are also many less obvious benefits, such as boost in confidence and meditation. Horses are even used in therapy for mentally disabled children- which only proves further how healthy they are!

Here is Health Fitness Revolution’s top list of the health benefits of horseback riding:

• Body Awareness: Horseback riding really works the core muscles that stabilize the trunk: the abdominal, back, and pelvic muscles. However, it’s not just about the strength of the core, but the coordination and stability of it as well. The more you ride, the more the body learns to move with the horse.
• Quick Thinking: riding a large, powerful animal with a mind and agenda of its own is a full-body workout that will force you to engage muscles you didn’t know existed and be constantly adjusting to the form of the animal.
• Coordination: There are many movements that need to happen simultaneously while riding for the horse to be properly guided- this is what coordination consists of. Therapeutic riding programs for the sight-impaired have had a lot of success developing better coordination.
• Core Strength: Horseback riding is an isometric exercise, which means it uses specific muscles to stay in certain positions, in this case, keeping balanced on the horse. Because of this, postural strength is very important when riding and the posture of riders improves even in day to day activities.
• Muscle Tone and Flexibility: Along with the core muscles, the inner thighs and pelvic muscles get the biggest workout as a rider positions himself or herself. Riders often have to maintain a squatting position while they ride, constantly adjusting to the cadence of the horse. This exercise helps with good overall muscle tone and flexibility.
• Stable Strength: Riding is not the only way this activity gives the body a workout. Working in a barn and taking care of a horse strengthens muscles and increases cardiovascular capacity.
• Mental exercise: There are so many mental benefits to horseback riding. Not only do you really learn about yourself as you experience time on a horse but it can also have a meditative effect because for the time being, the only focus is on riding and staying on the horse. While horseback riding is a great exercise, there is a real benefit i the connection with the animal and the peace of mind that comes with every ride.

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Big Bang” star backs push to end trade in US horse meat

Actress Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting has added her support to a campaign by the Humane Society of the United States to end the horse-meat trade in American horses.

The star of the hit television sitcom, The Big Bay Theory, has fronted a video on behalf of the society, which is a strong opponent of a trade which sees more than 100,000 horses transported to Canada and Mexico each year to slaughter plants.

The video was released as the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act was introduced by lawmakers to the US House of Representatives.

Cuoco-Sweeting, who plays Penny in the show, owns five horses and regularly shares photos and videos of her riding on Instagram.

She said: “As a horse owner, I know firsthand the unique bond we share with horses, and I am passionate about protecting them from cruelty. To force any horse to endure the horror of slaughter is a betrayal of their trust and loyalty.”

She said she wanted to focus attention on the issue and end the slaughter of American horses.

Humane society president and chief executive Wayne Pacelle said most Americans did not eat horses and did not want to see them inhumanely killed in North America for any purpose, especially so for export to dinner tables in Europe or Asia.

“It’s time for Congress to close gaps in the law that allow this predatory and disreputable industry to gather up racehorses, show ponies, working animals, and backyard pets and treat them like nothing more than meat on the hoof.”

92 Year Old Dressage Rider Still Going Strong

Ginny Wegener spent the first half of her life being a professional pilot and a horse show mom to her three daughters. But when the kids moved out, her equine adventure was just beginning.

“When the kids were gone, I thought, ‘I really miss having those horses around’,” she said. So at age 58, she bought a horse of her own—a seven-year-old Arabian named Sam who had been trained in dressage.

She fell in love with the sport. And though she came to riding as an adult, she wasn’t intimidated. After 30,000 hours of airtime as a pilot, teaching others to fly as an FAA Examiner, and racing in the Powder Puff Derbies of 1966-1973, 1975, and 1976, an activity that occurred entirely on solid ground must have felt pretty tame.

A friend told her about the Century Club—an organization that honors dressage riders and horses whose combined age is 100 or more. Riders can compete at any level to be eligible for a free black and gold Century Club ribbon.

“Well heck, he’s old, and I’m getting old, so let’s do it,” she remembers thinking before competing in her first Century Club ride on 30-year-old Sam in 2002. “And when Loki came along, I thought heck, I’ll do it again.”

So far Ginny has done two Century Club rides. She hasn’t decided yet if she’ll go for a third.

“I just ride for fun…The Fjord is 20 now, but he’s very healthy; he could do it.”

For Ginny, horses have brought joy at every stage of life.

“I have three wonderful daughters and they’ve never been a problem,” she said, “They spent all their time with their horses. I think it’s important for young people to have something they care about.”

And that same passion has carried on for her through the years.

“I think the Century Club is really wonderful because it does give encouragement to older people. Sometimes it’s hard when you’re aching or hurting to get out and ride, but if you have something to look forward to, it keeps you going.”

Now Ginny and Loki live on a farm in the Colorado mountains, and trailer out to ride with friends once a week.

“It’s that passion; it keeps you moving,” she said.

54 Horses, 7 Goats Rescued from Deplorable Conditions in Giles County, Tennessee

April 18, 2015

Rescue groups in Tennessee will receive financial assistance from The Humane Society of the United States to care for 54 Tennessee walking horses who were living in filthy conditions and had little-to-no food. The Giles County Sheriff’s Office seized the horses, including stallions, mares, yearlings and foals, on April 14. The owner, Jeffrey Mitchell, has been charged with animal cruelty and surrendered all of the animals to Volunteer Equine Advocates.

Volunteer Equine Advocates, Horse Haven and Safe Harbor Equine and Livestock Sanctuary will nurse the horses back to health and ultimately find them new homes. The HSUS will provide more than $16,000 to assist with the initial care expenses for the horses.

According to reports, Mitchell has prior convictions for cruelty to animals. He also has a history of horse soring activity on his public record and has competed in “Big Lick” horse shows across the southeast, including the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in 2014. These shows are commonly associated with horse soring. For example, in May 2013, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued Mitchell a warning for showing a horse found to be in violation of the federal Horse Protection Act – which prohibits the showing of sored horses. 

This spring, The HSUS expects that legislation will be reintroduced in Congress to bolster the Horse Protection Act. The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act would do away with the failed system of industry self-regulation, increase penalties for horse soring, and outlaw the specific devices used in soring.

Those interested in providing donations for the continuing care of the horses can do so through the organizations’ websites.

The Child With In

I remember how excited I was when I got me first horse when I was 12 years old.  I couldn't sleep the night before and I couldn't stop smiling. I remember being so thrilled when I got to feed the horses and fill the water tub.  That first ride on my own horse sent me over the moon. Going to the tack store and buying new halter and lead was so much fun for me. Don't get me started on how exciting it was when I got a new saddle. Every thing that summer was wonderful to me, even cleaning stalls.

There have been several new horses that have entered my life since that first horse 40 years ago. I would like to say that I'm grown up now and I don't get that excited anymore, but that wouldn't be truthful. I still find myself getting that same feeling in pit of my stomach when a new horses is about to arrive. I will still go out and purchase a new halter and lead for that new horse which is still fun. The first ride is still exciting and honestly it makes me feel like a 12 year old again. A new horse just brings that the 12 old horse crazy girl out in me.

As I welcome a new horse into my life a beautiful a National Show Horse mare my handsome Morab gelding is not far from my thoughts and neither is that 12 year old girl I use to be.