Rescue & Welfare

Shadow of Equus: Equine Flood Victims in Pakistan

Updated:

February 21, 2011

The Brooke Hospital for Animals, a London, UK based charity that provides free veterinary care to working equines in third world countries, has launched a Pakistan emergency appeal to help thousands of horses and donkeys affected by the worst floods in Pakistan’s history. They estimate that over 75,000 animals have been affected by the floods in one province alone.

Shadow of Equus: In Praise of SPANA

Updated:

February 21, 2011

The UK based Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) has received a very special and well deserved award. At its annual convention on December 4 to 8, 2010, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) presented its highest award, the Lavin Cup, to SPANA for its exceptional and compassionate work providing free veterinary aid to thousands of working horses, mules, and donkeys in third world countries and offering free education in equine care to their owners.

Shadow of Equus: The Genetics of Speed

Updated:

February 21, 2011

By Margaret Evans - What makes a Thoroughbred a successful racehorse? While it is true that nutrition and training are critical factors, according to recent research, determining a horse’s best racing distance and athletic abilities might all be in the genes.

Shadow of Equus: A Bit of a Problem

Updated:

February 21, 2011

“The future of the Marwari horse is looking more promising than say in the 1970s when it was apparent they were ignored,” said Moorey, adding that research on the origins of the bloodline to determine the extent of the Arab influence and possible links to the Akhal-Teke breed from Turkmeni horses has been undertaken in recent years by the UK’s University of Cambridge.

Shadow of Equus: Wild Horse Management: One Shot at a Time

Updated:

November 21, 2010

Earlier this year, the Governor of New Mexico announced that he would use stimulus funds to purchase 12,142 acres of land known as the Ortiz Mountain Ranch adjacent to Cerrillos Hills State Park and create a state-owned wild horse sanctuary. While there are a number of environmental, economic, and public input hoops to jump through before horses are acquired, likely from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), now should be a perfect time to look at how these horses are going to be managed in the long-term to keep their numbers in check with the available range.

Shadow of Equus: Donkeys in a Shattered Land

Updated:

October 21, 2009

They move with the quiet, dogged obedience of an animal steeped in service, resigned to drudgery. But they hurt. Harness made of bits of wire, car tires, some string, and any other useful bit of garbage that meets a need rubs and chafes the skin leaving open wounds that turn septic and fill with maggots and the stench of infection.

A Final Act of Love

Updated:

October 21, 2009

It was devastating when we lost Zona. At 32, our palomino Anglo-Arab, who had been a champion show horse on the prairies in her youth, was still pretty much the boss of the herd. Everyone deferred to her. Yet we knew there was something wrong.