MyHoofPrints

Uncovered: The true face of soring Tennessee Walking Horses

2012-05-24T12:41:27-07:00

"If those spectators could see the true face of soring, they'd be running these people out of the business." -- Humane Society

I wonder who we contact to put these people out of business?

5th skunk confirmed positive for rabies; rabies "map" now available online

2012-05-24T10:02:02-07:00

All Larimer County residents are urgently advised to keep their pets, horses and livestock vaccinated and up-to-date, and to avoid skunks that are out in daylight or are behaving strangely.
-- Larimer County

via larimer.org

OK, now we're getting cose to home, just one street over. Remember, a rabid skunk can infect your horse or other livestock. Thank goodness horses now get the rabies vaccine. If your animals are not up to date on their rabies vaccination, call your vet now. (Click on the Larimer.org link above for the full story.)

Earlier coverage: More rabid skunks discovered

Deadly EHV-1 returns: Colorado quarantining facility

2012-05-22T13:19:13-07:00

This just in via e-mail from the state veterinarian:

"The Colorado Department of Agriculture is continuing to investigate and monitor horses exposed to one horse with a confirmed case of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) within the state; a Douglas County premises remains under quarantine. Strict bio-security and disease prevention practices have been instituted on the quarantined premises. This quarantine may be released in seven days if there are no additional horses showing clinical signs.

Three facilities received horses from the same transport vehicle. Horses at those facilities remain free of clinical signs of EHV-1. The movement restrictions on these facilities will be released on May 22, 2012, as they have completed the 21-day observation time period.

Unlike the EHV-1 outbreak in 2011, the initial case in Colorado originated from

an out-of-state stable where there have not been any other positive horses. To date, no other Colorado exposed horses have become ill with similar signs. With the exception of the initial case and contact horses’ premises the State Veterinarian is not recommending movement or event restrictions.

The State Veterinarian encourages horse owners and event managers to observe basic biosecurity practices such as limiting horse-to-horse contact, separating feeding, watering and tack supplies, and eliminating shared water sources at events to minimize transmission of all infectious diseases.

EHV-1 is not transmissible to people; it can be a serious disease of horses that can cause respiratory, neurologic disease and death. The most common way for EHV-1 to spread is by direct horse-to-horse contact. The virus can also spread through the air, contaminated tack and equipment, clothing and hands.

Symptoms include fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance, lethargy, and the inability to rise. While there is no cure, the symptoms of the disease may be treatable and owners are encouraged to talk to their veterinarian about vaccine which can offer some level of protection against EHV-1."

(Besides being deadly, EHV is a serious concern when it comes to stable management. Read about our last experience.)

Mustang Makeover: Acrobatics anyone?

2012-05-22T11:19:37-07:00

FORT COLLINS, Colorado - Argo the ex-wild mustang, and Cayla, his foster mom, continue to astound us. The other day, when I happened to be in the arena at our stable, they tried something new!

As a sidenote, watch the earlier Argo videos, and note how much he has filled out in such a short time. Somewhere back in Argo's heritage, beautiful ancestors contributed to some very special looks.

Cayla Stone temporarily adopted Argo from a herd of wild horses in order to train him for the Extreme Mustange Makeover competition, June 8 - 10, at Colorado State University. You can see Cayla and Argo compete at the event, where Argo will also be available to a good home via the Extreme Mustang Makeover auction.

Learn more about Argo and see his other videos by clicking on our Mustang Makeover section.

Be sure to visit Argo's Facebook page: My Extreme Mustang Makeover!

(Note: Cayla is a trained gymnast. Do not try this at home.)

Arabian show horse rescued after swimming three miles into ocean

2012-05-17T08:41:04-07:00

“It was a real needle-in-a-haystack kind of find,” Kelly told msnbc.com. “He looked like every other bird that was just sitting on the water.”

William was drifting with the current but still heading out to sea. When he saw the search and rescue team, he appeared startled but also exhausted.

via usnews.msnbc.msn.com

The decisions horses make boggle the mind. Our Thoroughbred, Kalvin, once attempted a ninety-degree spin, followed by a jump over the arena fence from a standstill. To his credit, he made it over with his front end ... (Click on the the msn.com link above for the Arabian's adventure.)

Public hearing: 'Next door' becoming part of the city

2012-05-14T15:38:09-07:00

FORT COLLINS, Colorado -- Who would have thought more than 20 years ago when we came here, that the city would ever come to us?

The city's Planning and Zoning Board will conduct a public hearing regarding the annexation of the trailer park property on our stable's east border, approximately 1/4 mile east of N. Shields St. on the Poudre River, at 6 p.m.Thursday, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins.

Developer Gino Campana bought the trailer park property last year with plans to build new homes on the 17.3 acre site, each priced at approximately $450,000. Trailer park residents moved out last month.

Meanwhile, the Fort Collins-Larimer County $5-million project to widen Shields Street and replace the Poudre River bridge on our west border continues. We have a mystery on our hands, as a hand-written document created more than 100 years ago, 1896 to be exact, calls into question who owns extra footage for the widening -- residents or the county?

Read the city's public hearing announcement containing annexation details and a map.

Rabies: More infected skunks reported

2012-05-12T12:40:49-07:00

9News reports that more infectecd skunks have been reported in neighboring Weld County. If you think horses are not at risk, think again. A rabid animal is an irrational animal, and can go after a horse in a pasture or paddock, biting the horse and infecting it. Please call your vet of choice and get a for-the-record rabies vaccination before it is too late.

Health department reports rabid skunk was mauled by larger animal

Health department: Rabid skunk was mauled by larger animal

2012-05-04T21:43:20-07:00

FORT COLLINS, Colorado -- The Larimer County Health Department said Friday that the rabid skunk found on the west side of town had been mauled by a larger animal, which means that animal could be roaming the area sick and infected with rabies.

If you have not already had your animals vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian, do so now.

Read the Larimer County Health Department press release.

Read also our 2009 post: Rabies claims Colorado horse (first in 25 years)

Rabid skunk found in Fort Collins -- horses, pets at risk

2012-05-04T10:23:39-07:00

FORT COLLINS, Colorado -- (Text of an e-mail I received Thursday night from my vet, Dr. Allen Landes, owner Equine Medical Services) The CDC has confirmed a rabid skunk was found on the west side of Fort Collins near west LaPorte Ave. This confirmed rabies case and another recent one around the Ault area should alert all animal owners that we need to vaccinate all our animals (dogs, cats, horses, and other livestock) against rabies.

If your horse has been vaccinated in the last 12 months by a veterinarian, then your horse is considered vaccinated. If your horse has not been vaccinated in the last 12 months or has been vaccinated by someone other than a veterinarian, they are considered un-vaccinated and if considered a rabies suspect could be euthanized for testing. Colorado State Statute does not recognize owner-administered rabies vaccines. The following excerpt is from Colorado Department of Public Health statement: (Rabies Prevention and Control Policy, Management of Domestic Animals Exposed to Rabies, Updated July 1, 2011) http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/zoonosis/rabies/exposed%20pets%20policy.pdf "Additionally, Colorado law, 25-4-607, C.R.S., requires rabies vaccinations be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Thus owner-administered rabies vaccine is not recognized."

Update: Health department says skunk was mauled by larger animal

Open letter from Occupy activists: Farmland is for farming

2012-04-30T10:09:24-07:00

"As you read this letter, East Bay families and farmers continue to seed, weed and water at Occupy The Farm. Public events over this weekend have included workshops by members of the community and the opening of the “Ladybug Patch” children’s area ... In 1997, the UC walked away from the table during the final stages of deliberating a proposal for the Gill Tract drafted by a coalition of UC professors, residents, and more than 30 local non-profits known as the Bay Area Coalition for Urban Agriculture (BACUA). - Occupy activists

via albany.patch.com

What remains unclear here is whether Occupy the Farm expects free squatter's rights for the Gill Tract agricultural land the group has "occupied", or whether "the public" plans to pay for its urban farm. The UC system had planned to develop the property to include, among other things, a Whole Foods store. From the UC and local government (property tax assessor) point of view, development would bring in more revenue. What is more valuabe? Preservation of agricultural and ranching land, or revenue from development? (Click on the albany.patch.com link above for the full story.)