Dunedin, New Zealand was experiencing severe flooding in 2017. On July 22, event riders Stephanie Jasperse, 17, and Anya Johnston, 18 risked their own safety to rescue a group of eight horses stranded in a water-logged field. The flooding was up to their stomachs and the horses were struggling to reach higher ground. Stephanie's mother,...
Cloning May Bring This Extinct Horse Breed Back To Life Again
Nunki, the last Abaco Barb horse died in 2015, officially putting the equines of the Bahamas' Great Abaco Island onto the extinct list. Now, The Wild Horses of Abaco Preservation Society is fighting to bring the animals back to life by cloning Nuki's preserved DNA. The Abaco Barb was a historically and genetically significant sub-breed of the...
Rescued Horse & Donkey BFFs Are Adopted Together
Earlier this summer, the Scottish SPCA took in a horse named Tully and his donkey BFF, Eric. The pair were surrendered by their owner after a "change of circumstances" left them unable to care for the animals. The stress of being uprooted from their home drove Tully and Eric even closer to one another. SSPCA...
The Complicated Status Of Horse Slaughter Laws In The U.S.
On July 12, the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee voted 27 to 25 not to extend the current ban on U.S. horse slaughter facilities. Allowing the ban to expire this September would not only put up to 73,000 healthy wild horses and burros at risk for mass-annihilation, it would also allow horse breeders and owners to...
Annual Horse Show Lets Riders With Special Needs Shine
Today marks the final day of the annual Hunter Jumper Classic at the South Chagrin Metroparks Polo Field in Moreland Hills, Ohio. The official events began on July 11, but on the previous day, a very special group of riders got the opportunity to strut their stuff in the show ring. 50 students with special needs competed...
Michigan Pastor Owes His Life To A Horse Named Moonshine
Pastor Leonard Barney of St. Clair County in Michigan was helped by an unlikely hero - Moonshine - after a lawnmower he was trying to unload from the bed of his truck came crashing down on him and pinned him to the ground. In this case, Moonshine is not alcohol, but the name of the...
Girl Trains Her Cow To Jump Like A Horse & It's Phenomenal!
What's a budding equestrian to do when she cannot afford a horse? Improvise! That's what 19-year-old Hannah Simpson from Invercargill, New Zealand did when her parents broke the news that she would not be getting a horse for her eleventh birthday. Rather than pouting and pining away for an equine, Hannah made due with what...
Optical Illusion Of A Jockey Searching For His Horse Stumps The Internet
The popular quiz and list site, Playbuzz.com allows users to create and post their own creative brain teasers. A vintage illustration of a jockey searching for his horse has begun to circulate across the web, stumping folks across the globe. The difficult optical illusion has many a frustrated Playbuzzer begging for mercy. Check it out, can...
Cat-Sized Mini Foal May Be The Smallest Horse In The World
Move over, Thumbelina! There's a new tiny foal in town! According to the NZ Herald, the itty-bitty baby, who was born in Russia, is about the size of an average house cat. He's about 31 centimeters long... barely over a foot! The cutie is named Gulliver, a humorous nod to his size; Gulliver, the...
Horse-Drawn Buggy Leads To An Unusual Traffic Stop
Seeing a horse pulling an Amish buggy is a common site in Apple Creek, OH, but finding a buggy without a driver was a first for local police officials. The unusual traffic stop was made on State Route 250 on Sunday morning when the buggy was spotted making brisk progress down the road. It wasn't...
Sheriff's Office Swears In Pair Of Mini Horse Deputies
The Pitt County Sheriff's Department in Greenville, North Carolina welcomed two new deputies today with a very special ceremony. Deputy Gunner and deputy Sammy are trained therapy mini horses sworn in as part of the brand new Building Bridges Program - a collaboration between the Pitt County Sheriff's Office, East Carolina University, and local therapeutic riding...
Owner Of Equine Therapy Facility Charged With Animal Cruelty
The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) made some shocking discoveries at a therapeutic riding facility called Horses 4 Hope in Pohatcong Township. The investigation took place in March after several complaints were made about the condition of the animals. Some horses showed signs of botulism and 13 out of 37...
Foal Is Born With Unique Horse-Shaped Marking
Five years ago, a very special foal was born. His arrival was quite surprising to owner, Wendy Bulmer. Not only did she not realize that the mare she purchased was in foal, when the little fella arrived, he had the most distinctive markings she'd ever seen. Aside from a cute white heart by his rump,...
10 Celebrities Who Love Horses
When it comes down to it, celebrities are people just like anybody else. They all have human likes and dislikes. So of course some stars are especially fond of horses, but some of the names on this list might still surprise you. Here are 10 celebrities who are passionate horse lovers. #1 - Jamie Foxx...
Bill Murray Makes Time For Horses
It’s likely you’re familiar with the actor Bill Murray from movies like Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, and The Royal Tenenbaums. Many of us consider his films classics and list them among our favorites, but are you familiar with off-screen Bill Murray? Some Bill Murray sightings are so wild they’d be unbelievable if they were about anybody BUT...
'World's Smallest Horse' Now Has A Tiny Baby Sister!
There's Thumbelina, Einstein and MicroDave - all have been hailed as the "World's Smallest Horse." Thumbelina stands 17.5 inches tall, but is officially a dwarf mini, whereas Einstein - a miniature horse without dwarfism - measures in at 20 inches. The ridiculously adorable MicroDave from Kent, England is a rare Overo stallion standing just 18...
"Miracle Pony" Survives Against All Odds
After years of indiscriminate breeding and nearby horse owners viewing Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, England as a "dumping ground" for unwanted ponies, hundreds of wild horses living in the moor face starvation. In June 2016, Redwings Horse Sanctuary found seven young ponies struggling to survive. They were extremely emaciated and diagnosed with severe worm burdens....
Hospice Patient Gets A Visit From Her Beloved Rescue Pony
19 years ago, Tracey Plumb rescued a shabby foal by trading a saddle for her. She named the pony Lucy and raised her into a lovely show winner, competing together across the UK. Sadly, Tracey and Lucy have been separated by illness. Tracey - who is just 45 - has end-stage cancer and resides at...
New Ranch Home Opens For Disneyland Horses
Disneyland's horses have a new home in Norco, California. The Circle D Ranch had to be moved from its original location backstage at Disneyland. That area is now under construction as part of the “Star Wars” land project, which is scheduled to open at the theme park in 2019. The new Circle D Ranch is nearly...
Government Sponsored Event Features Adoptable Wild Horses
The 19th annual Utah Horse & Burro Festival took place this Friday and Saturday at the Legacy Events Center in Farmington. The event is designed to showcase the talents of previously adopted horses from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse & Burro program, and also to give attendees the chance to adopt some...
New Hope For The Treatment And Prevention Of Laminitis In Horses
Laminitis is a debilitating disease that affects the tissue that connects hoof to bone. In the most severe cases, euthanasia is the only humane treatment. What can you do to prevent laminitis in horses, and what treatments are available if your horse does develop laminitis? Here are the 3 types of laminitis with prevention and...
"Tippy Toed" Mare Rescued From Neglect Needs Surgery
The New Hampshire SPCA took custody of 50 animals from filthy, overcrowded conditions at a neglectful "breeding facility" on June 1. The owner of the property voluntarily surrendered 27 rabbits and 15 guinea pigs. A mother dog with four puppies and two horses were seized due to their unhealthy, underweight appearance. One of the horses, named...
Study Helps Horse Owners Recognize The Facial Expressions Of Pain
90% of horses will be affected by lameness at some point. Experienced equestrians know the signs to watch for: a hitching gait; short, uneven stride; or hesitation during riding can all be tip-offs that your horse is in pain. But what if there was a way for owners to catch subtle symptoms sooner, shortening the...
Horses & Chickens Make Perfect Barnyard BFFs
Last year Nancy Elwood was checking on the animals in her stable when she noticed a peculiar sight. One of her chickens was perched atop her horse, Rocky's head! The chicken - named Chickaleta - roosted calmly, while Rocky stood placidly by, doing nothing to shake loose his living feathered hat. Elwood managed to capture...
Adorable Photo Of Foal "Learning To Eat" Goes Viral
Newborn horses are actually pretty independent compared to us humans. They can stand up, walk around, and even trot shortly after birth. In fact, most healthy foals are able to nurse and get around on their own within a mere two hours of arriving in this world. But just because they are capable of many...
10 Facts That Prove William Shatner Is A Total Horse Fanatic
William Shatner is best known for his roles as Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek and Denny Crane in Boston Legal. The 86-year-old actor also makes some pretty funny Priceline commercials with fellow Hollywood equestrian, Kaley Cuoco. In his latest book (he's written more than 30!!) Shatner opens up about his love of horses...
Horse Blinded By Former Owner Is Rescued From Arizona Indian Reservation
On May 30, rescuers from several groups spent the day at the Havasupai Indian Reservation in the Grand Canyon, providing veterinary services to the tribe's horses and offering education on proper equine care. Ricky Williams, Ranch Manager for Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary, led a blind, underweight wrangler on a final trek up the canyon wall...
6 Facts About The Rare And Endangered Skyrian Horse
The Skyrian horse is one of Europe's oldest breeds, existing almost exclusively on the Greek Island of Skyros for 2,000 years. Up until World War II, they numbered in the thousands. Locals used them for agricultural purposes due to their incredible strength, but loss of habitat and interbreeding have decimated their numbers and continue to...
Program Pairs Prison Inmates With Retired Race Horses
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is an innovative program that provides second chances to prison inmates and retired race horses facing uncertain futures. The first prison farm opened in 1983 at a correctional facility in New York. The program has since spread to 9 states. The inmates learn compassion and responsibility, while the horses - deemed...
This "Bartending" Horse Is The Perfect Summer Sidekick
If you have ever considered clicker training your horse, this video may be just what you need to finally convince you! Rebecca Tasker of Katikati, New Zealand is a professional horse trainer specializing in positive reinforcement techniques. She travels around the country under the business name Positively Together teaching clicker training, a method that involves food rewards...
New Research Facility Promises Innovative Treatments For Pets & People
On June 2, 2017, Colorado State University will break ground on their newest state-of-the-art research facility that will help both animals and people who are suffering from a wide range of diseases. The C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute is named after a University Distinguished Professor who’s also the founding director of CSU’s Orthopaedic Research...
A Guide To Understanding Your Horse's Body Language
You may not speak the same language, but that doesn't mean you can't understand exactly what your horse is thinking. You know what he wants when he nickers before dinner or rubs his head against your hand, but not all his thoughts are so clearly communicated. A horse's movements, posture, and gestures all mean something....
6 Tips For Improving Your Horse's Coat, Mane, And Tail
Does your horse have a dull coat, a short mane, or a wispy tail? Part of it may be genetics, but there are many things you can do to help give your horse better hair from head to tail. Whether you’re showing your horse or just want to show off on a trail ride, here...
5 Popular Types Of Equine Therapy
Did you know that horses are used in several different types of therapies to assist people with physical, mental, or emotional difficulties? Equine therapy is usually done in conjunction with other forms of therapy and is not a substitute for more traditional techniques. Here are 5 different types of equine therapy currently in use around...
Horse Farm Owner Found Guilty Of 26 Counts Of Cruelty
Warning: Contains Graphic Images Ravenwood Horse Farm in Virginia became the source of complaints over a year ago. When the property was investigated in February 2016, county officials discovered four dead horses buried in a shallow grave. They also found and seized 40 other starving horses that were still alive. During a trial earlier this...
Little Boy & His Foal Best Pal Play Adorable Game Of Tag
Sigurlína Erla Magnúsdóttir lives at the farm Ríp in Skagafjörður fjord, in North Iceland. Her adorable tow-headed son, Þórður Bragi made the local news this past winter when a heartwarming video of him playing with a newborn foal on the family farm went viral on Icelandic social media. Köggur the foal and four-year-old Þórður became best buds shortly...
Kaley Cuoco's Rescued Mini Horse Is Hollywood's Hottest New Starlet
The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco is one of the most outspoken young animal activists in Hollywood. Her latest rescue pet, Shmooshy the Dwarf Mini Horse arrived on the scene via Instagram earlier this week and soon took the social media site by storm! Shmooshy now has her own page. She's only posted 10 photos so...
Budget Puts Thousands Of Wild Horses At Risk For Euthanasia
Officials for the Bureau of Land Management estimate there are nearly 73,000 wild horses and burros roaming federal lands across the Western United States. In order to handle the escalating costs of caring for the nearly 50,000 additional animals it has already rounded up, the BLM have presented a $1.1 billion fiscal 2018 budget request to allow...
Rescued Therapy Donkey Helps Little Girl Find Her Voice
Julian and Tracy Austwick had resigned themselves to the idea that they may never hear their little girl speak. Amber and her sister, Hope were born at 26 weeks. Hope managed to thrive, but Amber struggled. She underwent an emergency tracheostomy to help her breath and was later diagnosed with Cerebral Palsey. Doctors told the Austwicks...
Turning Horses Loose For The Winter: Cultural Preference Or Abuse?
Curtis Bostic is a man of many titles, including attorney, politician and exonerated horse thief. He found himself in handcuffs last December when he attempted to rescue horses he determined to be abandoned and malnourished in the rugged terrain of Breathitt County, Kentucky. According to the arresting officer, the animals were owned by two local...