WILD FREE-ROAMING HORSES AND BURROS LEGISLATION

On February 12, 2009, Representative Rahall (WV-D) introduced “a bill to amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to improve the management and long-term health of wild free-roaming horses and burros” (H.R. 1018). READ MORE

USDA APPROPRIATION BILL

On October 8, 2009, the Senate passed the final version of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R.2997).  The House of Representatives approved the bill the previous day.   This bill provides funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for fiscal year 2010 and contains two provisions of interest to the horse industry. READ MORE

EQUINE PIROPLASMOSIS

Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is classified as a foreign animal disease not endemic to the U.S.  Regulations requiring the testing of all horses entering the U.S. to determine their EP status have been in place for many years.  EP occurs in Africa, Europe, Asia, South and Central America. The tick vectors that spread the disease exist in the United States. READ MORE

Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) is a transmissible, exotic venereal disease in horses caused by a bacteria Taylorella equigenitalis. A CEM infection usually results in infertility in mares and, on rare occasions, can cause mares to spontaneously abort.  Infected stallions exhibit no clinical signs.   Stallions and mares can become chronic carriers of CEM and be sources of infection for future outbreaks. The transmission rate is high and naturally occurs by mating, but contaminated instruments and equipment may be an indirect source of infecting horses. The bacteria can also be spread via semen collected for artificial insemination.  CEM can be treated with disinfectants and antibiotics. READ MORE

CONTROL OF EQUINE VIRAL ARTERITIS (EVA) IN THE U.S.

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) is a contagious disease of horses caused by the equine arteritis virus (EAV).  The disease does not usually kill healthy adult horses, but it can kill young foals and cause pregnant mares to abort.  In stallions, the disease can result in the establishment of a carrier state whereby they can continue to spread the virus.   READ MORE

RESPONSE FROM SECRETARY VILSACK AND CEM OUTBREAK UPDATE

In May 2009 the American Horse Council sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressing our concern over the current outbreak of Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM), and the need for the investigation to be completed and for the U.S. to return to a CEM free status.  Secretary Vilsack responded in a letter to the AHC, stating that USDA is working aggressively to complete the investigation and protocols needed for a successful eradication.  READ MORE

The American Horse Council (AHC) is pleased to announce the American Saddlebred Horse Association, Appaloosa Horse Club, Harness Horsemen International, Kentucky Horse Council, North American Trail Ride Conference, and the National Reined Cow Horse Association have recently endorsed the Welfare Code of Practice. READ MORE

2010 AHC National Issues Forum Focused on the Impact of Equine Diseases - July 1, 2010

This year’s American Horse Council’s National Issues Forum focused on infectious equine diseases and the impact those diseases have on our horses’ welfare and our industry’s health.  The annual meeting was held from June 20 to 23 and also included a Trails Forum, the annual Congressional Ride-In, AHC committee meetings, and a Congressional Reception. READ MORE

For more information on equine health and diseases, visit USDA's Equine Health Monitoring & Surveillance web site

For information on equine research, visit the AAEP’s Equine Research Coordination Group Website

Learn more about the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) & how it relates to horses from the USDA & the Equine Species Working Group