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Issue number 34 - February 2010
Four truly remarkable horses have featured on Horsetalk recently. We mark the sad passing of trail-riding dynamo Elmer Bandit, just short of his 39th birthday. His life is an inspiration.

There is the dedication of the owner of an endurance horse who survived against almost impossible odds, but his vet bills are touching $US20,000. Another horse, Misty, is rallying from a cruel arrow attack and Picaro is proving to be a wonderful patient as he recovers from gunshot wounds suffered in a murder-suicide.

We've the lastest on Rollkur and the official findings on the so-called "Blue tongue video".

Horsetalk has entered the blogosphere and we've launched our new interactive section, which for the first time pulls together the forums, classifieds, directory and events calendar under one log-in for each user. Why not join up now and enjoy these free services!

Happy reading!
NEWS - AMAZING HORSES:

 
 

 

Elmer Bandit will long be remembered

Competitive trail-riding legend Elmer Bandit, an inspiration to horse owners around the world, has passed away at the age of 38.

 

Amigo - the horse impaled by a stick

Just over a month ago, Amigo was somehow impaled by a five-centimetre wide branch, which entered his left side, snapped two ribs and penetrated his chest cavity, coming to rest against a lung. Cutting-edge veterinary science has given Amigo a shot at life, but the huge vet bills are starting to bite.

 

Misty - the arrow attack mare

A mare badly injured in an attack with barbed hunting arrows last month still requires daily care in the long fight to regain her health.

 

Picaro - horse shot in murder-suicide case

The stallion shot three times at the scene of an apparent murder suicide is making good progress, and has been described as a wonderful patient.

 



NEWS:
Video: Acclaimed "War Horse" play bound for Broadway

The acclaimed stage adaptation of Michael Morpugo's book about a horse during World 1 is headed for Broadway next year.

Morris the pony gets the gift of sight

Two years ago, the future could not have looked bleaker for Morris the pony. He was neglected and nearly blind, with cataracts in both eyes. He had been abandoned by his owner at a livery yard.

New slaughter rules expected to deliver blow

New horse slaughter rules proposed for Canada will be a blow to the industry, the Animal Welfare Institute believes.

» The economic reality of scarce and toxic horses
» Selling the "Unwanted Horse"
» Horse slaughter trends from 2006 through 2009
» The Unwanted Horse in the United States

 
• Horse slaughter in the news

 

 

Foundation angry over cutbacks to wild horse visits

The Cloud Foundation has attacked the Bureau of Land Management over restrictions that will see only 10 visitors allowed each week to watch the processing of 1900 wild horses gathered from a controversial muster in northern Nevada.

 
 

Welfare group labels Calico toll "shocking"

A horse welfare group has described the number of deaths from the controversial Calico muster in northern Nevada as shocking, and predicts more will die.

• Wild horses in the news

 

 

ROLLKUR / HYPERLEXION:
Blue Tongue video investigation: Kittel's methods not excessive - FEI

The FEI says it has found "no reliable evidence" that the warmup techniques used by Patrick Kittel on his horse at a World Cup event last October were excessive.

» Video: New FEI group to tackle Rollkur named
» Tough new stance on Rollkur welcomed
» Confused about Rollkur? You're not alone.
» FEI promises more action on Rollkur
» Rollkur 'unacceptable' says British Horse Society

 
• Rollkur in the news

Video: Artist converts Hummer into horse carriage

A New York artist has made a statement with a symbol of gas-guzzling excess, converting a Hummer into a horse-drawn carriage.

Perfect conditions for southern endurance ride

An early drizzle cleared to make way for a sunny day with perfect riding conditions for endurance riders at the latest Mount Linton ride in Southland.


OBITUARIES:
Elmer Bandit passes away at 38

Competitive trail-riding legend Elmer Bandit, an inspiration to horse owners around the world, has passed away at the age of 38.

• More on Elmer Bandit
Blue Hors Matinι dies in paddock accident

Top dressage mare Blue Hors Matinι has been put down after breaking her leg in a paddock accident.

 

» Old age claims Isabell Werth's Fabienne
» Australia's James Ashton dies in fall from polo pony
» Actor and horse stuntman Bobby Hoy dies
» "Great ambassador" for museum passes away

Author Dick Francis dies

Dick Francis, who penned 42 thrillers based around horse racing, has died at the age of 89.

Top dressage sire Gribaldi dies at 16

Top dressage sire Gribaldi has died of a ruptured aorta at the age of 16.

Arabian stallion Aladdinn dies at 35

Legendary arabian stallion *Aladdinn died last month, at the age of 35. The Swedish and US National Champion passed away peacefully on January 11 at Taylor Ranch in Utah.



COMPETITION:
Video: Whisper a hot new prospect for NZ dressage

Newly imported stallion Whisper has wasted no time in stamping his authority on local dressage circles, taking out the Grand Prix Championship at Waitemata with new rider Jody Hartstone earlier this month.

Australia's Alexander claims Spain World Cup round
Third time lucky for McVean in NZ jumping champs
Lenamore off NZ's World Equestrian Games squad
Two named on NZ's WEG eventing squad
Irish jumpers win €4000 for Haiti
NZ's World Equestrian Games jumping squad named
Dressage's big three in Masters' trifecta



BLOGS:
Counting the cost of equestrian sport

Recent media reports suggest that some (European) National Federations heading for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky later this year are balking a bit at the cost of travel, and there is talk of cutbacks.

 

The lessons in Elmer Bandit's life

Those who have followed the exploits of Elmer Bandit will no doubt see the important truths that this fine horse and his owner, Mary Anna Wood, have shown us.

 

Geldoff's first groupie is a hot filly

Neigh Hey hey! I was going to write about world peace but then I discovered I've got my first groupie - a hot chick called Molly!

Introducing Geldoff

 

The two sides of the slaughter debate

Horsetalk has carried two important pieces this week on the wider issue of horse slaughter. Both are notable for their quality and provide both sides of this emotive debate with much food for thought.

Confused about Rollkur? You're not alone.

Readers could be forgiven for being confused about the controversy surrounding Rollkur in recent days.

 


NEWS IN BRIEF:

FEATURES & HEALTH:
Where does a horse owner's liability lie?

What if your horse escapes and causes damage? What if someone's dog or a speeding driver spooks your mount when out for a ride? Solicitor Kieran Heenan, of Cordner Hill Law in Christchurch, explores some of the liability issues around horse ownership.

Oxytocin promotes placental expulsion in mares

Retention of the fetal membranes (placenta) is a common post-foaling complication. It is of particular concern in heavy draft breeds, which seem especially likely to develop laminitis if expulsion of the membranes is delayed.

Get more strategic about parasite control, says trust
New antibiotic approved for use in horses
Particles probed for use against WEV, EEV
Equine piroplasmosis cases at 380


REVIEWS:
Making Animals Happy - How to Create the Best Life for Pets and Other Animals

What does it take to make a horse happy? How about a cow? A pig? Or a dog or cat? What about chickens? Unfortunately for millions of animals worldwide, many people either don't know or don't care.

The Appaloosa

The Appaloosa horse is well suited to such a colourful pictoral breed guide. Spots leap out from every page, making the reader flick through the book first to see what coat patterns are shown, before launching into the words.



FOR THE RECORD:


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