From The Equiery: http://equiery.com/blog/?p=2126

USDA to Host Maryland Meeting March 3 on Quarantine Centers

Posted by Editor

February 21, 2014

The United States Department of Agriculture-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service will hold six meetings across the country to hear the public’s thoughts and concerns on import quarantine centers and the services they provide to all animals, including horses. This is an opportunity for the horse industry to comment on possible changes that can be made to better facilitate the importation of horses and semen.

During the meetings, APHIS will be asking users to respond to the following questions:

• What factors do you consider when preparing to import horses requiring quarantine?
• What factors do you consider when choosing locations for horse quarantines?
• How can e-commerce enhance the importation process?
• What are your experiences with quarantine facilities in other countries?
• How do you see your need for quarantine services changing over the next 5 to 10 years?
• What other options, ideas or topics should USDA consider relevant to current horse import quarantine processes?

The Maryland meeting will be held March 3, 2014 at the APHIS headquarters in Riverdale (4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737). For more information, please call 301-851-3454.

Introduction to Farriery Seminar

Tips for Managing Horses in Winter to Avoid Colic

As Maryland prepares for more snow tomorrow, I thought that I would pass along this great article from The Horse about managing horses in winter to avoid colic.  Click HERE to read!

Outbreak alert website for Equine Disease

outbreak-alert.com
This website is courtesy of Merial.  It may feed chronic worriers a little too much but it seems to have accurate and timely information.

National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) 2015 Equine Study

The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), a nonregulatory division of USDA–APHIS–VS, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics Service is planning for the Equine 2015 study, NAHMS third national study of the equine industry. The survey is scheduled to begin in summer 2015.

Your input is essential if we are to address specific needs and information gaps in the equine industry. Stakeholder input will be collected throughout the remainder of 2013 to help determine the objectives of the study. What information would you like to know about the equine industry and what would prompt equine owners to participate in this national study? 

You can provide input on specific information that would be valuable by completing a 5-minute survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NAHMS_Equine2015_I.  Surveys must be completed by December 31, 2013.

Results of previous NAHMS studies of the equine industry are available at: http://nahms.aphis.usda.gov.

Comments and questions can be directed to Dr. Josie Traub-Dargatz at 970-494-7261 or Josie.Traub-Dargatz@aphis.usda.gov

Free talks at Marion Dupont Scott Equine Center

The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center

would like to invite you to attend our 2013-2014 Tuesday Talks

 

 

December 3, 2013:  “Diagnosis and Treatment of Upper Airway Conditions: 

                                 Can Surgery make a difference?"

                                 by Dr. Kenneth Sullins

 

 

January 7, 2014:      “Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Airway Conditions:

                                 Lower airway infections and how to treat them effectively"

                                 by Dr. Martin Furr

 

 

February 11, 2014:  “Tendons, Ligaments & Imaging:

                                ‘No leg no horse’: Advances in diagnosis and treatment of tendon
                                 and ligament injuries".                                 by Dr. Nathaniel White

 

 

March 11, 2014:      “Sports Medicine & Lameness:

                                What can go wrong within your horse’s joint and how we can help”

                                by Dr. Jennifer Barrett 

 

 

April 8, 2014:         “Advances in Holistic Equine Medicine:

                                Ways to complement traditional medicine for your horse’s complete wellbeing” 

                                by Dr. Anne Desrochers (Location TBD) 

 

Seminars will begin at 7:00 pm in the library of the

Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Leesburg, Virginia,

unless otherwise stated.

 Please contact Sharon Peart at 703-771-6842 or speart@vt.edu

for reservations or information. 

 

www.vetmed.vt.edu/emc/

Herbal supplements

Until there is some oversight of this multimillion dollar industry there is no way to know what you are feeding your horse (or yourself)

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/222