Swine Flu Special - Can Your Horse Catch It?

How did you do in the budget? Touch and go for private health care perhaps. There are measures for superannuation too but I get too depressed looking at the remnants of what's left of mine.

Can my cat, dog or horse catch swine flu? Had to be asked didn't it? Should there be concern? Why, for example, is the World Organisation for Animal Health currently awaiting test results to determine if the new virus is capable of infecting horses and other livestock? It is unknown whether the new swine flu spreading among people can infect other animals, the American SPCA says, but probably not, said Tom Chambers, PhD, who heads the OIE Reference Laboratory for Equine Influenza at the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center in Lexington.
Influenza viruses have an amazing ability to mutate and change their characteristics, so scientists who study them never say "never." But, while it's perhaps not impossible for a horse to get swine influenza, Chambers said he thinks it's unlikely. Let's hope he's right.

I thought that an article on how the para-equestrian dressage tests compare to U.S. Equestrian Federation levels would be fascinating to all of you AND THEN I woke up and decided this would be better. This tiny white donkey, named JB, has been taken in by Panhandle Equine Rescue because his distraught owners were unable to give him the numerous feedings he requires daily. His mother was shot by some idiot who, I'm glad to say has been arrested. Lovely pics but be careful, once seen you'll want to adopt him.

In this video, eventing star Boyd Martin shows you the best way to stay dry as you introduce your horse to these entry-level water jump questions. Useful for any rider in any bush situation I guess particularly here on the East Coast but elsewhere it's fine if you can actually find any water to cross.

Look, I go to the races every now and then and I always have a punt on The Melbourne Cup. Here's an exciting video replay of last week's Kentucky Derby, the US equiv of the MC. The winner came in, no hold that, he cantered in at 50:1. I wish I'd had some of that eh?

Check out this horse photographer. She has the perfect touch and the photos are well worth a look...particularly if you like grey horses.

Having been told that 66 percent of Australians are overweight, now comes a revelation that our horses are overweight too! The Blue Cross animal charity has warned of the dangers of equine obesity as it revealed that 40% of all horses and ponies taken in by its equine centres last year were overweight - an increase of 5% on the previous year.

A reader in Kentucky wrote in to Bob Basler of Reuters with a problem.
“Bob,” she begins, “I would like to put clothes on my horse, but it’s so hard to find stuff that fits. Her lineage is German, so it would be great to have her in traditional garb for Oktoberfest.” Have a look at the pics. Laugh....I certainly did

How to Catch Your Horse When It Runs Away - Some horses long to run free and will break away from you or the stable if they get the chance. If your horse has a wild spirit and is hard to contain, you may want to follow these simple steps for getting your horse back in the stable. This is Shane's way..what do you think?

Our current comp will end at the end of May so get in quick with your entry. Great prizes. We'll publish all of them next month in a big round up.

Have a great week!