Equine

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - While the Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center is expanding its facility nearby, Wilson College is set to offer students a four-year degree in equine-facilitated therapeutics. This fall the college will become just the second in the nation to offer such a degree, according to Ann O'Shallie, who heads the equestrian studies program at Wilson. The other is St. Andrew's Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C. "They will be able to go out and be instructors, go out and teach programs and manage programs," O'Shallie said.

Top equine researchers and industry leaders are to be featured at the Maryland Horse Health and Disease Prevention Seminar next month. The University of Maryland Extension Service said talks include: identifying illness in horses; controlling infectious diseases; myths and facts about equine vaccinations; and disease prevention measures. The seminar, which begins at 2 p.m. June 8 at Laurel Park Racecourse, is to be broadcast to four satellite locations, including the Western Maryland Research and Education Center near Keedysville.

The University of Maryland Horse Conference will be Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Carroll County Community College in Westminster, Md., the Maryland Cooperative Extension Equine Focus Team announced. Designed for all horse industry enthusiasts, the conference offers talks on such topics as horse health care, nutrition, pasture management and equine business management. Dr. Temple Grandin from Colorado State University will lecture on equine behavior and welfare. Vendors will be there to show off products.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland will hold the second annual Maryland Horse Conference on Saturday, Nov. 18. The event will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Md. Throughout the day, various seminars on equine-related topics will be presented by leading experts in the equine field, the university said in a news release. Keynote speaker Don Blazer is to speak about the Nine Secrets of Perfect Horsemanship. Admission costs $30 for each adult and $20 for each youth - for registrations by Nov. 4. All will receive a conference proceedings paper, morning refreshments, and lunch.

The students enrolled in Wilson College's nationally recognized equestrian programs often can be found in the dirtiest and smelliest learning environments on campus. They prefer it that way. “You're physically working with horses and learning all about them,” said Lauren Kershner, an equine journalism major. “Having the horses here makes it easier to be away from home,” said Rachael Myers, an equine facilitated therapeutics major. Wilson College's equine-related academic programs are among its most popular on campus and enroll 63 students.

While many children kick back and relax on their Presidents Day break from school,  learning never stops for the 4-H Horse Project Members in Washington County. Presidents Day found these students at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville busily engaged in a series of workshops designed to provide hands-on learning of the knowledge needed for them to advance in the state's Horsemanship Standards Recognition Program. Classes this year focused on the more advanced concepts required for levels three and four, said 4-H leader LeAnn Johnson.  “We have worked hard to develop the resources needed to support this learning,” she said.  Each participant received guidebooks for levels one through four depending on their advancement.

ANNAPOLIS - Are you interested in learning the ins and outs of shipping horses overseas, employing guest workers or foreign students, or finding out how to tap into the Maryland Department of Agriculture's international marketing programs to help you market your horses to international buyers? Experts in all aspects of international equine business will share their knowledge during a Maryland Horse Council-sponsored seminar from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Maryland Department of Agriculture headquarters, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis.

The Maryland Horse Industry Board will accept grant applications for nonprofit research, educational and promotional equine activities starting Monday. The board will award more than $20,000 in grants that support or develop new opportunities for Maryland's horse industry. Applications must be received by Sept. 30.   Funding for the board and its grants comes from the Maryland Feed Fund, which collects $6 on every ton of horse feed sold in Maryland. Since the fund was established in 2002, the board has awarded nearly $200,000 in grants to more than 175 projects in Maryland.

1. Model trains Displays include HO-scale model railroad, trains for kids to operate, historic railroad equipment, artifacts and photos. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 24, and Sunday, March 25. Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, 300 S. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown. $4; 50 cents for ages 4 to 12; free for ages 3 and younger. Call 301-739-4665. 2. Equine wellness Lectures include horse dental health, hoof trimming and shoeing and basics of equine insurance. Tack will be sold and swapped.

While many children kick back and relax on their Presidents Day break from school,  learning never stops for the 4-H Horse Project Members in Washington County. Presidents Day found these students at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville busily engaged in a series of workshops designed to provide hands-on learning of the knowledge needed for them to advance in the state's Horsemanship Standards Recognition Program. Classes this year focused on the more advanced concepts required for levels three and four, said 4-H leader LeAnn Johnson.  “We have worked hard to develop the resources needed to support this learning,” she said.  Each participant received guidebooks for levels one through four depending on their advancement.

Working from her Ford Explorer, Dr. Moira Nusbaum offers veterinary care for horses living 45 to 50 minutes from Myersville. PenMar Equine Practice LLC offers routine care, treatment of lameness, including digital radiography, dentistry, reproductive work and emergency care through her mobile equine veterinary practice, which she opened in July 2011. Nusbaum's target market is horse owners and trainers who live in Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland; Greencastle, Waynesboro and Chambersburg, Pa.; and parts of West Virginia.

The students enrolled in Wilson College's nationally recognized equestrian programs often can be found in the dirtiest and smelliest learning environments on campus. They prefer it that way. “You're physically working with horses and learning all about them,” said Lauren Kershner, an equine journalism major. “Having the horses here makes it easier to be away from home,” said Rachael Myers, an equine facilitated therapeutics major. Wilson College's equine-related academic programs are among its most popular on campus and enroll 63 students.

1. Model trains Displays include HO-scale model railroad, trains for kids to operate, historic railroad equipment, artifacts and photos. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 24, and Sunday, March 25. Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, 300 S. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown. $4; 50 cents for ages 4 to 12; free for ages 3 and younger. Call 301-739-4665. 2. Equine wellness Lectures include horse dental health, hoof trimming and shoeing and basics of equine insurance. Tack will be sold and swapped.

Colleen Rutledge of Frederick, Md., who is chasing her Olympic dream of competing in the three-day equestrian event, recently received the Maryland Horse Industry Board's second Touch Of Class Award along with her horse, Shiraz. The award was presented during ceremonies at the Jim McKay Maryland Million horse race at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. "We are pleased to present this award at the Jim McKay Maryland Million, which is a program of races that feature offspring of Maryland-based stallions.

The Maryland Horse Industry Board will accept grant applications for nonprofit research, educational and promotional equine activities starting Monday. The board will award more than $20,000 in grants that support or develop new opportunities for Maryland's horse industry. Applications must be received by Sept. 30.   Funding for the board and its grants comes from the Maryland Feed Fund, which collects $6 on every ton of horse feed sold in Maryland. Since the fund was established in 2002, the board has awarded nearly $200,000 in grants to more than 175 projects in Maryland.

Legislation that would give state and county officials more oversight in the operation of equine rescues passed the state Senate on Tuesday. The licensing and inspection regulations proposed in Senate Bill 540 were prompted, at least in part, by the seizure of more than 50 horses and two cows from Hidden Meadows Equine Rescue in Berkeley County in September 2011, said state Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley/Jefferson, who sponsored the bill. Hidden Meadows operator Mary O'Brien, 37, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty and was fined $1,000 in October.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- All of the horses seized earlier this month from an equine rescue in Berkeley County have been adopted, Berkeley County Sheriff's Department Capt. Scott Richmond said Monday. Authorities took more than 50 horses and two young cows from Hidden Meadows Equine Rescue Inc. at 227 Edward Drive off Scrabble Road on Sept. 11. Seven horses died and another had to be put down at the equine rescue in the days leading up to the seizure of the animals, which were found with little to eat and no water, police have said.

CLEAR SPRING - Windy Rock Equine Rescue Inc. will hold its family fun day Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The facility is at 12324 St. Paul Road in Clear Spring. The open house will include food, music, games and prizes. Windy Rock is a nonprofit organization committed to providing shelter and care rehabilitation and adoption services for rescued horses. For more information, call Lori at 240-357-6754 or go to http://www.windyrock.org .

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Authorities seized 56 horses and two young cows Saturday from the operator of an equine rescue organization after they were found with little to eat and no water east of Martinsburg, the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department said Monday. Seven horses died at Hidden Meadows Equine Rescue Inc. at 227 Edward Drive off Scrabble Road and another had to be put down there Friday after it was found dying before the other animals were seized, said Deputy Scott Myers, who is investigating allegations of animal cruelty.