Australians embark on Pan American Highway trek riding horses from Argentina to Alaska

ABC.net.au - Full Article

By Maddelin McCosker
1 March 2025

Australian Ben Hann and Canadian Olivia Cazes are riding horses from Argentina to Alaska along the world's longest highway.

It will take seven years to complete the 30,000-kilometre Pan American trek through 14 countries.

It only took Ben Hann and Olivia Cazes a few days to start an epic journey that will take them seven years to complete — riding horses from Argentina to Alaska.

They will spend the better part of decade transiting 14 countries along the world's longest highway — the Pan American.

It spans a distance that would take 26 hours by plane or a month of driving.

"It very much depends on what seasons we hit and where," Mr Hann, an experienced stockman and horse trainer from Darwin, said...

Hitting the longest road

Arising from a conversation at a Christmas party last year, within days the friends had booked their flights to Buenos Aires, arriving on New Year's Day.

Mr Hann and Ms Cazes spent the first week of 2025 in the Argentinian capital before making their way south to Ushuaia, a town known as the end of the world.

They embarked on the first leg of the trek on February 2 after three weeks in Ushuaia buying horses and preparing for their journey.

Read more here:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-02/australian-treks-pan-american-highway-on-horseback/104966966

Horses Have a Genetic Glitch That Turned Them Into Super Athletes

ZMEScience.com - Full Article

This one gene mutation helped horses evolve unmatched endurance.

by Tibi Puiu
April 4, 2025

At first glance, it looked like a genetic error — so severe it should have crippled the animal. But instead, it helped turn horses into nature’s long-distance runners.

Researchers studying the DNA of nearly 200 mammal species noticed something strange in the genome of horses: a mutation in a gene that should have shut down a key cellular process. The gene, KEAP1, is vital for defending cells from the chemical stress caused by high levels of oxygen metabolism. Yet somehow, horses weren’t just surviving with this broken gene — they were thriving. A Deal With the Devil, Perfected

“To make energy, we’ve made a deal with the devil,” Gianni Castiglione, an evolutionary biologist at Vanderbilt University, told NPR. “To, basically, have a slow burning fire in our cells.”

That fire powers our lives, turning oxygen into energy in the form of ATP. But it also produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), toxic molecules that can damage DNA, proteins, and cell membranes. For most animals, this presents a trade-off: make too much energy, and cells get overwhelmed by damage. But horses, it seems, found a workaround...

Read more here:
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/horses-have-a-genetic-glitch-that-turned-them-into-super-athletes/

Impending Tariffs May Inflict Big Costs And Headaches At US Border

Chronofhorse.com - Full Article

PUBLISHED March 26, 2025
WORDS BY Erin Harty

On April 2, a 25% tariff on most goods imported into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico is set to go into effect. The cost of those tariffs could be passed onto consumers, meaning that American horse owners might pay more than usual for imported items like hay, feed and lumber.

But a lesser-known aspect of the tariffs is that they would also apply to horses coming into the U.S. from Canada or Mexico (and any other countries subject to tariffs), and not just if they’re being sold. Owners of horses crossing into the U.S. temporarily—to compete or be bred, for example—would also have to pay the tariff, although it could be refunded once the horse returns to its home country.

Originally intended to begin on Feb. 4, then delayed twice—to March 4 and then April 2—the tariffs have caused widespread confusion due to their frequently changing scope. Adding to the confusion, other countries are expected to announce reciprocal tariffs on goods being exported from the U.S., meaning American horse owners might have to pay similar tariffs to take horses from the U.S. into Canada to compete at venues such as Bromont or Spruce Meadows...

Read more here:
https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/impending-tariffs-may-inflict-big-costs-and-headaches-at-us-border/

HRN Podcast: Role of the FEI Endurance Veterinarian with Dr. Jennifer Madera

HorseRadioNetwork.com Podcast - Llisten

by Horse Radio Network | Mar 6, 2025 | Disease Du Jour

In this episode, Jennifer Madera, DVM, joined us to discuss the role of the FEI endurance veterinarian and social license to operate at FEI endurance events. She also talks about how she first became involved with endurance events and offers advice to veterinarians interested in working at these competitions.

This episode of Disease Du Jour is brought to you by Equithrive.

Disease Du Jour Podcast Hosts, Guests, and Links Episode 153:

• Host: Carly Sisson (Digital Content Manager) of EquiManagement | Email Carly (CSisson@equinenetwork.com)
• Guest: Jennifer Madera, DVM
• Podcast Website:Disease Du Jour
• This episode of Disease Du Jour podcast is brought to you by Equithrive.

Listen:
https://www.horseradionetwork.com/2025/03/ep-153-role-of-the-fei-endurance-veterinarian-with-dr-jennifer-madera/

What Happens With the Horse’s Gut in the Heat?

Thehorse.com - Full Article

January 6, 2025
Posted by Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc

An equine nutritionist describes the connections between heat stroke and leaky gut in horses and what you can do to prevent these problems.

If your horse sweats and appears outwardly comfortable, he must be managing the high temperatures just fine, right? Not according to Clair Thunes, MS, PhD, equine nutrition consultant and owner of Clarity Equine Nutrition. During her presentation at the 2024 EquiSummit virtual conference, held Dec. 3-4, Thunes said horses suffering heat stress might appear outwardly unaffected. However, their gastrointestinal (GI) tracts struggle, which affects their health and performance. How Horses Manage Heat

Horses heat up not only from the sun shining on them but also the heat generated during their metabolic processes. For example, the chemical reactions muscle cells use to contract large muscle groups during exercise all produce heat. Horses’ bodies need to manage heat to stay in a thermoneutral zone.

The key way horses lose heat is through evaporation of sweat, said Thunes, “and when that doesn’t work, they rely on respiratory losses through heavy breathing...”

Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/1133363/what-happens-with-the-horses-gut-in-the-heat/?lid=y40rmdteuap1

British veterans retrace epic Lawrence trek in ‘living tribute to history’

ArabNews.com - Full Story

Nada Hameed
15 February 2025

Team of 5 covered more than 1,000 km across ‘stunning’ Saudi Arabia, Jordan

JEDDAH: In a journey that followed the path of one of history’s most legendary desert crossings, a British team of four endurance riders has retraced the famous route of T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, across Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Their remarkable expedition, inspired by the historic trek that helped change the course of the First World War, was a feat of endurance, history and adventure.

“A few of us last year were sitting around a table and mulling what was probably the most historic camel ride in recent history, and we came up with the one from Lawrence of Arabia,” Howard Leedham, one of the riders, told Arab News. “Nobody has ever done it since Lawrence, Auda Abu Tayi, Nasib Al-Bakri and Sherif Nasir did this ride.”

Their journey mirrored the original path taken by Lawrence and his Arab allies in 1917, beginning in Al-Wajh, Saudi Arabia, and traversing the vast desert landscapes toward Aqaba, Jordan. Along the way, the riders passed through key historical sites mentioned in Lawrence’s book, “Seven Pillars of Wisdom.”

Leedham said: “We stayed as faithful to the route as possible..."

Read more here:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2590353/amp

Meet 'Polo Super Ponies': World’s first genetically modified horses bred for 'explosive speed' in Argentina

MoneyControl.com - Full Article

Scientists in Argentina have made history by creating the world's first genetically modified horses, designed to be faster and more agile.

Curated by : Sheetal Kumari February 12, 2025

Scientists in Argentina have made history with a new achievement. They have produced the world's first genetically modified horses. These animals were designed to be faster than Polo Pureza, an award-winning polo mare.

Using Genetics to Boost Speed

The horses were born in October and November last year. Experts at the Argentine biotech firm Kheiron used CRISPR-Cas9 technology. This tool allows precise changes in the genes of living organisms.

Gabriel Vichera, Kheiron’s co-founder and scientific director, explained the process. "We design their genome before birth using genetic scissors," he said. This method enables scientists to cut and modify specific DNA regions...

Read more here:
https://www.moneycontrol.com/science/meet-polo-super-ponies-world-s-first-genetically-modified-horses-bred-for-explosive-speed-in-argentina-article-12938022.html

Gastric Ulcers as a Cause of Poor Performance in Horses

Thehorse.com - Full Article

March 4, 2022
Posted by Alexandra Beckstett

Learn how gastric ulcers affect equine performance and the best ways for treating them in actively competing horses.

Poor performance in horses can result from a single cause or a combination of factors, ranging from injury to illness. When trying to diagnose a medical reason for poor performance, veterinarians should always consider gastric ulcers as a potential problem. This is because these painful lesions are incredibly common in athletic horses. Fortunately, treatment and management methods are quite effective.

Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM), LVMA department head, equine committee professor, and director of the Equine Health Studies Program at Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, in Baton Rouge, described the association between gastric ulcers and equine performance and how to treat the condition during the 2021 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Why Equine Athletes Develop Ulcers

How we manage performance horses, which is contrary to their physiological needs, sets them up to get gastric ulcers...

Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/1109363/gastric-ulcers-as-a-cause-of-poor-performance-in-horses/?lid=h29yvl06a6dw&uuid=019221faf031005d65535fac4bd40006f009a06700bd0

The Pros and Cons of Alfalfa: Could Your Horse Benefit?

HorseSport.com - Full Article

This forage plant is an excellent high-quality protein source for many types of horses ‒ but there are some that should not be consuming it.

By: Madeline Boast, MSc. Equine Nutrition | January 16, 2025

Alfalfa is a popular feed ingredient for horses, and for good reason! There are many positive nutritional features of this forage plant. However, not all horses benefit from alfalfa, and there are situations in which to exercise caution when feeding. Understanding the nutritional content of this plant can assist horse owners in making educated feeding decisions.

What is Alfalfa?

There are two main categories of forage plants fed to horses: grasses and legumes. Alfalfa is a legume. The nutritional difference between these two plant types depends on a variety of factors such as soil type, maturity at harvest, and weather conditions. The general nutritional differences are that grasses tend to be more fibrous and legumes have more leaf matter, resulting in higher protein and energy content.

Alfalfa can be added to the diet in a multitude of different ways. There is alfalfa hay, and processed forage options such as cubes and pellets. Additionally, this feed ingredient is incorporated into many pelleted equine products such as ration balancers and performance feeds...

Read the rest here:
https://horsesport.com/magazine/nutrition/pros-cons-alfalfa-could-your-horse-benefit/

Travel First Aid Essentials For Horses

Horsesport.com - Full Article

What your vet wants you to pack in your travel equine first-aid kit to deal with three common emergency situations: colic, choke, and cuts.

By: Charlie Fiset | July 21, 2023

Whether you’re travelling to a show, a clinic, going camping with your horse, or just going on a day trip, it’s important to be as prepared for emergencies as possible. According to large-animal veterinarian Dr. Amy Gaw, choosing the right items for your travel first-aid kit is one of the best ways to be ready for any situation you can encounter on the road.

Dr. Gaw has been handling emergency calls in northern Ontario for over a decade. She currently practices out of Temiskaming Veterinary Services in Temiskaming Shores, Ontario. She kindly took time out between power floating horses to talk about a few essentials she wishes her clients would include in their travel first-aid kits.

For a comprehensive, itemized, and printable list of all items that should be included in your first-aid kit, check out Equine Guelph’s First-Aid Infosheet...

Read more or listen here:
https://horsesport.com/magazine/equine-ownership/best-horse-favourite-horse/

The Bold and the Beautiful’s Katherine Kelly Lang Rides Into the New Year

SoapHub.com - Full Article

Here’s how Lang rang in 2025!

By Roger Froilan
Jan 03, 2025

Katherine Kelly Lang’s The Bold and the Beautiful character Brooke must feel like a yo-yo. She’s with Ridge, and then she’s not with Ridge in an endless, repeating cycle. That must be dizzying, to say the least. Thankfully in real life, Lang likes to relax in various ways and shed the drama of the show. She recently shared with her fans how she not only got away from it all but also ushered in the new year in style.

Lang wrote to her followers on Instagram: “Happy 2025! January 1st was a beautiful day! Tiffany and I just felt like running into the new year😆🌟🎉 Hope you started your year off with some good energy! 💪 #almarahtiffany #2025.” In a video that was part of her post, Lang blasted the iconic, fast-paced last portion of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s iconic and classic song Free Bird while riding her Arabian horse, Al-Marah Tiffany...

Read more here:
https://soaphub.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-news/katherine-kelly-lang-rides-new-year/#flyout-close

Wyoming History: That Famous 1908 Horse Race From Evanston To Denver

CowboyStateDaily.com - Full Story

A $1,250 prize purse lured more than two dozen men to race on horseback 534 miles from Evanston, Wyoming, to Denver. The famous 1908 race was big news across the country, with a controversial finish for a Cody man who won.

Dale Killingbeck
December 29, 2024

It was billed as the race of bronco versus thoroughbred, and it ended with a wiry 33-year-old rider and former laundry wagon horse making Wyoming proud.

Across 534 miles of challenging terrain between Evanston, Wyoming, and Denver, 27 horses vied for Denver Post sponsored prizes worth $1,250 — with the winner promised $500.

In May 1908, Henry Ford was getting ready to release his Model T and former Rough Rider Teddy Roosevelt was still president.

The West remained a place for tests of endurance, and horse and riders looked to cross the Cowboy State and make it down to the Mile High City in the shortest time possible. The catch was the riders had to maintain a healthy horse.

“It is up to the men who are entered in this race to show the men of the East that when it comes to knowing a horse, when it comes to understanding man’s best friend, the Westerner does not take off his sombrero to a man from any country,” stated the Post’s rules, which were republished in Evanston’s The Wyoming Press on May 9, 1908.

There were 16 entrants from Colorado, three from Utah, six from Wyoming and one each from Nebraska and New Mexico...

Read the rest here:
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/12/29/wyoming-history-that-famous-1908-horse-race-from-evanston-to-denver/