Scholarly Equestrian

What caused a mare at the Colorado Horse Rescue Network to suddenly attack her trainer—and could an undiagnosed medical condition have contributed to the horse’s dangerous behavior? According to trainer Bella Boe, the attack happened on July 21, 2026, during only her second session with the mare. Bella says she was working to establish safer handling and prepare the horse for a more thorough veter...

An ordinary horse property in Riverside County has been linked to a major criminal investigation. Here is what we know about the connection. At first glance, the five-acre facility appeared to be a standard setup with fences, outbuildings, and horses. However, recent reports have connected this specific horse property to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, known as the CJNG, which the U.S. Departme...

Should every equestrian discipline follow the same blood rules? The FEI is considering whether blood rules should be standardized across dressage, show jumping, eventing, and other international horse sports—but creating one consistent policy may be far more complicated than it sounds. Currently, the consequences of discovering blood on a competition horse can vary depending on the discipline, whe...

Can cola help treat a gastric impaction in horses? Researchers examining 125 equine gastric-impaction cases found that approximately 83% of horses treated with cola survived and were discharged from the hospital, compared with about 36% of horses that did not receive cola. But this research does not mean horse owners should give soda to a horse experiencing colic. The study involved a specific con...

More than 50 recorded whip strikes. A young horse visibly resisting and reacting. Now, the FEI Tribunal has officially ruled that Australian Olympian Heath Ryan committed horse abuse—but was an 18-month suspension really enough? In this video, we examine the FEI Tribunal’s final decision involving Heath Ryan and a six-year-old horse named Nico. According to the evidence presented in the case, one...

Is tall fescue safe for horses after a freeze? New research suggests that toxic tall fescue may retain potentially dangerous concentrations of ergovaline even after extended periods of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. For years, many horse owners assumed that several hard freezes made endophyte-infected tall fescue safer. However, University of Kentucky researchers detected elevated ergovalin...

A horse in Aiken County, South Carolina, has tested positive for rabies, and 13 people were reportedly exposed.¹ The confirmed case is an alarming reminder that rabies in horses can initially resemble colic, choke, lameness, or another neurologic emergency. In this video, we explain what happened in Aiken County, how horses contract rabies, how rabies can spread from a horse to a person, and which...

Five-year-old American Saddlebred Mr. Spots was reportedly electrocuted inside a temporary stall at the Kentucky Exposition Center shortly before the 2026 Kentucky State Fair and World’s Championship Horse Show. According to caretaker Lisa Lesch, Mr. Spots suddenly began jumping and running in circles as though something was biting him. She led him out of the stall, but the frightening behavior re...

Should Grand Prix dressage riders be allowed to choose a snaffle instead of a compulsory double bridle? A proposed FEI rule change would permit either a snaffle or a double bridle at every level. Supporters believe equipment should be chosen for the individual horse rather than required by tradition, while critics want more evidence before changing the rules. If a dressage horse performs better in...

What happened at Muddy Water Ranch, and were the seized horses returned to their owner? In August 2025, humane agents seized 18 horses from Muddy Water Equestrian Park—also reported as Muddy Water Ranch or Muddy Waters Ranch—in Springfield Township, Ohio. Authorities alleged that horses at the property were severely underweight and suffering from inadequate care. Two horses connected to the case w...

Authorities have seized 38 horses from a Michigan trail riding business following serious allegations of animal neglect. This video details the situation involving the seizure of 38 horses from a Michigan trail riding business after reports of inadequate food, water, and veterinary care. Former employees raised concerns regarding overcrowded pastures and injured animals being hidden or sold withou...

Can senior horses overheat faster than younger horses? Research suggests they can. In one study, older horses reached a core temperature of 104°F in approximately 17 minutes—nearly twice as fast as younger horses performing the same workload. In this video, we explain why senior horses may struggle to regulate their body temperature during exercise, how age can affect cardiovascular effort and pla...

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The investigation into Pinto’s heartbreaking death led authorities to 30 other animals—20 chickens, six adult pigs, and four piglets. Investigators described the animals’ living conditions as “poor” and “cluttered,” while a local rescuer said the adult pigs were in deplorable condition. The animals were removed for medical evaluations, and local rescues stepped in to help care for and rehome them....

Can valacyclovir and heparin help horses survive EHV-1 and its severe neurologic form, equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy? A newly published Virginia Tech study found that horses treated with this antiviral and anticoagulant combination had a lower incidence of EHM and better survival during naturally occurring EHV-1 outbreaks. All horses that received the combination therapy survived, includi...

New cases of vesicular stomatitis virus, or VSV, have been reported in horses in southwestern Colorado as the larger outbreak continues across the Southwest. What is vesicular stomatitis in horses? How does VSV spread? What symptoms should horse owners watch for, and what happens when an equine property is placed under quarantine? In this video, we explain the current vesicular stomatitis outbreak...

Can a tight noseband shorten your horse’s stride and negatively affect performance? A 2025 study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science found that increasing noseband tightness dramatically raised pressure on the horse’s face while reducing stride length. When researchers tightened the noseband from the recommended two-finger setting to a zero-finger fit, peak facial pressure increa...

A major USEF dressage rule change is coming to Third Level. Beginning December 1, 2026, double bridles will no longer be permitted in Third Level competition. Riders will be required to compete in an approved snaffle bridle, while double bridles will remain optional at Fourth Level and above. Why is USEF making Third Level snaffle-only, and what does this change mean for dressage riders, training,...

New photos of a barrel horse named Moose have sparked outrage due to his emaciated condition while reportedly competing in a rodeo. This video examines the distressing images showing the horse with visible ribs, spine, and hips. We look at the facts surrounding the animal welfare concerns raised by the equestrian community after Moose was seen being saddled and ridden in this state. This report pr...

UC Davis cut its championship-winning women’s equestrian team—but now the university’s own audit has revealed serious problems with the financial process surrounding that decision. Did the UC Davis audit clear the university? The short answer is that the audit found no evidence that officials intentionally manipulated the internal budget. However, it also found inadequate NCAA financial-reporting...

Can antibiotic eye ointment change the natural bacteria living on your horse’s eye? New research suggests that topical antibiotics—with or without corticosteroids—can temporarily alter the equine ocular microbiota. These changes may remain after treatment ends, with the eye’s microbial community taking approximately three weeks to return close to its original composition. In this video, we explain...

Christopher Hanson arrest details from Cooke County, Texas. Learn the specifics behind the money laundering and theft allegations. This report covers the legal situation involving Christopher Hanson, a horse trainer based in Gainesville, Texas. Local authorities have taken him into custody following an investigation into financial crimes in the region. The footage provides a breakdown of the charg...

Should you feed your horse hay before riding? Offering appropriate forage before exercise may help support your horse’s natural gastric defenses, but new research is investigating how effectively hay and chaff reduce acid exposure while horses are working. In this video, we explain how exercise may cause acidic stomach fluid to move upward toward the sensitive squamous region of a horse’s stomach—...