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I found this information published by Horse & Rider interesting, I hope you do too! Keep in mind that the more vigorously you perform these exercises, the more you’ll maximize the calorie burning* benefits. Vigorously curry your horse, using a circular arm motion Time spent: 10 minutes Calories burned: 68 Vigorously brush your horse (Tip: alternate arms) Time spent: 10 minutes Calories burned:46 Walk a 10-foot circle, as you lunge your horse Time spent: 20 minutes Calories burned:79 Briskly hand-walk your horse (Tip: add wrist or ankle weights for increased calorie-burning and aerobic benefits) Time spent: 20 minutes Calories burned:91 Muck/rebed stall Time spent: 20 minutes Calories burned: 159 Push 50-pound load in wheelbarrow Time spent: 10 minutes Calories burned: 63 Ride at the walk Time spent: 20 minutes Calories burned: 57 Ride at the trot (Tip: Posting at a medium trot will burn more calories than sitting at a jog) Time spent: 10 minutes Calories burned: 74 Ride at the lope Time spent: 10 minutes Calories burned: 93 Sweep/rake (Tip: For a great waist trimmer, twist your upper body with each stroke, rather than using only your arms. When sweeping with a push broom, slightly bend your knees, to push off with your legs into each stroke.) Time spent: 20 minutes Calories burned: 91 Unload/stack 100-pound hay bales (Tip: Protect your back by bending at the knees, and using your legs to lift the load. Consider a back support brace when lifting heavy loads) Time spent: 20 minutes Calories burned: 249 Unload/stack 50-pound straw bales […]

Edited press release published on Horse.com A Boulder County premises is under quarantine after equine Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) was confirmed there, and a number of other premises in the surrounding area are being investigated. Last week, four horses on two Weld County premises were placed under quarantine after testing positive for VS. Colorado is the second state in the country to have VS; previous positive cases in 2014 have been diagnosed in Texas. “Strict fly control is an important factor to inhibit the transmission of VS,” said Colorado State Veterinarian Keith Roehr, DVM. “One of the most important disease prevention practices … is insect control for both the premises and the individual animals.” Equids, mules, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, pigs, and camelids are all susceptible to VS. The clinical signs of the disease include vesicles, erosions, and sloughing of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, teats, and above the hooves of affected livestock. Vesicles are usually only seen early in the course of the disease. The transmission of VS is not completely understood but components include insect vectors, mechanical transmission, and livestock movement. While rare, human cases of VS can occur, usually among those who handle infected animals. In humans the disease can cause flu-like symptoms and only rarely includes lesions or blisters. Veterinarians and livestock owners who suspect an animal could have VS or any other vesicular disease should immediately contact state or federal animal health authorities. Livestock with clinical signs of VS are isolated until they are healed and determined to be of no

By MEAD GRUVER, Associated Press June 30, 2014 CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A horse in Johnson County has been euthanized after testing positive for an incurable and potentially deadly virus that appears only rarely in Wyoming, officials said Monday. Five other horses were being quarantined for 60 days. So far, those horses have tested negative for equine infectious anemia but will be retested, Wyoming Livestock Board officials said. The virus can infect horses, mules and donkeys, causing them to become weak and lethargic. Such infections happen worldwide but only isolated cases have occurred in Wyoming every two or three years, Wyoming State Veterinarian Jim Logan said. The virus typically is transmitted by biting horse flies or deer flies. No vaccine exists. “In the South — in other areas where it’s humid and more conducive to the vectors — it’s much more common to see it,” Logan said. Livestock officials declined to identify the owners of the euthanized or quarantined horses. Veterinarians initially diagnosed the disease on June 18. They conducted follow-up testing to confirm the virus before they euthanized the horse Wednesday, Logan said. State laws require horses to be tested for diseases including equine infectious anemia before being shipped across state lines. The euthanized horse had lived in Wyoming for several years and likely was tested in anticipation of a move, Logan said. The horse wasn’t showing signs of the disease. However, a horse can carry the virus for years without symptoms or it can become acutely or chronically infected. Three of the quarantined horses belonged