Koch’s postulates represented a central tenant of that new order and an evidence-based approach to medicine. As such, it will come as no surprise that most thinking, modern minds of the time embraced them and the medical profession has held them up as Gold Standards ever since. As brilliant and insightful as Koch’s postulates were even Koch himself recognized their shortcomings. 

The University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is excited to announce the opening of a New Pathogens Discovery Diagnostic Laboratory this fall. The laboratory will serve as an extension to the existing UKVDL Molecular Biology, Virology and Bacteriology laboratories to help identify potential pathogens, both endemic and emerging, that may can cause morbidity and mortality in animals.

UK Ag Equine Programs Equine Science Review: Highlighting Research & Outreach Efforts at the University of Kentucky won top honors at the 2021 American Horse Publications’ annual media awards competition. The Equine Science Review won in the newsletter business category.

The 2021 University of Kentucky Equine Farm and Facilities Expo showcased best practices in equine farm management at the famed Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. UK Cooperative Extension Service and Ag Equine Programs held the annual event Sept. 28, which featured educational talks about farm layout and planning, establishing new pasture and weed spraying options for farms of all sizes. Spendthrift Farm personnel also spoke about engaging non-horsemen in the horse racing industry.

United States youth programs such as Pony Club, 4-H, United States Equestrian Federation and youth programs sponsored by breed associations have been proficient at educating about horse health, including the importance of vaccination, nutrition, exercise and fitness, animal safety, diseases and toxicities. Participation in equestrian sport often begins in these youth programs and extends into adulthood. And many horse riders understand that costs associated with participating can be high, but do factors such as age and type of participation relate to socioeconomic status?

In horse racing, safety of the horse and rider is paramount. A University of Kentucky professor and leading racecourse managers recently showed racetrack employees how to improve safety by properly grading the surface.  

If you have seen stories suggesting the use of ivermectin, a so-called “miracle cure” medication, for COVID-19 — beware.

While the drug can be prescribed in humans to treat various parasites, scabies or highly resistant cases of lice, ivermectin is most commonly used in livestock as an anti-parasitic. There are no proven benefits for its use in treating COVID-19.

HAY, THERE! Do you have a horse on your property? What about a small herd of ponies? A mule to protect your flock or a donkey for companionship? No matter if you have one or 100, a show mount, work horse or pasture potato, we want to hear from YOU!