Pat Raia
Pat Raia is a professional journalist who has covered horse industry and equestrian topics for a number of publications. Her background includes riding, showing, and training Saddlebred horses.
Articles by Pat Raia
Horse Found Shot in Head Recovering
June 23, 2008
A 20-year-old mare found wounded and wandering in the New Mexico desert on June 9 is recovering from surgery to remove a bullet lodged in her jaw. A second bullet lodged close to an artery remains in her jaw.
The horse--which Doña Ana County Read More
Midwest Flooding to Impact Corn Prices, Horse Feed
June 20, 2008
Just when horse owners became resigned to escalating corn prices due to ethanol demand, Midwest corn fields were swamped by floodwaters the Mississippi River's banks just couldn't contain.
Now with acres of corn fields deluged, growers and Read More
Few Horses Stranded by Iowa Floods
June 19, 2008
When levies failed and floodwaters put most of Cedar Rapids, Iowa under water, the Iowa Equestrian Center on the Kirkwood Community College campus became a temporary shelter for more than 700 displaced animals. But only eight of them are horses. Read More
Alabama Woman Charged in Horse Insurance Fraud Case
June 18, 2008
An Alabama woman who claimed her Belgian Warmblood cross mare died in a barn fire now faces insurance fraud charges in connection with the horse's death.
Flomaton, Ala., Police Chief Mike Lambert said Brenda Gradia, 41, is accused of Read More
Horses Seized from California Sanctuary
June 18, 2008
Nearly 90 horses remain under veterinarians' care at undisclosed locations after officials removed them from the Equus Sanctuary in Pearblossom, Calif.
"They were desperately in need of food and water," said Michelle Roache, deput Read More
Gasoline, Weather Fueling Hay Prices
June 16, 2008
When her barn operator's hay supply fell short last fall, Kentucky horse owner Linda Jones struggled mightily with high prices and limited availability to keep her two Saddlebreds fed.
"I'm stocking up now," Jones said. "I don't Read More
Michigan Horse Abuse Case Heads to Appeals Court
June 13, 2008
The long-running and controversial horse abuse case in Jackson County, Mich., took yet another turn Thursday, when the Michigan Court of Appeals agreed to hear arguments about whether the felony charges against defendants Matt Mercier and James Read More
Helping Hoarders: Rescuers, Therapists Ponder Options
June 08, 2008
Last week a court in Humboldt County, Calif., sentenced Elsie Smith, 69, to three years of probation for animal neglect. Authorities seized 40 horses from her property on April 1. Although Smith is forbidden to own horses during her probation, Read More
Dead Horses Found on Minnesota Farm, Survivors Removed
June 06, 2008
Nine allegedly starving horses were removed May 28 from a farm in Hewett, Minn., after Todd County sheriff's deputies discovered them, along with the carcasses of 19 other horses.
"The horses had been dead for a long time," said Wade Hanson, Read More
Weak Economy Challenges Veterinarians
June 05, 2008
Recently, Tim Van Der Ploeg, DVM, received a call from one of his clients, who was seeking help for her horse. She thought the animal was suffering from tetanus.
"I told her what we could do, and how much treatment would cost," said Van Der Read More
Animal Advocates Contemplate Remedial Horse Care Classes
June 04, 2008
Sara Isaacson of California's Heart of the Redwoods Horse Rescue has seen her share of abused and neglected horses. But since looking after a herd of horses connected with an animal Read More
Treating Lymphangitis
June 01, 2008
Researchers are pondering the cause of this lymph vessel problem that can result in long-lasting effects. Read More
Horses Seized in California Ready for New Homes
May 30, 2008
Ten horses seized in a California abuse case have been released to go to new homes now that their former owner pleaded no contest to the charges against her.
"We will either auction the horses or sell them to a third party who already has Read More
Rescues Consider Cost of Equine Welfare Cases
May 30, 2008
In February the Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HSPCA) in Columbia, S.C., seized 45 horses. Four months and thousands of dollars later, the criminal cases against the animals' owners, Read More
Attacked Arkansas Horses Healed and Rideable, Five Years Later
May 23, 2008
Two Quarter Horses that were severely injured in a brutal attack five years ago are thriving after a long recovery.
"They're tough," said Patrice Swan, the horses' owner. "They never gave up, and now they're running around like babies." Read More
Rescue Highlights Danger of 'Free Horse' Offers
May 23, 2008
Dennis Rutherford of Elma, Wash., had the best of intentions when he offered his pair of retired Thoroughbred racehorses free to good homes on a popular giveaway Web site. Now he's warning other horse owners it's dangerous to offer something for Read More
Veterinarians Begin Testing New Equine Recovery Device
May 20, 2008
A version of a device designed to help brain injured and bariatric human patients to move more freely might also be used to assist down horses recovering from injury and surgeries.
"We were doing applications to support a 1,000-pound Read More
Prosecutors Planning to Appeal Seized Horse Reimbursement Ruling
May 19, 2008
An attorney with the Jackson County, Mich., prosecutor's office said Monday he will appeal a Circuit Court ruling that horses at the center of a controversial animal cruelty case were improperly seized, and that their former owner be reimbursed Read More
Michigan County to Reimburse Abuse Defendants for Seized Horses
May 18, 2008
A Jackson County, Mich., judge ruled on Friday that James Henderson Jr. was improperly forced to forfeit 69 horses during a controversial animal cruelty case, and that he should be reimbursed for their value.
According to Ronald J. Fabian, Read More
Horse Auction Operators Deal with Down Market
May 14, 2008
In a glutted market where some horses can be had for as little as $2, auctioneer Tim Jennings is trying to convince horse owners it's still a good time to sell their animals.
"We're telling people to compare how much they're spending o Read More
Tracking Sold Horses: Lucky Rescue of Little Cliff
May 10, 2008
During a visit to a known direct-to-slaughter holding pen in New Holland, Pa., Christy Sheidy, co-founder of equine rescue Another Chance 4 Horses, purchased a bay gelding. Thanks to a tattoo on his lip, Sheidy was able to identify the Read More
Massachusetts Horse Cruelty Case Continued Again
May 07, 2008
While her owner ponders his legal options, Quincy, the lame 29-year-old mare at the center of a controversial animal cruelty case, remains in the care of an unnamed Massachusetts equine clinic.
"She's as well as can be expected," said Read More
Ohio Horse Rescues Planning Mothers' Day Event
May 02, 2008
Horse enthusiasts will have the opportunity to both honor their mothers and contribute toward securing draft horses otherwise bound for an uncertain fate through a Mothers' Day effort organized by two Ohio horse rescue operators.
On May 9, Read More
Felony Charges in Michigan Horse Abuse Case Dismissed
May 01, 2008
A judge yesterday dismissed the felony animal torture charges leveled against two Grass Lake, Mich., men in a case that began more than one year ago.
According to attorney Ronald J. Fabian, who represents defendant Matt Mercier in the case, Read More
Horses Removed from California Ranch 'Thriving'
April 29, 2008
While their former owner faces animal neglect charges, most of the 40 horses seized from a Humboldt County, Calif., ranch are thriving, according to Sara Isaacson of Heart of the Redwoods Horse Rescue.
"They've turned the corner," said Read More
