THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RENO, Nev. — Sheryl Crow has spoken out against the war in Iraq and in support of embryonic stem-cell research and efforts to combat global warming. Now, she’s trying to ride to the rescue of thousands of wild horses that roam the West.

After campaigning for President Barack Obama in 2008, the Grammy-winning singer has become a leading critic of his administration’s plans to remove as many as 25,000 mustangs from the range and ship them to pastures in the Midwest and East. (more…)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CLARKSTON, Mich. — Animals may not have any concept of holidays, but if they did, some local animals might find themselves thanking Kid Rock this holiday season.

“I’ve always tried to help out where I can locally; I do a lot of things nationally and worldwide, too, but if I can’t start out by helping in my hometown, then why bother?” said Robert Ritchie, the Clarkston area resident and Romeo native better known as musician Kid Rock. (more…)

KRISHA WILLIAMS TURBEVILLE
RESCUE IN THE ROCK

Horses and riders from four states will jump for joy Oct. 17 to raise funds for special needs children participating in equine-assisted therapy at Horses for Healing in Bentonville. (more…)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WALLINGFORD, Conn. —Equine care, etiquette and vocabulary consume Rita Rapuano’s days, from the time she first awakes on the 5-acre Rap-A-Pony Farm.

When she steps outside her house, which is next to the barn, it alerts the farm’s 15 show horses, including the 10 born and raised there as well as Skylar, offspring of Rugged Lark, the noted stallion who won two coveted Super Horse titles at the American Quarter Horse Association World Show and produced an award-winning son.

“When I get up in the morning, I’ll come out the side and they’ll all scream at me like, ‘hey!” she said. (more…)