The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) announced the sponsorship of a day-long clinic teaching holistic approaches to whole horse health at Experience the Horse on October 4, 2008 in Georgetown, KY. Located at the Scott County Fairgrounds, the clinic runs in conjunction with Festival of the Horse which is held in downtown Georgetown.

“The clinic we’re offering is a great educational opportunity for horse owners and horse-interested people to learn more about alternative horse health care and maintenance. Experience the Horse is growing and changing and we at the Kentucky Horse Council are proud to offer educational and informative activities,” remarked KHC Board President Madelyn Millard.

Events begin at the fairgrounds at 10 a.m. with a presentation and live demonstration by certified natural hoof practitioner Beth Lanman of Covington. Lanman, associated with the Association for the Advancement of Natural Horse Care Practices (AANHCP), began trimming her own horses after struggling with chronic thrush and thin walls with traditional shoeing. She now practices throughout Kentucky and southern Ohio.

Following the hoof care presentation, Dawn Darnell will present and perform live demonstrations on Natural Balance Dentistry at 11:30 a.m. Darnell earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Western Kentucky University and has studied Natural Dentistry with Spencer LaFlure of Advanced Whole Dentistry. The goal of Natural Balance Dentistry is to provide the horse with the ultimate in dental balance that fits him or her as an individual.

The clinic will finish with an equine osteopathy segment at 1:00 p.m. conducted by Joan Wilcoxen, MS, EDO, of Therapeutic Options in Versailles, KY. Equine osteopathy is a manual therapy that focuses on restoring mobility. Equine osteopathy recognizes that the whole body is involved when any dysfunction occurs. Wilcoxen will demonstrate and explain myofascial release and stretching techniques that horse owners can perform on their own horses.

The three part clinic is free and open to the public. Additionally there will be a variety of family friendly horses and activities at Experience the Horse. Vendors (including food), equine rescue groups and vendors will be on site at the event.

For more information, contact the Kentucky Horse Council at (859) 367-0509 or visit www.kentuckyhorse.org.