Expanding the horse-owning population in Kentucky is important to the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC). Through education, the member-based non-profit encourages responsible horse ownership and management practices to build a strong and vibrant equine community.

The Kentucky Horse Council is no stranger to educating new horse owners. In 2009 they released HorseSmarts: Essential Advice for Today's Horse Owner, an award winning DVD. The 60-minute video, which was shown on KET last summer and fall, includes information on the top 10 things new horse owners should know. The affordable DVD is available for purchase through tack and feed stores and online at www.kentuckyhorse.org/horsesmarts.

"First-time horse owners are often at a disadvantage as there are very few organized hands-on programs for adults to learn about horses and horsemanship skills," observed KHC Board President Madelyn Millard. "There is so much information available online that it can be difficult for people to sift through and find qualified, reliable information. The Kentucky Horse Council works diligently to ensure that all the information we provide is factual, relevant, and current."

Online KHC resources for new horse owners include information on tack, equine anatomy, horse safety, horse terminology, links to educational videos and publications, and more. Another component of the KHC website, the equine article database, features many educational topics, including hot and cold weather horse care, good barn keeping, supplementation, working with experts, and preventative care.

During the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, KHC is sponsoring an offsite series of seminars for new horse owners conducted by nationally recognized clinician Julie Goodnight, international spokesperson for the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). Held as part of the International Equestrian Festival (IEF) September 25-October 10, 2010, at the Lexington Convention Center, the seminars will focus on safety, horse selection, behavior, conformation, and other topics appropriate for beginning and novice equestrians.

"Sponsoring the 'Julie Goodnight New Horse Owner Seminars' at the IEF is an important part of our outreach to both new horse owners and horse-interested families and individuals. As a Certified Horsemanship Association clinician and spokesperson, Julie is focused on safety first and foremost, and that is important for all horse owners," explained Millard.

In 2010 KHC will also implement hands-on workshops for new horse owners. The day long workshops will incorporate the use of seasoned school horses and certified instructors to increase the knowledge base, skill level, and equine handling confidence of attendees.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Council or new horse owner educational offerings, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org or email [email protected] or call (859) 367-0509.