World-renowned equine nutritionists and veterinarians have been tapped to speak at the 17th Kentucky Equine Research Nutrition Conference, to be held April 26-27, 2010, in Lexington, KY. The theme of this year’s conference is “Feeding and Veterinary Management of the Sport Horse,” which is particularly appropriate considering the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are being held in Kentucky this fall.
“Top-notch nutrition and veterinary care are vital components of sport-horse management, regardless of whether we’re managing an elite, Olympic-caliber horse or a hobbyist’s favorite mount. Advances in science and technology provide new management tools and creative ways of looking at age-old problems, and the speakers we’ve assembled for this conference are at the forefront of such science,” said Joe Pagan, PhD, founder and president of Kentucky Equine Research (KER).
KER is an international nutrition and exercise physiology research company. Research efforts are the cornerstone of KER, and all scientific trials are conceived and directed by KER nutritionists. Conclusions drawn from these trials are used in providing education and consultation services to different segments of the equine industry, from breeders and competitors to veterinarians, national federations, and feed manufacturers. KER has a rich tradition of providing top-of-the-line feeds to the greatest equine athletes in the world. In 2000, the company was tapped to be the official nutritionist of the United States Equestrian Federation. KER has also played a pivotal role in procuring feeds for the last four Olympic Games as well as other international competitions.
Presentations at the conference have been divided into two distinct categories. Research-oriented presentations will be given on Monday, April 26, while practical lectures will be featured on Horsemen’s Day, Tuesday, April 27. The topics that will be addressed are important to all horse owners, feed industry representatives, scientists, educators, and veterinarians (continuing education credits available). Topics include the latest information on hydration status, antioxidants, joint disease, tying-up, heart-rate metrics, drug and medication regulations, and feeding recommendations for various types of sport horses.
Speakers include Hal Schott, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (Michigan State University); Carey Williams, PhD (Rutgers University); C. Wayne McIlwraith, BVsc, PhD, Dipl. ACVS (Colorado State University); Stephanie Valberg, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (University of Minnesota); Manfred Coenen, PhD (University of Leipzig); Steven Schumacher, DVM (United States Equestrian Federation, Drugs and Medication); and Olivia Martin (Performance Feeding). Scientists from KER scheduled to present information are Joe Pagan, PhD, and Kathleen Crandell, PhD.
Attendees can take advantage of several equine-related activities that are occurring around the Bluegrass area at approximately the same time as the KER Nutrition Conference, including the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (April 21-25). Two test events for the World Equestrian Games have been scheduled prior to, during, and immediately after Rolex, the Kentucky Cup Dressage (April 20-22) and the Kentucky Cup Show Jumping (April 23-25). The final days of the race meet at historic Keeneland will feature some of the country’s best Thoroughbreds (April 2-23).
Registration information is available by calling (859) 873-1988 or by visiting
www.ker.com/conferences. Special rates are available for researchers, veterinarians, those who register early, and those who plan to attend solely on Horsemen’s Day and are members of certain equine associations, such as the USEF, USEA, USDF, USHJA, and several more.