Kentucky Equine Research (KER) was well represented at the races when the KER-fed filly Macatina, trained by Monica Croston, was ridden by KER employee Sarah Sutherland to win by a half-length in late Janaury.

In addition to her balanced diet, Macatina has been prepped and raced on Equi-Jewel and EquiShure. Because Macatina is a high-strung filly, the combination of a hindgut buffer and a high-fat diet has assisted her in reaching the winner's circle.

When not in active race training, Macatina is fed All Phase Feed Balancer Pellet and rich West Gippsland pasture to ensure that she receives all of the essential nutrients required to recuperate and prepare for her next victory.

Champs Elysees was chosen as Canada's Horse of the Year and also Champion Turf Male for 2009. The honor marks the first time in more than ten years that a U.S.-based racehorse has won the Sovereign Award, Canada's highest honor in Thoroughbred racing. Champs Elysees was trained by the late Bobby Frankel, a longtime fan of KER-formulated feeds.

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, Kentucky. 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.

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 Horseman's Day, Tuesday, April 27. The conference features topics 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 Hamburg, Germany), Steven Schumacher, DVM (United States Equestrian Federation, Drugs and Medication Chief Administrator), and Ms. Olivia Martin (Performance Feeding). Scientists from KER scheduled to present information are Joe Pagan, PhD, and Kathleen Crandell, PhD.

Registration information is available here or by calling 859-873-1988. Special rates are available for researchers, veterinarians, those who register early, and those who plan to attend solely on Horseman's Day and are members of certain equine associations such as the USEF, USEA, USDF, USHJA, and several more.

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, Kentucky Cup Dressage (April 20-22) and 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).

Zenyatta, the Thoroughbred race mare who is unbeaten in 14 race starts, earned the 2009 Eclipse Award for Older Female, an honor she also claimed for her performance in 2008. Earning more than $3.3 million in 2009, Zenyatta was perfect in five starts, a record that included beating a strong field of males in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The mare is trained by John Shirreffs. Informed Decision, winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, claimed six wins in seven starts in 2009 and earned almost $1.5 million. Informed Decision earned an Eclipse Award in the Female Sprinter division. She is trained by Jonathan Sheppard. Both Sheppard and Shirreffs trust feeds manufactured by KER Team Member Hallway Feeds to fuel their champions' efforts.

Peter Huntington of the KER Australasia office, who recently visited KER client Nanoli Stud Farm during a trip to India, reported that the farm's stallion Ihkytar was credited with his first Derby-winning offspring. Bruckner, winner of the Group 1 Eveready Calcutta Derby Stakes, is a son of Ihkytar and the first foal of the mare Allies Serenade, herself a past winner of the Mysore Derby. Besting a field of seven, Bruckner had a convincing win of seven lengths before a crowd of more than 17,000 spectators.

At Caelum Stables in Ontario, Canada, the barns and fields are full of all kinds of horses: broodmares, foals, racetrack layups, and a few emaciated rescue horses. Laurie Clark, a dealer for KER Team Member Brooks Performance Horse Feeds, evaluates the needs of each type of horse and recommends a Brooks product to meet the unique requirements of horses in that class. One of the latest arrivals was Gambol, a neglected gelding with a dull coat and a lethargic manner. After a few weeks of loving care and a ration based on Brooks feeds, the gelding's progress was spectacular. Kim Speirs, who shares ownership of the stable with Justin Nitti, commented, "The transformation some of these horses go through is absolutely amazing. The feed is an integral part to our service and care that we provide. They couldn't pay me to switch to any other feed."

Zenyatta, the sensational race mare whose win in the Breeders' Cup Classic was her fourteenth in fourteen starts, was selected to receive multiple honors in a Thoroughbred Times poll. Zenyatta topped the voting list for best horse of 2009 and best race (Breeders' Cup). In addition, her trainer, John Shirreffs, was named best trainer, and Shirreffs' decision to run the mare in the Classic was chosen as most ambitious race placement. Finally, Jerry and Ann Moss were named best owners on the merit of their mare's accomplishments. Zenyatta trains and races on feeds formulated by Kentucky Equine Research and manufactured by KER Team Member Hallway Feeds.

International endurance riding star Meg Wade suffered a severe head injury when she fell during a competition in April. She is undergoing physical therapy at a rehabilitation facility where her speech, strength, and coordination continue to improve daily. Meg's family and staff continue to operate Castlebar Endurance Arabians, the 3000-acre property owned by Meg and Chris Gates. The operation's horses and riders have had outstanding results in recent competitions including the Upper Murray Challenge, where horses bred and trained at Castlebar claimed 5 of the top 8 spots in the 120-km endurance ride. Meg is sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research Australasia.

KERx has added three new nutritional supplements to its line of scientifically formulated products.

"KERx is pleased to introduce three new products to the marketplace. RiteTrac, Nano-E and EquiGlyde have a real place in the management of horses used in all activities, whether it's high-level competition, production, or pleasure riding. As with all of the KERx products, these were created using sound science," said Anne Burton, sales manager for KERx.

RiteTrac is a proprietary blend of ingredients designed to support total digestive tract health. Targeted at both the foregut and hindgut of the horse, RiteTrac works in two distinct ways. First, with its combination of fast-acting antacids and coating agents, RiteTrac quickly neutralizes excessive gastric acid, protecting the sensitive nonglandular portion of the stomach and restoring the normal gastric environment. Second, RiteTrac contains EquiShure, a time-released hindgut buffer designed to act on the cecum and colon by minimizing the effects of subclinical hindgut acidosis.

Nano-E is a liquid natural-source vitamin E product. The availability and necessity of vitamin E in equine diets is well established. Using a unique delivery system called nanodispersion, Nano-E increases the bioavailability of vitamin E, making it more immediately available for use as a body-wide antioxidant essential for tissue repair and for its imperative roles in various body systems. Nano-E is available in easy-to-measure packaging to ensure quick, accurate feeding.

To protect joints and other connective tissues from injuries caused by athletic training and performance, choose EquiGlyde, a safe, highly digestible form of sodium hyaluronate. EquiGlyde supports athletic performance by reducing friction in the joint, increasing flexibility and range of motion, and supplying much-needed nutrients to the joint capsule.

Through its research and consultation efforts over the last two decades, Kentucky Equine Research (KER) has taken a leadership role that has positioned it as an authority on equine nutrition and exercise physiology. To extend the scope of its services to the equine and veterinary communities, KER established KERx Special Needs Nutrition, an array of services designed especially for horsemen and veterinarians that includes the formulation and manufacture of innovative nutritional supplements. KER nutritionists design KERx products to meet the needs of today's horses.

To learn more about KERx and its products, visit www.kerx.com.

With great sorrow Kentucky Equine Research (KER) announces the death of lifelong horseman Larry Lawrence, Ph.D., the company's senior equine nutritionist. Larry passed away on December 13th after a long battle with cancer. KER would like to express its deepest condolences to the Lawrence family, particularly his wife Theresa, also a valued member of the KER family.

Lawrence joined KER in 2002, when he accepted the responsibilities of leading the KER technical staff and providing support for the company's stateside and international clients. "I had the pleasure of knowing Larry for over 25 years," said Joe Pagan, founder and president of KER. "I will always remember Larry as a superb horseman, a talented nutritionist and a friend. Larry had a rare gift that allowed him to communicate complex nutritional principles in terms that horsemen could understand. His contribution to equine nutrition and KER has been substantial and he will be truly missed."

Prior to joining KER, Larry held positions at Virginia Tech and the Washington State University. His tenure at Virginia Tech as the extension horse specialist was especially dear to Larry because of his work with young people. As much as he relished the opportunities at Virginia Tech, the appeal of a research-oriented position lured him to KER, and for that choice, his friends and coworkers at KER are most grateful. Lawrence received his undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Georgia and earned his doctorate from the University of Florida. His studies focused on mineral metabolism and bone physiology in growing horses.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass (www.hospicebg.com).