In an article published in the May 2007 issue of Equestrian, Dr. Joe Pagan warns readers that lawn clippings are usually not an acceptable treat for horses. While a handful of fresh grass is not a problem, Pagan advises against offering horses a large amount of grass that has been collected or raked from a yard. Possible hazards:

• Horses tend to gobble such a delectable feast, sometimes resulting in choke.


• Clippings are often damp and can quickly become moldy. Conversely, very dry grass may contain dust that causes irritation of the respiratory tract.


• Lawn chemicals, sprays, and fertilizers might be harmful to horses.


• Like any other sudden change in the diet, a large amount of clippings have the potential of upsetting the horse's delicate digestive tract.

Curlin, winner of the 2007 Preakness Stakes, got an excellent start on life at Fares Farm just down the road from Keeneland Race Course outside of Lexington, Kentucky. Both Curlin and his dam, Sherriff's Deputy, were nourished on feeds produced by KER Team Member Hallway Feeds. As a foal, Curlin was remembered by farm personnel as personable, mischievous, and relaxed enough to take long naps every day.

KER's equine nutrition and health magazine most recent issue, Volume 10, Issue 2, presents articles on the complexities of colic, arthritis in equines and the growth of Thoroughbreds around the world. Also included is a report on the problems of feeding lawn clippings to your horse, as well as an article on the possible dangers of pasture grass for certain horses.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today that Hallway Feeds has extended its agreement to be the official feed supplier of the NTRA through 2008. Hallway Feeds' relationship with the NTRA dates back to November, 1999.

Hallway Feeds is a registered trademark of Farmers Feed Mill, Inc., a Lexington, Ky.-based feed manufacturer. Since 1964, Hallway Feeds has supplied the horse industry with the highest quality custom manufactured feeds. In the 1990s, Hallway Feeds introduced a new line of equine performance products, Hallway Racing Products. These feeds quickly set a new standard of nutrition for the equine athlete as they gained favor throughout the world. Hallway Racing Products have fueled six of the last nine Kentucky Derby winners and Breeders' Cup World Championships winners in every division. Trainers using the products have won over $225 million dollars in black-type stakes wins alone since 2000.

Hallway Feeds' international presence has also grown significantly, with strong customer bases in Canada and Japan, and manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa. Horses fueled by Hallway Feeds include the winners of the 2006 Epsom Derby and the 2007 Grand National.

"We're delighted to have Hallway Feeds re-up as our official feed supplier," said Joe Morris, President of NTRA Purchasing. "For nearly eight years, NTRA members have been able to purchase an array of top-quality feed products at preferred pricing from a company committed to helping our industry prosper. In the meantime, some 25 million images of the NTRA logo have been showcased on Hallway Feeds products throughout the world."

"It has been a tremendous business opportunity for us to be involved with the NTRA," said Lee Hall, vice president of Hallway Feeds. "Our relationship has garnered a lot of positive attitudes for both companies, both here and abroad, and it has been valuable for Hallway Feeds to be mentioned in the same breath with other outstanding NTRA Purchasing partners like John Deere, UPS, Dodge, Sherwin-Williams and others. But most importantly, this is a chance to give back to an industry that has been vital in the growth and success of our company. The horse industry embraces a large family of people who care deeply about the animals that connect us. We are proud to be a part of that family."

The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horse racing interests consisting of leading thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity of horse racing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA web site, NTRA.com.

Theodore O'Connor, one of Karen O'Connor's mounts at the 2007 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event competition, finished the weekend in third place. He also was chosen to receive the Best Conditioned Horse trophy. This is a perpetual trophy donated by Dr. John Mayo, Dr. Denys Frappier, and Dr. Catherine W. Kohn. It is awarded to the equine that is determined by the ground jury and the veterinary staff to have ended the competition in the best physical condition. The rider and the groom of the selected horse also are awarded prizes.

The excellent final placing and best-conditioned award would be admirable for any horse and rider, but they are especially notable because Theodore O'Connor is the first pony (determined by breeding and measurement) to compete at the Rolex event. Covering the same course and negotiating identical obstacles as horses a full twelve inches taller, the American Sport Pony gelding showed that heart and spirit are more important than physical stature.

O'Connor guided Upstage, a 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, to a 15th-place finish. Upstage, who has placed well in prior Rolex outings, was O'Connor's mount at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany in 2006.

Rolex veteran Phillip Dutton also rode two horses in this year's competition, finishing in the top ten with both mounts. For his second-place standing on Connaught, Dutton received the USET Foundation Pinnacle Trophy for being the highest-placed finisher from the United States. Connaught, an Irish Sport Horse gelding, was fourth in the 2006 Rolex competition and has a wealth of competitive experience at the sport's highest level. Dutton tied for ninth place on Truluck, an American Thoroughbred that earned championship honors at the three-star Wits End Farm event in Canada last year.

Dutton and O'Connor are sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research and also by KER Team Member Pennfield Feeds. Pennfield products guarantee that hard-working horses have the energy and stamina they need not only to compete, but to finish at the top of their game. Kentucky Equine Research and Pennfield Feeds congratulate these talented horses and their riders, grooms, and management teams.

The National Research Council equine committee reviewed literature on equine nutrition and compiled a very useful and practical document for calculating nutrient requirements for various classes of horses.