Joe Pagan, founder and president of Kentucky Equine Research, spoke at the 21st Equine Science Society Symposium. Pagan's paper was entitled "Relationship Between Body Condition and Metabolic Parameters in Sport Horses, Pony Hunters and Polo Ponies." The paper summarized a study conducted to quantify the body conditions of horses and ponies representing several disciplines, and to determine whether body condition was related to resting insulin, glucose, and triglycerides.

The Equine Science Society promotes quality research on equine nutrition and physiology and strives to establish effective communication among researchers, teachers, extension, and production personnel regarding equine nutrition and physiology.

Kentucky Equine Research welcomed three summer 2009 interns on May 26. These students will work directly with KER's research horses for the next several months, participating in every phase of daily management and research protocols. Interns are chosen on the basis of their equine experience, educational background, and career goals. Visiting for the summer are Chrisley Barnett, Sara Brewington, and Maegan DeForest.

Chrisley Barnett

Chrisley is going into her senior year at Montana State University where she is pursuing a double major in Equine Science and Agricultural Business Management. She is experienced in handling Quarter Horses, Standardbreds, Saddlebreds, and Thoroughbred horses, and has taught riding and horse management skills to riders of all ability levels. Chrisley's goals for the summer include learning more about the interactions between nutrition and performance in horses.

Sara Brewington

Sara has completed her sophomore year in the Animal Science program at the University of Missouri and has been approved for enrollment in that school's veterinary college. Her experience handling Quarter Horses, Saddlebreds, and Thoroughbreds was gained during years of taking riding lessons, working at the Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, and volunteering at the university's horse farm. In addition, she has spent over 250 hours assisting at equine, small animal, and farm animal veterinary clinics. Sara anticipates that her summer in Kentucky will help her gain a better understanding of equine nutrition that will be useful in her veterinary career.

Maegan DeForest

Maegan, a New Hampshire resident, has finished her junior year at Cazenovia College in New York where she is working on a Bachelor of Professional Studies with an Equine Business Management specialization. Maegan has years of hunter-seat riding experience and has completed work-study programs that involved caring for large herds of horses at camps and college stables. Besides learning more about the link between nutrition and metabolic diseases in horses, Maegan is looking forward to visiting top veterinary clinics, breeding farms, and other industry resources in the central Kentucky area.

Readers will find an array of interesting, informative articles in Equinews Volume 12, Issue 2. The magazine opens with an introduction to KER's newly designed Web site that offers updated features to horse owners, feed manufacturers, and veterinarians. The enhanced library allows browsers to access research reports and information on virtually any equine topic. Visitors can easily locate a KER Team Member in their area, and shoppers may visit the on-line store to purchase nutritional supplements, publications, and software.

Some horses are too thin; others are too fat. If your horse falls into the first category, read "Bulking Up" for tips on increasing body weight. For brood mares that may tend to put on excess weight, "Equinews Q & A" offers ideas for avoiding obesity. A horse at the correct weight tends to perform better and may achieve successes like those sponsored by KER and its Team Members in this year's Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Their stories, including Buck Davidson's third-place finish, are detailed in "Fueled by Kentucky Equine Research."

More tales of KER-fueled performances are related in "Success Stories" and also in "Going Green," a feature on Horse Sport Ireland and its partnership with KER Team Member Bluegrass Horse Feeds.

Finally, while premium nutrition and careful management usually lead to good times, no farm is immune to natural disasters. Preparing for and dealing with floods, fire, and winter storms can be a challenge to any equine operation. In "Dealing With Disaster," readers will encounter the experiences of individuals who have lived through unexpected crises and are well on the way to recovery.

Top Thoroughbred racehorse trainer Richard Mandella is featured in an article in Trainer Magazine, issue 10. Mandella, a Hall of Fame member whose horses won four Breeders'Cup races in 2003, has long been a fan of products manufactured by Kentucky Equine Research Team Member Hallway Feeds.

KER nutritionists Larry Lawrence, Kathleen Crandell, Joe Pagan, Clarissa Brown-Douglas, and Peter Huntington presented the latest information on equine nutrition at the Kentucky Equine Research Team Member Conference.

Kentucky Equine Research held its 2009 Team Member conference May 15 and 16 in Lexington, Kentucky. More than 50 attendees from nine countries gathered on Friday to learn about the latest developments in equine nutrition. Another thirty individuals from around the world joined the conference electronically by taking advantage of a webinar feature. Dr. Joe Pagan, founder and president of Kentucky Equine Research, opened the meeting by explaining the concept of brand alliances and how cooperative marketing efforts can build customer loyalty. Pagan also summarized KER's recent studies of nutrition and exercise physiology, detailing the process by which research results lead to the development of innovative nutritional products and supplements. Pagan's lecture on low-starch feeds and a presentation by KER nutritionist Dr. Larry Lawrence on feeding for weight change rounded out the first day's program. Evening entertainment included an open house and high-speed treadmill demonstration at KER's research farm.

Conference attendees who stayed for the High Hope Steeplechase enjoyed conversation and refreshments in KER's hospitality tent.

The conference continued on Saturday with a panel presentation by KER nutritionists Dr. Peter Huntington, Dr. Clarissa Brown-Douglas, and Dr. Kathleen Crandell on the subject of trends in equine nutrition across the globe. Dr. Joe Pagan moderated a discussion on the international economic scene and its impact on the feed industry. KER Team Members on five continents were invited to share their strategies for finding growth opportunities in a changing market. Software workshops were available in the afternoon, and tours of regional horse farms and a local bourbon distillery were available for interested guests. Attendees were invited to stay in the area Sunday to attend the High Hope Steeplechase held at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Chris Chugg and his impressive imported stallion Vivant won the Australian League FEI Show Jumping World Cup Qualifier. Two double-clear rounds saw Chugg beat the 2008 Australian Olympic team member Laurie Lever and his mount Ashleigh Drossel Dan. With their sights firmly set on the HSBC FEI World Cup Final, to be held in Geneva next April, Chugg and Vivant will be competing at all 15 of the Australian qualifying events.

Megan Jones has produced two consecutive victories in FEI World Cup qualifying classes, an impressive testament to the athleticism of horse and rider as well as the management skills of her mount's caretakers.

Her first qualifier win was achieved in New Zealand at the Mitavite International Horse Trial held in Kihikihi. She and her mount Kirby Park Irish Jester bested the competition by 10 points. She followed up this victory with a second qualifying win at the Weekend of Equestrian World Cups, staged in Sydney.

"He was great all weekend. He is so much fun to ride, because he knows his job so well and loves doing it," said Jones.

Megan Jones feeds KER-formulated Barastoc feeds from Ridley AgriProducts and nutritional supplements from KER.