Eileen Phethean explained KER's history and mission to students in the equine studies program at Lake Erie College.

Lake Erie College students watched a horse exercise on the high-speed treadmill. KER research interns Laura Jane Martin (on stool) and Lara Pocock (at horse's head) assisted with the demonstration.

Kentucky Equine Research recently provided a lecture and barn tour for students in the equine studies program at Lake Erie College. KER's Eileen Phethean explained the company's work in equine nutrition and exercise physiology, and the visitors watched a horse exercise on the high-speed treadmill.

Lake Erie is a liberal arts college located in Painesville, Ohio. The college's purpose in bringing students to KER and other central Kentucky equine businesses is to provide an introduction to the horse industry and its associated careers.

Plantation Dutton Cross Country Phase
Photo Credit Martin Lind

At the Plantation Field International Horse Trials in Unionville, Pennsylvania, more than 240 horse and rider pairs competed for more than $15,000 in prize money. Phillip Dutton, an Olympic rider sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research and its Team Member Pennfield Feeds, won the CIC*** division of the event riding Inmidair. In addition to first place, Dutton also finished third and sixth in the same division.

Edited by Joe Pagan, this addition to the Advances series contains the full text of all papers presented at Kentucky Equine Research's nutrition conferences held in 2004, 2006, and 2008. Each section--general nutrition, nutrition and management of the performance horse, nutrition and management of the broodmare, nutrition and management of the growing horse, and pathological conditions--features the latest information presented by international authorities in the equine field. Nutritional requirements for horses in many life stages and disciplines are covered as well as the best ways to deliver critical nutrients by using a range of feed management styles.

Advances in Equine Nutrition, Volume 4 is now available from KER's online store. To purchase this important new publication, go to www.ker.com and follow the steps in "Find a Product or Service" or call Kentucky Equine Research at 859-873-1988 to place an order.

Gary Bennett winner best conditioned Shazada 2009
Photo Credit Peter Orr

The Shazada is the world's longest endurance race covering 400 km (248.5 miles) in five days, and is based at the historic township of St. Albans, New South Wales, northwest of Sydney. This is certainly not an event for the faint-hearted with the ride's motto--"to finish is to win"--perfectly summarizing the challenge.

Gary Bennett from Mudgee, New South Wales could not have asked for a better 60th birthday present by not only completing the Shazada but earning the prestigious Best Conditioned and Managed Horse award with his Arabian Karabil Yaningi. The pair completed each day in the top few placings and finished in second place overall.

Gary credits Equi-Jewel™, Endura-Max™, and Endura-Max Plus as vital components of his winning program. All of these products are available from Kentucky Equine Research.

Weigh and measure horses during development to ensure that the skeleton maintains a steady rate of growth while preventing the animal from becoming too heavy.

Buyers of Thoroughbred yearlings tend to favor the biggest, tallest horses because it is believed that these youngsters will have the greatest success when they reach racing age. In an effort to align yearling size and weight with racing performance, Kentucky Equine Research weighed and measured more than 1000 sales yearlings and compared the data to race records. The results of the study were summarized in the September 5, 2009 issue of Thoroughbred Times. To read the article, click here.

Thoroughbred trainer Kenny McPeek has announced that, for every win by one of the horses in his stable, he will donate $50.00 to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation to support the equine studies funded by this organization. McPeek has long been a fan of feeds formulated by Kentucky Equine Research and manufactured by KER Team Member Hallway Feeds. Two of McPeek's major stakes wins this year by Hallway-fueled horses were achieved by Bold Start in the Aristides Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs and War Kill in the Beaumont Stakes (Grade II) at Keeneland.

Lara Pocock has joined the Kentucky Equine Research staff as a research intern for the 2009-2010 year. A native of England, Lara earned a BSc degree in animal science from the University of Reading, where her dissertation explored the subject of racehorse conformation and its effect on performance. She participated in the British Horseracing Authority Graduate Development Programme in 2008, and completed a postgraduate Masters course in applied equine science at the Royal Agricultural College in 2009. Lara owns several horses, has been active in Pony Club, and has been a member of university riding teams. At KER, Lara is looking forward to applying her practical horsemanship skills to different research situations. She wants to help with nutrition studies that will relate to improving the health and performance of horses.

Thoroughbred racing in Japan has seen the sudden emergence of a prominent new trainer over the past several months. After opening his training stable in 2008, Miko Matsunga has tasted phenomenal success with two of his horses. Dance and Joy won the Group-III $1 million (USD) Korura Kinen over a distance of 2000 meters, and Sandolphin triumphed in the Group-III TV Nishinippon Corp. Sho Kitakyushu Kinen $1 million (USD) over 1200 meters. Miko Matsunga uses Restore, an electrolyte supplement from Kentucky Equine Research, as a part of his stable's feeding regime.

Magali Farms in Santa Ynez, California has been named Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association State Breeder of the Year for California. Magali is a full-service breeding farm offering boarding, breaking, training, lay-up, and sales preparation. The operation stands six stallions including Ten Most Wanted, Lit de Justice, and Atticus, and is home to over 400 horses. KER Team Member Associated Feeds is proud to be the feed supplier to Magali Farms.