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."