Kentucky Equine Research (KER) works to bridge the gap between the equine research community and horse owners. Newsletters from ker.com bring this information directly to your inbox.

KER's nutrition newsletter, The Weekly Feed, offers equine nutrition advice and tips from KER's staff veterinarian, researchers, and equine nutritionists. Covering topics including horse supplements, colic, senior horses, hay, and more, the newsletter is available via email weekly. Subscribe.

KER's Equine Review electronic newsletter is delivered twice a month and in­cludes articles on equine health, research, industry news and events, and more. Subscribe.

To begin receiving Equine Review or KER's weekly Nutrition Newsletter, go to www.ker.com/newsletters and sign up.

"With all the options out there, managing your horse's nutrition and keeping up with new research can be an overwhelming task," said KER Global Marketing Manager Kimberly S. Brown. "These newsletters give horse owners a great opportunity to learn more about research-based horse health issues from a reputable source."

KER is an international equine nutrition, research and consultation company serving both the horse owner and the feed industry. Its goal is to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses. Contact marketing@ker.com for more information.

The American Farrier's Association (AFA) and Kentucky Equine Research (KER) both were founded on the common goals of education, innovation, and research. In an effort to work more closely and bring more resources to bear for AFA members and the horse industry, AFA and KER are announcing their official Educational Partnership.

AFA and KER will work together to develop and provide educational resources for farriers and their clients.

"The AFA centers upon five foundational tenets, which reinforce our mission and drive all of our efforts and programs: education, certification, communication, research, and innovation," noted AFA President Eric Nygaard. "These five timeless tenets provide the basis for all AFA programs and serve as the focal points of the AFA, past and present."

KER recognizes and respects the critical role that farriers play in the ongoing care of the horse and the education of horse owners. "We know the AFA's five tenets and share a passion for excellence in these areas," noted KER President Joe Pagan, Ph.D. "As part of KER's mission, we strive to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses."

KER will provide AFA with educational articles and resources from its editorial staff, equine nutritionists, and in-house veterinarian (who holds board certifications in internal medicine and equine practice) for use in AFA print and digital publications. KER will also make these resources available to individual AFA members with questions on nutritional care of horses.

Since 1971, the American Farrier's Association has focused on improving equine welfare through excellence in hoof care and farriery. AFA is not only providing expert farriers for all of the disciplines at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, but it will have demonstrations at the blacksmith shop at the Kentucky Horse Park and a booth in the Equine Village. For more information about the AFA visit www.theamericanfarriers.com, email info@americanfarriers.org, or call 859-233-7411.

For nearly 25 years KER has been a leader in equine nutrition and exercise physiology research and innovation. KER is the official equine nutritionist of the United States Equestrian Federation and of the Australian Equestrian Team. KER also sponsors many elite riders representing the United States and Australia, and for the World Equestrian Games, the company will host the Australian Endurance Team and the United States Para Dressage Team at its research farm in Versailles, Ky. For more information contact Kimberly S. Brown, Global Marketing Manager, at kbrown@ker.com, visit www.ker.com, or call 859-873-1988.

A newsletter covering horse health, research, and industry updates is now available online from Kentucky Equine Research (KER). Based on the popular print publication, the Equine Review newsletter will be delivered twice per month and will include equine research updates, calendar items, and more. 

View the first edition and subscribe.

Equine Review is a sister publication to KER's weekly Nutrition Newsletter, which offers top nutrition advice and news from Kentucky Equine Research. It is also free to the public. To begin receiving Equine Review or KER's weekly Nutrition Newsletter, go to www.ker.com/newsletters and sign up.

The feeding and management of sport horses in various disciplines, such as endurance riding and three-day eventing, was the focus of the 17th Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Nutrition Conference. Presenters included world-renowned veterinary researchers, as well as KER's in-house equine nutrition experts.

Video interviews with the presenters are now available on ker.com.

• Electrolyte Use for Hydration of the Sport Horse
• Care for Competition Horses: Staying Within the Medication Rules
• Advances in Diagnosis of Equine Joint Disease
• Management of Joint Disease in the Sport Horse
• Pursuing the Genetic Basis for Tying-Up Syndromes
• Management of Tying-Up in Sport Horses
• Antioxidant Research and Its Application to Feeding Horses
• Feeding Management of the Three-Day Event Horse
• Recommendations for Feeding the Endurance Horse
• Trends in the Management of European Sport Horses
• Remarks on the Benefits of Heart Rate Recordings
• Feeding Variations by Equestrian Disciplines

Contact marketing@ker.com for information on video reproduction rights.

KER is a world-renowned nutrition and consultation company that works with feed manufacturers to develop horse feeds suited for the particular regions in which they are to be fed. Research efforts are the cornerstone of KER, and all scientific trials are directed by Joe Pagan, PhD, and carried out by a staff of equine nutritionists and support personnel. Conclusions drawn from these trials are used in the formulation of technologically advanced feeds.

In addition to its research endeavors, KER has a rich tradition of providing top-of-the-line feeds to the greatest equine athletes in the world. In 2000, the company was tapped to be the official nutritionist of the United States Equestrian Federation and holds the same distinction for the Australian Equestrian Team.

The variations in horses' body condition scores and the feeding approaches utilized in different equestrian disciplines were the topics covered by Olivia Martin of Performance Feeding Inc. at the recent Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Equine Nutrition Conference.

Watch a video interview with Martin.

Equine heart rate recordings are a simple way to measure the intensity of the horse's exercise, said Dr. Manfred Coenen, a veterinary researcher at the University of Leipzig, Germany, who presented at the recent Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Equine Nutrition Conference.

Heart rate recordings can be used to design individual training strategies for horses, Coenen said, as the close relationship of heart rate and oxygen consumption can be used to estimate maximal oxygen consumption and aerobic energy expenditure.

Read more and watch a short video interview with Coenen: Remarks on the Benefits of Heart Rate Recordings.

The United States Para Equestrian Association (USPEA), which provides programs, clinics, and competition opportunities for equestrian athletes with physical disabilities, is now an official 501(c)(3) public charitable organization.

The Horse Radio Network and the USPEA will host a webathon on June 8, 2010, from 7 to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern) to raise money and awareness for the Para Equestrian athletes aiming to compete in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. All monies will be channeled through the USPEA to offset the costs of the 10 athletes and horses representing the United States. Watch, participate, and donate.

"Becoming a 501(c)(3) makes it possible for us to do fundraising for grass root programs and help develop a broader base of competitions and clinics across the United States," said Lynn Siedeman, vice president of the USPEA. "It is very localized now and this status will help us expand and provide this sport for more people."

Become involved or donate to the USPEA, or contact USPEA President Hope Hand via e-mail, Wheeler966@aol.com, or by phone, (610) 356-6481.

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) sponsors Para Equestrian Mary Jordan, and will be hosting the U.S. Para team at its Versailles, Ky., corporate headquarters and research farm prior to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Videos and articles on the diagnosis and management of joint disease in sport horses are now available on ker.com. Colorado State University's Dr. Wayne McIlwraith presented on these topics at the recent Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Equine Nutrition Conference.

Early recognition of joint disease is critical for both short-term and long-term soundness, McIlwraith noted. When it comes to treatment of osteoarthritis, the goal is to return the joint to normal as quickly as possible, primarily by reducing the pain and minimizing the progression of joint deterioration.

Read more and watch video interviews with McIlwraith:

• McIlwraith on Management of Joint Disease in the Sport Horse
• Advances in Diagnosis of Equine Joint Disease

Maintaining competition horses within the guidelines of drug and medication rules was the topic covered by Dr. Kent Allen at the recent Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Equine Nutrition Conference.

Allen provided an overview of his discussion in a short video interview now available on ker.com.

Substances horse owners and managers need to monitor in competition horses include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, "natural" supplements, and prohibited (which can be used under strict criteria) and forbidden substances.

Watch the video.

The Horse Radio Network and the United States Para Equestrian Association will host the first ever Para-Webathon on June 8, 2010, from 7 to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern). The purpose is to raise money and awareness for the United States Para-Equestrian athletes who are aiming to compete in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. All monies will be channeled through the United States Para Equestrian Association to offset the costs of the 10 athletes and horses representing the United States.

The Para-Webathon will be a live web-based video event viewed just like on television. Watch the event.

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will be the first WEG to offer Para-Equestrian competition. This is a very exciting addition that brings Para-Equestrian to the forefront of the horse world. Unfortunately, the Para teams do not have the resources or sponsors that the other disciplines enjoy. Kentucky Equine Research (KER) will host the athletes and horses of the U.S. Para-Dressage team at its Versailles, Ky., corporate headquarters and research farm prior to the Games (Read more).

Hosts Glenn the Geek and Samantha Clark, from the Horse Radio Network's 2010 Radio Show, and Para-Equestrian Susan Treabess will highlight the stories of these inspirational athletes who are aiming to compete at their first World Championships. Alltech has kindly donated its studio and technical expertise to host this live event from its studio in Kentucky. Equestrian stars from across the horse world will be calling in to lend their support and make this a very special event.

Watch, participate, and donate on June 8, 2010, from 7 to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern). You can help be a part of history as the Para Equestrians make their first appearance at a World Equestrian Games.

Besting a field of fifteen contenders, Snow Fairy won the Investec Oaks at England's Epsom Downs in a close race. The filly came from last place, weaving her way through the pack and then squeezing along the rail to upset second-place finisher Meeznah by a neck. Winning time for the 12-furlong turf race was 2:35.77. Saracen Feeds, a Kentucky Equine Research Team Member, is the feed producer of choice for Ed Dunlop, trainer of Snow Fairy, as well as Meeznah's trainer David Lanigan. The fourth horse across the finish line, Rumoush, also trains and races on Saracen products chosen by her trainer Marcus Tregoning.

Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer has a double connection to Kentucky Equine Research (KER) and its Team Member Hallway Feeds.

Drosselmeyer was fed on KER-formulated feeds produced by Hallway Feeds as a young horse at WinStar Farm, and was trained by Bill Mott on Hallway products during his preparation for the Belmont Stakes.

The $1 million Belmont, longest of the Triple Crown races at a mile and a half, requires a horse to be in top condition to finish the longest contest of its young racing career. Drosselmeyer's win boosted his earnings to $801,170 and gave him a record of three wins in nine starts.

The victory also resulted in WinStar Farm being named Thoroughbred Times Today Owner of the Week. Hallway Feeds is connected to the winners of all three legs of this year's Triple Crown, fueling Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky to his win, while Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver (also a WinStar horse) was raised on their feeds.

The differences and similarities in approaches to feeding sport horses in Europe and North America were discussed by Manfred Coenen, a veterinary researcher at the University of Leipzig, Germany, at the 17th KER Nutrition Conference, Lexington, KY.

Watch a video interview with Coenen.

The feeding and management of endurance horses is the topic of a new video interview featuring Dr. Kathleen Crandell of Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

Crandell discussed the energy sources and feeding approaches that keep these equine athletes performing at their best at the recent KER Equine Nutrition Conference.

Watch the video: Observations and Recommendations for Feeding the Endurance Horse

Equine nutritionists Dr. Peter Huntington and Dr. Kathleen Crandell of Kentucky Equine Research have co-authored an article explaining the use of feed balancer pellets. The article, published in the June 2010 newsletter New Zealand Equine Veterinary Practitioner, detailed the makeup of a feed balancer pellet and listed benefits of using this product. Balancer pellets are formulated to provide nutrients that are missing in whatever forage is being consumed by a horse. This feed form supplies protein, vitamins, and minerals without significantly increasing the energy segment of the horse's diet.

Exceptional horse health and industry information can now be sent directly to your inbox by the experts at Kentucky Equine Research (KER). And it's FREE!

Our new Equine Review electronic newsletter will be distributed twice a month and will include hot topics in horse health, plus general management information and equine industry news and events.

Each Equine Review contains a full article on a specific topic, along with links to industry news and events.

Equine Review is a sister publication to KER's weekly Nutrition Newsletter, which offers top nutrition advice and news from Kentucky Equine Research (See an issue). It is also free to the public. To begin receiving Equine Review or KER's weekly Nutrition Newsletter, go to www.ker.com/newsletters and sign up.

A recent nutrition conference highlighted current topics in the feeding and management of high-performance sport horses, including hydration, muscle and skeletal physiology and nutritional adequacy.

Bluegrass Horse Feeds, a KER Team Member in Ireland, has a history of acting as an official feed consultant to Horse Sport Ireland, the government-established agency for equestrian sport and breeding in Ireland. Bluegrass Horse Feeds has assisted by providing expert guidance and advice on feeding matters to high-performance squads. This arrangement has now been extended further with Bluegrass Horse Feeds being appointed as official feed suppliers to Team Ireland Equestrian. Started in January of 2010, Team Equestrian Ireland is a brand designating all Irish riders competing internationally in FEI disciplines.

This funding is geared towards maintaining and enhancing a world-class training and development program for all of the Team Ireland Equestrian squads. All licensed international riders are eligible for a 10% discount on the purchase of these products from Bluegrass Horse Feeds.

You can now watch a video on feeding management of the three-day event horse featuring Dr. Carey Williams at the recent Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Equine Nutrition Conference.

Dr. Williams compared actual feeding practices against research-driven recommendations by using data collected at a two- and three-star event over two consecutive years.

Watch the video: Feeding Management of the Three-Day Event Horse

The importance of antioxidants in equine nutrition was the subject of a presentation by Dr. Carey Williams at the recent Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Equine Nutrition Conference. You can now watch a video of Dr. Williams summarizing her findings on the use of vitamin E, vitamin C, and lopoic acid in endurance horses.

Watch the video: Antioxidant Research and Its Application to Feeding Horses.