Equine nutrition research, feed manufacturing guidelines, and digital marketing were among the topics covered at the recent Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Team Member Short Course at the KER Research Farm and Training Center in Versailles, Ky.

Team Members are feed manufacturers who look to KER for the scientific knowledge, innovation, and experience necessary for them to produce competitive, top-of-the line feeds.

Nearly 70 attendees heard lectures on new equine nutrition research, global feed manufacturing and safety guidelines, ration evaluation and formulation, equine growth tracking, and marketing. Multiple lecture tracks allowed attendees to select a program tailored to their needs.

Team Members represented at this conference included:

• Associated Feed (California)
• Assurance Feed (Minnesota)
• Bagdad Roller Mills (Kentucky)
• Bartlett Milling Company (North Carolina)
• Bluegrass Horse Feeds (Ireland)
• Brooks Performance Feeds (Canada)
• Cache Commodities (Utah)
• CFC Farm & Home (Virginia)
• Equimix Ltda. (Brazil)
• Hallway Feeds (Kentucky)
• Hi-Pro (Jamaica)
• Himalayan Horse Feed (India)
• Je Il Feed Company (South Korea)
• Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies (Pennsylvania)
• Ridley AgriProducts (Australia)
• Saracen Horse Feeds (U.K.)
• Woodford Feed (Kentucky)

Representatives of numerous dealers and partners also attended.

International guests also toured many area attractions, including Coolmore's Ashford Stud, the Kentucky Horse Park, and Woodford Reserve, as well as attending the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

When horsemen purchase a feed that has been scientifically formulated by the nutritionists at KER and produced at a KER Team Member's manufacturing facility, they can expect the best: the highest quality vitamin and mineral packages, the choicest ingredients, and the most stringent quality-control measures.

KER-formulated feeds are available through Team Member dealers and merchants. To locate one near you, visit our Team Member page.

The roping accomplishments of Campbellford, Ontario, resident Brad Heffernan include the Dodge Rodeo Tour Championship in 2001, Ontario Roping Association Champion in 2002, Terry Dunk Memorial Roping Champion in 2008 and 2009, and strong showings at the American Quarter Horse Congress in 2005 and 2007.

Fuelling the explosive burst of speed necessary for a successful roping horse isn't something Heffernan trusts to any feed other than a Brooks feed.

"I know I drive past several feed stores from my farm to buy Brooks feed," Heffernan said, "but I believe my horses need the concentrated energy in Phase III to be at their best. I love this sport and my horses. It's in my blood. I know that a Brooks feed is the best there is so I won't use anything else."

Feeding a barrel horse can present a real challenge for an equine nutrition advisor. How do you supply the energy to fuel the enormous power, speed, and propulsion necessary to successfully compete and still have a controllable horse under you?

Melanie Desforges of Ottawa, Ontario, had wondered the same when she first talked to Tania Laframboise a Brooks Feed nutrition advisor from the Embrun Co-op. With Laframboise's help, Desforges is having her best season ever in 2010.

This is what Desforges had to say about Brooks and how Laframboise helped get her mare Royal Flexy Chick in the right frame of mind:

"It's because of the support I get from a great team that I can realize this lifelong dream. I was looking for a feed that would give Chick all the nutrition she needs and give me all the control I need in one formula. I needed a feed that would maximize her performance. That's when I talked to Tania Laframboise, an equine nutrition consultant with Embrun Co-op, and she said Brooks' Release (Un-Ti) would do the trick.

"It's a very concentrated formula that I give in smaller quantities. Her performance and fitness are at the desired level and it's less expensive then what I was doing before. One formula at the right amount! I saw a lot of positive changes but to me the time for the recuperation of her muscle energy between runs is the best feature. She is ready to go again much faster than before and she runs as hard the last go as she did the first. I'm extremely happy with the results. Thanks to all of the Brooks team!"

Nicholas Gonzalez, who saddled Big Red Mike to a win in the recent Queen's Plate Stakes at Woodbine, was named Trainer of the Week according to Thoroughbred Times Today.

Kentucky Equine Research Team Member Brooks Feed in Ontario is the feed supplier of choice for Big Red Mike and other horses in the trainer's stable.

Gonzales led all trainers by wins in Ontario last year when his horses finished 104 races in first place. Based at Woodbine and Fort Erie, he has a lifetime record of 32 stakes wins.

The Queen's Plate Stakes, the first race in the Canadian Triple Crown, had a celebrity guest this year. Queen Elizabeth II was in attendance to watch Big Red Mike pull away in the stretch at Woodbine Racetrack to win by a length and a half.

Big Red Mike, the wire-to-wire leader in the $944,316 race for Canadian-born three-year-olds, is trained by Nicholas Gonzalez. Kentucky Equine Research Team Member Brooks Feed Store in Port Perry, Ontario supplies feed to Gonzalez' training stable.

Big Red Mike is owned by the Terra Racing Stable and is named for owner Dom Romeo's red-haired son. The horse's next start will be in the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie Raceway.

The growth of Braecrest Stables in Loretta, Ontario, from a rough piece of property to the beautiful facility it has become is a family affair. Hours of hard work from building fences to the construction of new barns and an arena has transformed Braecrest into a first-class training, boarding, and breeding facility.

At the heart of Braecrest Stables are the devotion and the knowledge of Claire Hunter. Hunter is the trainer, coach, and guiding force that clearly impresses those who seek out her abilities.
Hunter has a way of describing her equine philosophy that is equal parts knowledge and passion.

"Instilling the confidence, trust, and willingness in these animals is imperative for a successful future, whether it be in the show ring, or pleasure riding at home," she said. "When you create a relationship of mutual respect and understanding between horse and rider it results in reliable, safe, happy horse and a confident, successful rider."

Of course Claire's attention to detail extends to nutrition as well, where KER Team Member Brooks Performance Horse Feeds plays an integral role.

"At Braecrest Stables, we care for and train a huge variety of different breeds and ages of horses from foals to mature show horses. All have varied nutritional requirements and are therefore placed on individual feed programs. We chose Brooks Feeds because of the quality, consistency, and selection available. We can always depend on Brooks for our nutritional needs," remarked Claire.

"We have used these products extensively over the years: All Phase, Flax Appeal, Un- Ti, Phase II, Phase V, and Fit & Fibre. Not only are the feeds extremely palatable, the horses have never looked better. I'm proud to tell my clients that their future champions and equine partners are in very good hands with Brooks Feeds."

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."

At a large equine facility, feeding different classes of horses--broodmares, foals, young horses in training--requires careful thought as well as ongoing evaluation of how each animal is getting along. At "A Place for Standardbreds" in Ontario, Canada, the challenge of feeding these diverse groups of horses was met by Laurie Clarke, a representative of Brooks Performance Horse Feeds. Clarke applied her knowledge of equine nutrition in recommending suitable products in the Brooks line for all horses at the facility. Farm operator Heather Shaldoff said, "The horses look great, and we appreciate the support we get from Brooks." Kentucky Equine Research supplies formulations and consultation to Brooks Performance Horse Feeds, a Team Member company.

On an endurance course that had to be shortened when officials ruled that the footing was becoming too slippery and unstable, Canadian rider Ruth Sturley brought her chestnut Arabian gelding through the demanding competition in which 70 other riders were unable to finish. Heavy rain early in the day challenged horses that had to work harder to maintain their pace. Sturley finished in a time of 8 hours and 54 minutes, and her horse's recovery score was better than average for all horses completing the course, indicating excellent training and conditioning during the preparatory period. Sturley uses products manufactured by KER Team Member Brooks Performance Horse Feeds to fuel her horse's efforts.

Endurance riders from the Canadian contingent wait for their turn in the veterinary exam schedule before the Kentucky Cup Test Event.

Supporters of the Canadian endurance riders were ready to cheer on the riders from their country at the Kentucky Cup competition.

Endurance riding at the top levels is serious business. Training and conditioning a horse to cover 100 miles requires time, dedication, lots of miles in the saddle...and a superior nutritional program to meet the demands of extreme performance. Two riders from Canada, Wendy Benns and Ruth Sturley, have gotten good results by using products formulated by Kentucky Equine Research and manufactured by KER Team Member Brooks Performance Horse Feeds in Ontario. Brooks sponsors these top riders and their horses, Supreme Justice and RBF Super Sport, and wishes them success as they compete in the Kentucky Cup Endurance CEI Three-Star at the Kentucky Horse Park.