As equestrians, we know that we must be somewhat selective of the mounts we choose. While exceptions exist, Quarter Horses tend to make better reiners than Saddlebreds, Warmbloods tend to make better jumpers than Arabians and Belgians tend to make better pullers than, well anything that isn’t a draft horse. It’s also no surprise that within each breed or discipline, some lines or family groups are just better at a specific skill then others. We like to think that selecting grass for our pastures is simpler, but the truth is, there are better species for different situations, and within each species, some varieties will perform better under certain conditions or geographical areas. Hopefully, this information will help you to select species and varieties of grasses for you fall planting.

Since discovery of the novel coronavirus (SARSCoV-2), causal agent of the highly contagious and frequently life-threatening disease of humans designated COVID-19 in December 2019, the virus has spread very rapidly around the globe. The exponential increase of cases in affected countries and the alarming case-fatality rate has resulted in a pandemic of unprecedented proportions, in terms of its health and economic impact on human populations worldwide.

The Gluck Equine Research Foundation at the University of Kentucky is developing an Equine Biological Passport (EBP) that aims to identify specific biomarkers that will detect drug use by monitoring changes to peptides and protein abundance, and monitor those biomarkers over time. The goals of this program are to elevate equine research at UK, to serve as a platform to impact policy change and drug testing protocol, and further understand the impact of drugs and medications on Thoroughbred racehorses.

The University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center recently welcomed two accomplished researchers into its infectious disease program. Feng Li has been named the William Robert Mills Chair in Equine Infectious Disease and Dan Wang joins the department as a virologist. Both Li and Wang came to UK from South Dakota State University.

You’ve most likely heard or read the term “statistically significant” numerous times in your life. What does that actually mean and how do we determine if something is significant or not?

The Asian longhorned tick, which preys on a variety of hosts including humans and wild and domestic animals, has been found in Kentucky. This new tick is known to attack animals in large numbers and will be a concern to livestock producers, wildlife enthusiasts and pet owners.

The University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center had a very strong presence at the Annual Society of Theriogenology Conference, which began virtually July 23.

In late July, I had the opportunity to speak with Jennifer Cain, a doctoral candidate in the parasitology laboratory of Martin Nielsen, DVM, PhD, in the University of Kentucky Department of Veterinary Science at the Gluck Equine Research Center, about her work as a graduate research assistant and her career plans.

Blister beetles are sometimes found in mid-summer cuttings of alfalfa hay and can be toxic if consumed by livestock, especially horses. As few as five to 10 of these beetles can be fatal to horses when ingested because of the cantharidin in their hemolymph (insect blood).

University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) Executive Director Kathy Sheppard-Jones has turned her personal experiences into a learning opportunity for Kentucky kids. Sheppard-Jones has published "You Can Do So Many Things!" — a book for young children that highlights diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

When COVID-19 upended her internship plans, Lauren Underwood, undergraduate equine senior at the University of Kentucky, abruptly changed her focus and instead took an independent research project on the road to Texas.