While central Kentucky is known as the Bluegrass Region, there is no denying that Kentucky 31 tall fescue is a big part of our pastures. Its presence, rightly so, affects how we manage those pastures. Alternatives to Kentucky 31 have been on the market for decades, but many of us have continued to resist switching to another grass. It’s time for that to change.

Zoonotic. I bet you have heard this term many times, and you probably think it means that you got sick from your pet (or other animal) or you maybe got your pet sick, right? Let’s clear this up.

A study published Jan. 12 in Equine Veterinary Journal shows strong potential for the development of a blood test that could indicate whether a racehorse is at risk for a catastrophic breakdown.

Research emphasizing human performance in equestrian sport is outnumbered by that conducted on the horse. The Equestrian Athlete Initiative (EqA), based out of the University of Kentucky’s Sports Medicine Research Institute (SMRI), has a mission to optimize health, wellness and performance for the equestrian athlete through research.

David Horohov, PhD, chair of the University of Kentucky Department of Veterinary Science, director of the Gluck Equine Research Center and Jes E. and Clementine M. Schlaikjer Chair, gave a talk on vaccination, immunity and immune responses in weanlings at the third session of UK’s annual Equine Research Showcase Feb. 2. Presenting sponsors for the event included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition.

Laura Kennedy, DVM, Dipl ACVP and associate professor at the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, spoke at the third session of the virtual 10th annual UK Equine Research Showcase, an event focused on weanling and yearling horses. Presenting sponsors included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition.

On Jan. 19, the University of Kentucky hosted the second session of its 10th Annual UK Equine Research Showcase. More than 100 equine professionals and students tuned in to the virtual webinar to hear about nutrition and pastures for the growing horse. Presenting sponsors for the event included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition. 

Kristine Urschel, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, was the second in the lineup to discuss the importance of amino acids and protein synthesis in maturing, young horses. Urschel reviewed why protein is important for the body, delving into how protein is synthesized and highlighting noteworthy research in horses 6 months to 2 years old.

Mieke Holder, PhD, assistant professor in the University of Kentucky Department of Animal and Food Sciences gave a talk on dietary minerals in the growing horse during the second session of UK’s 10th annual Equine Research Showcase Jan. 19. The session highlighted nutrition and pasture topics appropriate for weanling to yearling horses. Presenting sponsors for the event included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition.

University of Kentucky held the third session of its UK Equine Research Showcase Feb. 2. The virtual research session included three expert talks with information about causes of mortality, vaccination immunology and parasitology in young horses. Presenting sponsors for the event included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition.

Martin Nielsen, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVM, Schlaikjer professor of Equine Infectious Disease and associate professor at the Gluck Equine Research Center, concluded the program with a presentation about parasitology relating to young horses, specifically weanlings and yearlings.

Ray Smith, PhD, professor and forage extension specialist in the University of Kentucky Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, gave a talk on pasture quality impacts on yearling horses during the second session of UK’s 10th annual Equine Research Showcase Jan. 19. The session highlighted nutrition and pasture topics appropriate for weanling to yearling horses. Presenting sponsors for the event included BET, Kentucky Performance Products, McCauley’s, Merck, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Tribute Equine Nutrition.

Central Kentucky Agricultural Extension agents and University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs hosted the 11th annual Pastures Please!! pasture management workshop virtually on Jan. 26. The workshop included three expert talks covering the topics of managing carbohydrates in the equine diet, current herbicide effectiveness on weed control and investments for pasture management.

Laurie Lawrence, PhD, professor and equine nutrition researcher in UK’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences shared information about managing carbohydrates in horse diets.

Central Kentucky Agricultural Extension agents and University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs hosted the 11th annual Pastures Please!! pasture management workshop virtually on Jan. 26. The workshop included three expert talks about managing carbohydrates in the equine diet, current herbicide effectiveness on weed control and investments for pasture management.

Ray Smith, PhD, professor and forage extension specialist and Krista Lea, MS, plant and soil research analyst and coordinator of the UK Horse Pasture, both from UK’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, concluded the program with a presentation about wise investments for pasture management.

entral Kentucky Agricultural Extension agents and University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs hosted the 11th annual Pastures Please!! pasture management workshop virtually on Jan. 26. The workshop included three expert talks about managing carbohydrates in the equine diet, current herbicide effectiveness on weed control and investments for pasture management.

Bill Witt, PhD, professor emeritus in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, led the second discussion of the evening about new herbicides and how they protect against troublesome weeds in horse pastures.

A faculty member with a long history of leadership in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment was recently named the assistant director of UK Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension. Craig Wood will assume the leadership position in the UK Cooperative Extension Service Feb. 1. He has served as interim assistant director of the program since 2018.

ike many events, the Kentucky Alfalfa Conference has moved to an online only format for 2021. Although online, the program will be high quality as always and will provide ample time for discussion and questions. Presentations will be spread over the evenings of March 2, 3 and 4.

The University of Kentucky and the Alliance for Grassland Renewal is hosting an in-person workshop in Lexington, Kentucky, March 25, in addition to a three-night virtual workshop Feb. 23-25.