Horses 2007 Information

'HORSES 2007' GEARED TO NEWCOMERS AND PROFESSIONALS ALIKE

            NEW BRUNSWICK  (August 8, 2006) – “Horses 2007,” scheduled for Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1, 2007, will create a learning event that will appeal to new or prospective horse owners as well as seasoned professionals, including veterinarians and veteran horse owners and farm operators.

            The event is a collaboration between Cornell University, Rutgers University/Cook College, the University of Vermont, Centenary College, and Delaware Valley College and will take place at the Rutgers University Cook Campus Center. Full details and directions will be posted on the Equine Science Center website – www.esc.rutgers.edu – this fall.

            The information-packed agenda is divided into two days of education. Saturday will focus on the concerns and questions of individuals who have recently bought a horse or horse farm or are thinking about doing so. It also will appeal to youth of middle school age or older and even to experienced horse people who are looking for refresher knowledge or who are interested in science-based answers to typical horse-related questions.

            Topics will include:

• Why Does My Horse Do That? Elements of Basic Horse Behavior
• The Cost of Owning a “Free” Horse
• Nutrition 101: Basics of Feeding the “Easy Keeper”
• Special Feeds for Special Needs
• Supplements: Fairy Dust and Hocus-Pocus?
• Tips for Happy Healthy Horses
• Lameness: Giving Your Horse Leg to Stand

            Other topics to be covered include exercise and stabling, owning your own farm; tack and equipment; hay, grain, and feeding horses with special dietary needs; an in-depth focus on lameness including symptoms, causes, prevention, veterinarian and farrier care; vaccinations; dental work; aging and other concerns. Each class will include presentations and plenty of time for questions and answers.

            On Sunday, presentations will be geared to equine industry professionals and will take a deeper look at equine behavior, hay analysis, feeding-related problems, toxic plants, techniques and tools for diagnosing lameness, alternate therapies, rehabilitation, and a special look at policy issues and regulation. The Sunday session also will provide continuing education credits for veterinarians and vet techs.

Sunday topics include:

• Current Research on Horse Behavior
• Emerging Research and Issues on Forage for Horses
• Science-Based Feeding of the Growing Horse
• Challenges of Feeding the Special Needs Horse
• Latest Modalities in Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Equine Injuries:
• Diagnostic Tools
• Orthopedic Injuries
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Preview of the Economic Impact Study Results

            Attendees at both day-long sessions also will be invited to observe a demonstration of the high-speed equine treadmill and hear a hands-on presentation by the Young Horse Teaching and Research Program.

            On the same weekend, an intensive workshop on environmental best practices for operating a horse farm will also take place on the Cook campus – this time at the Ryders Lane facility. Enrollment in the two-day short course is limited to 80 participants to allow ample time for questions and hands-on learning. For more details, consult the Equine Science Center’s website (www.esc.rutgers.edu) or the Office of Continuing Professional Education (cookce.rutgers.edu).