University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs will host the 8th annual UK Equine Showcase in conjunction with an Equine Vet Continuing Education session (formerly known as the Kentucky Breeders’ Short Course) Jan. 25-26.

The double-header event, which has been running for the past 10 years, was reformatted to better provide equine research information to UK’s stakeholders.

The weekend will kick off Jan. 25 with a revamped version of the Kentucky Breeders’ Short Course, now called UK Equine Vet CE. The Equine Vet CE will take place from 12:30 to 5 p.m. EST Friday, Jan. 25, at the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, located at 1490 Bull Lea Road in Lexington.

The event offers four hours of RACE-approved veterinary continuing education courtesy of Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners funding support. Experts will present topics that include parasite control in the breeding season; novel fescue, toxic fescue and how UK can help; the insidious cost of fescue in foaling and breeding mares; periparturient death in broodmares; and the peripartum period for mares and foals.

On Saturday, Jan. 26, the annual Equine Showcase will take place at the Fayette County Extension office, located at 1140 Harry Sykes Way in Lexington. The UK Equine Showcase will highlight the university’s equine programs and relevant industry findings with an emphasis on pest management. It will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST.

Topics for the showcase include insects and horses, what you need to know; important equine diseases carried by insects; vector-borne disease affecting humans and horses; making your barn horse friendly and insect averse; managing mud and manure; and horses and the Ag Water Quality Act.

“University of Kentucky as a land-grant institution has, from its founding, been tasked with engagement with the citizens of the Commonwealth and support of Kentucky agriculture,” said Mick Peterson, director of UK Ag Equine Programs. “The equine industry plays a unique role in the Kentucky economy, and we are proud to join with our partners within the industry by presenting current research.”

The Equine Vet CE is primarily open to veterinarians, but if spots are available, farm managers and horse owners can also attend. The event is free to veterinarians due to a grant from Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-university-of-kentucky-veterinary-continuing-education-tickets-53607653936. For more information about the UK Equine Vet CE, contact Emma Adam at emma.adam@uky.edu.

“We have a strong lineup for quality vet CE this January,” said Emma Adam, equine research and outreach veterinarian with UK’s Department of Veterinary Science. “Get to know our speakers, catch up with colleagues and get ready for the breeding season.”

The Equine Showcase is open to veterinarians, owners and managers of all horse breeds or anyone with an interest in learning more about horse management. The cost to attend is $40 until the early bird registration deadline of Jan. 18. After that date, the cost will be $50. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-uk-equine-showcase-tickets-52836552551. Please contact equine@uky.edu with questions about the event.

UK is also accepting sponsor participation for the showcase. Display opportunities are available to participating organizations. Please email AHarper147@uky.edu for details.

College students are eligible for a reduced rate to the showcase, but student space is limited and on a first-requested, first-served basis. Students or UK faculty interested in attending either or both days should email equine@uky.edu. For more details about this event and other information about UK Ag Equine Programs, visit www.ca.uky.edu/equine.