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Lexington, KY (January 24, 2018) – The Kentucky Horse Council has announced the topic for the February Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA) dinner as well as a new venue. The February topic will be The Right Horse Initiative presented by speaker Christie Schulte Kappert. The dinner will be held on February 20, 2018, at The Red Mile Clubhouse in Lexington, Ky. KENA is a dinner and educational series open to equine professionals, horse owners, and recreational riders and will feature a networking reception from 5:30-6:00 PM, followed by dinner with the main speakers from 6-8 PM.
KENA, focused on the Kentucky thoroughbred, sport, and pleasure horse community, is charged with the mission of providing an educational and social venue for equine professionals and horse enthusiasts from all disciplines. KENA, which is organized by the Kentucky Horse Council and supported by the University of Kentucky Ag Equine Program, provides the opportunity for attendees to share ideas, business strategies and knowledge, and to obtain up-to-date information on horse and farm management and on issues affecting the equine industry.
Christie Schulte Kappert is the Program Director for The Right Horse Initiative. The Right Horse is an initiative funded by the WaterShed Animal Fund dedicated to improving the lives of animals. The Right Horse’s goal is to massively increase the number of successful horse adoptions in the United States by working together to reframe the adoption conversation and shatter the stigma surrounding horses in transition. The Right Horse focuses its grantmaking efforts on creating the infrastructure necessary to support successful training and adoption programs, driving innovation within the equine industry to increase humane transitions for at-risk horses, providing resources in communities to promote responsible horse ownership, and working on collaborations between equine welfare advocates and the horse industry.
“The Right Horse Initiative is changing the conversation surrounding horse adoptions,” says Kentucky Horse Council President Erin Woodall. “We are excited to have Ms. Kappert come and share more information about the Right Horse and educated the Kentucky equine community on the mission and vision of the Right Horse and how we can work together to aid horses in transition.”
The Kentucky Equine Networking Association welcomes all Kentucky horse owners, professionals and enthusiasts to attend the February 20 event. For details and reservations, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL - The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts, equine professional networking opportunities through KENA, trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs, and personal liability insurance and other membership benefits. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs
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Lexington, KY (November 16, 2017) – The Kentucky Horse Council hosted the 2017 Coalition of State Horse Councils Annual Meeting in Lexington, Kentucky from November 10-12, 2017.
The Coalition of State Horse Councils includes forty-three state horse councils that work together to provide grassroots support and education to state horse councils, encourage and grow participation in state horse councils and the equine industry, and to provide national issues support to the American Horse Council. Representatives from eighteen states, the National Equestrian Trails Conference, and the American Horse Council attended the 2017 Annual Meeting in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Horse Council organized three days of meetings, panel discussions, and tours to educate and entertain the Coalition group. Tours included Darby Dan Farm, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, and Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. Presentations were made to the group by Vicki Lowell from US Equestrian, Keith Kline from the AAEP Foundation and more. Panels on Saturday discussed community involvement with equine events, agritourism in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the growing interest in thoroughbred aftercare.
“The Kentucky Horse Council is proud to be able to showcase the extensive Kentucky equine industry to representatives of other state horse councils and the American Horse Council,” says Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “We are blessed to be located in the Horse Capital of the World and privileged to have access to so many beautiful venues, equine organizations, and amazing horses. We are pleased to be able to share this with others and facilitate new relationships, connections and ideas for horse councils around the country.”
The Coalition of State Horse Councils rotates its annual meeting around the country and the 2018 meeting is scheduled to be hosted by the Arizona Horse Council in Phoenix, AZ.
The 2017 Annual Meeting in Lexington would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship from the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program, the NTRA, The Jockey Club, Equine Equipment Savings, Dinsmore Equine Law Group, Equisure, and the Equine Land Conservation Resources. In kind donations were also made by Darby Dan Farm, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Horse Country, Inc., the Kentucky Horse Park, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, The United States Pony Clubs and New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. Without the support of these organizations, the CSHC meeting would not have been possible.
Lexington, KY (November 1, 2017)- The Kentucky Horse Council has announced the topic for the November Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA) dinner: Funding Available: Incentive Programs for your Equine Operation. The dinner will be held on November 14, 2017, at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, Ky. KENA is a dinner and educational series open to equine professionals, horse owners, and recreational riders and will feature a networking reception from 5:30-6:00 PM, followed by dinner with the main speakers from 6-8 PM.
The group, focused on the Kentucky thoroughbred, sport, and pleasure horse community, is charged with the mission of providing an educational and social venue for equine professionals and horse enthusiasts from all disciplines. KENA, which is organized by the Kentucky Horse Council and supported by the University of Kentucky Ag Equine Program, provides the opportunity for attendees to share ideas, business strategies and knowledge, and to obtain up-to-date information on horse and farm management.
Bill McCloskey, the Deputy Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, will speak on the programs offered through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The Governor’s Office of Agriculture Policy provides grants, incentives, and low-interest loans to help farmers and agribusinesses grow and innovate. Many of these programs are available to equine farm owners and businesses, not just other agricultural farms. The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation Board are administered by the GOAP.
“The programs administered by the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy are incredible resources that are unknown to many horse owners,” says Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “We are excited to have Mr. McCloskey come and educate more of the equine community on what they can do to take advantage of this opportunities made available by the Commonwealth.”
Kentucky Horse Council President Erin Woodall will also speak on the funding programs offered by the Kentucky Horse Council Save Our Horses Fund, including the Equine Safety Net and various voucher programs.
The Kentucky Equine Networking Association welcomes all Kentucky horse owners, professionals and enthusiasts to attend the November 14 event. For details and reservations, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
Lexington, KY (October 23, 2017) – The Kentucky Horse Council hosted its 2017 Annual Member Meeting in conjunction with the KEEP Equine Industry Conference October 15, 2017 at the Embassy Suites in Lexington, KY. Horse Council members from all over the Commonwealth attended and new board members were elected and new membership benefits announced for 2018.
The director elections include Dr. Anna Hinchborn Dunlap, the owner of Creek Hollow Veterinary Services; Aubri Hostetter, sales representative for Excel Equine Feeds; Travers Manley, an attorney in the Lexington office of Dinsmore & Shohl; Dr. Rocky Mason, a field care veterinarian and director of the emergency response team at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute; and Katlynn Sacco, the director of Competition Licensing at US Equestrian. Dr. Janice Holland of Midway University has been appointed the Equine Education Consortium representative to the Board of Directors for a one-year term.
“We are excited to add such a diverse group of people from so many different equine backgrounds to our Board of Directors and to have such strong leadership as the result of our elections,” said Kentucky Horse Council President Erin Woodall. “The skills of the new directors, combined with the experience and leadership of the returning board members, will benefit the Kentucky Horse Council immeasurably as we continue to expand our programming and focus on the health and welfare of horses in Kentucky.”
Additionally, the Kentucky Horse Council announced new benefits for its members, including discounts to Horse Country tours. This discount is in addition to the excess liability insurance policy, NTRA discount program, Equine Equipment Savings discount program and discount to the Horse Magazine, among others.
Executive Director Katy Ross said, “We are proud of our ability to offer great benefits to all of our members, from individuals and families to businesses, farms and associations. We are lucky to be able to add member discounts for Horse Country, the fast-growing organization offering tours to the amazing equine facilities in Central Kentucky including farms, feed mills and clinics. Working with Horse Country allows us one more way to develop the horse industry in Kentucky, which is a key component of the Horse Council’s mission.”
For the complete list of the Kentucky Horse Council Board of Directors and more information about membership, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org.
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL - The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts, equine professional networking opportunities through KENA, trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs, and personal liability insurance and other membership benefits. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.
Kentucky Horse Council Releases Equine Scholarship Application
Lexington, KY (October 2, 2017) – The Kentucky Horse Council has announced they will be awarding a $1,500 scholarship to a Kentucky college student who has demonstrated academic success, equine industry involvement and community service for the Spring 2018 Semester.
The Equine Scholarship will be awarded to a student currently enrolled with a university or college in Kentucky in an equine-related major or a horse-related program. Some examples of courses of studies for which the scholarships are intended are Equine Science/Studies, Equine Business Management, Equine Therapy, Pre-Veterinarian, Farrier Training, Professional Jockey Certificate, Professional Horsemen’s Certificate, etc.
“The Kentucky Horse Council is thrilled to once again be offering scholarships to college students in Kentucky,” says Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “Education is an important part of our mission and we look forward to supporting the efforts of a deserving student as they explore a future in the equine industry.”
Applications for the scholarship will be accepted until November 15, 2017. The scholarship will be awarded on December 1. The student is required to be a member of the Kentucky Horse Council. Student memberships are free and interested students may sign up at www.kentuckyhorse.org.
To download the scholarship application, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org.
Lexington, KY (September 7, 2017) - As another record breaking hurricane barrels down on the United States, the Kentucky Horse Council is again working with equine groups to aid horses in those affected areas. The KHC put out a call to Kentucky farms and facilities willing to take in equine evacuees and the response has been overwhelming.
"We are overwhelmed by the willingness of Kentucky residents to open their farms to horses being displaced by Hurricane Irma," said Executive Director Katy Ross. "We have had over forty responses, led by the Kentucky Horse Park, and more coming in every hour. We've heard from everyone from the small owner that has two stalls available to the Horse Park with 200. It is extremely heartwarming."
The current list of available facilities can be found by clicking here: Hurricane Irma Relief. It will continue to be updated regularly.
An additional list of facilities along the East Coast is available here: East Coast Evacuation List
In addition to offering space for evacuees, Kentucky based equine industry groups continue their relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and will continue these efforts in the wake of the anticipated destruction of Hurricane Irma. These groups are collecting monetary donations as well as supplies, although monetary donations are preferred at this time due to the difficulty in knowing exactly what will be needed after this latest devastating storm.
Monetary Donations:
Financial donations are preferred because of the difficulty in getting supplies from outside of the region to affected horses. The AAEP Foundation Equine Disaster Relief Fund, National HBPA Foundation, and USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund are all accepting support that will be distributed among credible programs and organizations helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts. Additionally, please consider giving directly to PATH International, as several of their therapeutic riding facilities sustained extreme flooding damage.
Supply Donations:
A supply drive is also being coordinated in Lexington, Ky., through a partnership of local equine groups. Click here to see a current list of needed supplies requested by first responders. Supply donations will be accepted at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) office inside the Kentucky Horse Park:
4033 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511
(859)-233-0147
Donation hours are Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call the AAEP office if directions are needed. After hours donations may be arranged by contacting Keith Kleine at kkleine@aaep.org or (859)-327-8750.
For more information about how to help horses and their caretakers, visit the AAEP Foundations Harvey relief page, social media outlets for supporting organizations, and search #HarveyHorseHelp on Twitter.
Supporting Organizations
American Association of Equine Practitioners & Foundation
American Horse Council
American Quarter Horse Association
Breeders' Cup Limited
Brook Ledge Horse Transportation
Creech Horse Transportation
Equine Land Conservation Resource
Equine Medical Associates, PSC
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute & Pharmacy
Horse Country
KBC International
Keeneland Association
Kentucky Equine Humane Center
Kentucky Horse Council
Kentucky Quarter Horse Association & Youth Association
Kentucky Thoroughbred Association
Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders
Maker's Mark Secretariat Center
National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association
Our Mims Retirement Park Equine Hospital
PATH International
Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital & Pharmacy
The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Charities of America
Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
United States Equestrian Federation
United States Hunter Jumper Association
Donation hours are Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Labor Day hours are 7:30 a.m. to noon. Call the AAEP office if directions are needed. After hours donations may be arranged by contacting Keith Kleine at kkleine@aaep.org or (859)-327-8750.
The first supply truck will leave bound for a property in Katy, Texas sheltering displaced horses. The AAEP Foundation is working closely with first responders on the ground to determine the most urgent needs and locations for future shipments. The Foundation is grateful for both the support and patience of the community as we work diligently to determine the ever-changing needs of affected areas.
National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Park Equine Hospital
Lexington, KY (July 31, 2017) – The Kentucky Horse Council has announced the topic for the August Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA) dinner: How to Respond to Equine Emergencies. The dinner, presented by Neogen, will be held on August 15, 2017, at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, Ky. KENA is a dinner and educational series open to equine professionals, horse owners, and recreational riders and will feature a networking reception from 5:30-6:00 PM, followed by dinner with the main speakers from 6-8 PM.
A representative from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will discuss the latest updates on large animal emergency rescue and what horse and barn owners can do when they find a horse in a precarious situation as well as who to call for assistance. A first responder will also discuss what to do in case of a barn fire and what steps you can take to prevent a fire from breaking out.
“Horses have an innate ability to get themselves into bad situations and that, along with fire, is every horse owner’s nightmare,” says Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “We are looking forward to an informative panel discussion on what to do when you find yourself in one of those situations and helping horse owners in Kentucky educate themselves on how to handle these emergencies.”
The August 15 dinner is presented by Neogen Corporation. Neogen’s Animal Safety Division manufactures and markets a complete line of diagnostics, veterinary instruments, veterinary pharmaceuticals, therapeutic supplements, disinfectants, and rodenticides. Neogen’s family of Animal Safety products and services are trusted, valued and supported by veterinarians, retailers, and animal lovers.
The Kentucky Equine Networking Association welcomes all Kentucky horse owners, professionals and enthusiasts to attend the August 15 event. For details and reservations, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
CONTACT: Kentucky Horse Council
Katy Ross
Executive Director
(859) 367-0509
Kentucky Horse Council Opens Registration for Updated Livestock Investigation Training Level II
Lexington, KY (June 21, 2017) – The Kentucky Horse Council’s Livestock Investigation Training Level II is being held this summer from July 30 to August 2, at Morehead State University. Registration is now open to all county and state officials, such as Animal Control Officers, Sheriffs, and Police Officers.
Developed by the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) in partnership with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association (KCA) with input from experienced enforcement officers, veterinarians, and livestock producers, this three-day course is tailored to the needs of the Commonwealth. For 2017, the curriculum has been updated to reflect current accepted animal care standards and the changes in the law that impact those investigating abuse and neglect cases.
The summer training is a Level II training, where attendees will take what they learned at the Level I training and further their knowledge of difficult animal behavior, assess body condition scores, identify situations that need intervention, and apply Kentucky statutes to animal cases. Attendees also practice handling and evaluating live horses and livestock as well as examining Kentucky statutes and enforcement procedures. This training also focuses on small ruminants and swine in addition to horses and larger livestock. Revisions to Kentucky statutes on animal welfare in the past few years have been incorporated to make sure that attendees are well versed on the latest laws and regulations.
“We are excited to be offering the updated Livestock Investigation Training this year,” said Katy Ross, Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director. “These trainings fill a vital need for education of peace officers on animal abuse and neglect cases in the Commonwealth and advance the mission of the Kentucky Horse Council. The laws in this area have changed in the past few years and we are pleased to be able to educate Kentucky officials on the latest standards and processes.”
Peace Officers attending the training are eligible for Continuing Education Units through the Department of Criminal Justice Training.
Cost to attend the three-day training is $150 per officer. Out-of-state officials may attend at $250 per officer. Limited scholarships for tuition are available.
This program is sponsored by the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, ASPCA, the Kentucky Pork Producers Association, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and the Kentucky Poultry Federation.
For more information, to register for the class, or for partnership and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org, or contact the Kentucky Horse Council at 859-367-0509 or info@kentuckyhorse.org.
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL - The Kentucky Horse Council is a 501©3 non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts, equine professional networking opportunities, trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs, and personal liability insurance and other membership benefits. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.
SMART GROWTH STRATEGIES AND PARTNERSHIP KEY TO LAND PRESERVATION IN THE BLUEGRASS
Kentucky Equine Networking Meeting Focused on Land Conservation in Kentucky
For Immediate Release Contact: Katy Ross katy@kentuckyhorse.org 859-367-0509
May 22, 2017 – Lexington, KY – A varied group of equine enthusiasts gathered at Fasig-Tipton for the spring session of the Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA). Presented by the Equine Law Group of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, the evening was intended to educate equine professionals, horse owners and recreational riders on the issue of land loss in the Kentucky’s infamous horse country.
The stellar set of panelists included Holley Groshek, Executive Director of the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR), Susan Speckert, Executive Director of the Fayette Alliance, Ashley Greathouse of Bluegrass Land Conservancy and Roy Cornett, currently serving as the Treasurer for the Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA).
Groshek, who represents a nationwide organization, spoke of the creation of the ELCR to “sound the alarm” about land loss to equestrians. As most horseback riders are now aware that land loss is an issue, the focus of the organization has shifted to a more-local level and partnership with local entities also seeking to preserve land. “We’re losing 6,000 acres of land a day to development,” Groshek said. Much of the land that is being developed is being developed poorly, she noted.
The concern over “urban sprawl” was reiterated by Susan Speckert of the Fayette Alliance, a land-use advocacy organization in Fayette County, Ky., that is not afocused solely on equines. “People understand what makes our community [of Lexington] great,” Speckert said. In addition to the active, engaged community members, the history and heritage of agriculture are what make Lexington, Lexington. The Fayette Alliance strives to preserve farmland and promote innovative development—which means limiting urban sprawl.
Kentucky has what is deemed “prime farmland soils and soils of statewide importance,” in its Bluegrass Region. The farmland that makes the area renowned for its Thoroughbred racehorses is what Speckert dubs the “factory floor” – this economic engine drives 1 out of 9 jobs in Fayette County and brings in $2.4 billion each year. Speckert reiterated that the Fayette Alliance is not against growth, but it does advocate for smart growth strategies that minimize sprawl.
Ashley Greathouse of the Bluegrass Land Conservancy detailed options available to landowners in the Bluegrass Region wishing to permanently protect their land from development. Designed to protect both land and heritage, the Conservancy focuses on protecting lands that are used as habitat, that are historic, and those that are used for equine and cattle farms in the region. The organization also focuses on preserving fresh water.
Roy Cornett, an active member of the Back Country Horsemen of America, spoke of the need for riders to have access to public lands on which they can ride. He feels that partnership is the key to keeping lands open and rideable, whether that is partnering with other organizations that use the land (like hikers and bikers) or partnering with those tasked with caring for the land.
“This was one of the most diverse crowds KENA has had to date,” said Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “The depth of the topics covered was impressive, informing the audience on everything from the amount of money farmland brings to the table in the Kentucky economy to how land owners can protect their lands from development. It’s refreshing to see this vast and varied group of people focus on working together to help solve issues that ultimately affect us all.”
Each of the panelists spoke of the need for equestrians to be active in their local communities; for them to have a unified voice to ensure that land is preserved from urban sprawl; and for them to be educated about the issues that face them as equine enthusiasts.
The next KENA meeting will take place on August 15 at Fasig-Tipton.
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Office: 859-367-0509
Email: info@kentuckyhorse.org
Fax: 866-618-3837
Address:
4037 Iron Works Parkway
Suite 120
Lexington, Kentucky 40511
