Tag Archives: Kentucky Equine Research

USEF

USEF Celebrates 15-Year Collaboration with Kentucky Equine Research

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce its continued collaboration with Kentucky Equine Research (KER) as the Official Equine Nutritionist of the USEF.

Since 2000, KER has been a valuable partner to the USEF in coordinating the nutritional program for high-performance horses as they travel to international competitions, including five Olympic Games and four FEI World Equestrian Games. The personnel at KER realize the importance of quality and consistency in the feed and management of these top competitors.

The logistical task of delivering feed to international competition sites is complex. KER assesses the location and environment of each competition venue before recommending diets suitable for U.S. horses. The experts at KER then manage the export shipping logistics in order to ensure that feed as well as forage, supplements, and bedding arrive at the appointed destination ahead of the horses. While on site at international competitions, KER personnel provide support services for the duration of the event.

“With feed manufacturing partners around the world and in-house equine nutrition expertise, KER is uniquely suited to manage the feeding programs of the greatest equine athletes competing at the pinnacle of their careers,” said Dr. Joe Pagan, KER founder and president. “This service is just one way KER leads in the field of equine nutrition.”

As U.S. equestrian athletes prepare for the 2016 Olympic Games, the USEF recognizes the critical role of KER as the official nutrition consultant for the Olympic Games. In this capacity, KER collaborates with Olympic Games organizers and National Federations to procure the best feeds, forages, and beddings.

“KER is an essential and highly valued partner to the U.S. Equestrian Teams and the USEF’s High Performance Programs,” said Will Connell, USEF Director of Sport. “KER shares our goal of maximizing support to the riders and their management teams. KER provides essential support not only in the field of nutrition advice and research, but also in helping ensure our horses continue to receive the diet they require when they travel.”

The USEF is working closely with KER in preparation for Rio de Janeiro, according to Connell, and will also rely on the company’s advice and support in Lima in 2019 and Tokyo in 2020.

“Nutrition is a cornerstone of performance, and KER has the expertise to support our programs and our riders,” Connell commented.

About KER
Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company serving horse owners and the feed industry. KER’s goals are to advance the horse industry’s knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology. In addition to its collaboration with the USEF, KER works with feed manufacturers worldwide to produce high-quality horse feeds with premium micronutrient fortification. At its research facility in Versailles, Kentucky, KER develops specialized nutritional supplements to optimize horse health. To learn more, visit KER.com.

From the USEF Communications Department

*Featured/Spotlights, Driving

Chester Weber Joins Professional Round Table Discussion at Kentucky Equine Research’s Sport Horse Forum

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Chester Weber will join Olympian David O’Connor and international endurance rider John Crandell in a round table discussion during the 25th Anniversary Sport Horse Forum. (Photo courtesy of Live Oak Combined Driving)

Ocala, FL (March 13, 2013) – Known for his support and dedication to equestrian sport across the world, Chester Weber will once again share his knowledge and experience in the world of horses with attendees of the 25th Anniversary Sport Horse Forum, presented by Kentucky Equine Research (KER). The topic of the forum is Advances in Equine Nutrition and Health, and Weber will join an international panel of experts, champion equestrians, and Olympians as they celebrate KER’s 25 years of research and innovation into equine nutrition and examine the evolution of horse sport.  The event will take place on March 20, 2013 at 6pm at Live Oak Plantation.

The Forum will feature speakers Joe D. Pagan, Ph.D., founder of Kentucky Equine Research, presenting the topic The Evolution of Sport Horse Feeding: Much More Than Hay, Oats, and Water, and Brendan Furlong, M.V.B, M.R.C.V.S, long time veterinarian for the United States Eventing Team, presenting the topic Significant Changes in Equine Veterinary Practices during the Last Quarter Century.  These dissertations will be followed by a Round Table discussion entitled Top Competitors Discuss How Their Disciplines Have Changed over the Years, featuring panelists John Crandell, international endurance rider; David O’Connor, Olympic Gold medalist and chef d’equipe of the United States Eventing Team; Chester Weber, nine-time United States Equestrian Federation Four-in-Hand Driving National Champion and Individual Silver Medalist at the 2012 World Driving Championships; and moderator Samantha Clark.

Weber is known for his dedication to the equestrian industry and international sport, and has served on many advisory boards and committees.  His resume is lengthy, and in 2011 he was named an Equestrian of Honor by the USEF and was also the recipient of the Becky Grand Hart Trophy. He was named the 2011 Driving Horseman of the Year in The Chronicle of the Horse Magazine’s annual American Horses in Sport issue. Weber served as Chef d’Equipe to the United States Pony and Pony Pairs teams at the 2011 World Pony Driving Championships, and has served on the USEF Board of Directors, the High Performance Driving Committee and the Driving Safety Committee. He also served as Chairman for the Active Athlete’s Committee and the Dressage Search Committee. Weber also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Horse Park Foundation.

For more information on Weber and his combined driving team, visit their website at www.chesterweber.com. Register for the forum by visiting www.sporthorseforum.eventbrite.com, and for more information on the forum call 859 873 5663 or email ephetbean@ker.com.

For more information contact:
Chester Weber
chester@chesterweber.com
www.chesterweber.com
1-352-895-1139

*Featured/Spotlights, Driving, Training/Clinics

US National Champion Pony Driver Shelly Temple Teams with KER to Provide Lessons

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Lifelong horse enthusiast Sherri Heichelbech, Fort Branch, Ind., won a free training session with three-time national combined driving champion Shelly Temple in a recent contest sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

“I am so excited! I signed up for the contest because I am eager to learn more about combined driving, and Shelly Temple has such a great reputation,” said Heichelbech, who has been pleasure driving for several years but plans to compete in a combined driving event for the first time this summer.

Heichelbech currently drives two of her horses, a POA and a Friesian. “The POA that I hope to compete with soon is a seasoned, great-minded veteran. He’s been with us a long time, first as my daughter’s pony, then as an event horse, and now as my driving partner. My Friesian, though, has just started driving this year, but he is a nice young horse with a lot of potential.”

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Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Eventing/H.T., Events, Training/Clinics

Win a Chance to Ride at the O’Connor Equestrian Camp

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Want to ride with Olympic three-day eventers David and Karen O’Connor? Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is proud to offer one grand prize winner a rider’s slot at the 2011 O’Connor Equestrian Camp, to be held at the Virginia Horse Center June 26 – July 1. Enter the contest.

The grand prize winner will take his or her own horse to camp to learn:

• O’Connor safety system for cross-country
• Horsemanship and stable management skills
• Professional show-grooming techniques
• O’Connor “horses-first” training methods
• Secrets of dressage
• Fundamentals of show jumping
• Keys to success in cross-country

In addition to the grand prize winner, second- and third-place winners will be drawn. The second-place winner will receive $250 in KER nutritional supplements, and the third-place winner will receive $150 in products. All winners will get an additional prize package that includes a nutrition consultation for one horse, an embroidered saddle pad, and a hat.

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Contributors/Press

Feeding Horses with Neurologic Disease

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By Dr. Bryan Waldridge, Kentucky Equine Research

The main goals of feeding horses with neurologic disease are to supplement vitamin E and ensure that these horses continue eating a good-quality, balanced diet. Many horses with neurologic disease will have impaired balance and gait abnormalities that will prevent them from being turned out. If safe for the horse and handlers, some hand-grazing allows access to fresh grass and serves as physical therapy for the horse.

Horses with neurologic disease often have trouble balancing, especially when they lower their heads. Feeding hay in hay nets or placing feed on top of a straw bale makes it easier for neurologic horses to eat. These horses are sometimes reluctant to move around their stalls, so it is important to keep hay, feed, and water near each other if the horse has difficulty moving around.

Several equine neurologic diseases, such as neuroaxonal dystrophy, equine degenerative myelopathy, and equine motor neuron disease, have been shown to be caused by vitamin E deficiency or to improve with vitamin E supplementation. Many veterinarians prescribe vitamin E supplementation for the treatment of equine neurologic diseases because of its neuroprotective effects. The usual recommended dose of micellized natural vitamin E (water-soluble d-α-tocopherol) for horses with neurologic disease is 5,000-10,000 IU by mouth every 24 hours. This is approximately 10-20 times the dietary requirement for a 1,100-pound (500-kg) horse.

Reprinted with permission of the copyright holder, Kentucky Equine Research; for more free equine nutrition information, visit www.Equinews.com.

Contact:
Kimberly S. Brown
Kentucky Equine Research
kbrown@ker.com
www.Equinews.com

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

United States Para-Equestrians Prepare for WEG Debut at Kentucky Equine Research

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Mary Jordan and Paxton Abbey. Photos © 2010 Kentucky Equine Research.

Lexington, KY – September 29, 2010 – Excitement fills the atmosphere at the Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Facility in Lexington. The KER/United States Para-Dressage Team fielded by the United States Equestrian Federation is in their last week of preparation for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Riders have been practicing their tests, working with their horses and mentally getting ready for the challenge. As the week moves along, the riders will proceed with a mock jog and a mock show judged by Janet Foy.  On September 30, 2010 the KER/United States Para-Dressage team will officially be named for the world to see.

The facilities at KER have given the riders a place to work together.  Hope Hand, Executive Director of the United States Para-Equestrian Association, commented, “KER is like horse heaven; it is unbelievable.  We are in a brand new barn with beautiful big stalls that even include automatic sensors to tell us the amount that each horse drinks. There is a beautiful indoor and an outdoor ring, turnout pastures and the typical Kentucky rolling hills.  The setting for them to train is very calming and a wonderful place to be before entering the park.”

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