UK Equine Farm And Facilities Expo To Be Held Sept. 28

 Participants will have the opportunity to visit a premier Central Kentucky horse farm and learn about the steps they have taken to improve their pastures.

 Photo courtesy of the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

LEXINGTON, KEN.

   University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and Ag Equine Programs will host the annual Farm and Facilities Expo from 3:30 - 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the famed Spendthrift Farm, 247 Swigert Ave., Lexington. The event is free and open to the public. A meal will be provided for those in attendance.

   Farm managers and horse owners will have the opportunity to explore visitor booths and see displays for every aspect of horse farm management. Speakers will provide educational talks about farm layout and planning, establishing new pasture and spray options for farms of all sizes. Additionally, Spendthrift Farm personnel will talk about engaging non-horsemen in the racing industry.

   “We have held this annual field day for the last 12 years and this year’s event promises to be one of the best. Not only will you be able to tour a premier horse farm, but you will see the results of excellent pasture management,” said Ray Smith, forage extension specialist with UK’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 

   “A priority for the field day will be to show each participant how they can implement the practices at Spendthrift on their own operation, whether large or small.”

   “In 2019, Spendthrift made the decision to completely re-establish some areas in cool season pasture. This is the best way to have a good pasture, and despite some heavy drought, this farm had great success with it,” said Krista Lea, research analyst and coordinator of the UK Horse Pasture Evaluation Program.

   Please RSVP for food planning purposes. Please email equine@uky.edu to register. All current COVID protocols will be followed. Please note the 247 Swigert Avenue entrance, not any of the Spendthrift entrances off Iron Works Pike. Those gates will be locked. ∆