News Releases

(GRAY, Tenn.) – Horse enthusiasts – don't miss the Appalachian Area Horse Field Day on Saturday, November 4. Experts will be on hand to share important tips and how-to's about selecting and caring for your horse.

Participants will also have an opportunity to visit with horse supply vendors during the day.

The event begins with participant sign-in at 9 a.m. EST, followed by a presentation series that morning. Lunch will be served, and horse-care techniques demonstrated after the meal.

Fitness and proper feeding practices are the morning's focus. Educators from Tennessee and Virginia will cover topics in four presentations:

• Health care for the Geriatric Horse
• Fit, Fat or Failing: Are Our Horses Overweight?
• Feeding Pleasure and Trail Riding Horses
• Winter Pastures for Horses

Afternoon demonstrations include methods for understanding body condition score and horse weight, selecting horse hay, caring for hooves properly and selecting a horse.

Area specialists from East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia will be speaking at the field day.

• Dr. Frederick Harper – University of Tennessee Dept. of Animal Science Horse Specialist
• Dr. Scott Pleasant – Virginia Tech (VPI) Extension Equine Veterinarian
• Dr. Alan Simpkins – DVM, Mountain Empire Animal Hospital
• Phil Blevins – Washington County, Virginia, Extension Agent
• Scott Jerrell – Scott County, Virginia, Extension Agent
• Chris Ramsey – Sullivan County, Tennessee, Extension Agent

The Appalachian Area Horse Field Day will take place on the fairgrounds in Gray, Tennessee. Cost is $25, which includes lunch, for registrations received by October 27. Registrations after October 27 and at the door will be $30 per person.

To register or for additional information, contact:

Chris Ramsey – Sullivan County, UT Extension, (423) 279-2723
Frederick Harper – UT Animal Science, (865) 974-7295
Scott Jerrell – Scott County, Virginia Cooperative Extension, (276) 452-2772

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