OSU Extension, ATI Equine teaming up for educational day
Taking care of horses the proper way is important to their health and to their many roles they play. The public is invited to come to the upcoming equine seminar to ask questions and learn more about proper care.
Horses are a big part of Holmes County and Wayne County, whether they are pulling a buggy, pulling a plow in the field, or simply offering a pleasurable ride in the field or along some county road.
Taking care of an equine friend is of the utmost importance, and one upcoming seminar will present horse owners and individuals passionate about their equine friends with an opportunity to learn a great deal about caring for their horses.
On May 10 from 1-4:30 p.m. at the ATI Equine Center, 3339 Apple Creek Road, north of Fredericksburg, Ohio State Extension and ATI Equine will team up to present the inaugural Equine Excellence Expo.
This free event invites anyone who owns horses or loves horses to stop in and participate in plenty of educational sessions.
“This is our first time partnering together with ATI, and we are excited for the opportunity because we believe this is an important seminar for our community,” said Janessa Hill, Holmes County OSU Extension agriculture and natural resources educator.
Hill said the need to share this type of information is integral because Holmes County is currently No. 4 per capita in the nation for horses. She said Wayne County is not far behind. Thus, they play a huge role in everyday life in many different ways.
Hill said the sessions were designed from numerous questions and requests they have received from the public over the past year, and she said hopefully this event will open the door to presenting many more similar seminars where they can delve into and explore other important equine topics.
“The equine world is quite expansive and comes with a lot of questions,” Hill said. “It will be exciting to bring the equine community together where they can ask questions and learn a lot of important information because this is a world that is ever-changing, and every farm and every horse is different.”
Session one at 1:30 p.m. will include a fecal egg count in which equine owners are invited to bring their own horse fecal samples and have it counted for eggs. It also will include horse travel tips, trailering safety and precheck information, and evaluating hay for horses.
Session two a 2:25 p.m. will include the fecal egg count, a weight-carrying capacity for horses and another evaluating hay session.
Session three at 3 p.m. will host yet another fecal egg count, the weight-carrying capacity portion and biosecurity for horses.
Session four at 3:45 p.m. will include horse traveling tips, trailering safety and precheck information, Ohio Farm Bureau presenting a risk management and thermal imaging session, advice on using a thermal imaging camera, and another session on biosecurity for horses.
Hill said there are very few of these types of events that are free to attend, and oftentimes, these types of seminars are virtual sessions.
“This is one where people can come and ask anything and everything,” Hill said. “It’s going to be very hands-on.”
There will be a welcome, followed by an About ATI session, a chance to tour the facility, and equine majors and programs starting at 1 p.m.
At 4:30 p.m. there will be a conclusion session, extra time for questions and answers, and conversation time and handouts.
For questions email Hill at hill1357@osu.edu or Sara Mastellar at Mastellar.1@osu.edu.