Gastrointestinal Health and Management will be the theme of the Rutgers Equines Science Center’s Horse Management Seminar, hosted with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, from 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Feb. 11.
“I seem to be getting more and more gut health-targeted questions,” said Dr. Carey Williams, extension equine specialist and associate director of extension for the Equine Science Center.
“Our goal in presenting this workshop is to explain what some of the digestive concerns might be and how we can keep our horse’s gut, and therefore our horses, healthy. We will also go over some current and future research from Rutgers on equine gut health.”
The morning will start with topics including “How does physically effective fiber behave in the equine gut?–A visual tour” by Dr. Burt Staniar from Penn State. He will follow that presentation with news about research from his lab and others with “An overview of recent research studying physically effective fiber and equine gastrointestinal health.” Later in the morning, Dr. Mary Durando from Equine Sports Medicine Consultants, will focus on “Equine Gastric Ulcers Syndrome”.
The afternoon will start with “The Equine Microbiome” by Dr. Amy Biddle of the University of Delaware. A panel discussion from the three main speakers will follow. Carey and her doctoral student, Jennifer Weinert, also will offer presentations on research into “Gastrointestinal Health and Management of Eventing Horses: Survey Results” and “Microbiome and Metabolism of Horses on Pasture: Future Study”.
Complete program, registration information and the seminar brochure are posted on the Equine Science Center website at esc.rutgers.edu. Reach Carey Williams at (848) 932-5529 or carey.williams@rutgers.edu. Space is limited, so be sure to register.