One of New Jersey’s greatest assets for equestrians is the Rutgers Equine Science Center, where research and education have a home at an institution addressing horse industry issues and challenges.
To be part of the process, attend the center’s “Evening of Science & Celebration” on Thursday Nov. 14 from 6-9 p.m. at the Cook Student Center in New Brunswick. The evening is sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center.
Who goes to this annual gathering? Equine professionals, horse owners, farm owners, barn managers, educators, students, 4-H members and other equine enthusiasts. Those attending can do some social and professional networking while learning about current projects and research at a center that addresses horse industry issues and challenges through science and research.
This year’s keynote presentation will highlight research about the effects of performance-enhancing practices on the physiological responses of the equine athlete, and offer information about an alternative to Lasix for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). That condition is seen most in racehorses, but also affects horses in other sports requiring strenuous exercise for short periods of time, such as polo, barrel racing and three-day eventing,
The talk will be presented by Dr. Kenneth McKeever, a professor in Rutgers’ Department of Animal Sciences, and associate director of research at the Equine Science Center, part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
His research has focused on comparative exercise and cardiovascular physiology, while looking at the effects of aging on the integration of the cardiovascular, renal and endocrine systems in controlling blood pressure and blood volume, as well as fluid and electrolyte balance.
The evening begins with dinner, followed by a presentation comparing the effectiveness of a natural homeopathic organic-style fly spray with a commercial-based pharmaceutical-style fly spray. Pasture research also will be updated.
Dr. Michael Fugaro of Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services in Long Valley will receive the 2020 “Spirit of the Horse Award” for his lifelong commitment to horse care and education.
“Dr. Fugaro is most deserving of this award because of his dedication to the care and well-being of horses, the education about horse health to horse owners and his demonstrated leadership to the veterinary community,” said the center’s director, Dr. Karyn Malinowski.
“The Spirit of the Horse award represents the commitment that I have to the horse and the equine community, and I am honored to be considered alongside other dedicated professionals who have previously received this award” said Dr. Fugaro, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. He is president of the New Jersey Association of Equine Practitioners and a member of the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement.
The Center will also present its annual Gold Medal Horse Farm award to Mark Mullen and Fair Winds Farm. The award, part of the New Jersey Equine Environmental Stewardship Program, gives recognition to outstanding equine farms for their dedication to environmental sustainability and management. Fair Winds is a 600-acre boarding and breeding facility in Upper Freehold Township. It maintains a broodmare band of trotting and pacing mares, whose offspring are primarily sold at the Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s annual “Harrisburg Yearling Sale” in Harrisburg, Pa.
To register for the event, go to http://bit.ly/2019Evening . The fee, which includes dinner, is $35 for adults and $15 for full-time students.
For additional information, contact the Equine Science Center at (848) 932-9419 or Kyle Hartmann at kylehart@njaes.rutgers.edu.