Iowa Ag Connection - Iowa Equine Day Includes Education and Riding Clinic

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Iowa Equine Day Includes Education and Riding Clinic
Iowa Ag Connection - 04/24/2019

Both youth and adult horseback riders can brush up on their handling and riding skills during a daylong educational event May 4 at Iowa State University's Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center.

Known as Iowa Equine Day, this first-year event will feature a dozen classroom presentations related to horse and rider care, safety and horse nutrition.

During the first session, at 9 a.m., participants can take part in a Ranch Riding and showmanship clinic, led by Doug Bogart, professional horseman and certified instructor with the American Riding Instructors Association.

The clinic is open to 12 youth riders, but participants can watch the clinic as auditors. Registration for the clinic should be made as soon as possible, to reserve space for the participant and the participant's horse.

Breakout classes run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with optional tours of the ISU Department of Animal Science Equine Farm.

Molly Lee, veterinary specialist at Iowa State, will talk about zoonotic disease prevention and biosecurity; Kim Houlding, a veterinarian with Story County Veterinary Clinic, will discuss first aid and emergency care for horses and humans, as well as what to look for when purchasing a horse; and Joan Howard, clinical associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Iowa State, will discuss equine dental care.

Auwerda said the program was originally planned for 4-H youth, but has been expanded to include their parents, and other adults interested in Ranch Riding and good horsemanship.

"It could be 4-H youth, but it could also be youth and their parents," Auwerda said. "The speakers will talk about horse care, as well as how the rider can work with the horse, and protection for the horse and rider."

Participants can register online. Registration is $25 per adult, and $15 for those 18 and under. Youth riders selected for the clinic will pay $80, which includes the boarding fee for their horse. Participants who only want to watch the clinic (auditing) can do so without an additional fee.

For more information, including the full schedule, visit the event website. For questions, contact Peggy Auwerda at 515-294-5260 or peggy@iastate.edu.

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