The Equine programme at FarmFest on June 20^th in Athenry, Co Galway promises to be one of the most ambitious ever organised by Teagasc. The focus of the equine exhibit at Farm Fest ’08 will be to demonstrate all aspects of breeding, evaluation, training and management of horses.

 

To achieve this aim Teagasc equine advisors along with a panel of experts will be evaluating different types of horses on their conformation, movement, athletic potential and suitability for today’s markets. The panel includes Peter Leonard, international breeder and producer of competition horses, Niall Quirke, international dressage rider and trainer and Clement McMahon, international show jumping rider will be sharing their expertise from different aspects of the industry.

 

The programme is all encompassing from ‘Farm to Market’ with demonstrations of handling foals, young horse training, marketing, and presentation as well as a display of carriage driving. Being located in the heart of the West there will also be a display of the versatility of the Connemara Pony given by the Connemara Pony Breeders Society.

 

The equine village at Farm Fest will include a full schedule of practical demonstrations in both the main arena and the health and welfare village. Also there will numerous trade exhibits with everything from horse walkers, stabling and surfaces, to saddlery, health products and pasture maintenance equipment.

 

There will be farriery, chiropractic and dentistry demonstrations from leading experts in their fields. Equine nutritionists and a veterinary surgeon along with the Irish Horse Welfare Trust will be on hand to discuss all the key issues that contribute to the successful management of horses.

The Irish Equine Centre will be on site to discuss the importance health and welfare of horses. As more and more horses travel to all parts of the world disease prevention and control are very important topics. Other industry representatives including the new umbrella organisation for sport horses, ‘Horse Sport Ireland’, will be on site. The Irish Draught, Connemara Pony and the Piebald and Skewbald breed societies as well as the Irish Donkey Sanctuary will be present with displays of the breeds on show.

Since 2005 Teagasc has been intrinsically involved in promoting the young breeder’s competition. These are the future for the industry and will play a significant part in the day and show their value to the industry at large.

As it is a family day with displays of all aspects of Teagasc’s relationship with the countryside, farming and farm families Farm Fest 08 is the place to be on June 20^th to immerse oneself in all that is relevant to the breeding, production, welfare and evaluation of horses for today’s markets. This is set to be a fun, informative and action packed day. Be sure to travel early to Atherny for Farm Fest on June 20^th 2008.

From 'Farm to Market' is the theme of the equine exhibit and demonstrations at FarmFest which will be held at the Teagasc Centre in Athenry, Co. Galway on Friday June 20th 2008. The main demonstration will feature an evaluation of the type of horse required for today's markets and competitions. Teagasc Equine Advisors. Mr. Peter Leonard, international breeder and producer of horses, Mr. Niall Quirke, international dressage rider and trainer, and Mr. Clement McMahon, international showjumping rider will discuss the type, conformation, movement and potential ability of a number of horses. This is an ideal opportunity for all those involved in the industry to get information on evaluation, training, management, presentation and marketing with a view to achieving more money in the back pocket.

Programme	Main Arena
10.50am	Opening
11.00am	Handling and Management of the Young Foal - Ms. Wendy Conlon, Teagasc
11.20am	Chiropractic Treatment of the Horse - Ms. Susan Elliot, Chiropractor
11.40am	Grooming/Presentation/Marketing - Ms. Ruth Fennell, Teagasc
12.00pm	Dentistry Care for the Mare - Mr. Brian Coonan, Equine Dental Technician
12.20pm	Loose Schooling - Mr. Declan McArdle, Teagasc
12.40pm	Hoof Care for the Mare and Foal - Mr. Martin Payne, Farrier
1.00pm	Evaluating Horses for Today's Markets - Teagasc Equine Advisors, Mr. Peter Leonard, Mr. Niall Quirke and Mr. Clement McMahon
2.30pm	Calculating How Much to Feed Your Horse - Ms. Catherine Rudenko, Red Mills
2.50pm	Showing the Young Horse in Hand - Mr. Norman Storey, Teagasc
3.10pm	Prevention in Horse Health Care - Mr. Joe Collins MRCVS, UCD
3.30pm	Fitting of Tack and Lungeing - Mr. Declan McArdle, Teagasc
3.50pm	Display of Connemara Ponies
4.20pm	Explaining the Skills of Carriage Driving - Mr. Paddy Hanly
4.50pm	Evaluating Horses for Today's Markets - Teagasc Equine Advisors, Mr. Peter Leonard, Mr. Niall Quirke and Mr. Clement McMahon
6.30pm	Closure of Main Arena Events with a Parade of Horses by the Young Breeders
Timetable	Health and Welfare Village
11.00am	Dentistry Care for the Yearling to Four Year Old - Mr. Brian Coonan, Equine Dental Technician
11.20am	Equine Digestion and Affects on Health and Performance - Ms. Catherine Rudenko, Red Mills
11.40am	Laminitis - Mr. Martin Payne, Farrier
12.00pm	Veterinary Aspects of Conformation - Mr. Joe. Collins MRCVS, UCD
12.20pm	Prevention is Better than Cure - Ms. Susan Elliot, Chiropractor
2.30pm	Horse Environment and its Affects on Performance - Mr. Joe Collins MRCVS, UCD
2.50pm	Problems which Affect Performance - Ms. Susan Elliot, Chiropractor
3.10pm	Different Sources of Feed for the Horse - Ms. Catherine Rudenko, Red Mills
3.30pm	Dentistry Care for the Competition Horse - Mr. Brian Coonan, Equine Dental Technician
3.50pm	Shoeing for the Competition Horse - Mr. Martin Payne, Farrier