23rd Annual Saratoga Horse Symposium To Start April 12

BALLSTON SPA — Horse lovers everywhere, join the 23rd Annual Saratoga Horse Symposium on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 at the Saratoga County 4-H Training Center. The Horse Symposium, a public event, will feature well known equine experts and veterinarians with live horse demonstrations, riding clinics and educational presentations. Horse enthusiasts from across New York State and New England look forward to this popular annual event. Over 200 attendees are expected. SATURDAY Snorts, Stomps, and Squeals A look at the comparisons and contrasts between domestic and feral horse behavior as a way to consider approaches to modifying housing and handling environments to improve equine health and welfare. Equine Wound Care The horse’s body has an amazing innate ability to heal; learn how to maximize that ability. We will cover what to do when you first see a wound, which wounds are red alert situations, how wounds heal, and how vital your role is in the healing process. The Mechanics of Speed Exercises to help improve your horse’s agility in barrel racing and games. Proper turning and correct placement to improve speed and performance in your horse through patterns. Things a rider can do to help their horse so they are happy at the job they are doing. Planning for Life-Time Care for Horses A discussion session focusing on the realities horse owners need to be prepared to face in order to provide, and pay for, a lifetime of care for their horses. Overcoming Anxiety in Your Horse What happens when your horse is anxious? Do you become anxious? Do you resort to begging or do you become angry, or do you just give up? This groundwork clinic will demonstrate techniques that will help to calm you both and get you into a relaxed, working frame of mind. SUNDAY Managing Parasites Discussion on deworming products, fecal examinations, resistance in parasites, and parasites in the horse. Introduction to Ranch Horse Showing Ranch Horse Showing is becoming a more and more popular way for horse owners to get together, have some laughs and friendly competition. This seminar will give you an overview to some of the classes offered at the Hudson Valley Ranch Horse Association Shows. Poor Performance in the Equine Athlete Regardless of vocation, equine athletes can experience poor performance. How do you address a problem that could originate from several or multiple body systems? This discussion will focus on the diagnosis, causes, and treatments of common problems originating in the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems that limit the potential of the equine athlete. A Second Career for NY Bred OTTB’s The Western New York polo club will demonstrate how they are giving former racehorses a second career with dignity. Attendees will learn about working with and retraining the Thoroughbred Racehorse. Thoroughbreds have a great work ethic, are quick learners and great athletes Equine Massage Find out why understanding how your horse’s skeleton and muscles work together can improve how you and your horse work as a team. Doors will open at 8 a.m. for registration. Classes will begin each day at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is $20 a day for adults and $10 a day for college students and $5 for 4-H youth. Please bring your 4-H enrollment card or college ID.