The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is inviting horse owners, producers and enthusiasts to the 2025 Horses and Horsemen: Farm and Facilities Expo, set for Sep. 16 near Paris. The event will be held at Big Creek Livestock located at 1310 Thatchers Mill Road. 

The evening program begins at 5 p.m. ET with registration and a trade fair where attendees can meet vendors and connect with experts in the equine industry. A dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by a welcome and farm overview at 6:15 p.m. The evening will feature a series of demonstrations and educational sessions designed to give horsemen and women practical tools for their farms. 

“This event will be a great opportunity for horsemen to learn more about farm infrastructure, facility design and forages,” said Linda McClanahan, Mercer County extension agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources. “The Equine Agent Working Group is looking forward to seeing everyone at Big Creek Livestock.” 

One of the primary topics will be arena footing and maintenance, presented by Robert Coleman, UK equine extension specialist. Arena footing is a key factor in horse health and performance. Coleman will share guidance on how to manage surfaces to reduce injuries and improve performance. 

“For horse owners looking to improve their facilities and management practices, the Horses and Horsemen Expo is an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge, network and see demonstrations all in one evening,” Coleman said. 

Coleman will lead another important session for horse owners: Heavy-use areas and farm infrastructure. These are spaces on farms, such as feeding areas or gates, that can quickly become muddy or overused. Learning how to manage them properly helps protect pastures, reduce erosion and improve animal well-being. 

Participants will also take part in a pasture walk led by Central Kentucky agriculture and natural resources agents. This portion of the program will focus on forage ID, general pasture management and weed control. 

Attendees can also view a horsemanship demonstration from Mike and Chris Stokley, showcasing practical handling skills and techniques beneficial to horse owners at every level. 

The event is made possible by the UK Cooperative Extension Service and the UK Ag Equine Programs. 

The event is free of charge. Organizers are encouraging anyone interested in attending to RSVP through the Bourbon County Extension Office at 859-987-1895.  

To learn more, visit https://equine.ca.uky.edu/events/2025-horses-horsemen-farm-facility-expo. 

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Writer: Jordan Strickler, jstrickler@uky.edu              

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services to individuals and institutions that provide equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.