'Everything Equine' exhibit on Thoroughbred industry scheduled at Midway Branch Library Saturday, Sept. 23

By Destiny Butler

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

              

The Midway Branch Library will host an exhibition to give children and adults the opportunity to learn about the life of a Thoroughbred horse Saturday, Sept. 23. “Everything Equine” will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the library’s parking lot at 400 Northside Dr..

Visitors will be able to understand the way the horse eats, what they wear, and how they are cared for by veterinarians, said Suzanne Conrad, program coordinator at the library.

“We are trying something new in Midway,” Conrad said. “We want to create an opportunity for residents in Woodford County to have contact with people who are in contact with horses daily.” She said the library hopes to make it an annual event.

There to display their talents and professions will be a veterinarian, blacksmith, pharmacist, jockey, and others to teach the attendees what it’s like to have a career revolving around horses. According to the 2012 Kentucky Equine Survey conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the equine industry in Woodford County brings in over $125 million a year.

Conrad said no horses will actually be present for the exhibit, due to liability issues. However, attendees will get the full experience of the life of a horse. The blacksmith will bring tools he uses to trim and shape the foot of a horse, the veterinarian will bring extremely long exam gloves, and there will be a model of the horse digestive system.

The jockey will be there to explain what it’s like to ride a 1,000-pound rocket – better known as a horse. He will talk about what it’s like to encounter a horse the day before riding and controlling them.

Conrad encourages people to call and register for the exhibit, so everyone can be accommodated. Anyone who comes will be entered in a drawing for four one-day admission passes to the Kentucky Horse Park.

The exhibit isn’t only to introduce people to the Thoroughbred industry, but to introduce people to the health-care community of the Bluegrass, Conrad said: “I am excited about the opportunity to have all of the professionals there at the same time and the community to be able to ask questions and dispel some of their fears and mysteries and maybe open their eyes to careers they haven’t thought about.”