Today, March 21, is Worldwide Equine Rescuers Recognition Day, so we're asking all of our friends to do something nice for an organization that assists horses, donkeys, mules, burros or ponies.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 13, 2012)  The Kentucky Horse Park’s 34th season is set to begin Thursday, March 15, when the park returns to its regular hours of 9am to 5pm daily through November 4. Visitors will be entertained and delighted as the park features special events and themed weekends throughout the season.

Highlights of this season will include the park’s newest attraction, the Kids Barn, which features interactive exhibits, while the park’s education department staff will host daily hands-on activities with the park’s resident horses in the Kids Barn each day.

Meet the adoptable horse of the week: Sophie.

She's a Mustang cross who is sound, loyal as a Labrador, and needs a new home. 

Sophie is going well at walk, trot and canter in the training program at the Kentucky Equine Humane Center.  She is brave and confident, a real people horse, loves barn cats and gets along well in any situation. 

She's about 14.3-hands and only 4-years-old. 

For more information on Sophie or any of the other adoptable horses from the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, contact them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 859-881-5849, or go to www.kyehc.org.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM

LEXINGTON, KY – The Headley-Whitney Museum announces Art After Hours at the International Museum of the Horse on March 21, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 pm.  Join students, young professionals and the young at heart as they get an opportunity to explore the unique exhibits presented at the International Museum of the Horse.  During this event, participants will be guided through several exhibits as they get the inside scoop while handling many of the Museum’s objects. The Museum is located inside the Kentucky Horse Park at 4089 Iron Works Parkway Lexington, KY 40511. Cash bar from 6:00- 7:00 pm and catering provided by DaRae & Friends Catering. For more information on the International Museum of the Horse please visit their website at www.imh.org/ or call 859-259-4237.

Lexington, KY, March 5, 2012 - The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) is providing coordination for the U.S. Equine Disaster Relief Fund to support horse owners affected by this past week's tornadoes. KHC has experience responding to equine crises through this fund and the Save Our Horses (SoHo) Fund.
 
"In the past, we have supported many victims of flooding and disasters in other states, and now it is Kentucky which needs this support. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who have been affected by this tragedy. The U.S. Equine Disaster Relief Fund will help Kentucky horse owners with temporary feed and fencing as they work to recover from this disaster," remarked Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council.
 
"We are also in touch with the Indiana Horse Council to determine the extent of the need there," she continued.
 
The Kentucky Horse Council has been contacting officials in those areas most affected by the tornadoes, to assess the impact of the extensive tornado damage on horse owners.
 
"We are relieved that over the weekend, horse organizations such as the Northern Kentucky Horse Network have already relayed important information among horse owners regarding temporary shelter and how to assist those victims who have horses. Buffalo Mounted Patrol has traveled to West Liberty, where the devastation was incredible, to patrol damaged areas until rescue efforts could be fully mobilized," commented Ginny Grulke, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Council.

When any state needs assistance due to a natural disaster, KHC notifies its members and the Kentucky horse community and begins the process of responding to the needs of the affected horses, typically by purchasing feed which the local response agencies then distributes to affected horses. For the tornadoes that hit this past weekend, it is Kentucky who needs the help.
 
Donations to the U.S. Disaster Relief Fund can be made at www.kentuckyhorse.org/disaster-relief/.  
 
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL - The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, scholarships, personal liability insurance, trail riding advocacy, horse show support, and an annual statewide equine industry directory. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.

WHO:  Kentucky Horse Park and several national and regional equine organizations

WHAT:  Private opening of the park’s new interactive Kids Barn which will open to the public the following day

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 14, 2012) The Kentucky Horse Park will open something akin to a school in a barn, to engage school-age children in discovering the wonder of horses. The new attraction is a joint project between the public and private sectors and it will be the first attraction at the park that is dedicated solely to children. The Kids’ Barn will feature interactive exhibits, while the park’s education department staff will host daily hands-on activities with the park’s resident horses.

“Children have a tremendous curiosity and natural affinity for horses, and since one of the most important missions of the Kentucky Horse Park is to raise awareness of - and interest in – horses, our new Kids’ Barn will be a wonderful expression of our dedication to that goal,” said John Nicholson, executive director of the park. “It will expand their knowledge and appreciation of horses and the horse industry in a fun and memorable way, through lots of hands-on interactions and other learning experiences.”

Meet Michael, the adoptable horse of the week from the Kentucky Equine Humane Center (KyEHC).

Michael is an 8-year-old, 16.1-hand Thoroughbred gelding. He is currently in the retraining program at KyEHC where is is going nicely and moves out well under saddle at walk, trot and canter. 

Because he raced extensively, the KyEHC veterinarian has suggested that Michael is sound for flat work or as a trail horse.  The trainer is recommending him for an intermediate rider.

This handsome boy is also very kind, gentle and inquisitive, and stands well for the farrier and grooming.

For more information on Michael or any of the other adoptable horses representing many breeds at the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, contact them at 859-881-5849, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.KyEHC.org.