Scott County is ranked 6th in nation and 4th in the Kentucky for horse inventory. Many Scott County horse owners want more pertinent educational programming that they can implement on their operation. They seek better access to education while still being able to accomplish their daily tasks. During the spring time many horse owners look for an opportunity to refresh their education or to learn more about spring feed and pasture management. To help educate and combat these issues the Equine Wellness Workshop was created. 

The Equine Wellness Workshop was a collaboration between the Scott County Extension Office, Hymer Feed Company, Blue Bonnet Feeds, and Nutrena. Theses industry professionals worked together to bring horse owners a full day of collaborative programming. This includes talks on Understanding a feed label, supplement for hind gut health, pasture management, and hay selection. It also included interactive activities like hay and feed stuff identification. Participants also had the opportunity to mingle with peers and the industry professional at their booths before, during, and after the program. A total of 43 participants attended. These participants included individuals who work on horse farms, large horse farm owners, and small horse farm owners. After the completion of the program participants took a survey to gage impact. 

• 65% of participants intend on feeding their horses differently because of this program. 
• 70% of participants plan on changing soil sampling of fertilizer habits due to the information provided in this program. 
• 60% of participants intend to buy, grow, and/or harvest hay differently due to the information provide from this program. 
• 94.7% of participants agreed that the information provided in this program will help them increase the productivity, quality, or profitability of their horse operation.

Individuals also made the following comments regarding the Equine Wellness Workshop:

• I will look into the Extension Office more closely. 
• I am going to look deeper into what I am feeding my metabolic horses. 
• I will pay closer attention to the RFV of the hay that I purchase. 
• I will fertilize better based on a soil test. 

Overall this program provided a good basis on spring feeding for horses, pasture management, and hay selection.