Rutgers is all about horses in the spring

Equine enthusiasts can trot off to Rutgers University for "Horses 2007" beginning next month.

The educational conference is designed to appeal to all types of horse enthusiasts and professionals, regardless of their level of expertise or the particular breed of horse or equine pursuit they enjoy.

The program is scheduled for March 31 and April 1 at the Cook Campus Cen-ter on Rutgers University's Cook College campus in New Brunswick.

The Saturday presentations will tend to focus on newcomers to horsemanship or ownership, but might also appeal to instructors, parents, and anyone who is interested in basic science or who works regularly with new horse owners.

On Sunday, the more experienced and/or professional horse community, including equine veterinarians, will benefit from the topics.

The program is open to everyone and will allow veterinarians and veterinary technicians to earn continuing education (CE) credits on both days.

The American Association of Veteri-nary State Boards (AAVSB) has approved up to 14 CE credits for veterinarians and veterinary technicians attending the educational conference. Saturday's session (9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) provides 7.5 CE units. Sunday's presentations (9:50 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) offer up to 6.5 units.

Veterinarians and technicians seeking CE credits will be required to complete an evaluation form in order to receive their CE certificate of attendance.

Dr. Patty Hogan, a surgeon with the New Jersey Equine Clinic, Millstone Township, and Dr. Sue McDonnell, an equine behaviorist at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, will be the keynote speakers at "Horses 2007."

Hogan first came to the nation's attention when a horse she saved, Smarty Jones, went on to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.

McDonnell maintains a herd of ponies specifically for the study of their physiology and behavior under seminatural conditions. The topics she will discuss are "Why Does My Horse Do That?: Elements of Basic Horse Behavior" and "Current Research on Horse Behavior."

Additional speakers include Dr. Rick Doran, staff surgeon at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, Ringoes; Dr. Brendan Furlong of B.W. Furlong and Associates Equine Veterinarians, Old-wick, as well as in Wellington and Ocala, Fla.; Dr. Scott Palmer, hospital director and staff surgeon with the New Jersey Equine Clinic, Millstone Township; and Dr. Karyn Malinowski, director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center.

In addition to the main conference, a two-day Farm and Land Management Short Course will be conducted for farm owners and managers. The course will address current regulatory issues, water quality, pasture and nutrient waste management and weed identification, among other similar topics. Enrollment in the short course is limited to 80 persons.

Visit www.esc.rutgers.edu/Horses2007 or call (732)932-9419.