AUSTIN — The third annual Texas Race Horse Conference will feature important issues facing today’s professional race horse owner, breeder, trainer and others associated with the racing industry. The one-day conference is Jan. 13, 1996 at the Austin Marriott.
The conference is sponsored by the Texas Equine Research Account Advisory Committee. Part of that committee’s purpose, as mandated by the Texas Legislature, is to organize conferences such as this to present the latest scientific information from horse research.
Topics will include updates on mineral requirements for bone development, musculoskeletal injuries in race horses, management factors associated with colic, factors to consider when selecting broodmares and evaluating the potential of a young stallion. Additionally, managing the racing industry into the year 2000 also will be discussed.
The afternoon will feature concurrent sessions. The first session will concentrate on the broodmare and foal and cover such topics as estrous cycle manipulation in the older mare, caring for mares, foaling and perinatal foal care. Session two will focus on business topics such as tax and farm management, farm business considerations and advertisement.
Speakers are from the equine section of the Department of Animal Science and from the Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. Hall of Fame trainer Jack Vanberg and Ken Carson of Valor Farms in Pilot Point have been invited as keynote speakers.
The conference is dedicated to the late Bob Johnson of Austin. Johnson served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1956 to 1963. From 1964 until 1980, he served as executive director of the Texas Legislative Council and as House parliamentarian. He later founded the legal firm of Johnson and Johnson, and in 1991 was the Senate parliamentarian. He also was an avid supporter of the Texas race horse industry.
Dr. Barry Thompson, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, will give the luncheon address.
There is no fee for the conference, but the luncheon is $15 and is limited to the first 200 people requesting tickets.
Further information on the conference is available from Dr. Doug Householder, Extension horse specialist and conference coordinator, telephone (979) 845-1562.
Several other events are being held in conjunction with the conference:
The Texas Arabian Breeders’ Association annual meeting and banquet are being held at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 12. Further information is available from Ken Capelle, telephone (817) 240-3613.
The Texas Quarter Horse Association reception, awards ceremony and dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 12. Further information is available from the TQHA office at (512) 458-5202.
The Texas Thoroughbred Breeder’s Association will host its lifetime member reception at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 12, and its annual meeting at 4 p.m., and dinner, awards banquet and dance later that evening. Further information is available from JoAnn Weber, (512) 458- 6133.
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