The topic of the 2012 Southern Piedmont Equine Extravaganza, taking place April 7, is "Putting Science into Practice." The conference, sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council (VFGC), will be held at Virginia Tech’s Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center, located outside of Blackstone. A grant from the Virginia Horse Industry Board is supporting the conference.

Speakers will present information on a variety of topics including grazing systems, nutrition, riding, training, and preventative medicine. Horse health and behavior presentations will include:

• Chris Teutsch, PhD, associate professor and forage specialist at Virginia Tech’s Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center, will discuss grazing systems for small acreage horse owners;
• Marty Adams, PhD, PAS, equine nutritionist and horse feed manager for Southern States Cooperative, will show horse owners how to design a nutritional program;
• Deborah Crane, Cert. ESMT, owner of Equine Sports Therapies in Brooklyn, Conn., will demonstrate equine massage techniques in an outdoor hands-on session;
• Brandy Phelps, DVM, a veterinarian from Jetersville, Va., will discuss emergency and preventative medicine for horses; and
• Scott Purdum of Advantage Horsemanship, based in Union Bridge, Md., will demonstrate practical approaches to behavioral problems.

An advanced pre-registration fee of $10 per adult will help offset the cost of meals and the speakers’ fees. There is no cost for those under the age of 18. Pre-registrations must be postmarked by March 30. Registration on the day of the event will be $15 for adults and $5 for youth. All paid participants over the age of 18 will receive a coupon for a free bag of horse feed, compliments of Southern States Cooperative.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with the actual conference beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Buffalo Creek Pony Club will provide lunch. The conference will conclude at 3 p.m