The Kentucky Horse Council is no stranger to educating new horse owners. In 2009 they released a DVD, HorseSmarts: Essential Advice for Today's Horse Owner. The 60-minute video, which was shown on KET last summer and fall, includes information on the top 10 things new horse owners should know. The DVD is available for purchase through tack and feed stores and online.

"First-time horse owners are often at a disadvantage as there are very few organized hands-on programs for adults to learn about horses and horsemanship skills," said KHC Board President Madelyn Millard. "There is so much information available online that it can be difficult for people to sift through and find qualified, reliable information."

Online KHC resources for new horse owners include information on tack, equine anatomy, horse safety, horse terminology, links to educational videos and publications, and more. The equine article database features many educational topics, including hot and cold weather horse care, good barn keeping, supplementation, working with experts, and preventative care.

During the 2010 World Equestrian Games, KHC is sponsoring an offsite series of seminars for new horse owners conducted by clinician Julie Goodnight, international spokesperson for the Certified Horsemanship Association. Held as part of the International Equestrian Festival Sept. 25-Oct. 10, 2010, at the Lexington Convention Center, the seminars will focus on safety, horse selection, behavior, conformation, and other topics appropriate for beginning and novice equestrians