THE Irish Equine Veterinary Association in partnership with Connolly’s Red Mills will stage an equine industry summit at Gowran Park in Co Kilkenny on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 12th and 13th.

Entitled ‘A Good Life Well Lived’, the event has a key objective of bringing Ireland’s equine industry stakeholders together to discuss the best ways to ensure all equines have the best possible care on and off the racecourse.

Both days will commence with a mid-morning visit to Connolly’s Red Mills, followed by a series of talks and discussion sessions at Gowran Park Racecourse for the afternoon.

Day one is open to all and day two is devoted to equine vets.

To register and to purchase tickets for either day visit irisheva.ie

Tuesday, August 12th

This day is open to all involved with and/or working with equines, including trainers, owners, breeders, stable staff, stud staff, pre-trainers, point to point handlers and transporters, as well as industry product and service providers.

11am-1pm: A guided tour of Connolly’s Red Mills. This a unique opportunity for all those involved in the Irish bloodstock industry to visit all areas of its world- renowned manufacturing facilities at Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny, R95 EKH4

1.30pm: Lunch to follow at Gowran Park followed by a series of presentations and talks for the afternoon. Complete programme details will be published shortly on irisheva.ie

2.30pm: Racehorse welfare during training & racing, by Dr Alina Vale

3.15pm: Solving everyday feeding challenges - nutrition tips for the hard-to-manage horse by Sorcha O’Connor

4pm: Behaviour, handling, training - tips to improve outcomes by Dr Orla Doherty

4.45pm: Coffee break

5pm: Feed or forbidden? Understanding prohibited substances in equine diets, by Louise Jones

5.30pm: Fuelling the comeback: Practical nutrition for optimal post-race recovery, by Nicole Groyer

6pm: Equine welfare - the other 23hrs, by Dr Alina Vale

6.45pm: Managing racehorses in the heat - optimising performance and welfare, by Dr David Marlin

Followed by light refreshments to take away

Wednesday, August 13th

This day is dedicated to equine veterinary practitioners. A series of topics will be discussed which will cover the key veterinary aspects of equine behaviour and best practice. CPD credits will be awarded. The day will conclude with an evening of racing and supper. This day commences with a morning site visit to Connolly’s Red Mills.

9am-12pm: A guided tour of Connolly’s Red Mills, taking in a series of practical workshops. This is an opportunity to visit all areas of its world-renowned manufacturing facilities at Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny.

Workshop 1: The role of the laboratory in feed manufacturing. Understanding sampling, testing and food safety

Workshop 2: From field to factory to feed pots. Understanding raw materials, additives and processing techniques and nutrition as a tool

12pm: Lunch at Gowran Park followed by a series of presentations and talks for the afternoon

2pm: Teamwork in equine nutrition. How vets and nutritionists can work together, by Louise Jones, BSc, MSc R. Nutr.

2.30pm: Applying equine psychology to improving behaviour, handling & training, by Orla Doherty

3.15pm:Fractures on the racetrack – risk factors & improving outcomes, by Alina Vale

4.15pmManaging racehorses in the heat: Optimising performance and welfare, by Dr David Marlin

5pm: An evening of racing including dinner

Complete programme and CPD credit details will be published shortly on irisheva.ie

DR ORLA DOHERTY: An Associate Lecturer at UCD lecturing on animal behaviour. Orla lectures on animal behaviour, problem behaviour resolution, learning theory, behaviour modification techniques, animal welfare (dogs, horses) to veterinary students, veterinary nursing students.

NICOLE GROYER: A nutritional expert at Connolly’s Red Mills as well as an equine technical sales specialist in the Irish market. Since joining she has been a key member providing technical support across Ireland, Europe, and the Middle East.

LOUISE JONES: A nutritional expert at Connolly’s Red Mills and Head of Equine in the UK. She is also one of only a handful of registered equine nutritionists in the UK. Louise has an extensive understanding of stud, clinical and performance horse nutrition, and has worked with trainers and breeders in the UK, continental Europe, and the Middle East.

DR DAVID MARLIN: The owner of Animal Web Ltd, he is a physiologist and biochemist who has worked in academia, research and professional sport. He has worked in the equestrian and veterinary world and in human sport, healthcare, medicine and exercise science.

SORCHA O’CONNOR is a nutritional expert at Connolly’s Red Mills and is an equine international technical sales executive in the market covering Europe and the Middle East. Sorcha always had a passion for nutrition and research. She undertook her MSc in Regulatory Affairs in 2022 and wrote her master’s thesis on the highly topical area of antimicrobial resistance in veterinary practice.

MIKE SHIELDS is a nutritional expert at Connolly’s Red Mills in his capacity as chief technical officer. Mike is part of the senior management team at Connolly’s Red Mills and Foran Healthcare, with over 35 years of experience in the global feed industry.

DR ALINA VALE is the official veterinarian with the California Horse Racing Board and is a consultant with Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Alina’s current research and clinical interests includes racehorse safety and welfare, as well as the public perception of how we use horses for sport and entertainment.

Sept 17th: “Equine Is For Everyone” at Horse & Jockey, Tipperary, Sponsored by IDEXX

Oct 24th: Equine Behaviour Workship at Grennan Equestrian College, Kilkenny

Nov 6th-8th: IEVA Conference 2025 at Lyrath Estate, Co Kilkenny

Jan 28th-29th: Irish Equine Reproduction Symposium at Tinakilly Country House, Co Wicklow in association with ISER.