Horse Owners Invited to UK Farm Expo on September 16

By Blake Jackson

The University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is welcoming horse owners, producers, and enthusiasts to the 2025 Horses and Horsemen: Farm and Facilities Expo, scheduled for September 16 near Paris, Kentucky. The gathering will take place at Big Creek Livestock, located at 1310 Thatchers Mill Road.

The program will open at 5 p.m. ET with registration and a trade fair, giving attendees the chance to meet vendors and engage with professionals across the equine industry. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by a welcome session and farm overview.

The evening’s agenda includes a series of hands-on demonstrations and educational discussions offering practical insights for equine operations.

“This event will be a great opportunity for horsemen to learn more about farm infrastructure, facility design and forages,” said Linda McClanahan, Mercer County extension agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources. “The Equine Agent Working Group is looking forward to seeing everyone at Big Creek Livestock.”

One of the main topics of focus will be arena footing and maintenance, a critical factor for both horse health and performance.

Robert Coleman, UK equine extension specialist, will present this session, highlighting ways to manage riding surfaces effectively to minimize injuries and maximize performance.

Coleman will also lead a discussion on heavy-use areas and farm infrastructure. These areas such as gates, water sources, and feeding spots often experience heavy wear, creating mud and erosion issues. His presentation will cover strategies to improve these spaces, protect pastures, and enhance animal well-being.

Additional programming includes a pasture walk led by Central Kentucky agriculture and natural resources agents. This activity will help participants identify forages, review weed control strategies and learn general pasture management techniques.

To round out the evening, Mike and Chris Stokley will deliver a horsemanship demonstration, sharing practical skills and handling techniques valuable to horse owners at all experience levels.

The Expo is free to attend, with support from the UK Cooperative Extension Service and UK Ag Equine Programs. Organizers encourage attendees to RSVP through the Bourbon County Extension Office at 859-987-1895.

More details are available at: UK Equine Events.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-patrick-jennings