Course News February 22nd – 28th, 2010
First Year Trainees
In Kentucky, the trainees are continuing their practical training rotations in the mornings and foal watch duties at Jonabell and Gainsborough. Afternoon visits this week included Winstar Farm where they saw the stallions and the new training facilities, and the historic Three Chimneys Farm where they discussed the breeding industry with Case Clay and saw the stallions.
Their Equine Nutrition module continues each Tuesday at the University of Kentucky. In other lectures they discussed Maxmising Reproductive Efficiency with Dr. Kristina Lu and the Diagnosis of Lameness with Dr. Larry Bramlage. The group met with Bill Dotson at Jonabell and discussed pasture management and the different types of machinery that are used through the year. They also had a talk with David Switzer, who discussed all aspects of American racing and current issues and explained the role of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association.
At Stonerside and Gainsborough the trainees put on foal shows for the rest of the group on a weekly basis so that changes in foal growth, development and conformational issues can be monitored and discussed.
Second Year Trainees
In Dubai the trainees attended their weekly I.T., Finance, Marketing and Human Resource Management modules at the Emirates Academy and attended racing at Meydan to experience the roles of the ERA stewards. This week in their Human Resource Management class they each presented a pay and wages structure for a hypothetical farm to the rest of the group. They continue to spend their mornings on placement with a number of Dubai trainers.
Guest speaker Dr. Tony Kettle spoke to the group about the International Quarantine Rules associated with horse transport.