Kentucky Equine Research Shows Scope and Diversity of Work at Equine Science Society Symposium

The scope and diversity of studies conducted at Kentucky Equine Research took center stage at the 2025 Equine Science Society (ESS) Symposium, held June 3-6 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Kentucky Equine Research has participated in every symposium since the company’s inception in the late 1980s.

“The ESS Symposium is first and foremost an outstanding setting to participate in the learning and sharing of new science. The event also serves as a great backdrop to network and catch up with old friends,” said Ashley Fowler, Ph.D., director of research at Kentucky Equine Research.

This year, Joe Pagan, Ph.D., founder and president of Kentucky Equine Research, was chosen as a Fellow of the Equine Science Society, an award that recognizes distinguished service to the horse industry and to the Equine Science Society over an extended period. Fewer than 40 renowned researchers and other individuals have been selected for this honor since the establishment of the award.

The main thrust of the symposium is the exchange of scientific information, especially novel research findings. Pagan gave three presentations during the symposium, all reflecting work done at Kentucky Equine Research:

• Validation of Different Cooling Methods in Exercising Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses Using Percutaneous Thermal-Sensing Microchips
• Using Percutaneous Thermal-Sensing Microchips to Assess the Efficacy of Active Versus Passive Cooling in Exercising Thoroughbred Horses: An Integrative Data Analysis
• Relationships Among the Fatty Acid Profiles of Plasma, Red Blood Cells, and Dried Blood Spots

Fowler presented more findings from the company’s extensive research program:

• Feeding Behavior of Horses Fed Different Feeds with Free Access or Restricted Access to Hay
• Chewing Requirements and Glycemic Response of Fibrous Feedstuffs
• Changes in Chemical and Fatty Acid Composition of Timothy Hay from Field to Bale and During Storage

Ryon Springer, M.S., research coordinator at the Kentucky Equine Research Performance Center in Ocala, Florida, gave three talks on behalf of Kentucky Equine Research:

• Middle Gluteal and Pectoral Muscle Cooling Rates in Thoroughbred Racehorses Undergoing Exercise on a Racetrack and on a High-Speed Treadmill
• Comparison of Cardiovascular Fitness Measures Determined Under Saddle or on a High-Speed Treadmill
• Effects of Two Cooling Modalities on Temperature Recovery of Rectal, Middle Gluteal Muscle, and Pectoral Muscle Temperatures

In addition to these presentations, Springer attended the symposium to present work completed in pursuit of his doctoral degree. He earned top honors in the graduate student oral presentation competition for his work in modeling equine prececal digestible crude protein. Similarly, Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research, gave two presentations linked to her doctoral work.

Kentucky Equine Research continued its longstanding support of ESS by sponsoring the society awards given at the awards banquet.

Over the years, ESS has established itself as one of the preeminent scientific equine organizations, advocating for and advancing the care of equines through extensive contributions in the areas of equine research, teaching, and extension. ESS’s signature event is the symposium hosted every two years. Most symposia are attended by about 350 equine professionals from multiple countries, including close to 100 students, and feature over 200 research abstracts.