Vera O’Callaghan from County Cork starts her Equine Internship and joins the Bluegrass Horse Feed team.

Bluegrass Horse Feed are delighted to welcome their newest member Vera O’Callaghan to the team. She brings with her scientific knowledge in equine nutrition and fitness and a wide range of experience from working on racing, eventing and showjumping yards.

Kentucky Equine Research Internship

After completing her honours degree in Equine Management at CAFRE College in 2018, Vera travelled to the states to complete a year internship with Bluegrass Horse Feed balanced partner, Kentucky Equine Research. For the first six months of her internship Vera was based at the research centre in Lexington, Kentucky. Along with general management duties, Vera took part in serval studies including looking at palatability and digestibility, oxidative stress and bone density.

The Kentucky Equine Research 30^th anniversary conference was held in October and the interns got the opportunity to attend, hearing world leaders in equine nutrition speak on a range of topics. Vera spent the last six months of her internship in the new research farm in Ocala, Florida. The farm has a number of racehorses in training and Vera was given the opportunity to work with Dr Valberg and Dr Joe Pagen (founder of Kentucky Equine Research) on several studies.

Equine Nutritional Interests

During her studies at CAFRE College, Vera had a strong interest in nutrition and how hindgut health can impact performance. Her dissertation was based on the microbial population of steaming hay and this has increased her interest into microbiology and mycotoxic impact in horses.

Vera speaking about her new adventure said; “I’m very excited to join this family run business. I’m looking forward to educating horse owners on nutritional management and to bring my knowledge and experience to the team”

Bluegrass Horse feed works hard to provide horse owners with the highest quality ingredients scientifically formulated through their balanced partnership with Kentucky Equine Research. The team of sales representatives and nutritional advisors strive to provide owners with scientifically researched advise. Contact a Bluegrass nutritional advisor for help with diet plans and the Bluegrass product range.

Welcome to the team Vera!