The Middleburg Agricultural Research & Extension (MARE) Center and the National Sporting Library & Museum recently partnered to present "Spotlight on Stewardship: An Equine Land Management Symposium" that focused on the health of horses and the health of the land.

These two equine farming essentials are inextricably connected and, despite a downward trend in the overall number of farms in the Old Dominion, the number of horse farms is greater now than it was two decades ago. As the costs of feed, land, and infrastructure rise, horse owners need innovative, cost-effective solutions to maximize the well-being of their horses and preserve their land.

The symposium that took place on-site at both the MARE Center and the NSLM combined cutting-edge science with hands-on learning experiences and the inimitable richness of Middleburg's equestrian culture.

"Sharing the latest science-based information to improve equine and environmental health is at the heart of the MARE Center's mission and we are excited to serve as an educational resource for our community through events like the symposium.," explained Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, the Equine Extension Specialist at the MARE Center, who spearheaded the event.

"The MARE Center and the National Sporting Library were a natural fit for this new partnership," she continued.

The symposium covered a host of topics centered on equine and environmental health. Fittingly, all lecturers were MARE Center alumni.

Dr. Carey Williams of Rutgers University opened the event at National Sporting with a lecture addressing the basics of equine pasture management, from grass physiology to the basics of equine nutrition. A talk regarding best management practices for small acreage horse farms followed, presented by Dr. Amy Burk of the University of Maryland. Dr. Burk discussed grazing and land management strategies that maximize pasture productivity while minimizing negative environmental impacts.

Participants then enjoyed a tour of the National Sporting Library's collections, guided by John Connolly, the library's George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Librarian.

"I was excited to learn that the library's collections are used all the time to inform modern equine research and give us a perspective on the horse industry through the ages. It's a dynamic and completely singular resource all horse enthusiasts should explore," said Shayan Ghajar, Equine Extension Program Coordinator at the MARE Center and an organizer for the event.

After a lunch from Upper Crust sponsored by Farm Credit of the Virginias, participants took a hayride to the MARE Center for hands-on workshops.

Mild weather favored the day, and participants learned about soil health, water quality, grazing management, and pasture plant identification in hands-on workshops led by agriculture and natural resources professionals from Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Spending a summer afternoon in a pasture is thirsty work, so in true wined-and-equined Hunt Country fashion, many participants and speakers embraced the evening cool with a group tasting at Boxwood Winery across the street from the MARE Center.

Participants who worked up an appetite and ended the day at NSLM's Open Late where it was Virginia Tech Alumni Night and they treated to barbecue and the sounds of the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra as the day faded.

Dr. Kathleen Crandell of Kentucky Equine Research, a John H. Daniels Fellow at NSLM, began the second day with a fascinating look at historical perspectives of pasture management and equine nutrition practices. Excerpts from books in the Sporting Library & Museum's collections highlighted many practices that have changed little over the centuries, and still more that have changed a great deal.

Pennsylvania State University's Dr. Burt Staniar gave a lecture discussing nutritional management for breeding farms, with special attention on how pasture quality influences foal growth and health. Fittingly, the final lecture, presented by Performance Horse Nutrition's Dr. Tania Cubitt, addressed nutritional needs beyond the pasture. Dr. Cubitt provided participants with the basics of evaluating their horse's diet and nutritional requirements and concluded with the latest trends in equine nutrition research, including the use of low starch ration balancers for forages.

Platinum sponsor BUCKEYE Nutrition generously provided complimentary bags of their balancer product, "Gro 'n Win" to all participants.

Sadly, the weather refused to cooperate for the afternoon's workshops, as weather is wont to do in all things event or farm-related. A tremendous deluge began soon after participants arrived at the MARE Center for the second round of hands-on workshops.

Fortunately, the hayride, sponsored by Thomas & Talbot Real Estate, had an awning that kept the worst of the rain off attendees, earning its new sobriquet, "the Ark." Though conditions were uncomfortable for outdoors learning, the torrential downpour provided an excellent setting for the workshops, which centered on erosion control, manure storage, and facilities management for high-use areas on small acreages.

The symposium concluded with a tour of the National Sporting Library & Museum's galleries, led by Executive Director Melanie Mathewes. Most of the symposium's attendees were already members of the NSLM, but many of the remainder signed up on the spot, captivated by the breadth and beauty of the Museum's collection.

"At the National Sporting Library and Museum, we understand the importance of merging equestrian culture with scientific innovation. This symposium with the MARE Center is one great example," said Melanie Mathewes, NSLM executive director. "There is an increasing amount of change occurring within the equestrian landscape. These changes only add to the importance of our mission, which is to preserve, promote and share the culture of field sports, angling and equestrian pursuits."

A planned trip to Twilight Polo at Great Meadow that evening had to be rescheduled due to the rain, but that did nothing to dampen participants' spirits:

"I would deem every speaker, topic, and all materials absolutely first rate!" one participant concluded.

"It was fabulous! Presenters were great and there were loads of information that I can put to practical use straight away," said another.

Due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback, the MARE Center and the National Sporting Library & Museum are confident the Spotlight on Stewardship symposium will become an annual event.