NMSU hosts second annual Rio Chama Equine Expo on Aug. 29

NMSU hosts second annual Rio Chama Equine Expo on Aug. 29 DATE: 08/10/2015 WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Donald Martinez, 505-685-4523, donmart@nmsu.edu ABIQUIU – All things horse will be the order of the day at the second annual Rio Chama Equine Expo, Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Rio Arriba Rural Events Center in Abiquiu. New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service in Rio Arriba County is hosting the day’s event, which begins at 9 a.m. “The expo is a great way for people to network and learn better horsemanship skills,” said Donald Martinez, NMSU Rio Arriba County agricultural agent. “Last year we had 50 people participate; this year we are expecting it to double. There’s not a whole lot of these expos around anymore, so a lot of people who board horses in Santa Fe and Taos are coming to join us.” Nutrition and care of the animal will be two tracks of education workshops during the morning. During the first session, Marcy Ward, NMSU Extension livestock specialist, will discuss nutrition, while Jason Turner, NMSU Extension equine specialist, will talk about creating an equine first aid kit. During the second morning session, Mark Marsalis, NMSU Extension forage specialist, will talk about hay selection, while Clint Mortenson will discuss bit selection. Following lunch, where participants will eat and trade during the Tack Swap, Willie Creamer will demonstrate basic horsemanship and problem-solving techniques in the rodeo arena and Erlene Seybold Smythe will conducted a Morgan Horse presentation. During the day, there will be live demonstrations on hoof trimming by farrier Kardy Martinez, worming the horse by Turner, and packing by Eldon Reyear. Vendors will also be present exhibiting their products. The day will conclude with a kids’ dummy-roping contest. “We’re expecting a group of kids from the Dulce rodeo club to attend the expo,” said Martinez. “The roping contest will give the kids something to do and brag about.” For more information about the expo, contact the Rio Arriba County Extension office at 505-685-4523.