A Good Life – Well Lived: Equine Industry Summit Set to Inspire and Inform

The Irish Equine Veterinary Association (IEVA), in partnership with Connolly’s RED MILLS, is set to host one of the most comprehensive and thought-provoking events in the equine calendar this year – The Equine Industry Summit: A Good Life – Well Lived. Taking place on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th August 2025, the summit promises two days of high-level discussion, practical workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities, all centred on the theme of equine welfare, performance, and the science behind keeping our horses healthy and happy.

With the striking backdrop of Gowran Park Racecourse and the state-of-the-art Connolly’s RED MILLS facility in Goresbridge, the event is designed to bring together owners, trainers, veterinarians, veterinary nurses, nutritionists, and equine industry professionals. Each day has its own focus: Day One (12th August) is open to everyone involved with or working around horses, from grassroots to elite sport, while Day Two (13th August) is tailored specifically for vets and veterinary nurses.

A Packed and Practical Programme

The schedule is nothing short of impressive, featuring leading experts who will share their knowledge on topics that directly impact equine management, welfare, and performance.

Day One Highlights:

• Tour of Connolly’s RED MILLS: A behind-the-scenes look at how one of Ireland’s most respected equine nutrition brands manufactures its feeds, with insights into quality control and the science of nutrition.
• Racehorse Welfare During Training & Racing with Dr Alina Vale – exploring the latest research and practical approaches to ensure horses thrive both physically and mentally.
• Solving Everyday Feeding Challenges with Sorcha O’Connor – strategies for those “hard-to-manage” horses that challenge even experienced owners.
• Behaviour, Handling, and Training with Dr Orla Doherty – applying equine psychology to improve outcomes, strengthen trust, and enhance performance.
• Feed or Forbidden? with Louise Jones – an essential guide to understanding prohibited substances in equine diets.
• Fuelling the Comeback with Nicole Groyer – nutrition for optimal post-race recovery.
• Managing Racehorses in the Heat with Dr David Marlin – balancing peak performance with welfare in challenging weather conditions.

Day Two Highlights (for vets and vet nurses):

• Interactive RED MILLS Laboratory Workshop with Michael Shields – from raw materials to finished product, understanding sampling, testing, and feed safety.
• Teamwork in Equine Nutrition with Louise Jones – how vets and nutritionists can work together for better outcomes.
• Applying Equine Psychology in Practice with Dr Orla Doherty – tools for behaviour modification and safer handling.
• Racehorse Fatalities – Learning from Tragedy with Dr Alina Vale – evidence-based strategies to reduce risks.
• Managing Racehorses in the Heat (Dr David Marlin) – critical for practitioners advising trainers during hot spells.

The days are rounded off with the perfect combination of learning and leisure – dinner and racing at Gowran Park, featuring the Hurry Harriet Listed Stakes.

Why This Summit Matters

The theme A Good Life – Well Lived is more than a slogan – it’s a call to action for everyone in the equine world to embrace a holistic, evidence-led approach to horse care. This summit is not about abstract theory; it’s about actionable knowledge that attendees can take home and implement immediately, whether in a stable yard, a veterinary practice, or a training facility.

Speakers such as Dr Alina Vale, Dr Orla Doherty, and Dr David Marlin bring international experience and scientific rigour, while the Connolly’s RED MILLS team offers unrivalled expertise in nutrition and feed safety. The blend of academic insight, practical workshops, and peer-to-peer discussion ensures that every delegate will leave better informed, better connected, and better equipped to deliver a “good life” for the horses in their care.

Event Details

📅 Dates: Tuesday 12th & Wednesday 13th August 2025
📍 Venues: Gowran Park Racecourse & Connolly’s RED MILLS, Goresbridge
🌐 More Info & Registration: www.irisheva.ie

Day One welcomes all owners, trainers, breeders, grooms, and anyone with a passion for horses. Day Two is a specialist programme for vets and veterinary nurses, offering CPD-level learning and hands-on sessions.

This is not just another industry event – it’s a meeting of minds, a place to share ideas, and a rare opportunity to engage directly with some of the leading figures in equine science and care. Whether your focus is nutrition, behaviour, welfare, or performance, The Equine Industry Summit: A Good Life – Well Lived is set to deliver content that will shape your approach and inspire your practice for years to come.

Make sure you’re part of it.