Land and Table Goes To Equine Education Day | Aug. 9

Join us for BEA’s Equine Education Day this Saturday, August 9th[/caption] Land and Table Goes To the BEA’s: Equine Education Day (starts at 10:00 am) In place of our monthly Land and Table potluck we are encouraging everyone to head out to the Bedford Equine Association‘s Equine Education Day at the Sedalia Center this Saturday, August 9th (gate opens at 10am). You will need to pay $5 per person (children 12 and under are free) but this is a great way to support BEA (Bedford Equine Association) and a great way to enjoy an incredible line up of horse demonstrations, horse professionals, activities and meet folks in the area who are passionate about horses. From the BEA:

“The BEA is hosting an equine education day to provide hands on education to everyone interested in learning more about horses. Join us for a fun filled day with beautiful animals and lots of great information. We plan to have guest speakers and a clinic type environment with a lot of opportunity for up close and personal contact with horse professionals and the animals. Please share this event with anyone you feel might be interested in getting some valuable hands on experience with horses.”

Horses have played an integral role in human society and farming throughout history and they are no less significant today. Even though the Industrial Revolution and the invention of the car diminished our dependence on horses – we continue to recognize their importance for agrarian living, sustainable farming, ranching, sports, urban law enforcement, and recreation. And who knows…maybe someday we’ll all be trading in our machines for horses once again! Back at our December Land and Table gathering we featured the wisdom and insights of Marshall Cofer of Triple ‘F’ Farm. He is Bedford County’s premiere teamster and horsemaster. We look forward to seeing Marshal and his beautiful team of Percherons this Saturday as well as these other great featured horsefolk:

• Jason Rutledge of ‘Environmentally Sensitive Logging and Logging Co.’ and Ridgewind Suffolk Farm with his team of Suffolk Punch horses (featured on PBS and cable on A & E (Documentary “In the Company of Horses”), RFD-TV (Rural Heritage TV) and History Channel’s Ax Men & in Mother Earth News magazine (1987)
• Eric Hilgartner, a local farrier and owner, along with his wife Heather, of Windover Equine Services. He has experience with navicular and laminitis and will be on hand to discuss hoof care and answer questions.
• Mark and Deb Burke from Amethyst Acres Equine Center will be joining us for the day. Mark and Deb run a full service all breed reproduction facility in Buchanan, VA.
• Dr. Martha Moses will be on hand to provide a demonstration in Equine Chiropractic care.
• Clint Goodwin is the author of, “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory, US Civil War Horse Perspective: 1861-1865”, a novel that chronicles the story of Civil War battles through the eyes of a black stallion. Clint will join us for the day to do a book signing and reading from his book.
• And much more!

A big thanks to the BEA for hosting such an awesome event! If you have any questions about the Equine Education Day please contact Shelby Stewart (her phone number is here). Remember: cost is $5 per person (children 12 and under are free). If you use Facebook – the BEA event page is here – the Land and Table event page is here. And If You’re Not Worn Out: Land and Table Hang Out at The Village Farm (at 5:00 pm) After you’ve enjoyed the Equine Education Day, if you’re not too worn out and the kids aren’t having a meltdown – head on over to The Village Farm (which is right around the corner from the Sedalia Center) for an informal Land and Table hangout. Bring a picnic dinner for yourself and your family (this will NOT be a potluck), some lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and enjoy the scenic mountain beauty of The Village Farm (historically known as the village of Curtis – and the former residence of Doc and Annis McCabe). If it’s not too hot we may even have a fire in the fire pit and if you’re up for playing in the creek bring a change of clothes for the kids! Please let us know if you plan to attend this informal hang out by RSVPing ]]>