Meet the Neighbors
This community based event returns to Horse Country for 2023 on Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27! Join us and our members as we welcome you to Visit Horse Country.
EXPERIENCES BY LOCATION FUN FACTS HELP
Explore available tours by searching through all offerings, by your location or if you’re bringing your family, see what horse farm tours best are best suited. Please read the tour descriptions carefully for details about the experience. We look forward to having you safely visit our member locations!
Please limit your booking to one location to ensure we can welcome as many members of the community as possible. Bookings are limited to four guests per household. If you have questions or need help booking your experience, please reach out to the Horse Country team at (859) 963-1004 or [email protected].
Meet the Neighbors Experiences
Follow the links below to find the best experience for you.
By Location
Want to see tours in your backyard? Explore availability based on your location.
The Horse Capital of the World
Some fun facts about Horse Country to inspire your visit.
That’s 1 horse for every 18 people!
Economic impact from Ky’s Equine Industry.
Why Kentucky?
Across Central Kentucky are rolling hills covered in Kentucky’s famed Bluegrass. Underneath that luscious bluegrass is a limestone base which puts several vital ingredients into Kentucky’s soil. Those vital ingredients are are then transferred to horses through they grass they consume every day! (Limestone is also a critical component for Kentucky’s bourbon industry).
The two most important nutrients that come from limestone are calcium and phosphorus. When balanced together they help horses, especially young ones, grow strong bones. The rolling hills of Central Kentucky are an added benefit, as horses run and graze across them, they’re able to develop and maintain strong muscles. The fertile landscape of Kentucky, laden with these key nutrients, make Central Kentucky one of the best places in the world to raise young horses. The majority of the horses in Horse Country are broodmares, or mothers, and their young stock. Of course, there are a variety of other horses in the state, from racehorses to your backyard pony and everything in between. Lexington, Kentucky is known as the Horse Capital of the World.
A Signature Industry
The horse is an iconic symbol of Kentucky, with the Kentucky Derby known around the world as the best two minutes in sports. But what does that mean for the Bluegrass State?
Kentucky’s equine industry has a $6.5 billion annual cumulative direct, indirect and induced economic activity. The equine industry also accounts for a total of 60,494 jobs in Kentucky.
Learn more about the impact of Kentucky’s Equine Industry here.
Lifecycle of a Horse
In Horse Country, our members cover all aspects of the equine industry. From foaling to finish line, and beyond, and you can experience each firsthand. Wanting to be prepared ahead of your visit? Learn more about some of the terminology of a horse’s lifetime below:
FOAL A foal is a young horse, still nursing from its mother, typically 0-6 months of age
COLT A young male horse, this term is used in racing until a horse is 5 years of age or has retired to stud
FILLY A young female horse, this term is used in racing until a horse is 5 years of age or has retired to stud
WEANLING A young horse that has been weaned from its mother, typically 6 months – 1 year
YEARLING A young horse that has turned 1 year old
DID YOU KNOW? All Thoroughbreds officially turn one year old on January 1st. That is to make cataloging the sales and conditioning races easier. For example, when we say the Kentucky Derby is a race for 3-year-olds, the race planners don’t have to check individual birthdays of the entries
HORSE In racing, this is a term used for a male racehorse that is 5-years or older
MARE In racing, this is a term used for a female racehorse that is 5-years or older
STALLION This is a term used for a male horse that is breeding
BROODMARE This is a term used for a female horse that is breeding
OTTB Also know as an Off-the-Track Thoroughbred, an OTTB is a Thoroughbred that has retired from racing that is being retrained for an new equine sport or discipline like jumping, dressage, reining or even just as a companion horse
Still need help?
Here’s a few more resources to help you make the most of Meet the Neighbors.