After more than 30 years, Steve Caddel, Technical Services Team Member of Hallway Feeds, announced his retirement from the leading equine feed manufacturer in April 2022. Caddel has been a key part of many. initiative to improve the health and performance of horses fed Hallway Feeds.
Growing up in Uvalde, Texas, Caddel immersed himself in the farming lifestyle of his grandparents and parents. After two years in the Army, Caddel completed his bachelor’s degree at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas with the goal of relocating to Bluegrass State.
“I’ve been around Thoroughbreds and I knew I wanted to go to Kentucky to study more,” says Caddel. “I want to learn how to breed Thoroughbreds for racing.”
In 1989, Caddel and his wife Linda moved to Kentucky – she later opened an equine center providing services to show horses. Caddel began working for Hallway Feeds in technical services and sales in April 1991. During his time at Hallway Feeds, Caddel quickly became an invaluable part of the Thoroughbred, scientifically balanced community. study with practical knowledge of horses to give useful advice on food selection. He also collects important data from real-life experiences.
“I was out on the farm and saw the horses,” Caddel said. “When we try something new, I can see if it works. That allows me to bring useful information to the audience. [Hallway Feeds]. It’s not anything planned, that’s just the way it developed. “
Chris Baker, chief executive officer of Three Chimney Farms, has worked with Caddel for nearly 30 years. He said that Caddel’s expertise extends beyond his role as “Feed Man”.
“Clearly mastery of the role nutrition plays in our quest to breed and develop fast horses, Steve’s broader understanding of horse management, handling and many other challenges horsemen face face makes him a unique resource,” Baker said.
Hallway Feeds vice president Lee C. Hall has worked with Caddel since the early days and says his tireless work has made him an icon in the purebred industry.
“Having weighed, measured and in more physical condition than any other individual worldwide, Steve has led Hallway Feeds in collecting the largest set of growth data for the breed,” said Hall. this dog in the world.
Caddel is part of many revolutionary initiatives by Hallway Feeds, from incorporating body condition score data into growth management, to a growth study with Kentucky Equine Research, the results From collecting data on the weight and height of thousands of fed horses, to the advent of using information gathered from radiographs to identify general problems. During his time with Hallway Feeds, Caddel knew his vision of helping horses reach their greatest potential was a worthy goal.
“My philosophy has always been, to have a special group of horses right at the top, that will succeed no matter what part the humans play in it, no matter what the humans do,” says Caddel. “But then there’s a group right below them, that whether they succeed or not, depends on their human interactions. The way they feed, the way they care, the way your employees interact with them. . We’ve always been trying to figure out how to make sure that team continues and succeeds.”
The General Manager of the Hermitage Ranch, Bill Landes, says that Caddel is one of the finest men he has ever met and his worth is visible.
“What bleeds in Steve Caddel is his love for Linda and pride in his daughters, Katey and Jessie; his loyalty to the Pagan team (Dr. Joe Pagan of the Kentucky Equine) Research) and Hallway; his professionalism, interest in research, and general dedication to the horse; and his advice and willingness at all times to get there,” said Landes.
Polly Bonnor, Director of Purebred Nutrition at Saracen Horse Feeds, UK, considers Caddel “a trusted friend and respected colleague for over 20 years.”
“Steve remains very humble about the many achievements of his long and varied career, but I hope he can look back and feel a real sense of accomplishment and the silent satisfaction of knowing him.” How he has made a difference to the thousands of horses he has worked on.
Although Caddel’s time with Hallway Feeds is nearing completion, he said an upcoming panel in partnership with the feed company and Dr. Joe Pagan of Kentucky Equine Research (KER) will discuss the results. of multi-year growth data compared to his health record, sales results and competition performance will be the highlight of his career.
“I think it’s going to be the culmination of everything we’re trying to do here,” Caddel said. “It’s not the answer, but it should be the first step.”
Pagan says Caddel is the driving force behind Hallway’s Purebred growth tracking service, and using KER’s Gro-Trac growth tracking software, “the service has produced the most comprehensive growth database ever,” says Pagan. In the world.”
“Congratulations to Steve for your tremendous contribution to the Thoroughbred industry understanding of the relationship between growth and performance,” said Pagan.
Industry News – To support purebred industry organizations, BloodHorse publishes industry-related newsletters. Unedited releases by BloodHorse. If you have any questions please contact the organization that produced the newsletter as directed in the newsletter.
