Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Equine
Saddle fitting sessions and measurement gauges are a costly part to owning a horse but properly fitting tack is extremely important for horse health and rider safety. Improper fitting saddles and tack can cause severe pain and discomfort to horses and result in accidents and injuries to riders. Most riders and horse owners do not have their horses or tack measured due to the high cost and inconvenience since tack stores do not have “fitting rooms” for horses. In response to thi
Author: Fernanda Camargo
Major Program: Equine
I took a sabbatical in The Fall of 2019. I used this time to develop a STEM lesson plan to teach math to 4th grade students, using the horse as a model. The goals were 1/ to introduce horses to a group of kids that might otherwise not have a chance to learn about them, 2/ to spread a message of good will regarding agriculture in general, 3/ to exalt Kentucky’s flagship industry, and 4/ to recruit youth to join the 4-H Horse Program or other 4-H Programs in Kentucky. In July and Augus
Author: Fernanda Camargo
Major Program: Equine
For the fourth year in a row, I have been helping the Amish Community in Hardin County, alongside with Bonnie Jolly, to maintain their horses in good working condition. We first taught the importance of strong vaccination and biosecurity programs in 2017, and since then, any issues they have regarding their horses’ health (including nutrition, vaccination programs, pregnancies, etc), they contact Bonnie, who then contacts me, and together we develop a plan of action. It has been amazing to
Author: Fernanda Camargo
Major Program: Equine
The Equine Mini Series was offered at the state level led by 4-H agents Mary Jane Little and Deana Reed and Extension Equine Specialist Dr. Fernanda Camargo. The program boasted educational topics ranging from farrier demos and diseases to forage and pasture health. Specialists in these fields presented over the span of two weeks, with 120 youth & certified volunteers registered. The audience enhanced their knowledge and engaged with presenters throughout the duration of the series. This sho
Author: Fernanda Camargo
Major Program: Equine
This tour of Central Kentucky Horse Industry was an event organized by me, Madison Scott (a former student of our Equine Science and Management Program), Jason Litt (Solis/Litt Bloodstock), and Price Bell (Mill Ridge Farm). We offered a tour of the most iconic horse farms of Central Kentucky to 40 4-H'ers and their families. The idea was to have the kids understand the life of a racehorse, from foal through yearling, racing career, and to becoming a broodmare or stallion, including both Trip
Author: Fernanda Camargo
Major Program: Equine
I feel that important players in the horse industry are starting to realize that it will not survive if we don't recruit new owners and enthusiasts. Being that the most clearly defined audience to be recruited is youth, I have been working with some professionals in the thoroughbred horse industry to expose the 4-H kids to their side of the industry. I organized a tour of Claiborne Farm as part of the Horse Track for Teen Conference (4-H leadership program that brings kids to campus).
Author: Fernanda Camargo
Major Program: Equine
The Fifth Tex Cauthen Farrier / Veterinarian / Researcher Seminar: Protecting the horse, the hoof, and the sesamoids: ongoing research. This year’s symposium was held on Jan. 24, 2021, via zoom from the Gluck Equine Research Center. The focus of this year’s seminar was the Horse, the Hoof and the Sesamoids. There were over 150 veterinarians, farriers, researchers, and horse owners from all over the world. The presentations included an overview of safety measurements, motion sens
Author: Karin Pekarchik
Major Program: Equine
With turf racing events steadily gaining in popularity on the racing calendar in the United States, the newly launched Racecourse Manager Certification Program: Turfgrass as an Equine Sports Surface focused on turf cultivation, conditions, and impacts. The continuing education program stems from the combined efforts of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory. Launched in June with t
Author: Karin Pekarchik
Major Program: Equine
In 2018, Karin Pekarchik, MS, senior extension associate for distance learning, and Kimberly Tumlin, PhD, MS, MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and the Equestrian Athlete Initiative director for research for the Sports Medicine Research Institute, cofounded the University of Kentucky Female Health and Wellness Community of Practice (CoP) to focus on equestrian health, inviting international researchers, instructors and practitioners in fields re
Author: Mary Jane Little
Major Program: Equine
A 4-H hippology contest allows 4-H members to demonstrate their knowledge related to equine science and horse husbandry. The contest includes the individual components of examination, stations, and judging, along with a team problem-solving component. Topic areas addressed at the contest are anatomy, breeds, equipment, management, nutrition, reproduction, and visual judging/selection. Comparable to life skills discussed in 4-H literature, 21st century skills are a wide set of skills, knowledge,
Author: Morgan Hayes
Major Program: Equine
In collaboration with Dr. Coleman of Animal Science, a series of three equine arena footing publications were launched. The publications cover footing materials and their characteristics, a guide for the equipment used to manage the footing, and descriptions of the watering and dragging used to maintain the footing. For many horse owners and facility managers footing represents a significant challenge and these publications provide a framework for better management and decision makin
