Equine Plan of Work

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Boyd County CES

Title:
Equine
MAP:
Livestock and Equine Issues
Agents Involved:
Harned
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Equine
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Animal Disease
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Small Farm Management
Situation:

Horses are still increasing in number and popularity in the county and the area. It would not be surprising if the number of horse owners is equal to, or above, the number of cattle owners. The majority are for pleasure riding, but there are also a fair number of show horses owned and trained in the county. Of the pleasure horses, it is a mix but many, if not most, are used for trail riding, or plan to be used for that. New and first time owners are growing and the need is there for educational on animal care and horsemanship in general. And there are always new things occurring that even seasoned horse owners need to learn.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Overall, more animals will be vaccinated, properly shod, be fed the proper rations for their usage, and have improved parasite control. The owners/riders will also have implemented safer handling and riding actions for themselves as well as their horses.

Intermediate Outcomes:

The equine owners and riders will implement the gained knowledge and begin to put into practice. This will lead to more animal friendly living conditions, as well as improved nutrition and health care. It will also lead to safer riding and handling for the owners themselves.

Initial Outcomes:

Equine owners will gain the knowledge that will allow them to improve the care for their animals and the environment their animals live and recreate in. These will include housing, health, and general maintenance of the animals, and basic horsemanship knowledge for the riders themselves.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Horsemen and women will attend programs aimed at giving them the skills and knowledge to properly and safely care for and interact with the animals

Indicator: Increased knowlwdge of how to care for and ride their animals

Method: Written evaluations after programs, in person follow-ups

Timeline: 2021-2024


Intermediate Outcome: Horse owners and riders will be implementing the knowledge they gained from attending the programs offered

Indicator: Implementation of the knowledge they learned at the programs

Method: Personal communication and farm visits, possible written follow-up surveys

Timeline: 2021-2024


Long-term Outcome: Many of the skills and knowledge gained will become part of their everyday care for their animals and their use of learned skills when riding.

Indicator: Observed conditions of the animals and their environment, and the way the people ride the animals

Method: Personal communication and farm visits, possible written follow-up surveys

Timeline: 2021-2024 and beyond

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Equine Owners, County Saddle Club members

Project or Activity: Monthly meeting with educational programming offered

Content or Curriculum: Various, depends on requests and needs

Inputs: Agents, specialists, facilities

Date: Monthly, continuously


Audience: Equine Owners, horse enthusiasts

Project or Activity: Horse College, Advanced Horse College

Content or Curriculum: Horse College, Advanced Horse College

Inputs: Agents, specialists, industry experts, facilities

Date: 2021 and as needed after


Audience: New or inexperienced trail riders

Project or Activity: Offer trail riding training

Content or Curriculum: To be developed with local Saddle Club, 4-H horse club and UK Equine Extension specialist

Inputs: Facilities, volunteers

Date: 2021-2024


Audience:

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:

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Audience:

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum:

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