Educational programs and services that strengthen agriculture production skills are a continued priority identified by Oldham County’s Extension and Agriculture Councils.  Horse production is a vital part of Oldham County and Kentucky agriculture.  The most recent Kentucky Equine Survey was taken in 2012 and revealed the following data:

• Oldham County ranked #4 in Kentucky in Value of Equine Sold at $7.2 million (compared to $23.4 billion for the entire state)
• Oldham County ranked #5 in Kentucky in Equine Operation Income at $11 million (compared to $1.1 billion for the entire state)
• Oldham County ranked #6 in Kentucky in Total Value of Equine and Equine-Related Assets at $163 million (compared to $23.4 billion for the entire state)

Kentucky counties are home to many unique horse operations, covering a multitude of breeds and disciplines. Many operations attract attention because of large indoor arenas, training tracks, jumps in open fields, outdoor arenas, or just a large number of barns and horses. Learning more about these operations is vital to ensure that Extension’s programs and services meet their needs.  Learning more can sometimes be a challenge without local connections to these farms.

As a result of the December 2018 Equine Extension Summit and recommendations of the UK Equine Working Group, an initiative has begun to make these local connections.  Oldham County Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent Traci Missun and Extension Horse Specialist Bob Coleman planned visits of horse operations in Oldham County in spring 2019 to learn more about their operations, meet the people involved, and understand their needs.  

Too often, Extension agents and specialists are called to a farm or operation to help address a problem.  While that is an important part of service to horse operations, a better understanding of their daily management needs and challenges will help Extension be more proactive in serving horse operations.  

Visits to Oldham County equine operations resulted in significant connections being made and follow-up visits with several operations to provide technical advice on indoor and outdoor facility development, plus renovations for a breeding farm facility to aid in best management practices.  In addition, contact was made with a local business that could become an education partner in future Extension programs. 

Learning about what is in the county and what needs horse owners might have will go a long way to serve horse owners across the Commonwealth.  Establishing on-the ground connections in Oldham and other counties across Kentucky will continue in 2019-2020 to shape Extension’s outreach to the equine industry.