In the unique times with COVID -19 communicating with horse owners needed to change the delivery method to the new technologies to reach the intended audience. While for some the use of Facebook live and Zoom might not be new adding them into the program for the first time can be daunting.

An opportunity arose to collaborate with an Extension colleague from the University of Minnesota to deliver an extension program that linked a Zoom meeting with Facebook live. Tackling such a collaboration is made easier when your collaborator is willing to try and has had some experience with the various platforms. What made this a unique activity was neither party had linked the two platforms to deliver a program and certainly not with one person in Minnesota and one in Kentucky. 

The program from Kentucky was delivered via Zoom to Minnesota and then shared on Facebook live.  

The collaboration was to provide extension programing on a topic to support the University of Minnesota Equine Extension program during the current restrictions on program delivery with no face to face activities.

The program was to be a 60-minute presentation on horse bits for horse owners. The program was such a success and not all questions were answered so a second session was presented using the same two platforms.

Bits with Dr. Bob, Part 1. Facebook Live broadcast on May 21, 2020 on the University of Minnesota Equine Extension Facebook page. As of June 8, 2020, the total reach was over 7,000, with 22 comments, 41 shares, and over 2,700 views. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1220758058264151

Bits with Dr. Bob, Part 2. Facebook Live broadcast on June 3, 2020 on the University of Minnesota Equine Extension Facebook page. As of June 8, 2020, the total reach was over 4,100 with 9 comments, 10 shares, and over 1,500 views. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=295503504806693

The reach using these communications platforms is quite amazing and does give information to horse owners in a manner and time frame that meets their needs.

Good collaborators make activities such as this fun and educational for all involved while reaching a broad and diverse audience.