Educational programs that strengthen production skills of agriculture operations in Oldham County are a continued priority identified by Oldham County’s Extension and Agriculture Councils.  Equine operations continue to be the top agriculture enterprise in Oldham County with a market value of sales at $6,317,000 according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, ranking 6^th in Kentucky.   Extension continues to reach out to assist horse owners through programs that can improve their productivity.

UK Extension’s Master Horseman is a multiple-session program that can be tailored to the needs of county horse operations.   In November-December 2019, this program was offered to participants in Oldham, Henry, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble Counties.  Our four-session program covered Pasture Management and Grazing Management; Feeding and Nutritional Disorders; Health and Vaccinations; Facility Design and Management; and Basic Equipment Needs.  Program presentations were given by UK Extension Specialists, a local veterinarian, and the Oldham County Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent.

Thirty participants attended one or more sessions of the Master Horseman program.  Participants attending represented boarding operations, training and event operations, recreational horse owners, and 4-H youth participants.  A follow-up evaluation was conducted in June 2020 to measure operation changes and improvements made by participants as a result of knowledge learned in Master Horseman.  Participants’ evaluation responses showed the following impacts:

• 41% of respondents had made changes and improvements to their grazing and pasture management practices.
• 24% of respondents had made changes and improvements to their facilities.
• An additional 10% indicated making changes in their feeding and veterinary practices.

Feedback from participants included the following:

• “My facility was under construction during the Master Horseman course. I did add more paddocks due to what was discussed in class so that rotation is a part of my management plan.”
• “I particularly liked the hay box idea, and building one has saved on wasted hay in the paddock.”
• “My son completed the Master Horseman program, and this was a helpful credential to add to all of his scholarship applications.”

The last session of Master Horseman included a presentation on basic equipment needs.  During class discussion on this topic, we realized that the participants regardless of their background and level of experience are seeking more information on the right equipment for their operations.  As with many conversations at programs like this, topics we often take for granted as something folks know becomes a clear need for good information – as such, topics like basic farm equipment needs will be addressed in future Master Horseman programs.