Strengthening Extension’s Outreach and Impact for Horse Owners

Henry County isn't known as an equine county, but horses are only second to cattle in regard to numbers according to the 2017 US Agricultural Census. Horse bring in over $300,000 in income, but most horse farms in Henry County are for recreational purposes. With this knowledge, the Henry County Extension Office wanted provide the most up to date information for equine owners in the area. 

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.  

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 results 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 the course of class discussion on this topic, we realized that horse owner participants of all types are seeking more information on the right equipment for their operations.  This revealed that a topic we took for granted as a known is a clear need for horse owners – equipment needs will be addressed in future Master Horseman programs.