Author: Corinne Belton
Planning Unit: Shelby County CES
Major Program: Equine
Plan of Work: Livestock Production & Profitability
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Educational programs that strengthen production skills of agriculture operations in Shelby County are a continued priority identified by Shelby County’s Extension and Agriculture Councils. Equine operations had a market value of sales at $3.7 million according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture. 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.
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:
Feedback from participants included the following:
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.
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