IT’S NOT JUST HORSIN’ AROUND
Down on the campus farm, modern science meets up with Maryland’s agrarian roots in a new equine studies program
STORY BY PHOTO BY
Tom Ventsias John T. Consoli
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he fact that a small working farm still exists on the University of Maryland campus shouldn’t seem that unusual. After all, the university was first established in 1856 as the Maryland Agricultural College, and it has a rich history as a land-grant institution dedicated to helping the state’s agricultural interests. Even so, faculty who currently teach at the farm requested a small sign, Campus Farm, be sited in front of a horse barn—mainly to remind visitors and passers-by that within the heart of a bustling research university, there is still a place to stop and smell the hay. Students enrolled in Maryland’s new equine studies program can certainly stop and savor the sweet smell of Timothy hay, orchard grass and bran oats emanating from the campus farm.They will also analyze the nutritional value of the hay and oats while gaining a comprehensive understanding of equine health, anatomy and exercise physiology, says Amy Ordakowski, a lecturer and horse extension specialist who helps lead the new equine program. The equine studies program is part of an effort by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to expand its academic, research and outreach components that directly benefit the state of Maryland’s large and economically important horse industry. “This state has an extremely strong horse industry with a lot of history behind it,” Ordakowski says. “So Erin Petersen (left) and Amy Ordakowski, two new faculty we want to educate [our members with Maryland’s students] to be the future equine studies program, leaders in the horse industry, stand with “Dublin” (far left), a 12-year-old gray Oldenburg and then help them to find gelding, and “Kahlua,” a 6a job in Maryland.” year-old Tovero paint mare.
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The combined enrollment has jumped from an initial cohort of about 30 students in 2002 to almost 200 students enrolled this fall.
The four-year equine curriculum at Maryland culminates with a bachelor’s degree in animal science, with some of the upper-level equine science courses especially well suited for undergraduates planning to continue on to veterinary school. Along the way, students learn about small business bookkeeping and pasture management, and there is even a classroom visit by an attorney who talks about equine law. The level of horse knowledge of students entering the program varies, Ordakowski says.Within a typical class of 30 students, about a third have no knowledge whatsoever of horses, with most others having had some experience with the equine species. And then there are a few, Ordakowski acknowledges, “who may have owned and ridden horses for years, and who think that we won’t be able to teach them anything they already don’t know about horses. But we always prove them wrong.” In addition to the four-year program, the university’s Institute of Applied Agriculture, or IAA, now offers an equine business management certificate.The two-year certificate is geared toward those wanting to learn about the horse boarding business or how to maintain and operate a riding stable. It provides a strong background in business skills as well as hands-on knowledge of working around horses, says Erin Petersen, a lecturer and horse extension specialist who coordinates the new certificate program. “A lot of our students are older adults who are interested in either a second career, or are semi-retired and now want to do something fun that involves horses,” Petersen says. “They have a dream of working with horses and this is one way to get there.” Basic animal science and pasture management courses are required for the IAA certificate, with students also learning practical skills like how to load a horse on a horse trailer, or what to look for—and when to call—a blacksmith or a veterinarian should
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a problem arise. Students Students in the equine studies program gain a thorough understanding of must complete a 320-hour equine nutrition and physiology. internship in some aspect of Outside of the classroom, many also the Maryland horse industry, participate in extracurricular activities like the student-run Equestrian Club. Petersen says, with the range of internships so far being quite varied.They include one student helping to import rare Friesen horses, another assisting with farm operations on a thoroughbred breeding farm, and still another working at an equine arena that promotes three-day riding and dressage events. Both the two-year certificate and four-year degree programs have seen significant increases in students interested in learning all about horses.The combined enrollment has jumped from an initial cohort of about 30 students in 2002 to almost 200 students enrolled this fall.
hands-on learning of how to take an equine pulse or measure their respiration,” she says. “You just can’t get that kind of experience unless you have the animals right here.” Both faculty members spend half their time teaching and the other half serving as statewide equine extension specialists. Much of Ordakowski’s extension work is in providing educational leadership to the state’s large and active 4-H horse program for young adults. Petersen, as a state equine extension specialist, is regularly called upon by county extension educators to speak with farmers or farm managers on topics ranging from general equine nutrition to properly maintaining a horse pasture. “We’ve been here 18 months,” she says, “and the word is just now getting out that we have the kind of [academic and outreach] programs at the university that we do.” Maryland’s horse industry is starting to get the message loud and clear. “This program can be a vital part of the horse industry in this state—we need this, without question,” says Tim Capps, executive vice president with the Maryland Jockey Club, owner of the state’s two major thoroughbred racetracks. In the past, Capps says, Maryland horse owners and breeders would immediately look toward equine research and extension programs in Kentucky or Pennsylvania when seeking expert
advice on breeding, foaling or nutrition. Now, he says, there is an air of expectancy among the Maryland horse community that the equine program at the state’s flagship university will take hold and prosper. “We all want to see it evolve … where we will immediately think of [the University of] Maryland when we need to tap into expert advice or initiate equine research.” Horse owners and breeders are starting to lend their support financially, as well. University equine economist Malcolm Commer says that recent private support includes thoroughbred breeders from Maryland, Kentucky and Pennsylvania who have donated the value of stallion seasons, or stud fees, totaling almost $16,000 toward the equine studies program at Maryland. “It’s going to take money to grow this program,” Commer says. “We are making the industry aware, that if they want this program to flourish, that at least to a certain degree they are going to have to help support it.” TERP For more information on the equine studies program at the University of Maryland, go to www. equinestudies.umd.edu
Equine Studies Is Big Business, Too
recent study by the state’s Department of Agriculture has identified the horse industry as one of Maryland’s top three agricultural interests, the other two being poultry and turf grass/horticulture. An equine census released last December determined that Maryland’s 87,100 horses, along with 206,000 acres of land statewide used primarily for equine purposes—combined with farm equipment and all other horse-related supplies—has a total value in excess of $5.2 billion. Malcolm Commer, an associate professor in the Institute of Applied Agriculture and an extension equine economist, had previously conducted a detailed study that looked primarily at the economic impact of the state’s thoroughbred industry. It was Commer’s earlier assessment in 1992 that first opened some eyes among Maryland horse owners and breeders as well as the state legislature. “The more data we got [in the 1990s], the more it underlined the fact that the horse industry was a major business player in this state,” Commer says. While Commer wasn’t directly involved in gathering data for the 2002 equine census, as a member of the Maryland Horse Industry Board he has looked at all of the figures and has verified them. One figure that the equine census doesn’t show, he explains, is that horses are more environmentally friendly and more compatible with high-density populations than other agricultural interests. “People will pay a premium to live next to a horse farm,” he says, “whereas they will discount living next to most other types of agricultural operations.” —TV
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Reaching Out to Grow
rdakowski and Petersen both arrived at the university in the fall of 2001, recruited specifically for the new program in equine studies. In talking horses with the two young faculty members, one quickly senses they are passionate about what they teach as well as where they teach. “I think horses are a lot of fun, but they are also a lot of responsibility and you have to know what you are doing,” Ordakowski says. “So Erin and I certainly challenge our students academically—we teach them the hard science behind taking care of a horse.” Petersen explains the importance of having the campus farm within walking distance of the classrooms. “Within the first two weeks of class, we are going over [to the barn] and giving students
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The state’s horse industry includes thoroughbred breeding farms (top) as well as racing conducted by the Maryland Jockey Club, founded in 1743, making it the oldest sporting organization in the country.
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PHOTOS BY EDWIN REMSBERG
TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF ELLEN BLACKWELL PONS, COUNTRY LIFE FARM; BOTTOM PHOTO BY LYDIA A. WILLIAMS
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