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Research Update: Perceived Value Of Equine Internships

Internships can contribute to student learning by providing hands-on experience, skill building, and opportunities to network with professionals. However, little research has focused on the value of internships for students seeking equine degrees. Researchers at Middle Tennessee State University evaluated student perceptions of equine internships and factors that affected the perceived value of internships.

The researchers developed a survey that consisted of 35 questions regarding the type of internship completed, prior experience, and skill development. The survey was available online from December 15, 2020, to February 4, 2021. Of responses, 186 were used for analysis.

The majority of respondents (53 percent) completed an equine internship to fulfill their undergraduate degree requirements. Internships focused on breeding (28 percent) and western training and performance (18 percent) were most common. Eighty-seven percent of respondents worked with horses daily during their internship. Most respondents (92 percent) learned new skills related to horses, which positively correlated to the perceived value of the internship. Other skills gained by respondents included soft skills (83 percent), customer relations (63 percent), business management (51 percent), and administrations (33 percent). Most respondents (67 percent) applied these skills to their current job and 47 percent of respondents received a job at the farm or company they interned at. Networking opportunities strongly correlated to perceived value of the internship. Many respondents (90 percent) felt their internship experience contributed to their education outside the classroom.

The results of this survey highlight the importance of internships for individuals pursuing an education and career in the horse industry.

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Is Feeding A Forage-Only Diet OK In Winter? It Depends

Many horses can maintain body condition eating nothing but hay throughout the colder winter months, but there are some variables that can affect even an easy keeper's ability to hold weight. Extremely cold temperatures will require a horse to burn more calories to stay warm; additionally, eating a lower-quality forage may also affect his ability to maintain an adequate weight throughout the winter, reports The Horse.

As horses can lose condition quickly, it's important that an owner or caretaker lay hands on the horse frequently, whether or not the horse is blanketed. A thick coat or a blanket can easily hide a declining frame. It's also helpful to measure the horse regularly with a weight tape.

On average, a horse should be fed 1.5 percent of his body weight in hay per day. If the horse lives outside 24/7, it can be more difficult to monitor his hay intake, so sharp observation is key. Horses that live outside in a herd may experience a shift in herd dynamics as pasture becomes scarcer and they rely more on provided forage.

Because of this, it's important that there be multiple piles of hay accessible, each placed far enough apart that the horses can't fight over the food.

If a horse begins losing weight, the easiest solution is to feed more hay, though this isn't always an option with different boarding and geographic situations. In these cases, hay pellets or cubes can be used to supplement hay intake. Beet pulp can also be fed; it offers the horse more calories per pound than hay.

Some horses will not be able to maintain winter weight on a forage-only diet; these horses will need a feed that offers more fat and fiber, like a senior feed or one designed for hard-working horses. If fed in sufficient quantities, these feeds can provide all the vitamins and minerals a horse may need. Some of these feeds require 5 pounds or more to be fed for the horse to receive adequate nutrition. In this case, the feed should be split up into multiple meals to allow for proper digestion and absorption.

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Additional ways to help a horse be as prepared as possible for colder weather includes making sure his teeth are cared for so he can adequately chew his hay and feed. Often dental problems become apparent as the horse switches to more-coarse hay from soft grass. Hay that isn't chewed properly doesn't digest well and can lead to impaction colic.

Performing a fecal egg count before winter can also determine if the horse needs dewormed before colder weather comes on.

Study: Complications Of Eye Removal Surgery Are Low

Though it can be distressing for a horse owner to send their horse in for a surgery that will remove his eye, the surgery has minimal complications and often leaves the horse much more comfortable than before the enucleation.

English researchers reviewed the records of 170 horses in the UK that had an eye removed between August 2006 and March 2015 in eight different equine hospitals. The reasons necessitating eye removal were not specified, but surgery to remove the eye is often done to relieve chronic pain caused by fungal infections, ulcers, or ongoing uveitis issues.

The scientists also surveyed 119 of the owners on their satisfaction with the surgical outcome.

They discovered that 86 percent of horse owners who were worried about having the surgery done did not have any issues with their horse after the surgery was completed; 90.8 percent of owners were pleased with the surgery's outcome. In addition, 21 percent of owners of horses with eyes removed wished they had done the surgery sooner.

The team also discovered that 77.3 percent of the study horses returned to their previous level or a higher level of performance after having an eye removed.

Pimlico’s Canter For The Causes Raises Over $20,000 For Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

For a record-breaking third year, 300 riders from the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond walked, trotted, and cantered their horses across Pimlico Race Couse on October 31^st with proceeds to benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). In total, the 2022 Canter for the Cause raised over $20,000 for the TAA— a nonprofit which provides accreditation and grants to Thoroughbred aftercare organizations dedicated to the retraining, retiring, and rehoming of off-track Thoroughbreds.

Sponsored by the Maryland Jockey Club, this annual event offers equestrians the unique opportunity to walk, trot, or canter around the historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. Riders also had the opportunity to take their horses through the starting gate and get their picture taken in the winner's circle.

“Canter For a Cause was a huge success last month at Pimlico,” said Maryland Jockey Club Vice President of Racing Development, Georganne Hale. “Everybody who rode around the historic track had a smile on their face, riders loved getting their picture taken in the winner's circle, and all the proceeds went to an important cause for our industry— the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Maryland Jockey Club for including the TAA as its beneficiary since 2019,” said TAA Operations Consultant, Stacie Clark. “From the riders who continue to attend Canter for the Cause year after year, to those that attended for the very first time, it is your participation that raised over $20,000 for the TAA. Thank you and we'll see you next year.”

About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Based in Lexington, KY, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, the TAA has granted more than $28.1 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 81 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about the TAA, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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