Animal & Dairy Science: Academic Programs

The University of Georgia Anoimal and Dairy Science Department Equine Program

Title: Horse Emphasis Program of the Animal Science Major
Author: Dr. Julia S. McCann
Location: Athens, Georgia

The nationally recognized College of Agriculture at the University of Georgia encompasses an outstanding Department of Animal and Dairy Science. Under the current leadership of Dr. Larry L. Benyshek, Department Head, the department developed a progressive undergraduate teaching program allowing students to concentrate their classwork in a specific area of interest within the animal science field. All Animal Science students take a general core of classes including Introduction to Animal Science, Introduction to Genetics of Livestock Improvement, Animal Nutrition and Metabolism, Feeds and Feeding, Physiology of Reproduction in Farm Animals, Economics of Agriculture and an internship on a university farm or external operation.

Undergraduates at the University of Georgia may direct up to 20 hours of their electives within the animal science program to the areas of business, production, meat science, or science. The business option allows animal science majors to take advanced courses in agriculture economics, computer science, accounting, finance, and other areas pertaining to business. The production option is designed for the student destined for on-the farm work and management positions and includes advanced courses in management, medical microbiology, agronomy, agricultural economics, and accounting. Opportunities within the meats industry are numerous and this option includes food safety, microbiology, and advanced meat science courses. Students seeking admission to veterinary or graduate schools select the science option which includes microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, zoology, and the advanced science courses.

Within the business, production, and science options of the animal Science program, students may concentrate their studies in the horse area. Students selecting the horse emphasis option take Light Horse Evaluation, Horse Production, and either Beef, Swine, or Dairy Production. The Animal Science Department also offers Management of Horses for Pleasure, Advanced Light Horse Evaluation, Operant Conditioning and Training of Horses and an advanced Equine Reproduction course. A description of each course is provided.

ADSC 2630: Pleasure Horse Management . Fall Semester. This survey course is taught for students of all majors to gain a broad understanding of the horse industry and sound management practices needed for horse ownership. Topics for discussion include breeds, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, facilities, behavior, parasites, and diseases.

ADSC 3630: Horse Production. Spring Semester. This course will cover more advanced topics of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, diseases, and current issues important to the horse industry. The laboratory time will permit hands-on exposure to many management practices, including artificial insemination. Students must have completed Physiology of Reproduction and Feeds and Feeding prior to this course.

ADSC 3230: Light Horse Evaluation . Spring Semester. The principals of equine conformation and the performance horse are reviewed and practiced in this class. Students evaluate classes of 4 horses at halter r in various performance classes. Students in this class may participate on the junior horse judging team that competes at the Middle Tennessee State All Breeds Horse Judging Contest, and the Southwestern quarter Horse Judging Contest in the spring.

ADSC 3250: Advanced Light Horse Evaluation. Fall Semester. Students on the Senior Horse Judging Team compose this class to advance their knowledge of conformation and the performance horse of all breeds. The team works out with many of the top professionals in the Southeast prior to competition. Contests attended by the team includes the Quarter Horse congress, the Arabian Nationals in alternating years, the AQHA World Show and NRHA Reining Judging Contest. ADSC 3230 is a prerequisite.

ADSC 3830: Equine Science Seminar. Fall or Spring Semester. Industry awareness and exploration of various topics associated with equine health and production.

ADSC 3910: Internship. Students may receive 3-6 hours credit working with an approved employer in a learning situation. Students have worked in assistant training and farm maintenance positions, in businesses associated with the horse industry, and other areas related to the animal science field in which experience would be advantageous upon graduation.

ADSC 4500: Operant Conditioning and Training Horses. Spring Semester. The innate equine behavior and principals of operant conditioning are studied prior to the assignment of a 2-year old horse to break to ride. Students work with young horses throughout the semester to enhance their experience and aptitude for understanding and modifying the behavior of horses.

ADSC 4410-4410L: Applied Animal Reproductive Management . Spring Semester. Application of equine reproductive management principles associated with artificial insemination, embryo transfer, pregnancy detection, semen collection, and reproductive record management are covered.

Aside from the horse judging team extracurricular activity, several clubs are available to the undergraduates. Most of the Animal Science undergraduates are involved in the largest club on campus, the Block and Bridle Club . This very active club sponsors several events throughout the year including the Little International (a day of showing all livestock species trained by the student), the Great Southland Stampede Rodeo in April, a spring trip to outstanding farms in the Southeast, and various social events. Of special interest to the equine student are the UGA Horsemen's Association and Equestrian Team . The Horsemen's Association meets with horse industry leaders and professionals. These experts relate their expertise and insight into a wide variety of areas within the horse industry and aids students' process to "network" with the industry. The University of Georgia Equestrian Team is gaining recognition for their participation in the Region IX of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, placing first or second in the region for the last 3 years. The team members host horse shows, clinics, and work on various projects to subsidize the private donations on which the team relies for financial support. For questions about Equestrian Team try outs, call Kat Demas at 546-8561 or visit their Web page at: www.geocities.com/heartland/meadows/3634

Students also have the opportunity to become involved in the horse breeding and training operation at the University of Georgia Horse Center. A band of approximately 50 Quarter Horse broodmares and several stallions are maintained at the facility. Foals raised at the horse center are managed and trained through the spring of their 2-year-old year when they are sold to the public. Up until sale time, students are responsible for breaking and training the young horses. This operation of 100 + horses provides the opportunity for several students to work part-time while gaining invaluable experience in the management and breeding of a large herd.

The above course work and opportunities should give graduates an advantage upon graduation if they can employ the scientific and practical skills learned in the program. Many graduates go into private businesses, drug and feed sales and promotion, public relations for breed organizations, writers for agricultural publications, and a great many other roles associated with the horse industry other than the traditional riding and training positions.

For information, contact Dr. Julia McCann, Animal and Dairy Science Department, Room 206, Animal Science Complex, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 or by phone (706) 542-0976. Email address is jmccann@arches.uga.edu.

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