October 2020 Wildcat Canter

October 2020 UK Equine Week of Service

C ON TE N TS

UK hosting Experience Equine Week Nov. 2-6 PAGE 6

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment will host Experience Equine Week Nov. 2-6 for high school students and their families interested in learning more about its equine science and management undergraduate degree program.

Hands and hooves in the community: UK Equine Week of Service PAGE 7

Equine students from the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment welcomed October by donating more than 500 volunteer hours to their local Lexington horse industry. As the leaves began to change, multiple sites across the Bluegrass hosted students who eagerly jumped in, willing to help in any way possible.

How can I make an impact in this strange world of “Zoomland” and hybrid coursework?

PAGE 13

Here are some of my observations from the first seven weeks of fall semester on how a subset of students are making themselves known during this COVID-19 driven semester.

Are the voices of African Americans heard in the equine industry? A student’s perspective PAGE 19

With racial reckoning taking place in America fueled by the death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, is the equine industry really taking the next steps towards diversifying the industry? Before this question can be addressed, we must first look at the history of African Americans in equine history and what led to their departure.

U PC O M IN G E V ENTS AND I MPORTAN T DEADLINES • • • • • • •

Nov. 2-6- Experience Equine Week Nov. 3 - Election Day Nov. 24 - Last day of in-person classes Nov. 25-27 - Thanksgiving break Dec. 1-4 - Finals week Dec. 4 - End of the fall semester Dec. 10 - Equine Virtual Senior Sendoff

WI L DCAT CA N T ER | O C T O BER 2020 | 2

W E L COM E

It’s starting to get colder. We know this happens every year, yet somehow, we still find it noteworthy. The first cold day in Autumn, it is inevitable that you hear someone comment on the weather, as if we weren’t fully prepared for this day to arrive as it has every year, around the same time, with the same characteristic warnings, for our entire existence.

Which begs the question, why are we as a species so taken aback by this routine happening? I think the easy answer is that no matter how predictable or prepared we are, change is always challenging.

April 2011 marked a notable change in my life. I began working in the Animal & Food Science Department at the University of Kentucky. I remember it was unseasonably cold for April, and I had worn a sweater and a winter coat to my interview for the position at UK. During the presentation portion, I came very near to passing out since the room we were in had the heaters on high. Somehow, through my nerves and heat exhaustion, I received an offer for the position of equine extension associate. The next nine years would be a whirlwind of on-the-job learning, adapting to new challenges and taking on new opportunities. Working on committees with people who are equally as passionate as I am about horses and education has been not only satisfying but energizing. If you ever need confidence in humanity and the fact that there are good people in this world, I highly suggest you attend a curriculum meeting at an institution of higher education or a 4-H volunteer meeting. I had the great pleasure of attending both on a regular basis.

As many may or may not know, while my days were spent teaching and grading equine anatomy exams and creating educational contests and programs for 4-H, my nights and weekends were spent delving into the complicated world of being a graduate student. As much as I enjoyed my position as extension associate, I had a desire to have a bigger impact and pursue higher career aspirations. I knew that in the field of academia, most positions of advancement would require me to earn a PhD. Now, I would not recommend this to the faint of heart. And please do not misunderstand my intention; I do not believe that I am in any way a superior individual now that three little letters follow my name, but I would suggest that if you are contemplating a similar pathway that you fully research what you are getting into. As with anything in life, something that is worthwhile oftentimes requires sacrifice. After six long years of graduate classes and dissertation research occupying any free time I might have had, I was able to achieve my initial goal. However, the sense of accomplishment did not last long. With the ending of one journey came the realization that a new change would soon come.

As with any opportunity, the excitement of the realization of goals does not come without the accompaniment of sadness of leaving friends, and the awkwardness of stepping outside of your place of comfort.

Change produces opportunity but also brings about feelings of doubt, worry and anxiety. But if we were to resist change, even the enviable change, we wouldn’t be able reach our full potential.

It is with great optimism and excitement, but also trepidation and sadness, that I announce that I am leaving the University of Kentucky to accept a position of assistant professor in the Equine Industry Program at the University of Louisville. This change was expected and even sought out, but at the same time, it is still change and all that change brings with it. So, with anything in life, you must always strive to make progress, while simultaneously being thankful for the experiences that took you there. To all of the students, colleagues and extension family, I am eternally grateful for the lessons you taught me, and the experience you granted me. And in all things, make sure that you do not let the comfort of the familiar prevent you from taking on new adventures.

Dr. Amy Lawyer WI L DCAT CA N T ER | O C T O BER 2020 | 3

M A STHE A D

Wildcat Canter Editorial Staff Sabrina Jacobs, contributing writer Katelynn Krieger, contributing writer Holly Wiemers, MA, APR, senior editor, contributing writer, layout

Wildcat Canter Editorial Board

Erin DesNoyers, operations coordinator Camie Heleski, PhD, lecturer Danielle Jostes, MA, equine philanthropy director Jamie MacLeod, VMD, PhD, equine programs director Savannah Robin, MS, internship coordinator Kristine Urschel, PhD, director of undergraduate studies Kristen Wilson, MS, academic program coordinator

Ag Equine Programs

College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

N212 Ag Sciences Building North Lexington, KY 40546-0091 Office: (859) 257-2226 equine@uky.edu www.uky.edu/equine

Photo credit: Cover, Sabrina Jacobs. This page, Jimmy Henning.

Connect with us on Social Media

WI L DCAT CA N T ER | O C T O BER 2020 | 4

photo by Jimmy Henning

C LUBS AN D T EAM S D IR E CTORY C O L LE GIAT E P ROFESSIO NAL H ORS EMAN ’ S A S S O C IAT ION Advisors: Dr. Bob Coleman, rcoleman@uky.edu and Savannah Robin, savannah.robin@uky.edu Co-Presidents: Lindsay O’Hara and Lauren Olsen, Uk.cpha@gmail.com

DR E SSA G E TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Jill Stowe, jill.stowe@uky.edu President: Katelynn Krieger, OfficialUKDressageTeam@gmail.com Facebook: UK Dressage and Eventing

E Q UE ST RIA N TEAM Advisor: Dr. Bob Coleman, rcoleman@uky.edu

H UNT SEAT TEAM

President: Samantha Dolan, Uk.equestrianteam@gmail.com

Facebook: UKY Equestrian Team

W ES TERN TEAM

President: Maggie Rumbaugh, Ukwesternequestrian@gmail.com Facebook: UKY Western IHSA Team

EVEN TI N G TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Jill Stowe, jill.stowe@uky.edu President: Jacqueline LeMastus, Jlemastus@me.com Facebook: UK Dressage and Eventing

H O R SE R ACI N G CL UB

Advisor: Dr. Laurie Lawrence, llawrenc@uky.edu Presidents: Averie Levanti, Ukhorseracingclub@gmail.com Facebook: UKY Horse Racing Club

PO L O TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Roger Brown, rogerbrown@uky.edu President: Federico Puyana, Fpu223@uky.edu Facebook: U of Kentucky Polo

R O D EO TEAM

President: Anna Doll, ukrodeoteam@gmail.com Facebook: UKY Rodeo Team

SAD D L E SEAT TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Mary Rossano, mary.rossano@uky.edu President: Frannie Salisbury, uksaddleseatteam@gmail.com Facebook: UKY Saddleseat Team

WI L DCAT CA N T ER | O C T O BER 2020 | 5

PR O G R A M U P DATES

UK hosting Experience Equine Week Nov. 2-6

By Holly Wiemers

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment will host Experience Equine Week Nov. 2-6 for high school students and their families interested in learning more about its equine science and management undergraduate degree program.

This weeklong series of virtual events provides an opportunity to learn more about the university’s equine programming. In addition to the sessions listed below, a number of virtual tours and student-produced videos highlighting the student experience will also be released throughout the week.

“Experience Equine is one of my favorite events each year, as we got to bring students and their families to campus to learn about all things equine at UK and immerse them in the local equine industry,” said Kristen Wilson, equine academic coordinator. “Since we could not do an in-person event this year due to COVID-19, we had to think differently about how to offer a similar experience in a virtual format. Even more exciting is that our equine student leadership team, the Wildcat Wranglers, have played an integral part in creating much of the week’s content to showcase the equine experience from a student perspective.”

Zoom sessions include: • Equine industry careers and alumni panel session, Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. EST. Prospective students and their families will hear from UK Ag Equine Programs’ internship coordinator, Savannah Robin, about the variety of career paths within the equine industry. Attendees will also have an opportunity to connect with UK equine alumni and ask questions about their professional paths.

• Equine student Q&A, Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. EST. Attendees will hear from current equine students, learn more about the variety of equine-related clubs and teams and play trivia.

• Parent Q&A, Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. EST. Parents will have an opportunity to ask questions about the program, admissions processes, scholarships and more.

“We hope the virtual format will enable prospective students and their parents to participate despite the COVID-19 challenges and living far away,” said James MacLeod, UK Ag Equine Programs director, John S. and Elizabeth A. Knight chair and professor of veterinary science at the Gluck Equine Research Center. “A primary goal is to provide a transparent overview of our equine programs, as well as to relay available resources and contacts for additional information on specific issues as needed.”

Families can watch the student-produced videos by connecting with UK Ag Equine Programs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Those interested in participating can sign up here. More information about the major can be found on UK Ag Equine Programs’ website.

WI L DCAT CA N T ER | O C T O BER 2020 | 6

FEAT U R E STORY

Hands and hooves in the community: UK Equine Week of Service

By Miranda Kunes Equine students from the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment welcomed October by donating more than 500 volunteer hours to their local Lexington horse industry. As the leaves began to change, multiple sites across the Bluegrass hosted students who eagerly jumped in, willing to help in any way possible. This partnership was the heart of the inaugural UK Equine Week of Service, which took place from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.

Kristen Wilson, academic coordinator for UK Ag Equine Programs, and the Wildcat Wranglers, a student leadership team, organized this event. Their desire was to create connections in the local community and give students an opportunity to break out of the virtual classroom. Students, faculty and community members volunteered at seven locations in the area, including Blue Grass Farms Charities, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, Kentucky Horse Park, New Vocations, Our Mims Retirement Haven and the Secretariat Center.

“I really enjoyed helping out and learning about the locations we volunteered at and what they do for their horses. The best part of the whole experience was working with the horses and doing volunteer work that helped the community as well as the animals,” said Jessica Pennington, a UK equine undergraduate student.

Pennington volunteered at both the Secretariat Center and Our Mims Retirement Haven, and was one of many students who served at multiple locations.

Another student said she valued the chance to give back while staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I loved how I was able to get out into the community and see what kind of outreach there was. I really enjoyed being a part of the week because it was very COVID friendly,” said Victoria Brann, who volunteered at Blue Grass Farm Charities.

Hundreds of photos were submitted by the students who participated during the week. Some of those are featuered here.

WI L DCAT CA NT ER | O CT O BER 2020 | 7

FEAT U R E D S TORY

The majority of volunteers and host sites alike expressed that compliance to safety guidelines was well-maintained by everyone involved, ensuring a worry-free week for all participants.

With university regulations limiting in-person activities, many students jumped on the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the industry.

Katelynn Krieger spent time at Central Kentucky Riding for Hope and helped the organization prepare for its annual used tack sale fundraiser.

“I enjoyed cleaning the tack, as it gave me hands-on experience with some equipment I haven’t used in years or have never used and to see how the parts worked was fascinating,” she said.

Another undergraduate said “It was really enjoyable and peaceful to be able to get some horse time since being at college.”

A volunteer at the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center shared how she valued “several nice conversations; meeting new friends and the rewarding work that was done to help a very deserving organization.”

Not only did equine students benefit from this event, but the host sites did as well.

“We have been so amazed at the number of students and the enthusiasm that they have, coming out and helping take care of our horses, focused on our horses’ safety and care. They’ve asked lots of questions. They’ve never complained. They’ve offered to work through the rain and, honestly, we couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” said Shelley Mann, executive director of the Secretariat Center.

Faculty members from UK’s equine program participated in the week alongside the students.

Bob Coleman, associate professor and equine extension specialist, praised the team behind the event. “The level of organization from

WI L DCAT CA NT ER | O CT O BER 2020 | 8

FEAT UR E STORY the Wildcat Wranglers was great. The whole process was easy and made the experience a good one.

“This provided the Equine Science & Management Program some of the best awareness it has ever had. Having students go and help and show who they are when giving back to the industry is truly invaluable,” he said.

With the success of this year’s event, the Wildcat Wrangler team hopes to make the Equine Week of Service an annual occurrence. Strengthening ties with the community will allow both the industry and the university to cooperate for the continued well-being of the horse.

WI L DCAT CA N T ER | O C T O BER 2020 | 9

F EAT U R E S TORY

WI L DCAT C AN T ER | O C T O BER 2020 | 10

PRO GRAM UP D ATE S

UK hosted annual Equine Career and Opportunity Fair virtually Oct. 1

By Holly Wiemers University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs hosted its annual Equine Career and Opportunity Fair virtually Oct. 1. Utilizing the platform Handshake, the event was open and free to all college students with an account. Its purpose was to match organizations’ job, internship or volunteer opportunities with interested equine students. The opportunities featured included volunteering, job shadowing, internships, externships, part-time jobs and full-time positions.

According to Savannah Robin, Equine Science and Management internship coordinator and event organizer, 166 students from 10 different universities and 21 different majors registered to attend the event.

While the majority of attendees came from UK, 18 students joined from other schools. Participants had the opportunity to complete one-on-one or group sessions with the 25 different participating employers.

October Equine Science Review recap

By Holly Wiemers The Equine Science Review: highlighting research and outreach efforts at the University of Kentucky is a monthly newsletter from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment that highlights the important equine work happening at the university. UK is home to worldclass research and service excellence in equine health, safety, nutrition, pasture and forages, economics, engineering, environmental compliance and many others. Programs at UK offer the depth and breadth of scope fitting its location in the heart of horse country. Have updates delivered to your inbox each month by subscribing to the Review here.

The October issue of the Equine Science Review is online or can be read ead in Issuu . Some highlights of this issue include several stories about older horse research, developing a more effective measurement tool for racetrack surfaces, ivermectin and moxidectin resistance discovered in North America and much more!

Stories this month include: • One Year in, MARS Equestrian™ Fellow at UK’s Gluck Center Continues to Help Older Horses • Research Shows that PPID Horses Experience Altered Immune Function • Developing a More Effective Measurement Tool; UK Researcher Working to Make Horseracing Safer Through Measurements on Track Surface Consistency • UK Gluck Center Launches National Survey on Horses Aged 15 Years and Older • Graduate Student Spotlight: Maria Alejandra Blanco • Grad Student Peter Schmitt Featured on Episode of “From the Field” About Turf Research • Ivermectin and Moxidectin Resistance Discovered in North America • Science Sleuths: The Science That Shapes Diagnostic Tests; What Does Ro Mean?

• Collaborative Study Finds Climate Change Will Accelerate Drug Resistance Development and Affect Parasite Burdens in Horses • Rotational Grazing on Horse Farms • Follow-up UK mRNA Biomarker Study Will Build on Promising Research into Preventing Catastrophic Racehorse Injuries • 2020 Sustainability Challenge Grant Program: Aerated Manure Compost Facility for the Smaller Horse Farm Operation • Morris Animal Foundation Awards Nearly $1 Million in Grants for New Studies Benefiting Equine Health, Including EMS Study with UK’s Amanda Adams • UK Part of Regional Group Working to Reduce Farmer Stress

WI L DCAT CA N T ER | O C T O BER 2020 | 11

Audrey Boslego Associate Quality Assurance Engineer at Covetrus in Lexington

HOMETOWN : Williamsburg, VA GRADUATED : 2013

Was there a turning point in college which had an impact on your career?

What led you to this position after graduation? Did you have certain internships, professors or classes that influenced you?

My path into software development isn’t a typical one. I went into college with a singular goal in my life: become a racehorse trainer. By the middle of my junior year, I had become disillusioned with track life and realized I wanted something more stable, but I wasn’t sure what that was. Shortly after graduation I got a job at Equibase, the official database of Thoroughbred racing in North America, where I had the opportunity to learn how to query databases to generate reports. My unique experience with data and the equine industry helped to land me a job at VetData in 2016 as a data integrity analyst. About a year ago I decided I wanted to be more involved with software development and I moved into my current role as an associate QA engineer.

What are your responsibilities in your current position? What do you like most about your position?

As a QA Engineer I create testing strategies, identify defects, write test scripts and make sure that our software meets intended requirements. I love that working at VetData allows me to combine my passions of animals and technology.

Plus, every day brings new and interesting challenges.

How are you currently involved in the horse industry?

The software I work on helps support veterinary practices, including equine practices.

I had spent every summer from 2008-2012 working various jobs at Colonial Downs racetrack in Virginia, but track life was starting to wear on me. I knew in 2013, the summer of my senior year, I wanted to try something different, so I got a job with UK’s Pasture Evaluation Program. The job was tough and I found myself hoping for stormy days so we could stay inside and do office work, where I spent most of the time automating some of our data entry processes for fun.

Despite always enjoying technology, I never thought I would be able to enjoy an office job until then. It really helped me realize what I was looking for in a career (and sparked an obsession with plant identification!)

What advice do you have for current equine science and management students?

Surround yourself with people who treat you with respect. No job or opportunity is worth feeling uncomfortable or unsafe for: there will be more. Find the people who want to help you for the right reasons. Don’t be afraid to shut a door or burn a bridge if it keeps you safe, but nurture the relationships you have with people you trust. Finally, it’s okay if your goals change. Don’t stress if you don’t have it all figured out right now. Life is unpredictable, but staying patient and open minded will get you far.

FEAT UR E STORY

How can I make an impact in this strange world of “Zoomland” and hybrid coursework?

By Camie Heleski When we first went virtual for teaching our courses in March of 2020, I thought to myself, “Ok, this is going to be fine for the students whom I already know and have a rapport with, but what about the students I haven’t gotten to know yet?”

The concern doubled when we started back this fall semester, and it became obvious that a lot of our instructor-student interactions were going to be conducted virtually. Certainly, I had my “homework” cut out for me to try to make an impact from my side of the equation, but what could students do from their side of the equation?

Here are some of my observations from the first seven weeks of fall semester on how a subset of students are making themselves known during this COVID-19

driven semester: • When “Zooming,” either connect via the webcam or add your picture in the black screen. (It can be a little sad and disheartening for your instructors if we only get to see faceless black boxes out there.)

• When opportunities arise to ask questions, many of us will ask students for feedback either via their microphone option or via the chat. You don’t need to chime in every time, but I am certainly more aware of the students who participate in this way than those who don’t speak or write any feedback.

• If your instructor uses the chat function to assist with taking attendance (e.g. I ask my students to add some sort of simple comment so that I know they are there – in case I miss anyone once the class starts.) My “high impact” students have gone out of their way this semester to add “Charlie Brown style lunch bag notes” – e.g., “Hi, hope everyone is having a great day! Our week is half done!” And, “Hang in there, everybody, we’ve got this!” [My Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare class has become absolutely masterful at this, and I look forward to reading their kind, thoughtful, inspiring comments as I’m documenting attendance.] any of my “high impact” students say “thank you”’ at the end of the lecture. As long as it’s a sincere sentiment, that is more meaningful than you can realize.

• If your class is having some of the sessions face-to-face (but perhaps with the option of virtual attendance), try to take opportunities to attend the F2F (assuming you are healthy and you feel safe in the classroom where your course meets.) E.g. on Fridays, my EQM 305 students have the option of whether to come in for F2F editing of their work/discussion of their topics or they can participate virtually. I definitely know the students better who have come in person to some of those sessions.

One of the students Heleski points to as doing it right is Kennedy Hoch, an Equine Science and Management student who plans to graduate in the spring of 2022.

“Little things that I do during my Zoom classes include turning my camera on during lectures, asking questions in the chat boxes (usually directly to professors) and I always am sure to say ‘Thank you’ at the end of lectures,” said Hoch. “I can imagine how hard it is to teach on Zoom, similar to the difficulties as a student learning through Zoom, and I like to tell my professor that I am thankful for all that they do. I know a lot goes on behind the scenes, and while everything is on Zoom, it is sometimes hard to see all that hard work from a student’s perspective during online learning.

“I also have enjoyed attending Dr.Heleski's office hours/recitation time. Her feedback is helpful, and it is nice to stay in touch with the projects that we are doing,” she said.

Another student, sophomore Mackenzie Smith, has also been one Heleski said has set herself apart.

“I am flattered that Dr. Heleski thought of me as an example for this story and I truly love having her as my professor, though I did not initially set out with the intention of specifically doing things to get to know her,” Smith said. “I have just tried to make an effort to go to every in-person opportunity the class offers, which has definitely aided in forming the class relationship, as well as never being afraid to just reach out over email or even in Zoom classes to ask questions or voice concerns. Being involved with the welfare team has also afforded me this opportunity, as there are only four of us in the group, thus we always keep our cameras on and are able to engage in conversation, even over Zoom. Dr. Heleski does a great job of making us all feel involved and connected in her classes, even though we cannot always meet in person due to circumstances out of our control.”

WI L DCAT CA NT ER | O CT O BER 2020 | 13

Program Spotlight D r. E r n i e B a i l e y Professor in the Gluck Center, interest in Immunogenetics & genomics, joined UK in 1979

EDUCATION Until I was 15 years old, I lived in dairy farm country in upstate New York. I had a gray, grade gelding used for trail riding on local logging trails that cut through local maple forests. At 15, my family moved to Sacramento, California, and I became a city boy. It was an interesting transition. I missed the Aggie connection and, after high school, went to college at the University of California, Davis, which was renowned as the farm campus of the University system. I was fascinated with genetics and large animals and stayed in school until I earned a PhD in 1979. As a graduate student, I worked in the blood typing laboratory of Clyde Stormont and Yoshi Suzuki. They conducted genetics research on livestock and parentage testing for cattle and horse registries. My work was on the genetics of the immune system in horses.

DNA was interesting but did not seem related to horses and cattle while I was in school. In my opinion, DNA studies involved bacteria and viruses. However, the field of molecular genetics moved rapidly and, within six years after coming to Kentucky, I realized that if my research papers weren’t about DNA, they would be difficult to publish. My students and I began doing molecular genetic studies in horses.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF YOUR WORK?

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO EDUCATE EQUINE STUDENTS?

Initially, my favorite aspect of being a scientist was simply discovery. Every day in the laboratory we ran tests revealing something new. We could find something no one had ever seen before.

Often the discovery was as small as simply determining genetic factors in a group of horses for a continuing study. Sometimes it was something big and we could publish it.

The social aspects add a lot. Horse genetics is a small field and collaboration with scientists in other laboratories and other countries has been important. Many of my best friends are from the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia and elsewhere as a result of our shared interests in making discoveries about and with horse genetics.

In 2013, I began teaching horse genetics as VS307. Prior to that, instructors for other Equine Program classes would invite me to give “the genetics lecture.” Of course, one hour is not enough, in my opinion. Nevertheless, I realize there is a lot to learn in other areas and not enough time if students are to graduate in four years. During those sessions, I realized that many Equine Science majors might enjoy learning more about the evolution and domestication of horses, relationships among breeds, genetics of coat colors, the use of genetics to detect hereditary and cytogenetic health problems and the genetics of performance traits. So, I organized a course. The title is “Horse Genetics,” but the lessons of genetics are the same for all species. So, a more appropriate description might be “teaching genetics using the horse as an example.”

There is no question, though, but that the most rewarding aspect of the work has been working with students. Obviously, I teach students how to apply genetics to answer questions. But they bring their own very interesting questions. In the process, students have taught me about coat colors, breed characteristics, racing, dressage, virology, parasitology, various diseases and more. I also enjoy showing the students off to my friends from other labs around the world.

In short, the process of discovery is most exciting when shared with collaborators and students.

ADVICE FOR EQUINE STUDENTS With respect to courses: University and college courses are very efficient ways to learn concepts and terms. The courses you take provide a foundation for learning for the rest of your lives by reading, talking to other people and from experience. Taking a wide range of courses as an undergraduate student is more important than developing greater depth on any one topic. Furthermore, let the instructor guide you as to what concepts are important. As noted above, when I was a student, I assumed that DNA would not be relevant to the study of horses. That proved to be wrong. I had to catch up on my own!

With respect to experience: Internships are important. They provide experience that many employers require before they even look at your application. But a more valuable aspect of internships is to give you the opportunity to see what different careers may be like and determine if they suit you. If you like health science but don’t like running a business, then maybe you should be a lab scientist rather than a veterinarian.

C LUBS AN D TE AM S

Collegiate Professionalism Horsemanship Association The club is very excited to announce its new leadership. The new president is Lauren Olsen and vice president is Brittany Sparks.

They are both seniors who are studying Equine Science and Management. The first meeting of the club was held on Sept.

30, where goals for the semester were discussed and the club welcomed Savannah Robin as a guest speaker. The club plans to hold two meetings each month, the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The Collegiate Professionalism Horsemanship Association is very excited for the amazing guest speakers that are lined up for the meetings.

University of Kentucky Dressage Team

The team is very sad that there are no competitions this semester, however, members are very grateful that practices can still happen, allowing more skills and deeper understanding of skills for when competitions to return. The team hosts meetings biweekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

The team has been very fortunate to have Dr. Ernie Bailey speak and is excited for even more guest speakers from the dressage community, as well as those who support the team in other riding disciplines.

WI L DCAT CA NT ER | O CT O BER 2020 | 15

PR OG R A M U P D ATES

Cox to co-chair Blue-Ribbon Nominating Committee formed to select Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority board members

By Laura Skillman Supporters of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) have announced the formation of a blue-ribbon nominating committee that will be responsible for selecting members of the board of directors of the HISA Authority as well as members of its two standing committees: Anti-doping and Medication Control, and Racetrack Safety.

Nancy Cox, vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment will co-chair the seven-member nominating committee which was established through the collective efforts of leading Thoroughbred industry stakeholders, including Breeders’ Cup, Churchill Downs Incorporated, Keeneland Association, and The Jockey Club.

“The nominating committee recognizes our responsibility to select the most qualified and dedicated individuals to comprise the board of the authority and its standing committees,” Cox said. “We are committed to this critical task and to the betterment of racing.”

Nancy Cox, University of Kentucky vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, will co-chair the seven-member nominating committee. Photo by Matt Barton, UK agricultural communications.

The board of directors will consist of nine members, five of whom will be selected from outside the equine industry. Four members will be selected as representatives of various equine constituencies.

“The HISA will ensure that Thoroughbred racing is conducted with the highest integrity and safety standards under the aegis of the bill’s established authority,” stated Co-Chair Len Coleman. “With this goal in mind, the aggregate expertise of the board of the authority and its standing committees must span a wide range of areas from equine health and track management to regulation and lab testing standards.”

The seven members of the nominating committee bring their own unique expertise and experiences to the role: Len Coleman (co-chair) is the former president of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs. Coleman joined Major League Baseball in 1992 as the executive director of market development. Previously, Coleman was a municipal finance banker for Kidder, Peabody & Company and served as commissioner of both the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and Department of Energy.

Nancy Cox (co-chair) is the vice president for land-grant engagement and the dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky. Prior to that, she served as associate dean for research and director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at the university. Cox championed the formation of the UK Equine Initiative (now UK Ag Equine Programs), recognizing the importance of the horse industry and its significance to Kentucky.

Katrina Adams is the immediate past president of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), following two consecutive terms as the USTA’s chairman and president. A successful professional tennis player, Ad-

WI L DCAT CA NT ER | O CT O BER 2020 | 16

PRO GRAM UP D ATE S ams was elected vice president of the International Tennis Federation in 2015 and was appointed as chairman of the Fed Cup Committee in 2016.

Jerry Black is a visiting professor at Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine and is an emeritus professor and Wagonhound Land and Livestock chair in Equine Sciences at Colorado State University. He is the former president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and former chair of the board of trustees of the American Horse Council.

Gen. Joseph Dunford is the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, and was the principal military advisor to the president, secretary of defense, and National Security Council from Oct. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2019. Prior to becoming chairman, General Dunford served as the 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Frank Keating is the former governor of Oklahoma. Prior to that role, his career in law enforcement and public service included time as a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent, U.S. attorney and state prosecutor, and Oklahoma House and Senate member. He served as assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury, associate U.S. attorney general, and general counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Ken Schanzer served as president of NBC Sports from June 1998 until his retirement in September 2011. He also served as chief operating officer. During Schanzer’s tenure, he secured the television rights to the Triple Crown races and Breeders’ Cup for NBC. Before joining NBC Sports, he served as senior vice president of government relations for the National Association of Broadcasters.

The nominating committee will develop a list of candidates to comprise the board of the HISA Authority and its standing committees. The board will solicit input from equine constituencies and interested parties who would like to suggest recommendations may do so at horseintegrityandsafety@gmail.com.

The HISA, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martha McSally (R-AZ), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on Sept. 9, will focus on the integrity of Thoroughbred horse racing and the safety of Thoroughbred racehorses and jockeys by requiring national, uniform safety standards that include anti-doping and medication control and racetrack safety programs. Identical legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Congressmen Andy Barr (KY-06) and Paul Tonko (NY-20). It was passed in the House on Sept. 29.

The HISA Authority will be an independent, non-governmental regulatory body, run by an independent board, responsible for improving current regulations and bringing a new level of transparency to Thoroughbred horse racing.

The Anti-Doping and Medication Control standing committee and the Racetrack Safety standing committee will each be composed of seven members. For both committees, the majority of the members will be independent and selected from outside the equine industry. A minority will be industry members selected to represent the various equine constituencies.

WI L DCAT CA NT ER | O CT O BER 2020 | 17

PR OG R A M U P D ATES

Tim Jedra, UK’s Maine Chance farm manager, featured in the Paint Horse Journal 010-HorseIQ

Modified: July 31, 2020 9:16 AM

Files:Publications:PHJ:09-10_20 Journal:09-10_20-Sent To Rip:PHJ:010-HorseIQ.indd

Used with permission

HORSE IQ

By TIMOTHY JEDRA

Jumping In

Equitation over fences showcases a good rider’s decision-making abilities.

KC MONTGOMERY

Equitation over fences can be described as a hybrid between hunters and jumpers, where the rider’s abilities are judged subjectively over a more technically designed course. Like jumpers, it usually includes bending lines and roll backs, and possibly an added trot fence; like hunters, it’s subjectively judged on the rider’s style. While the horse itself is not being judged, it can greatly influence how a judge perceives a rider’s ability.

While most riders know the basic equitation position—with the ideal rider having a secure leg and seat, good posture, steady hands and ability to make the ride look effortless—what you might notice in this class is the differences in seats, with some riders sitting a little deeper than others; difference in tracks taken, with some riders taking an inside turn instead of an outside option; and differences at the trot, with some riders sitting the trot and others posting.

What I enjoy about this class is that it gives the rider some autonomy to make decisions based on knowing both their ability and their mount. While on course, a rider must make clear and precise decisions and adjustments in a matter of seconds, working in concert with their horse. How tight can you make a turn while being pretty and efficient? It is the rider’s responsibility to make things come together while exhibiting proper position, control, even pace and finding all of their distances.

Inside turns and the shortest distance to a fence is the best option to raise your score. The rider that strikes off at the canter on the most direct path to the first jump is going to demand my attention. I want to see a rider looking ahead with a plan, keeping her horse out in front of her leg. Riding directly to your first fence isn’t without risk—a bad first fence will spoil your entire trip—so make sure you have enough pace to create a good jumping effort.

Recognizing & Rewarding Excellence Some courses allow riders to dictate the HorseIQ is an award-winning path of their turn/roll back or number of strides video-learning program produced by APHA. on a bending line. The assertive rider who Visit horseiq.com to sign up and learn more. pushes her horse forward and takes a more direct route or who makes a tighter inside turn is going to earn points. But the basic hierarchy of judging still applies: I don’t want to see anyone sacrifice being correct—it still has to be smooth and well executed.

To sit or not to sit? A deeper seat with a more open hip angle might be appropriate when a horse is looking at a jump and the rider needs more strength to encourage the horse forward or when the rider needs to balance her horse. A half-seat allows a horse the most freedom and ability to use his back when jumping. Follow the motion of the horse. When good equitation is not successfully happening, it is clear to the judge—the picture is fussy, forward impulsion is compromised, the horse might appear heavy and pulling or be inverted over the jump.

A sitting trot is not necessary, but if you happen to sit the trot well, then show it off. Done poorly, though, it can certainly lower your overall score.

In closing, pay attention to the details. First impressions are important! Enter the ring ready to win. When you come into the ring, show the judge the best of you and your horse. I want to think to myself, “This one looks like it might be the winner.” You have the power to influence your score with that first impression.

APHA Judge Lexington, Kentucky

WI L DCAT CA NT ER | O CT O BER 2020 | 18

PRO GRAM UP D ATE S

Are the voices of African Americans heard in the equine industry?

Note from editor: An important part of the mission of our program includes undergraduate educa¬tion, specifically with our Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree program. A class taught

by Camie Heleski, a faculty member and lecturer within the program – is one designed to present provocative, often controversial issues that are current to the equine industry. In EQM 305, “Equine Industry Issues,” students are introduced to topics, hear from speakers, research infor¬mation and communicate about industry issues in written and oral formats. The course is designed to expose students to hot button issues in the industry and encourage them to research and formulate well-communicated opinions about those issues. One avenue made available to this course is pub¬lishing some of those stories here.

By Alexandra Davis With racial reckoning taking place in America fueled by the death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, is the equine industry really taking the next steps towards diversifying the industry? Before this question can be addressed, we must first look at the history of African Americans in equine history and what led to their departure.

Before African Americans took a sideline seat in the industry, African American jockeys dominated the racing industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After being freed, several former slaves were entrusted with their former master's horses, and in doing so, became some of the most elite horsemen in the country.

When the Kentucky Derby was first established, African American jockeys won 15 out of the first 28 Kentucky Derby races. During this time, the newly freed slaves were a force to be reckoned with; however, this newly found freedom led to a lot of backlash, especially with the rise of the Jim Crow South and the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision.

Throughout the 1890s, African American jockeys were having successful runs at the track, especially Isaac Murphy. Murphy opened the door for many African Americans in racing, but for every door that opened, there were just as many people who were eager to close them.

Sometime in the 1890s, a Chicago sportswriter complained that he felt uncomfortable that African Americans were at the tracks along with him, cheering for the black jockeys to win. This reckoning made him realize that African Americans in America had obtained the same amount of freedoms as whites, which did not sit right with him and many other white Americans. At the turn of the 20th Century, African American men were starting to have difficulties finding jobs at the racetracks and losing opportunities to ride some of the top Thoroughbreds. This shift was due to white jockeys wanting to have segregated races; and a statement came out at that time by some of the white jockeys saying they “did not like to have the negro riding in the same races with them.”

Due to this policy change, African Americans started to move to northern U.S. states and even to Europe to continue their racing careers in a less oppressive environment. Their movement to Europe has left a lasting effect in the United States, considering the once African American filled sport turned into a predominately white profession with many of the jockeys, exercise riders and grooms being Latinx in their background.

Today, with the racial reckoning that is happening in the United States, the equine industry now has to face the music of "Is our industry really as diverse as we claim it to be?" These issues extend beyond the racing industry and can be found in the show world too.

On June 9, 2020, Bill Moroney, of United States Equestrian Federation, released a statement to the com-

WI L DCAT CA NT ER | O CT O BER 2020 | 19

PR OG R A M U P D ATES munity to address the civil unrest in the country. The statement addressed the organization’s stance with the Black Lives Matter movement, and it included how the organization was going to educate its staff and participants. He also talked about how the organization planned to implement a U.S. Equestrian Diversity and Inclusion Commitment Statement and Action Plan. Lastly, he mentioned that the organization will increase communications to members to encourage them to do their part to fight against racism. He said USEF will provide members with resources to help educate them about diversity and the concept of unconscious bias.

Now, this may help us move forward from the past and to be a more progressive industry, but is it enough?

The saying "It's not race; it's class," (meaning socioeconomic status) is a mostly false statement, but is true when you are dealing with systemic racism in this country, which in itself is another conversation that needs to be addressed by the equine industry. However, on the topic of diversifying the industry, African Americans are often met with racial biases from other industry members. Facing these biases is a daily struggle for African Americans in the equine industry, whether it is at a feed store, a tack shop or the show ring. There, they have to endure the stares, the questions like, “Are you lost?” “Whose horse is that?” and “I didn’t even know Black people had horses“ are just a few examples.

In reference to Hill’s statement on wanting to diversify the industry, that is not the real heart of the problem because that is the most obvious problem and can be fixed more easily. However, even with this, halfhearted attempts should not be used to fix this issue. For years, white people have been the default model for the industry and are seen everywhere from feed/tack shop catalogs, advertising publications, competitive events and the list goes on. Publications have used fair-skinned African American models, or, in worse circumstances, used the technique of skin lightening to make African Americans look a lot lighter than they appear. This is a huge issue because for the publications, it is a copout solution to adding melanin to their work without actually having to completely change the whole orientation of their publications. However, this is not the biggest issue concerning the equine industry.

The biggest hurdle the equine industry will have to overcome is reshaping the minds of people when it comes to racial implicit bias. Implicit bias is usually termed as being one’s unconscious bias. Implicit bias is seen everywhere, and everyone has it, especially when it comes to race. However, when it comes to the equine industry, is it implicit bias that African Americans are experiencing, or is it explicit bias? The difference between the two is that implicit bias deals with the subconscious and explicit deals with the conscious.

The racism that African Americans deal with in the equine industry is not based upon implicit bias but explicit bias. The comments and glares that African Americans are often dealt with in this industry do not just happen in the unconscious mind of our white counterparts; it is the fact that they act upon them that makes it explicit. The reason why African Americans are very cautious when it comes to reentering the industry is based on the fact that nobody wants to be a part of something when there is minimal representation and are often met with glares.

Historically, African Americans have never been truly safe in a predominately white setting, and this is proven with cases of like Emmet Till, Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others that have been killed unjustly for being somewhere where the color of their skin deemed them a threat.

The equine industry needs to come to terms with the fact that it is not dealing with implicit bias, but explicit bias, which has driven this industry to where it is now. The fact that the equine industry says that it is coming up with ways to combat implicit bias is insulting to African Americans because it undermines the issue of the explicit bias that they face and have to deal with daily.

So, is the equine industry really taking the steps needed to further diversify itself? Well, this question cannot be answered with a straight yes or no since there is still so much gray area to be addressed. However, the equine industry does need to make amends with the African American community for all the wrongs that have been dealt to its members. The equine industry itself is diverse, especially with African Americans participating in leisure riding, working as grooms, etc. It is the issue of lack of representation in the spotlight and dealing with centuries worth of explicit bias that the industry has yet to address.

WI L DCAT CA NT ER | O CT O BER 2020 | 20

PRO GRAM UP D ATE S

Sadly, it had to take the death of George Floyd for people to see and somewhat understand what African Americans have been dealing with for years. This new racial reckoning is only the beginning of a long, hard road of righting wrongs and how to combat racism not only in this country, but in the equine industry as a whole. The equine industry needs to have the goal of putting more African Americans in positions of power that are not just limited to diversity. For too long, African Americans have been the background extras in this movie; and now is the time for them to become stars and forge a better path for the next generation of African American equestrians. Our common wish should be to bring about a world that does not look at a person's skin but looks at their character and skill level and judges and treats them fairly in every aspect of the industry.

References 1. Teresa Genaro, “On Race, Racing Has ‘To Do More’.” The Racing Biz. (The Racing Biz LLC, 2020). https://www.theracingbiz. com/2020/06/24/on-race-racing-has-to-do-more/ 2. Teresa Genaro, “On Race, Racing Has ‘To Do More’”, 2020.

3. Teresa Genaro, “On Race, Racing Has ‘To Do More’”, 2020.

4. Katherine Mooney, “How African-Americans Disappeared from the Kentucky Derby.” Smithsonian Magazine. (Smithsonian Magazine, 2020). https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-african-americans-disappeared-kentucky-derby-180963159/ 5. Katherine Mooney, “How African-Americans Disappeared from the Kentucky Derby”, 2020.

6. Katherine Mooney, “How African-Americans Disappeared from the Kentucky Derby.” Smithsonian Magazine. (Smithsonian Magazine, 2020). https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-african-americans-disappeared-kentucky-derby-180963159/ 7. Katherine Mooney, “How African-Americans Disappeared from the Kentucky Derby”, 2020.

8. Katherine Mooney, “How African-Americans Disappeared from the Kentucky Derby”, 2020.

9. US Equestrian Communications Department, “Letter from US Equestrian CEO Regarding Racism.” US Equestrian. (United States Equestrian Federation, 2020). https://www.usef.org/media/equestrian-weekly/letter-from-us-equestrian-ceo-regarding-racism 10. US Equestrian Communications Department, “Letter from US Equestrian CEO Regarding Racism”, 2020.

11. US Equestrian Communications Department, “Letter from US Equestrian CEO Regarding Racism”, 2020.

12. US Equestrian Communications Department, “Letter from US Equestrian CEO Regarding Racism.” US Equestrian. (United States Equestrian Federation, 2020). https://www.usef.org/media/equestrian-weekly/letter-from-us-equestrian-ceo-regarding-racism 13. US Equestrian Communications Department, “Letter from US Equestrian CEO Regarding Racism”, 2020.

14. Abriana Johnson, “Understanding the Difference Between Diversity and Inclusion,” From the COVID-19 pandemic to the death of GeorgeFloyd and subsequent police brutality protest, what we see on the news beats us down in more ways than one (blog). Horse Network. (Horse Network, 2020). https://horsenetwork.com/2020/06/understanding-the-difference-between-diversity-and-inclusion/ 15. Abriana Johnson, “Understanding the Difference Between Diversity and Inclusion”, 2020.

16. Abriana Johnson, “Understanding the Difference Between Diversity and Inclusion”, 2020.

17. Abriana Johnson, “Understanding the Difference Between Diversity and Inclusion”, 2020.

18. Abriana Johnson, “Understanding the Difference Between Diversity and Inclusion,” From the COVID-19 pandemic to the death of George Floyd and subsequent police brutality protest, what we see on the news beats us down in more ways than one (blog).

19. Horse Network. (Horse Network, 2020). https://horsenetwork.com/2020/06/understanding-the-difference-between-diversity-and-inclusion/ 20. Carson Byrd. “Race on the Brain: What Implicit Bias Gets Wrong about the Struggle for Racial Justice,” Columbia University Press 48, no. 2 (2019): 180-81. https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/doi/full/10.1177/0094306119828696r20 “Explicit Bias Explained.”

Perception Institute. (Perception Institute, 2020). https://perception.org/research/explicitbias/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CExplicit%20 bias%E2%80%9D%20refers%20to%20the,result%20of%20a%20perceived%20threat.

21. Abriana Johnson, “Understanding the Difference Between Diversity and Inclusion,” From the COVID-19 pandemic to the death of GeorgeFloyd and subsequent police brutality protest, what we see on the news beats us down in more ways than one (blog). Horse Network. (Horse Network, 2020). https://horsenetwork.com/2020/06/understanding-the-difference-between-diversity-and-inclusion/ 22. Abriana Johnson, “Understanding the Difference Between Diversity and Inclusion,” From the COVID-19 pandemic to the death of George Floyd and subsequent police brutality protest, what we see on the news beats us down in more ways than one (blog). Horse Network. (Horse Network, 2020). https://horsenetwork.com/2020/06/understanding-the-difference-between-diversity-and-inclusion/ 23. Byrd, W. Carson. "Race on the Brain: What Implicit Bias Gets Wrong about the Struggle for Racial Justice." 48, no. 2 (2019): 180-81.

Available at: < https://journals-sagepubcom.ezproxy.uky.edu/doi/full/10.1177/0094306119828696r/>[Accessed 3 October 2020].

24. "Explicit Bias Explained - Perception Institute". 2020. Perception Institute. Available at: <https://perception.org/research/explicitbias/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CExplicit%20bias%E%80%9D%20refers%20to%20the,result%20of%20a%20perceived%20threat./>[Accessed 9 October 2020].

25. Genaro, T., 2020. On Race, Racing Has "To Do More" * The Racing Biz. [online] The Racing Biz. Available at: <https://www.theracingbiz.com/2020/06/24/on-race-racing-has-to-domore/>[Accessed 3 October 2020].

26. Johnson, A., 2020. Understanding The Difference Between Diversity And Inclusion. [online] Horse Network. Available at: <https:// horsenetwork.com/2020/06/understanding-thedifference-between-diversity-and-inclusion/> [Accessed 3 October 2020].

27. Mooney, K., 2020. How African-Americans Disappeared From The Kentucky Derby. [online] Smithsonian Magazine. Available at: <https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/howafrican-americans-disappeared-kentucky-derby-180963159/> [Accessed 3 October 2020].

28. US Equestrian Communications Department, 2020. Letter From US Equestrian CEO RegardingRacism. [online] US Equestrian. Available at: <https://www.usef.org/media/equestrianweekly/letter-from-us-equestrian-ceo-regarding-racism> [Accessed 3 October 2020

WI L DCAT CA NT ER | O CT O BER 2020 | 21

Ag Equine Programs

College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

N212 Ag Sciences Building North Lexington, KY 40546-0091 Office: (859) 257-2226 equine@uky.edu www.uky.edu/equine