March 2020 UK Ag Equine Programs Wildcat Canter newsletter

K e e n e l a n d h o s ts S p ri n g UK E qu in e I n d u s t ry E nc o u n te r

M ARC H 202 0

C ON TE N TS

UK Equine Alumni Resource Survey PAGE 6

During this time of change, several alums have reached out indicating that they’d like to serve as a resource to equine faculty and staff and find ways to connect with students to help them be successful.

Student Basic Needs Fund Created

PAGE 6 The University of Kentucky has created a fund to help students access resources for their basic needs. That information can be found at https://www.uky.edu/concern/.

Equine Industry Encounter

PAGE 8 During the spring Industry Encounter, hosted by Keeneland March 6, around 30 students got a first hand look at the types of jobs available in the equine industry and at Keeneland.

UK Livestock Specialists: People Can Learn Important Lessons From Animals in Tough Times

PAGE 14 With all the uncertainty in the world during the COVID-19 crisis, UK animal scientists say people could learn quite a few lessons from animals. Animals have their own culture in how they deal with life and the stresses that come along.

U PC O M IN G E V ENTS AND I MPORTAN T DEADLINES • April 1, Deadline to apply for May or August graduation • May 4-8 - Finals week

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W E L COM E It is my privilege to extend this Wildcat Canter’s Welcome to the current students of Equine Programs. As President of the Equine Alumni Affiliate Network, I represent an incredible group of individuals - a board of directors and an established community of supporters whose purpose is to: • Foster professional pride; • Promote activities and projects for the advancements, best interests and welfare of the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and equine industry; • Provide activities, education and support services for students, graduates, faculty, staff, members and friends.

While in college, you are studying the past and present to provide solutions for the future, but what happens after you graduate? What happens a few years after your graduation and you are looking for a different avenue, or perhaps a way to circle back to your foundation?

This Network, fondly shorted as EQAAN, was founded to aid in such developed needs. We work to organize and support many various events during the year, including equine trivia, educational series and opportunities and social events – all in efforts to greater connect alumni and create equine specific networking opportunities.

For instance, a committee composed of some of our board’s directors as well as passionate alumni for the past five years have planned an alumni tailgate at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event.

People from all around come and visit in – rain or shine – to reminisce, connect and cultivate relationships with alumni and friends of UK’s Equine Programs, and of course, to watch some cross country!

While it is unfortunate due to the current circumstances with COVID-19 that we are unable to host a tailgate at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event this year, we look forward to the possibility of hosting a second equine trivia event this fall. As another avenue, we are also looking forward to the development of an alumni database to allow alumni and undergrads alike to make connections.

All of us have something special that make us unique with how we work with horses. We all have something in common that we share – that we have been a part of the University of Kentucky and because of this, we have acquired the skills necessary to prosper. I would like to say that my success is directly attributed to, yes, my textbook education and learning experiences, but mostly due to the support from the educators, mentors and continued affiliations with fellow alumni, faculty and friends of UK’s Equine Programs.

As alumni of UK Ag Equine Programs, it is our responsibility to the equine industry to continue to nurture our own skills as a community as well as give back to the next generation. EQAAN develops leadership, facilitates global competition, provides avenues for social accountability, as well as allows methods for you to see and catch your made opportunities.

I would like to extend you a personal invite to all of our future events. In addition, if you are interested in lending your skills, support or just want to be involved, we would appreciate having you along for the ride.

Hannah Niebielski, ‘12, President, Equine Alumni Affiliate Network

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M A STHE A D

Wildcat Canter Editorial Staff Lindsay O’Hara, contributing writer Grace Vazquez, 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, Erin DesNoyers; this page: Jimmy Henning

Connect with us on Social Media

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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

H O R SE R ACI N G CL UB

DR E SSA G E TEAM

PO L O TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Bob Coleman, rcoleman@uky.edu and Savannah Robin, savannah.robin@uky.edu President: Anna Lowes, anna.lowes@uky.edu

Advisor: Dr. Jill Stowe, jill.stowe@uky.edu President: Lindsay O’Hara, 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: Caroline Molther, caroline.molther@uky.edu

Facebook: UKY Equestrian Team

W ES TERN TEAM

President: JRebecca Brown, beccabrown@uky.edu Facebook: UKY Western IHSA Team

Advisor: Dr. Laurie Lawrence, llawrenc@uky.edu Presidents: Catherine Primavera, ukhorseracingclub@gmail.com Facebook: UKY Horse Racing Club

Advisor: Dr. Roger Brown, rogerbrown@uky.edu Dr. Jamie MacLeod, jnmacleod@uky.edu President: Tommy Huber, Tommy_huber@uky.edu Facebook: U of Kentucky Polo

R O D EO TEAM

Advisor: Monty Ott, monty.ott@uky.edu 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

E V E N TING TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Jill Stowe, jill.stowe@uky.edu President: Macy Clark, macyclark23@gmail.com Facebook: UK Dressage and Eventing

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PR O G R A M U P D ATES

UK Equine Alumni Resource Survey

By Kristen Wilson

During this time of change, several alums have reached out indicating that they'd like to serve as a resource to equine faculty and staff and find ways to connect with students to help them be successful. UK Ag Equine Programs and the UK Equine Affiliate Alumni Network would like to connect with our Equine Science and Management alumni to find ways for them to be part of this effort.

If you'd like to be part of this opportunity, please fill out the short survey here.

Questions can be directed to Kristen Wilson at kristen.wilson1@uky.edu

Student Basic Needs Fund Created The University of Kentucky has created a fund to help students access resources for their basic needs.

That information can be found here.

Additionally, a college Covid-19 resource hub can be found here.

Letter from UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Dean Nancy Cox March 26, 2020

Dear CAFE Community, Alumni, Partners and Friends, During these uncertain times, be assured that at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment we continue to work every day to bring answers and stability to our students, families, farms, horse industry, forests and communities across the Commonwealth.

Throughout our more than 150-year history, as our states and nation faced imposing challenges and strife, scientists at land grant universities have responded. We have survived and ultimately thrived through the ages. We’ve endured and helped families and farmers through the aftermath of the Civil War, World War I and World War II, the Great Depression, floods and droughts and recessions.

We are doing that again today with the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Faculty in the college are adapting to the current challenges and working diligently to provide innovative, online instruction for our students. We have talented faculty recognized by their students and peers for their outstanding work. While the mode of delivery may be different, these dedicated teachers will ensure that their students get the information and assistance they need to thrive in their educational program.

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PRO GRAM UP D ATE S Continued from page 6

Researchers continue to manage labs, fields and barns to safeguard our food supply and signature industries, while concurrently protecting our water, soils and environment, although we are practicing the necessary precautions of social distancing and sanitizing in this new environment. Our researchers test technologies and practices that may or may not work out. As always, we take the risk. We invest our time, equipment and resources, so we can advise the commonwealth on the things that work best and keeps them from having to take that risk themselves.

Agriculture has been listed as critical infrastructure by federal and state government. Food production in Kentucky is entering the growing season. Horse farms are in the peak of the foaling and breeding season. Extension specialists and agriculture and natural resources agents are using online tools to reach local producers and direct marketers. We continue to do the work every day for our growers, equine professionals and other stakeholders so they have all the tools needed at this critical time and in the face of these unprecedented COVID-19 challenges.

Our Extension agents are finding creative ways to help families, businesses and communities cope with the stress, isolation and financial uncertainties in the face of this international crisis. We are using the latest technologies and social media to stay in contact with our community members while also using the tried and true.

Photo by David Traxler

4-H agents across the state have made more than 4,000 “brown bag kits” for activities that parents can safely pick up and take home. Others are using the postal service to deliver packets to families for support. Family and Consumer Sciences Extension has ramped up online learning opportunities. Examples include “Understanding Social Distancing” and “Importance of Family Routines.” The response has been staggering, on average remote programming is reaching in excess of 5,000 per topic, with the reach continuing to grow daily.

We continue to collaborate across campus and with industry. Our researchers have worked with their colleagues around UK to help businesses make hand sanitizer, then taken the additional step to deliver it to needed health facilities. Our labs are diverting some of their supplies to help their colleagues in UK health care.

Most of our staff have transitioned to working remotely but still are “here” to assist our college and our communities and continue to provide the important work of keeping our college open for business.

We continue to serve our land grant missions every day. Together, we will get through this.

Best, Nancy

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F EAT U R E S TORY

Equine Industry Encounter

By Lindsay O Hara During the spring Industry Encounter, hosted by Keeneland March 6, more than 30 students got a firsthand look at the types of jobs available in the equine industry and at Keeneland.

Participants arrived at Keeneland’s Sales Pavilion before splitting into smaller groups for a behind-thescenes tour. Students visited the sales counter to hear about the finance side of the sales process; the back holding ring to discuss the relationship management of the sales process, the repository to cover the importance of a centralized resource of medical images such as leg radiographs on the horses being sold; the show barn to learn the importance of barn maintenance and what that looks like during racing and sales; and the arena to hear about auctioneers and Keeneland’s mission.

UK Ag Equine Programs’ Director James N. MacLeod (green sweater) and student LaRonda Cox (right of MacLeod) join student participants on the tours.

After the tour, students returned to the sales pavilion for a Q&A panel session with a few of Keeneland’s esteemed team members, including Dara Allen, director of marking strategy, Sidney Boots, sales coordinator, Robert Elliston, vice president of racing and sales, and Kara Heissenbuttel, director of patron experience.

They spoke about their experiences in the industry and how they got to where they are today. They also discussed critical issues facing the industry and how Keeneland is helping to work through those issues.

Photos by Erin DesNoyers and Grace Vazquez.

Panelists in above photos include, from left to right, moderator, equine student, Keeneland Ambassador and one of the event planners, Lindsay O’Hara; joined by Keeneland’s Dara Allen, director of marketing strategy; Sidney Boots, sales coordinator; Kara Heissenbuttel, director of patron experience; and Robert Elliston, vice president of racing and sales.

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FEAT U R E STORY

A few of the students who participated included, from left to right, Alexxis Stanalonis, Julianna Havnear and Wendy (Szu Yuan) Ke.

Ashley Whalen, racing and sales operations manager for Keeneland, demonstrates concepts to tour participants.

Keeneland’s Walter Wallace II, director of maintenance (middle), is joined by his colleagues, as they talk about their roles during the tours.

Keeneland’s Kyle Wilson, relationship manager, sales team, provides information to attendees.

Keeneland’s Ryan Mahan, director of auctioneers, gives an overview of his role to participants.

Keeneland’s Geoffrey Russel, director of sales operations, talks with attendees.

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I NDUS T RY U P DATES

Kentucky Horse Council Ready With A ‘Safety Net’ For Horse Owners Impacted

By COVID-19 Source: Kentucky Horse Council news release by Natalie Voss, 03/23/2020 As the country braces for long-term economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems all but certain a number of Americans will find themselves unemployed or underemployed. The Kentucky Horse Council anticipates that some of those people will be horse owners.

The Council is a 501c3 organization which provides a number of educational and support programs to all breeds and sports in the state. In more normal times, it hosts regular public lectures, large animal rescue training for first responders, abuse/neglect investigation training for law enforcement, and other educational events for recreational and experienced horse owners alike.

The Kentucky Horse Council gets most of its funding through its specialty license plates, which are available through Kentucky's Department of Motor Vehicles and feature the image of a foal next to the license number. The Council was among the first entities in the state to have its own license plate.

One of the Council's most popular programs will now be expanded to help horse owners who have lost income due to coronavirus. The Equine Safety Net is a longstanding program that helps horse owners who have had a temporary setback that has reduced their ability to feed their horses. The program typically covers horse feed for up to two months.

“It's intended to be a temporary fix for those who are suffering from a temporary problem, like a job loss or medical problem,” said Kentucky Horse Council executive director Katy Ross. “We've been averaging two to six Safety Nets a year.”

The Equine Safety Net is part of a larger program called Save Our Horses, which also offers vouchers for gelding procedures, as well as vouchers for euthanasia costs to horse owners in need.

Ross said that in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the program will instead offer $250 grants for general horse care. She acknowledges the Equine Safety Net fund is already strapped – it has offered aid to counties in Eastern Kentucky, where authorities have struggled to feed seized horses from neglect cases, and that ate away at half the funds budgeted for the Safety Net for the year. She's hopeful that the many horse owners who have been looking for a way to help their local equine community may call in donations to the fund. Even small donations could add up.

“If we're able to raise any additional money, that will 100 percent go to this,” she said. “It won't go to operating costs. Hopefully that happens we'll be able to give out more money than we're budgeted for right now.”

Applications, which are available online, for the Equine Safety Net are vetted by Council staff to determine an owner's needs.

In the face of board costs in Central Kentucky, Ross acknowledges $250 may not sound like not much, but she's hopeful it could make an important difference for someone who needs the help.

“It's not a ton of money but if I was boarding at a farm, I could at least give the farm owner money to buy feed for my horse,” she said. “I keep going back to, if this had happened to me when I was just out of law school if I'd had my horse back then I would have been in a lot of trouble. I want to help if I can.”

In the face of board costs in Central Kentucky, Ross acknowledges $250 may not sound like not much, but she's hopeful it could make an important difference for someone who needs the help.

“It's not a ton of money but if I was boarding at a farm, I could at least give the farm owner money to buy feed for my horse,” she said. “I keep going back to, if this had happened to me when I was just out of law school if I'd had my horse back then I would have been in a lot of trouble. I want to help if I can.”

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INDUS T RY UP D ATE S

COVID-19 Kentucky State Veterinarian Recommendations/Guidelines Source: Rusty Ford, Kentucky State Veterinarian’s Office, March 26 Release The public health threat presented by COVID-19, otherwise known as coronavirus, is impacting all, and the equine industry is not immune to it. Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles, State Veterinarian Bob Stout and I are appreciative of the proactive steps our agricultural industries have taken thus far. Only by working together as we are can help ensure our own health and that of our industry. Protecting the health of ourselves, families, friends, employees and one another is of paramount importance.

As veterinarians, technicians, farm managers and horsemen – we are knowledgeable and familiar with biosecurity. We have all worked through disease outbreaks, quarantines and understand the basic principles to mitigating disease transmission in horses. The environment we are in today though, does necessitate applying and expanding these principles. It is our mutual goal to see the standards defined below be adopted, implemented and practiced by all farms, practitioners and horsemen working together in our industry here in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Office of State Veterinarian has developed the following guidance to adjust equine activities to better protect public health during this time.

General Guidance: • Familiarize yourself and your employees about the Coronavirus Guidelines For America • If you feel sick, stay home. Do not work. Contact your medical provider.

• If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider.

• If someone in your household has tested positive for the virus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.

• If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.

• If you are person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.

• Limit individuals from unnecessarily congregating and maintaining a responsible social distance between individuals. Social distancing is the phrase of the month and is defined as a 6-foot perimeter/ space between individuals.

• Please keep up to date with the Centers for Disease Control Guidance, which includes best practices during this time.

Caring For Our Horses and Industry: • Dr. Stout and I have been speaking with equine practitioners, farm managers, farm employees and other individuals in the industry to best define the path forward. We have compiled the following best practices.

• Barns should be open to allow as much exchange of fresh air as possible.

• Equipment (leads, shanks, twitches, grooming, etc.) should be assigned to a barn and not passed to different individuals. This equipment should be cleaned and disinfected daily.

• Surfaces (desk, rails, gates, etc.) having contact with individuals or equipment should be cleaned and disinfected frequently.

• Paperwork should be completed and submitted electronically.

• Communication should be via phone call, email or text.

• Veterinarians/veterinary assistants (and others who visit farms daily): Limit the number of individuals assisting the veterinarian. Veterinarians and other individuals who visit multiple facilities daily must understand and accept the additional steps they must take to avoid becoming contaminated and potentially transferring the contagion to other environments.

• Veterinarians, assistants and others should take their temperature two times daily and not report to work if an elevated fever is detected. Any fever detected should be reported to a supervisor or manager.

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I NDUS T RY U P DATES • Veterinarians, assistants and others should wear gloves, coveralls and consider wearing a mask when deemed appropriate. These would be changed between farms and cleansed for reuse at end of day.

• When feasible, the veterinary assistant should be the individual holding/restraining the horse.

• The manner by which you palpate or examine a mare is based on your assessment and familiarity with the individual animal. Ideally, the tail would be pulled and tied or the assistant wearing gloves would hold the tail. Alternatively, a farm employee could serve this role so long as he or she has the proper PPE while maintaining the defined social distance. Our objective is to minimize the number of individuals working in close proximity.

• The veterinarian assistant should cleanse the gloved hand or use new gloves moving horse to horse. The veterinarian should change or cleanse gloves between horses.

• Avoid transfer of paperwork. Reports support that contagions are easily transferred to/from paper products. All administrative processes should be completed electronically when possible. This includes daily worksheets and payment.

Farm employees: • There should be no physical contact between individuals and they should practice social distancing. Farm employees should check their temperatures two times daily and if an elevated fever is detected they should report the fever to their supervisor and not interact with veterinarian.

• Where possible, employees working on the farm should be ‘consistently compartmentalized,’ meaning individuals’ day-to-day routines should be that they work with the same people daily, and do not work different shifts having interaction with new or different individuals.

• Ideally, there would be one farm employee per barn working with the veterinarian. This individual should be at or near the head of the horse and away from the veterinarian. The veterinarian or accompanying assistant is holding tail.

• Foals requiring restraint, will be attended to by the veterinarian’s assistant.

Implementing these practices, and any other action you can take to eliminate people from congregating in common areas, will be beneficial and could be critical in our ability to continue business is as normal manner as possible. I welcome any additional recommendations you might have.

For additional information regarding the COVID-19 status in Kentucky, please visit https://govstatus.egov.com/ kycovid19.

Guidelines, updates and information offered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture can be viewed at www.kyagr.com/covid19

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EQUINE PROGRAMS SPOTLIGHT Mary Rossano

Involvement in the industry:

Associate Professor

Mary Rossano is an associate professor at the University of Kentucky, teaching within the equine program. She teaches and advises students, helping them navigate their time at UK. In addition, she conducts equine epidemiology and parasitology research. She also enjoys pleasure riding in her free time.

Education: Michigan State University. Certificate in Horse Management, 1991 Michigan State University, B.S. Animal Science, 1994 Michigan State University, M.S. Animal Science/Epidemiology, 1999 Michigan State University, Ph.D. Epidemiology/Parasitology, 2003

Impact: Rossano has had an impact on many of her students’ career paths. One course she teaches is horse behavior and handling, which gives her the opportunity to pair students with horses and watch them learn to work as a team, a unique opportunity for undergraduates. Additionally, being an advisor has impacted many students’ undergraduate careers.

Favorite aspect of her work: Rossano said her absolute favorite aspect of her work is having the ability to teach hands-on labs with students and horses together.

History with the program: Rossano has been an associate professor within the program since 2007.

Advice for equine students: Take your classes seriously so you will be knowledgeable when you work in the industry. Work and do internships to make connections.

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F EAT U R E S TORY

UK Livestock Specialists: People Can Learn Important Lessons From Animals in Tough Times

By Aimee Nielson, March 25 UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment news release

With all the uncertainty in the world during the COVID-19 crisis, University of Kentucky animal scientists say people could learn quite a few lessons from farm animals.

Animals have their own culture in how they deal with life and the stresses that come along. They have relationships, disagreements, collaborations and many other things to which humans can relate.

“Cattle are normally quiet, but they become vocal when separated from the herd or when they are looking for a herdmate or a calf,” said Jeff Lehmkuhler, beef specialist for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “Seems like the loudest voice is always heard. I think we could be more like that as people and leverage our loud voice toward the important stuff.”

UK equine specialist Bob Coleman said that while we are feeling confined by social distancing orders, we can take heart that horses get irritable in the same situations.

“When horses are confined with little to do, they get grumpy,” he said. “Perhaps horse owners WI L DCAT CA NT ER | M ARC H 2020 | 14

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FEAT UR E STORY

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could find mutually enjoyable activities with their horses and alleviate boredom. Also, we should have patience with those around us, because they may be having a difficult time feeling bored and confined as well.”

In that same vein, parents suddenly home with out-of-school children may be feeling a little impatient as they try to help with online homework and manage their own work-from-home duties and normal household chores without much opportunity to take a break. Chickens deal with these situations with ease. New chicks are always pecking at anything that moves, even their mother’s eyes.

They are constantly grabbing at anything to get some attention, using the mother hen as a jungle gym, testing her patience.

“The hen doesn’t let it get to her,” said Jacquie Jacob, UK extension project manager for small and backyard flocks. “She knows all that activity is teaching them to grow into strong chickens who know how to get what they need. She sacrifices her comfort for their development.”

Animals also know how to take care of each other. Sheep know their survival is more likely in a flock of many. Being alone, makes them more vulnerable to predators. While most Americans are having to practice a little social distancing right now, they can still take advantage of modern technology to “flock” together and ward off predators of illness, fear and boredom.

“We can also learn a lot from the way shepherds tend to the flock,” said Debra Aaron, UK animal sciences professor. “The shepherd takes care of the entire flock, but he or she is also very good at seeking out a sick or injured animal with that flock. When the shepherd takes care of the sick individual, the entire flock is healthier and stronger.”

Animals know when to push through, when to play and how to focus. They live focused on the moment and don’t get distracted by the past or the future. They heed their instincts to stay alert to their senses and to each other. They stay focused on what is most important. And, when it’s all too much for them, they understand how important it is to rest. They seem to instinctually know they need rest to thrive and get along.

“Have you ever seen cows fighting? They mostly live in harmony,” Lehmkuhler said. “Look at the wide-open pastures we have in Kentucky. The cows have plenty of room to spread out, but they prefer to be together.”

Check on each other; learn to recognize the signs of stress in your tribe.

“Signs of illness and pain in cattle can often be subtle and easily overlooked,” said Katie VanValin, UK beef specialist. “Overlooking mild symptoms leaves the door open for larger problems in the herd.

Now, while we are self-distancing, we need to remember that what might cause mild illness in some, could be a much greater problem for others.”

VanValin said that cattle handlers also teach a good lesson.

“Understand that cattle are a prey species, so they often have a fear of the unknown or unfamiliar, just like us. Those situations cause stress and anxiety for cattle and for us,” she said. “For cattle, the attitude of the handler can either alleviate or heighten that anxiety and stress. For our part, when we speak and act purposefully and with positivity, we can help ease fear and anxiety of those around us.”

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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