UT Extension Master Horse Owner Class July 9-11 by Nancy Brannon Local UT Extension Specialist Becky Muller and UT Extension Horse Specialist Dr. Bridgette McIntosh of Nashville hosted a successful 3-day Master Horse Owner Class July 9-11 at Agricenter International in Memphis, TN. The class attracted over 50 students, most of them horse owners. “About half are experienced and about half are inexperienced horse owners,” said Muller. On Thursday, Dr. Stephen Galloway covered equine health care including vaccination and deworming programs, emergency first aid, common diseases and disorders in horses, equine dental care, and hoof care. Friday’s lectures were from Dr. Mark Akin and McIntosh. Akin covered stallion and mare reproductive anatomy and management, mare and foal care, and breeding systems. McIntosh covered the equine digestive sytem, nutrient requirements, forages and feeding programs. Saturday’s presentations covered a broad gamut of subjects. The morning’s topics were equine behavior and training, which included a section on trailer safety; genetics, equine conformation, and the Seven Ps for breeding horses. Afternoon presentations turned to Equine Business Management, by Brennis Craddoc, who explained equine business marketing, equine law, taxes, and discussed animal cruelty laws affecting horses in Tennessee. Neal Smith wrapped up the day’s session with the section on farm management, including safe housing and facilities for horses, fencing and pasture management, and manure management. The next sessions of Master Horse Owner classes will be held in Dyer County October 26 and 29. For more information, call the Dyer County Extension Office at (731) 286-7821. McIntosh has plans to offer the course all across the state. To read more about the MHO program, visit the UT Extension Service website at http://www.masterhorseowner.utk.edu/