Horse Science Academy combines science and math with horse management

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

High school students will have an opportunity to combine science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) principles with their interest in horses at the first Horse Science Academy at Oklahoma State University.

The academy will take place Nov. 21 at the Totusek Arena in Stillwater. Kris Hiney, OSU Cooperative Extension equine specialist, said the academy will focus on using STEM principles to make economical, ethical and sustainable decisions regarding equine health care and management.

“There will be some classroom teaching during the workshop, but the majority of it will be hands-on experiences for the students. These laboratory sessions will incorporate active application of the material,” Hiney said.

Registration is $40 and includes a laboratory notebook, lunch, access to smart phone apps, a digital thermometer, stethoscope and other supplies. Space is limited and early registration is due by Nov. 1. Registration after Nov. 1 is $50. Participants may register at https://secure.touchnet.com/C20271_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=1918.

Hiney said there will be four different educational topics offered, including anthelmintic resistance, physical exams and weight assessment, forage evaluation and equine rations evaluation.

The anthelmintic resistance segment will begin with a discussion of parasite resistance and its long-term impact on equine health. Students will do fecal exams and learn good laboratory techniques. In addition, they will design a parasite control program based on the outcome of their results.

The second part of the workshop will engage students as they gain greater understanding of equine biology with the addition of technology. They will use two phone apps to take measurements on the horses and use that information to make management decisions.

“In the third segment of the workshop, students will learn about forage evaluation and discuss subjective evaluation of hay. This will be followed by a hands-on lab featuring good sampling techniques,” she said. “The students will then use their forage analysis to make budget decisions on selections of hay.”

The final part of the workshop will focus on horse ration evaluation. Students will combine everything they have learned throughout the day and use that information to do an extensive mathematic evaluation of rations, as well as make budget decisions for feeding horses.

“We’re excited about this inaugural Horse Science Academy and believe participants will gain a lot of valuable information to help them with the care of their horses,” Hiney said.

For more information, contact Hiney at 405-744-9291, or via email at khiney@okstate.edu.