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AU to Offer Equine Science Major
AUBURN, Ala. — The Department of Animal Sciences in Auburn University’s College of Agriculture is adding an equine science track to its curriculum, effective fall 2006.
Courses to be offered under the new degree option include an introduction to horse management and training as well as courses in equine nutrition, equine biomechanics and shoeing, equine marketing, equine coaching, equine reproductive management and physiology of the equine athlete.
“This isn’t a series of horseback-riding classes,” Cindy McCall, animal sciences professor and Extension horse specialist, said. “This is a strong, science-based program that will prepare students for upper-level-management jobs in the horse industry.”
The first course, equine nutrition, will be offered this spring, taught by animal sciences professor Russ Muntifering.
Interest in the new track is strong, said McCall, who fields several inquiries daily on the new emphasis.
“A lot of animal sciences students these days don’t come ‘from the farm,’” McCall said. “They come to us with a horse background. They aren’t that interested in cows and swine; their interest lies in horses.”
The horse industry is big business and growing in the U.S. A new study by the American Horse Council shows it contributes $39 billion in direct economic impact to the nation’s economy and supports 1.4 million jobs on a full-time basis.
The equine science track brings to four the number of curriculum options offered by AU’s animal sciences department. The other alternatives include the pre-vet/pre-professional option, the production/management option and the muscle foods track.
For more information on the equine science track, contact McCall at 334-844-1556 or mccala@auburn.edu.
Meanwhile, the AU Board of Trustees has approved the concept of an equine center to be built on campus and has given the college permission to hire an architect to develop a design. Funding for such a teaching center is being sought.
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News from:
Office of Ag Communications & Marketing
Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)
Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
For immediate release
