Creating a Cohesive Emergency Response for Horses in Hazardous Situations
Sarah E. Coleman
The Kentucky Horse Council
Executive Director
This workshop focuses on the cohesiveness horse and farm owners, emergency responders, and veterinarians and vet techs must have to garner favorable outcomes when horses are placed in perilous situations like being trapped in mud, running at large, or enduring neglect or abuse (among others). The knowledge of community resources (and their timely location) is often key to ensuring equine safety. The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) offers multiple training opportunities to residents of the Commonwealth, including a Large Animal Emergency Rescue training and Livestock Investigation Training One and Two. These programs can be planned and replicated in any state, by either a concerned horse or farm owner, or by an equine organization. Program outlines, possible program attendees, frequently questions and concerns will be addressed, as will the ability to first assess what is already in place in a community (which is oftentimes nothing).
Step-by-step outlines of how to plan for the trainings will be provided, as well as suggestions of entities with which to partner, sponsorship ideas and opportunities and possible youth projects (like halter drives and hands-on mini sessions for rescue personnel).
Each workshop attendee will leave this session:
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With the knowledge of where to begin, who to contact and how to plan for rescue trainings
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A timeline of preparation for the events
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Provision of sample ideas for sponsorship opportunities
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An understanding of how to explain to others in the community why trainings like these are imperative to equine health and safety
Digital Escape Rooms: Helping Youth Learn In a Fun and Innovative Way
Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, PhD
University of Connecticut
Equine Extension Specialist/Associate Professor
Emily Alger
University of Connecticut 4-H Program
Education Program Coordinator
Marc Cournoyer
University of Connecticut Extension
Education Program Coordinator
Our equine themed escape room is a way to impart general horse knowledge through gamification - an exciting way to engage and educate youth. This technique inspires youth to group problem solve, and to work through a digital media experience that teaches or and reinforces equine knowledge. This idea emerged to reduce burnout caused by the pandemic and to provide a new approach to teaching. There will be different levels of activities so working through the activities could happen over time. Participation in escape rooms also reinforces following directions, reading completely, cooperative puzzle solving and other transferable life skills. Leaders will have hints as to where youth should start the puzzles. This is a medium in which ‘tried and true' content can be shared in new and innovative ways. This technique can be used remotely or in person. Using the experiential learning model through digital activities is on the cutting edge of 4-H education.
We will engage the audience through use of our digital “escape room” using an interactive group experience. After the escape room activities we will have a question and answer session about using the medium and how to incorporate it in a club or county level program. A guide on how to construct an escape room will be provided to attendees.
Workshop Objectives:
1. To introduce learning through gamification
2. To engage youth in basic horse knowledge education in a fun way through digital media
3. To enhance both horseless activities and inside meeting options for horse club members
Hardware Store = Teaching Aids Galore
Robin Wedlake
Ohio 4-H Horse Program
4-H Horse Advisor
This hands-on workshop will demonstrate how to make creative and reusable teaching aids without breaking the bank. Participants will learn how to make front and rear horse leg models using PVC pipe that can be easily taken apart for storage. These leg models can be used to display protective equipment and will have your 4-H members wrapping legs in no time! Participants will also create simple, reusable templates to help youth learn and identify face markings and frontal bones on a horse’s head.
Throughout the workshop, additional hardware store items will be highlighted that can be used to help visualize bones and the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract with ease. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to build the teaching aids using the materials suggested.
On The Road Again
Joe Stanco
Penn State Extension
Team HorsePower Adviser
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Barry Decker
Julia Dillon
Lottie Wagner
Sylvia Decker
Sophie Shoop
Team HorsePower
This presentation is created to educate equestrians and motorists on the importance of road safety. It will cover the correct procedures and responsibilities of both the rider or driver of the equine, along with that of the driver of the vehicle. Also, through this workshop, the basics of how to deal with an accident will be touched upon, along with different types of safety equipment used to help prevent a tragic incident from occurring. In addition, there will be information on what to do if you are trailering a horse and have to unload alongside a road. The goal is to provide a general understanding of road safety as an equestrian and as a motorist.
Using Evaluation as a Teaching Tool
Courtney Smith
CHA Certified Riding Instructor
Need A Hand Horse Training
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Dr. Holly Spooner, PhD, PAS
Equine Technical Lead
Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health
Assessment or evaluation sounds a lot like taking a test or receiving criticism…something many of us prefer to avoid. But assessment can be positive and is a key contributor to growth, improvement, and learning. While it’s fairly easy to think about how we might evaluate a program or event (the dreaded follow-up survey, anyone?), it might be harder to consider assessment of officers in your organization, assessment of riders in your lesson program, or evaluation of your own strengths and weaknesses.
This workshop will help participants learn to frame evaluation in a positive light. We’ll discuss
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Why evaluate?
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When to Evaluate?
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How to Evaluate? and perhaps most importantly
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Using the results of evaluation positively.
Participants will then work in small groups through real life scenarios of evaluation to put their skills to the test.
Put Horse Smarts to Work for YouTH
Susie Baumgartner
American Riding Instructors Association
More than just riding! Take a look at some lessons from Horse Smarts that can be used on a rainy day or in a classroom setting. In this session you will have a chance to try out non-riding lesson plans developed by the American Youth Horse Council that include science, math, and even geography. If you are running out of ideas to teach after grooming and saddling, we have some activities that make it fun to learn all about horses!
Participants in this workshop will:
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Increase knowledge of Horse Smarts
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Understand ways to incorporate math, science, etc. into equine education
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Gain hands on experience at lesson plans in the classroom.
Riding the Unfamiliar Horse in a Draw Format
Courtney Smith
Need a Hand Horse Training
Swinging a leg over the saddle and settling on the back of the horse takes quite a bit of courage and confidence. Doing so on a horse you have never ridden in a competition setting could be considered a little crazy. Learn tips and tools to better evaluate an unfamiliar horse during schooling and throughout the ride. Watch the journey as rider and horse start out as complete strangers and become a team while navigating patterns and performing railwork. Participants will acquire skills on how to become a master of the ultimate catch ride.
Under the Skin - Equine Leg Dissection Lab
Workshop description coming soon
Olivia Watson
Graduate Student
University of Tennessee
Sawyer Main
Extension Assistant &
Graduate Student
University of Tennessee
Dr. Jennie Ivey
Associate Professor & Equine Extension Specialist
University of Tennessee
Dr. Holly Spooner
Equine Technical Lead
Cargill Animal Nutrition
SOUTHERN EQUINE EXPO
Participants will also attend the Southern Equine Expo offering a wide variety of equine clinicians, educational lectures, breed demonstrations, and equine performances. Admission to the expo on Saturday, March 19 is included in your symposium registration