The West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences has added a stable full of courses to the equine management curriculum.

Three new classes are being offered this fall for students with an interest in horses: Fundamentals of Equine Management and Training (Animal&Veterinary Sciences 293G), Equine Hoof and Limb Care (Animal&Veterinary Sciences 293H) and Equine Judging (Animal Production 338&339).

In addition, the Davis College will offer Resource Management 493/693: Equine Facilities Design in the spring of 2006.

Previously, weve offered an introductory course, Light Horse Science, which has drawn a lot of interest,said Jennifer Lewis, instructor of equine management.In general, all kinds of people from diverse backgrounds are interested in the equine field, and the addition of these classes will give any student an advantage in the equine industry when seeking employment.

According to Lewis, an interdisciplinary minor in equine management should be available beginning as early as spring 2006, pending approval, and a major in equine management also is being discussed. Additional courses are currently under development, including courses in equine marketing, taxonomy, liability, breeding, evaluation and conditioning.

Equine classes at the Davis College began in 2004 with the addition of Light Horse Science (Animal Production 344) to the Davis College curriculum. The course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of genetic selection, reproduction, health, nutrition, and management principals in the equine industry.

Students taking Animal and Veterinary Sciences 293H: Equine Hoof and Limb Care, will learn specific techniques of hoof mapping, physiology of the hoof and lower limb, and proper trimming and shoeing techniques.

Animal Production 338&339: Equine Judging Team is a two-semester course wherein the first semester students learn about conformation and breed characteristics, followed by a second semester centering on participation in equine judging competitions.

Animal&Veterinary Sciences 293G: Fundamentals of Equine Management and Training explores the principles of horse management and care as it relates to various disciplines.

Resource Management 493/693: Equine Facilities Design, to be offered in the spring, will focus on the examination of construction materials, cost efficiency, marketing and liability issues associated with operating an equine facility.

For more information contact Lewis, 304-293-2691, ext. 4534.