Background and History 

Phase 1 planning

(March 2005 - January 2006)

One of the most compelling sources of information during Phase 1 came from a series of listening sessions. These focus group and discussion sessions were held around the state and sought input from stakeholders within all facets and breeds of the equine industry. These sessions helped define stakeholder priorities and were instrumental in setting the course for the Equine Initiative. Many of the recommendations that were carried forward came from this input.

In addition to these listening sessions, more than 100 responses were gathered from the general public via an online survey available on the Equine Initiative website.

Another important source for information came from within the College of Agriculture itself. Feedback was solicited from departments and individuals within the College who were actively working on equine related projects, had a stake in the equine industry or had a vision of having a role in UK's developing relationship with that industry in the future.

Some of the biggest issues and reoccurring themes to emerge from these sessions included, but weren't limited to, the need for:

• A strong undergraduate degree program
• Increased research on issues directly relevant to the equine industry
• Better communication and informational resources
• An increase in outreach programs specific to the equine industry

Committee membership: In Phase 1, several committees were formed to begin the process of developing the Equine Initiative. In addition to a main committee, subcommittees met and began to develop education, research and outreach components to the Equine Initiative.

Main committee membership and their roles at the time:
Committee chair: Dr. Lori Garkovich, Community and Leadership Development

Committee members:
Dr. Craig N Carter, Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center
Dr. Bob Coleman, Animal and Food Sciences
Dr. Rick Durham, Horticulture
Dr. Laurie Lawrence, Animal and Food Sciences
Dr. Jamie MacLeod, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center
Dr. Leigh J Maynard, Agricultural Economics
Dr. Karen J McDowell, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center
Dr. Lee Meyer, Agricultural Economics
Dr. Dan Potter, Agriculture - Entomology
Dr. Ray Smith, Forage Extension Specialist
Dr. James R Strickland, USDA Ars-Fapru
Dr. Bill Witt, Agronomy
Dr. Neil Williams, Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center
Dr. Craig Wood, Agricultural Communications

Other key people
Administrative contact: Dr. Nancy Cox, Director of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and Associate Dean for Research

Associate deans and directors:
Dr. Mike Mullen, Associate Dean for Academic Programs
Dr. Larry Turner, Director of Cooperative Extension Service and Associate Dean for Extension
Dr. Jimmy Henning, Assistant Director for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension Service

Affiliated department chairs during this formation of the Equine Initiative:
Dr. Horst Schach, Landscape Architecture
Dr. Bob Harmon, Animal and Food Sciences
Dr. Lynn Robbins, Agricultural Economics
Dr. Rich Gates, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Dr. Lenn Harrison, Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center
Dr. Gary Hansen, Community and Leadership Development
Dr. Dewayne Ingram, Horticulture
Dr. Peter Timoney, Veterinary Science and Director of Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center
Dr. Mike Barrett, Plant and Soil Science

Equine Initiative Coordinator: Kimberly Brown, Graduate Student, Agricultural Economics

Phase 2 (March-October 2006)

During this time, the Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree curriculum was planned, faculty and staff were hired and infrastructure needs were identified.

A Faculty Affiliates Committee was formed to examine the concept of an "equine institute." Many of the recommendations of this committee were implemented into the Equine Initiative's current structure.

A Curriculum Committee was formed to plan the curriculum for the University's new Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree program. This planning group set out to create a top-notch equine undergraduate program with a focused idea of what attributes a graduating student should have. They worked backward from there. The planning process tapped some of the horse industry's most respected members. The committee also included a wide range of departmental participation.

An Interim Industry Advisory Committee, made up of important stakeholders from Kentucky's equine industry, was formed as an advisory board as the Equine Initiative planning process was underway.

Implementation, 2007

Implementation and formal announcement: UK Equine Initiative Press Conference, January 29, 2007