About the Program
Minnesota ranks ninth in the nation in number of horses at 155,000. According to 2002 USDA Census of Agriculture, Minnesota has 14,289 horse and pony farms. The total estimated economic impact of the equine economy is approximately $1 billion — about 10 percent of Minnesota's animal industry.
The University of Minnesota Horse Team consists of 17 faculty members from 7 different departments or colleges. The majority of strategic planning, vision and leadership responsibility of the program is generated from team members from the Department of Animal Science, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Extension, University of Minnesota Equine Center, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
We provide information on:
- hoof care and lameness
- elderly horse care
- breeding and foaling
- dentistry
- fly and pest control
- liabilities for horse owners
- vitamins and minerals
- rehabilitation therapies
- vaccinations and deworming
- winter care
- when to call a vet
- first aid and emergency management
- hay
- pasture management
The team meets three times a year with the Equine Advisory Committee (EAC). The role of the EAC is to:
- provide feedback and solution to current and future problems and issues
- serve as outside reviewers for proposals and publications
- act as a sounding board for ideas and decisions
- become advocates for mission of horse program
We work in cooperation with:
