
Courtney Heaton
Lecturer
Animal Sciences
Degrees Earned
2019
Ph.D. in Animal and Dairy Science – Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS)
2015
M.S. in Animal Science – Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)
2013
B.S. in Animal Science, minor in Business Administration – Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)
Professional Experience
August 2020 – Present
Lecturer, Auburn University
January 2020 – August 2020
Equine Extension Assistant, Mississippi State University
Recent or Select Honors & Awards
2019
ASAS Josie Coverdale Memorial Graduate Student Research Award
2019
Mississippi State University Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences Outstanding Doctoral Student Award
2018, 2019
Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture Graduate Student Award of Merit Scholarship
Professional Affiliations
2017 – Present
Present American Society of Animal Science
2015 – Present
American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists
2014 – Present
Equine Science Society
2013 – Present
Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture
Research
My past research as focused on equine nutrition and exercise physiology concerning:
- Dietary starch and glycogen replenishment
- Equine fecal microbiome
- Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation
I look forward to pursuing research opportunities with undergraduate students!
Recent Courses Taught
ANSC 1100 Orientation to Animal Sciences
ANSC 2050 Introduction to Horse Management and Training
ANSC 3150 Equine Marketing
ANSC 3650 Physiology of the Equine Athlete
ANSC 4050 Horse Production
ANSC 4450 Equine Nutrition
Recent or Select Publications
- Heaton, C. P. 2020. Forage management considerations for horses in Mississippi. Mississippi State University Extension Publication Number P3421.
- Hatcher, J., C. A. Cavinder, C. P. Heaton, L. Figueiredo, A. Holtcamp, and T. Dinh. 2019. Psychological and physical benefits of interactions with horses. J. Extension. 57(3), Article 3RIB6. Available at: https://www.joe.org/joe/2019june/rb6.php
- Cavinder, C. A., E. N. Ferjak, C. A. Phillips, D. D. Burnett, and T. T. N. Dinh. 2018. Review: The importance of overall body fat content in horses. Prof. Anim. Sci. 34:125-32. doi:10.15232/pas.2017-01708
- Phillips, C. A. Forage considerations for horses in the Southeast part II: plants to avoid. Southern Equine Consortium. 3(1):1-2.
- Phillips, C. A., C. A. Cavinder, D. H. Sigler, and J. D. Fluckey. 2017. Effect of various levels of dietary starch on glycogen replenishment in the light working horse. Prof. Anim. Sci. 33(6):729-38. doi:10.15232/pas.2017-01651
- Phillips, C. A. 2017. Forage considerations for horses in the Southeast part I: pasture management. Southern Equine Consortium. 2(3):1-3.