A one-day educational program for children and teens who own or have a passion for horses is set for Saturday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. in Auburn. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. at the Stanley P. Wilson Beef Teaching Unit on the Auburn University campus.
The fifth annual HORSE U—or Horse Ownership Resources, Skills and Education for Youths—will offer youths 9 and older important information related to horse health, care and handling.
“It’s designed for all young horse enthusiasts, whether they’re involved in showing, speed events or recreational riding,” said Auburn equine science associate professor and HORSE U director Betsy Wagner
This year’s HORSE U, which was organized by equine science graduate students in the Department of Animal Sciences, will feature educational presentations on trailer safety and on buying or leasing a horse, a trivia game testing participants’ basic horse knowledge and hands-on sessions dealing with horse digestive tract problems, horse judging and trail and exercise physiology.
The hands-on activities will take place at the Auburn University Horse Center. Transportation from the Beef Teaching Unit to the Horse Center and back will be provided for all participants.
Participants must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes to work with the horses and must be at least 9 years of age by Dec. 31, 2016.
The registration fee is $20 and includes lunch, a T-shirt and a grab bag. Registration is required for all who attend, including parents and chaperones who plan to accompany their children during the program. Online registration will open Aug. 1 and close Oct. 28. Payment should be submitted along with the completed registration form.
In addition, each HORSE U registrant should print, sign and date the hold-harmless agreement and mail or fax to the Department of Animal Sciences by the Oct. 28 deadline. The address and fax number are included on the form.
For more information on HORSE U, contact Wagner at elw0001@auburn.edu or 334-844-7503.
The Stanley P. Wilson Beef Teaching Unit is located at 500 Shug Jordan Parkway.
