At the age of two, Raven Smith had her first horse experience on a carousel ride and at age three the ‘Easter Bunny’ gave her a beautiful white stuffed horse which ignited her passion for horses. As she grew up, her parent sought out activities to nurture her interest including trail riding, horse camps, English and western lessons, and ultimately, the purchase of her own horse. Her horse was a 7-year-old off the track Thoroughbred mare Beauty. Each experience catapulted Smith’s career ambitions in the equine industry.
After moving to Central Florida, Smith discovered the College of Central Florida offered an Associate’s degree in equine exercise and physiology. Smith was thrilled.
“Learning from the excellent equine professors under program director Marie Davidson, I took each class with a passion as it expanded my knowledge,” Smith said.
“This program not only provides books and lectures to learn from, but also offers hands-on experience, an equine technician certification, an equine club to join and the opportunity to volunteer at local equine events such as Live Oak International and Barnstaple South Farm in Marion County and more.”
Graduating in December, Smith interned at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association where she learned the importance of the FTBOA as it relates to the state’s Thoroughbred industry and it’s roles related to all equine.
“From Florida-bred registrations to current industry news to fundraising, there was also research projects related to Florida-breds in the Breeders’ Cup and to the signature Florida Sire Stakes, along with shadowing staff members in a variety of roles,” she said.
As part of the internship, Smith worked hands-on at Cold Springs Mares, a program where mares who cannot foal but can still produce milk are made available when a client foal’s mother passes away, cannot give milk or rejects the foal. Smith worked long days taking care of many aged mares who return to the farm after raising the orphan foals on area farms.
When Smith is not focusing on her goals in the equine industry, she enjoys spending time with her family, the family dogs, cats and her horse. She also enjoys reading books.
Return to the November 5 issue of Wire to Wire
