BY TAMMY A. GANTT
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences Department of Animal Sciences held a ribbon cutting on July 1 for the newest addition to the Horse Teaching Unit farm.
Located three miles south of the main University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida, the new building will accommodate up to six students living onsite as part of a residential complex connected to classrooms and event space.
Faculty Supervisor Joel McQuagge worked closely with the facility’s farm manager Angela Chandler to develop a space that worked well for students, donor events, visiting professors and programming. UF professors also see the new addition as a tool for recruitment as students will have the opportunity to apply to live on the farm paying modest rent.
In addition to the new complex, the HTU stalls were renovated. The new stalls are made from hot-dipped galvanized silver mesh and allow horses and students to remain in a safe environment for teaching and training.
The 65-acre farm was developed to teach equine students while providing hands-on practicality. The wide range of experiences includes breeding, training, marketing, farm management and health care. The site also serves as a location for Extension functions such as judging contests and horsemanship clinics.
The horse teaching unit is the primary educational and outreach venue for the Equine Sciences Program at the University of Florida with 12 courses including: Introduction to Animal Sciences, Form to Function in Horses, Equine Health Management, Ranch Horse Management, Techniques in Equine Science, Techniques in Farrier Science, Horse Psychology and Training, Intermediate Horse Training, Equine Reproductive Management, Horse Management Practicums, Horse Care and Grooming and Weanling Behavioral Modification.
Amenities at the HTU include a 250 x 125-foot covered arena, bleacher seating for 500 people, a classroom, 20 indoor stalls, six wash racks, demo areas, six outdoor turnouts, a 300 x 130-foot grass turf outdoor arena, six outdoor round pens, two walkers, private showers and lockers and paved parking for 300 cars.
In addition to the HTU, the UF Equine Sciences Center, based on a 320-acre complex located seven miles north of Ocala, hosts a breeding program with 30 horses.
Established in 1969, the Equine Sciences Center functions as the primary production hub of the program’s breeding and foaling activities that support the Equine Science Programs teaching, research, extension and general production activities.
The facility relies on industry partners—including the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association providing support for the original James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex—alumni and philanthropic donors to fund its teaching herd, student programs and facility upgrades.
— portions of this story were taken from a UF/IFAS press release.
Return to the July 2 issue of Wire to Wire
