MEET THE HORSE PEOPLE!

Bryan Cassill, B.S.

Bryan Cassill is a graduate student in the Department of Animal Sciences, where he is pursuing a Master of Science degree in equine nutrition. Bryan’s thesis research focuses on the calcium requirements of pregnant and lactating mares. Bryan has also completed a research project examining the preferences of horses for different types of hay. Bryan is originally from Ohio. He received his B.S. degree in Animal Science from the Ohio State University where he competed on the Ohio State Horse Judging Team. Bryan’s horse interests include barrel racing and he judges many open horse shows. In 2003 he is helping to coach the UK Horse Judging Team.
 

Robert (Bob) Coleman, Ph.D., P.A.S.

Bob Coleman is the Extension Horse Specialist for the Department of Animal Sciences. He is responsible for the Equine Extension Program in the Department of Animal Sciences at UK which encompasses adult and youth education activities. Dr. Coleman teaches two courses in the Department of Animal Sciences, Equine Management (ASC 320) and Equine Science (ASC 410) and lectures in several other courses on topics related to horse management. Dr. Coleman has been conducting research on the acceptability of warm season grass hays for horses and also cooperates with the Department of Agronomy on projects related to grazing preferences of horses. Dr. Coleman grew up with horses in Canada. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Alberta and worked in Alberta as the Provincial Horse Specialist. Dr. Coleman is a past-President for the Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society and is certified as a professional animal scientist (P.A.S.) by the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists.

Susan Hayes, M.S.

Susan Hayes is a Research Analyst for the Reproductive Physiology and Equine Nutrition groups. Susan helps with many equine nutrition projects, where she is responsible for horse management as well as sample collection and processing. She has recently completed projects dealing with in vitro assessment of digestibility and effects of endophyte infected tall fescue on mares. Susan also assists with many of the teaching laboratories in the animal science and equine area and also helps with the State 4-H horse contests each year. Susan is originally from Ohio but is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where she received a B.S. degree in Animal Science and an M.S. degree in Reproductive Physiology. Susan is a horse owner and has served as a horse club leader in 4-H for many years. She has also chaired the Harrison County Fair Horse Show and works as a showperson at the Keeneland Sales each year.
 

Kristen Janicki, M.S.

Kristen Janicki is the Equine Extension Associate for the Department of Animal Sciences. Kristen works with Bob Coleman to conduct the adult and youth extension programs in the Department of Animal Sciences. Kristen’s major activities include organizing the State 4-H Horse Contests (Horse Bowl, Hippology, Public Speaking/Demonstrations and Horse Judging) and the State 4-H Horse Show. The Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show lasts 7 days and is held at the Kentucky State Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville. Kristen also works with the State 4-H Horse Judging Team and in 2002, she started a collegiate horse judging team for UK. Kristen is originally from Illinois. She completed her B.S. degree in Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois and then attended the University of Kentucky where she obtained her M.S. degree in Equine Nutrition. Kristen has ridden hunters and event horses and has worked at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She competed on the University of Illinois Equestrian Team and the University of Illinois Horse Judging Team as an undergraduate. Kristen has presented papers on research and extension activities at national meetings and in 2001 she received an award from the Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society for her research paper on the effect of selenium supplementation on broodmares and foals.

Laurie Lawrence, Ph.D.

Laurie Lawrence is a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. Her responsibilities include designing and implementing research projects dealing with equine nutrition and teaching and advising students. Dr. Lawrence advises graduate students pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. degrees and teaches several classes including Equine Nutrition (ASC 688), Equine Anatomy and Conformation (ASC 310), Advanced Horse Evaluation (ASC 311) and Horse Industry Study (GEN 300). Dr. Lawrence’s research has traditionally focused on designing optimum feeding strategies for performance horses. Current projects are now investigating the optimal nutritional programs for broodmares and foals. She also cooperates with the Department of Agronomy on projects related to forage preferences of horses and the effect of endophyte infected tall fescue on mares. Dr. Lawrence is a past-President of the Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society and currently serves on the Board of the Kentucky Equine Management Internship Program.
 

Cindy Peterson, B.S.

Cindy Peterson is a graduate student in the Department of Animal Sciences. Cindy is pursing a Master of Science Degree in equine nutrition. Cindy has been investigating whether dietary management can affect the post-weaning growth slump experienced by foals. In 2003, Cindy presented a poster on her research at the Equine Nutrition and Physiology Symposium. Cindy has also helped other graduate students with projects relating to the glucose and insulin responses to different diets. In the spring of 2002 Cindy assisted the Department of Agronomy with their survey of farms and pastures involved in Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome. Cindy is originally from Versailles Kentucky and received her B.S. degree from the University of Kentucky. Her family owns, breeds and shows Quarter Horses.

Debbie Powell, Ph.D., P.A.S.

Debbie Powell is the Equine Research Specialist and Horse Unit Manager for the Department of Animal Sciences. Dr. Powell is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 80-horse breeding and research farm located at Maine Chance Farm. She supervises one full time Animal Technician and many part-time students that help with care of the horses at the farm. Dr. Powell assists with the implementation of research projects at the Horse Unit and also provides instruction for the laboratory portions of many classes including Equine Management (ASC 320), Equine Science (ASC 410) and Introductory Animal Science Laboratory (ASC 120). Dr. Powell also assists with extension activities and conducts numerous tours of the Horse Unit. Dr. Powell grew up in South Carolina. She received a B.S. degree from Hampton University, an M.S. degree from the University of Illinois and her Ph.D. degree from the University of Kentucky. She is a life-long horsewoman who has ridden and shown hunters and jumpers and has taught riding at many levels. Dr. Powell is certified as a professional animal scientist (P.A.S.) by the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists

Jennifer Ringler, B.S.

Jennifer Ringler is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in equine nutrition. Jennifer started at UK in the Fall of 2003 and is in the process of identifying the topic for her thesis work. One topic of possible interest relates to factors affecting forage digestibility in the horse and methods for measuring the nutritional value of different fiber sources in horse diets. Originally from Illinois, Jennifer earned her B.S. degree in Agricultural Science from Illinois State University. While at ISU she worked as a laboratory technician in an Animal Nutrition Research Laboratory. Jennifer’s horse interests include working with her hunter-jumper prospect and helping show a Haflinger 6-Horse Hitch.

Jeff Stine, B.S.

Jeff Stine is a Senior Laboratory Technician who works with the Equine Nutrition group and with the Food Science group in the Department of Animal Science. His job duties include maintaining the Equine Nutrition Laboratory in the Garrigus Building and assisting with sample collection, preparation and analysis. Jeff has expertise with assays for glucose, glutathione peroxidase and several other commonly measured compounds. He is responsible for laboratory safety training and maintains supply and order records. Jeff is graduate of the University of Kentucky and is a native Kentuckian. Jeff and his wife Karen have recently added two horses to their family and Jeff is learning to ride and care for them.

Jeff Vice

Jeff Vice is an Animal Technician who works at the Department of Animal Sciences Horse Unit. Jeff’s responsibilities include helping to manage and care for horses and also helping with instructional and research activities. Jeff works closely with the Research Specialist to manage the breeding program and also in preparing horses for sales. Jeff has many years of experience in the thoroughbred industry. He has worked with horses of all ages including stallions, mares and foals. He has started young horses in training and has worked as an exercise rider. Jeff is an experienced sale-showman and has worked at all of the major thoroughbred sales in Kentucky.