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.
