EQUINE INITIATIVE

The Texas A&M Equine Initiative is a collaboration between the CVMBS and the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (COALS). As a gateway to equine education, research, outreach, and services at Texas A&M, the Equine Initiative utilizes the expertise of the CVMBS and the COALS Department of Animal Science, as well as contributions from colleges across campus, to create a program that will educate the industry’s future leaders, as well as generate research and veterinary medical care that will improve the industry and the care and welfare of the horse.

Four major imperatives have been developed to enhance and improve upon Texas A&M’s existing strengths to facilitate the vision of the Equine Initiative. These imperatives are: curriculum enhancement; outreach, engagement, and expansion; facility construction; and partnership development.

Highlights from FY20 include:

• With the hiring of Dr. Jim Heird in October 2009, executive professor and coordinator of the Equine Initiative and Glenn Blodgett Equine Chair, the Equine

Initiative celebrates 11 years. • The Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ’56 Equine Complex continues to provide support for teaching, research, extension, and outreach initiatives dedicated to equine programs. • The campus-wide resource that is the Equine Complex is home to the Texas

A&M NCAA Equestrian Team and the cross-country course for the Texas A&M

Track and Field and Cross-Country Teams. • The third Master of Equine Industry Management cohort began in September 2019. • Equine researchers from the CVMBS and the Department of Animal Science discussed potential research collaboration ideas. • Epidemiology and orthopedics research support from the Equine Initiative assisted equine researchers from the CVMBS and Department of Animal

Science. • The Equine Initiative still has a presence with international industry supporters after attending several outreach programs primarily in Latin America. • The Equine Initiative contributed support to the completion of the Equine

Nutrition Research and Undergraduate Reproductive Teaching Center. • Several trainers in the Thoroughbred racing industry agreed to assist with a project with CVMBS orthopedic veterinarians. Contacts were made by the

Equine Initiative. • The Equine Initiative continue to work on design and fundraising for the Equine

Orthopedic & Wellness facility. Dr. Jim Heird

Dr. Glenn Blodgett