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Tennessee Master Horse Owner Program: Evaluation of In-Service Training
Abstracts Vol 29, No 5 (2009)
462
DISCUSSION After analyzing the results, it was apparent that all regions in North Carolina need and desire additional education to ensure the health and quality of the current and future stock. As individuals become more knowledgeable, the quality and health of North Carolina’s horses will continue to improve, as will the industry. A series of workshop for each region of the state is currently being developed, along with county workshops. A list of recommendations is currently being developed for each region of the state, addressing the needs stated in that regions survey. Keywords: Minority horse owners; Non-professional horse owners; Equine workshops REFERENCES 1. Lathrop S. The North Carolina horse industry. Retrieved October 31, 2006 from http://www.ncagr.com/markets/livestock/horse/ aboutnchi.htm
31861 Tennessee Master Horse Owner Program: Evaluation of InService Training B.J. McIntosh* and F.M. Hopkins, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
INTRODUCTION Tennessee is home to over 210,000 equine,1 and ranks among the top five in number of horses on farms in the U.S.2 With such a strong equine industry, there is a need for Extension education programs that focus on improving and enhancing equine health and management. The Tennessee Master Horse Owner Program was developed to disseminate science based curricula to horse owners and equine enthusiasts through the Extension service at the county level. The Tennessee Master Horse Owner in-service training was designed and implemented to train Extension agents and area specialists, enabling them to deliver the program in their counties. With this program being the first of its kind in Tennessee, a survey was used to evaluate the in-service training and to examine the likelihood of local Extension services offering the program to the horse owners and enthusiasts in their counties.
MATERIALS AND METHODS The in-service training for the Tennessee Master Horse Owner Program was offered to all Extension agents and area specialists statewide. The training sessions took place in each of the three regions of Tennessee (Eastern, Central and Western) over a 16 h period beginning at 1300 h on
day 1 and ending at 1700 h on day 3 in 2008 and 2009. The curricula for the program were divided into eight chapters, which were delivered through a manual and corresponding Powerpoint presentations. Each chapter was designed to be taught in a period of two h. The chapter titles were as follows: Equine Industry, Health, Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics and Selection, Behavior and Training, Farm Management, and Business Management. The curricula was developed and taught by University of Tennessee Extension specialists and faculty, along with other experts in specific knowledge areas. Completion of the in-service training permitted Extension agents and specialists to offer the program in their counties. The in-service training was evaluated using a pre-training survey and a post-training survey that evaluated the participants self perceived aptitude or skill level on each of the eight topics on a scale of one to five, with one being the lowest and five being the greatest score. The pre-training survey was distributed prior to each training session and collected before the program started. The post-training survey was distributed immediately following the delivery of the program and collected prior to participant departure. The post-training survey also asked the participants to rank the quality of the program as presented, and the likeliness of offering the program in their counties. The post training survey also encouraged comments for each topic and overall perception of the program as presented. Data are summarized as mean SE. Pre-training and post-training scores were compared using two sample t-tests. Differences between the three regions were compared using one-way ANOVA and Dunn0 s multiple comparison tests.
RESULTS There were a total of 45 Extension personnel that participated from the Eastern (N ¼ 12), Central (N ¼ 18) and Western (N ¼ 15) regions of Tennessee. The pre-training and post-training surveys indicated increased aptitude or skill level in all eight chapter topics and overall equine knowledge (Table 1). Participants reported a high consideration of offering the program in their counties indicated by a score of 4.7 0.07. The overall evaluation of the program as presented was given a score of 4.69 0.08. There were no differences between regions for pre-training and post-training aptitude scores. However, the western region tended to score the program as presented the highest with a score of 4.93 0.07, compared to 4.67 0.14 and 4.5 0.16 for the Eastern and Central regions, respectively (P ¼ 0.09). See Table 1.
DISCUSSION Completion of the in-service training allowed nearly half of Tennessee0 s agriculture Extension agents and area
Abstracts Vol 29, No 5 (2009)
463
Table 1. Self-perceived aptitude and skill scores of all participants pre-training and post-training on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the greatest (mean SE) and percent change (%). Chapter Topic Overall Knowledge Equine Industry Health Nutrition Reproduction Genetics & Selection Behavior & Training Farm Management Business Management a,b
Pre-Training
Post-Training
a
b
2.72 0.12 2.61 0.14a 2.64 0.14a 2.72 0.15a 2.21 0.14a 2.11 0.15a 2.59 0.15a 2.57 0.14a 2.07 0.15a
3.94 0.08 4.13 0.08b 3.94 0.06b 4.12 0.09b 3.93 0.10b 3.68 0.10b 4.17 0.09b 4.11 0.10b 4.07 0.09b
Percent Change (%) þ45 þ58 þ49 þ52 þ78 þ74 þ61 þ60 þ96
Means with different letter subscripts differ within the same row (P < 0.0001)
specialists to become more competent and confident in their equine knowledge, enabling them to deliver this educational program in their counties. The increase in participant aptitude and skill levels in all areas of the program suggests the importance and success of in-service equine education programs for Extension agents. Comments made by the participants indicated that some topics may have been too technical for agents to deliver directly, thus Extension specialists and faculty, along with other experts for these topic areas will be called upon to present the more technical material to the public. The only difference between the three regions was the perception of the material presented as indicated by the overall score and comments, which were highest and most positive from the Western region. With the three statewide in-service training sessions completed, the program is being implemented for horse owners and enthusiasts. A website was created (http://masterhorseowner.utk.edu) to provide support to the program including information for horse owners and downloadable materials for agents who completed the in-service training. The first multi-county Master Horse Owner Program is being offered to the public in five counties in the Central region of Tennessee beginning in early February 2009. Keywords: Extension; In-Service; Equine Education REFERENCES 1. Tennessee Agricultural Statistics. A Tennessee Tradition, Equine 2004. Publication issued by the State of Tennessee and the United States Department of Agriculture. 2004;5. 2. United States Department of Agriculture. National Agricultural Statistics Services. 2002 Census of Agriculture. http://www.nass.usda. gov/Census.jsp. Accessed February 2, 2009.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A portion of this program was funded by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The authors would like to thank
all contributors who assisted with curriculum development and in-service delivery.
31829 An Economic Impact Analysis of the North Carolina Equine Industry Inhyuck Ha,*1 Jessica Hollars,1 Mandee Lancaster,2 Robert Mowrey,3 and Michael Yoder3, 1Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, USA, 2East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA, 3North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
INTRODUCTION The equine industry as a whole is growing and a lot more people are getting involved with horses. In 2005, the American Horse Council Foundation recognized the need of an economic impact study of this rapidly growing industry. The study was implemented and the final results revealed that there are approximately 9.2 million horses in the United States. Overall, the industry has a $101.5 billion impact on the U.S. economy. The industry’s contribution to the economy surpasses that of motion picture services and manufacturing industries.1 Based on the 2005 national study, North Carolina ranked 8th by horse count.1 North Carolina’s climate and geography make it an ideal location to conduct equine related operations and activities. The State has an opportunity to capitalize on this economic potential and increase its share of the equine industry. A 2008 comprehensive analysis of the equine industry’s economic impact in North Carolina was conducted to provide policymakers with verifiable data in order to leverage the horse industry. The economic impact study reveals that the equine industry has a significant effect on the state of North Carolina.
462
DISCUSSION After analyzing the results, it was apparent that all regions in North Carolina need and desire additional education to ensure the health and quality of the current and future stock. As individuals become more knowledgeable, the quality and health of North Carolina’s horses will continue to improve, as will the industry. A series of workshop for each region of the state is currently being developed, along with county workshops. A list of recommendations is currently being developed for each region of the state, addressing the needs stated in that regions survey. Keywords: Minority horse owners; Non-professional horse owners; Equine workshops REFERENCES 1. Lathrop S. The North Carolina horse industry. Retrieved October 31, 2006 from http://www.ncagr.com/markets/livestock/horse/ aboutnchi.htm
31861 Tennessee Master Horse Owner Program: Evaluation of InService Training B.J. McIntosh* and F.M. Hopkins, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
INTRODUCTION Tennessee is home to over 210,000 equine,1 and ranks among the top five in number of horses on farms in the U.S.2 With such a strong equine industry, there is a need for Extension education programs that focus on improving and enhancing equine health and management. The Tennessee Master Horse Owner Program was developed to disseminate science based curricula to horse owners and equine enthusiasts through the Extension service at the county level. The Tennessee Master Horse Owner in-service training was designed and implemented to train Extension agents and area specialists, enabling them to deliver the program in their counties. With this program being the first of its kind in Tennessee, a survey was used to evaluate the in-service training and to examine the likelihood of local Extension services offering the program to the horse owners and enthusiasts in their counties.
MATERIALS AND METHODS The in-service training for the Tennessee Master Horse Owner Program was offered to all Extension agents and area specialists statewide. The training sessions took place in each of the three regions of Tennessee (Eastern, Central and Western) over a 16 h period beginning at 1300 h on
day 1 and ending at 1700 h on day 3 in 2008 and 2009. The curricula for the program were divided into eight chapters, which were delivered through a manual and corresponding Powerpoint presentations. Each chapter was designed to be taught in a period of two h. The chapter titles were as follows: Equine Industry, Health, Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics and Selection, Behavior and Training, Farm Management, and Business Management. The curricula was developed and taught by University of Tennessee Extension specialists and faculty, along with other experts in specific knowledge areas. Completion of the in-service training permitted Extension agents and specialists to offer the program in their counties. The in-service training was evaluated using a pre-training survey and a post-training survey that evaluated the participants self perceived aptitude or skill level on each of the eight topics on a scale of one to five, with one being the lowest and five being the greatest score. The pre-training survey was distributed prior to each training session and collected before the program started. The post-training survey was distributed immediately following the delivery of the program and collected prior to participant departure. The post-training survey also asked the participants to rank the quality of the program as presented, and the likeliness of offering the program in their counties. The post training survey also encouraged comments for each topic and overall perception of the program as presented. Data are summarized as mean SE. Pre-training and post-training scores were compared using two sample t-tests. Differences between the three regions were compared using one-way ANOVA and Dunn0 s multiple comparison tests.
RESULTS There were a total of 45 Extension personnel that participated from the Eastern (N ¼ 12), Central (N ¼ 18) and Western (N ¼ 15) regions of Tennessee. The pre-training and post-training surveys indicated increased aptitude or skill level in all eight chapter topics and overall equine knowledge (Table 1). Participants reported a high consideration of offering the program in their counties indicated by a score of 4.7 0.07. The overall evaluation of the program as presented was given a score of 4.69 0.08. There were no differences between regions for pre-training and post-training aptitude scores. However, the western region tended to score the program as presented the highest with a score of 4.93 0.07, compared to 4.67 0.14 and 4.5 0.16 for the Eastern and Central regions, respectively (P ¼ 0.09). See Table 1.
DISCUSSION Completion of the in-service training allowed nearly half of Tennessee0 s agriculture Extension agents and area
Abstracts Vol 29, No 5 (2009)
463
Table 1. Self-perceived aptitude and skill scores of all participants pre-training and post-training on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the greatest (mean SE) and percent change (%). Chapter Topic Overall Knowledge Equine Industry Health Nutrition Reproduction Genetics & Selection Behavior & Training Farm Management Business Management a,b
Pre-Training
Post-Training
a
b
2.72 0.12 2.61 0.14a 2.64 0.14a 2.72 0.15a 2.21 0.14a 2.11 0.15a 2.59 0.15a 2.57 0.14a 2.07 0.15a
3.94 0.08 4.13 0.08b 3.94 0.06b 4.12 0.09b 3.93 0.10b 3.68 0.10b 4.17 0.09b 4.11 0.10b 4.07 0.09b
Percent Change (%) þ45 þ58 þ49 þ52 þ78 þ74 þ61 þ60 þ96
Means with different letter subscripts differ within the same row (P < 0.0001)
specialists to become more competent and confident in their equine knowledge, enabling them to deliver this educational program in their counties. The increase in participant aptitude and skill levels in all areas of the program suggests the importance and success of in-service equine education programs for Extension agents. Comments made by the participants indicated that some topics may have been too technical for agents to deliver directly, thus Extension specialists and faculty, along with other experts for these topic areas will be called upon to present the more technical material to the public. The only difference between the three regions was the perception of the material presented as indicated by the overall score and comments, which were highest and most positive from the Western region. With the three statewide in-service training sessions completed, the program is being implemented for horse owners and enthusiasts. A website was created (http://masterhorseowner.utk.edu) to provide support to the program including information for horse owners and downloadable materials for agents who completed the in-service training. The first multi-county Master Horse Owner Program is being offered to the public in five counties in the Central region of Tennessee beginning in early February 2009. Keywords: Extension; In-Service; Equine Education REFERENCES 1. Tennessee Agricultural Statistics. A Tennessee Tradition, Equine 2004. Publication issued by the State of Tennessee and the United States Department of Agriculture. 2004;5. 2. United States Department of Agriculture. National Agricultural Statistics Services. 2002 Census of Agriculture. http://www.nass.usda. gov/Census.jsp. Accessed February 2, 2009.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A portion of this program was funded by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The authors would like to thank
all contributors who assisted with curriculum development and in-service delivery.
31829 An Economic Impact Analysis of the North Carolina Equine Industry Inhyuck Ha,*1 Jessica Hollars,1 Mandee Lancaster,2 Robert Mowrey,3 and Michael Yoder3, 1Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, USA, 2East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA, 3North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
INTRODUCTION The equine industry as a whole is growing and a lot more people are getting involved with horses. In 2005, the American Horse Council Foundation recognized the need of an economic impact study of this rapidly growing industry. The study was implemented and the final results revealed that there are approximately 9.2 million horses in the United States. Overall, the industry has a $101.5 billion impact on the U.S. economy. The industry’s contribution to the economy surpasses that of motion picture services and manufacturing industries.1 Based on the 2005 national study, North Carolina ranked 8th by horse count.1 North Carolina’s climate and geography make it an ideal location to conduct equine related operations and activities. The State has an opportunity to capitalize on this economic potential and increase its share of the equine industry. A 2008 comprehensive analysis of the equine industry’s economic impact in North Carolina was conducted to provide policymakers with verifiable data in order to leverage the horse industry. The economic impact study reveals that the equine industry has a significant effect on the state of North Carolina.