Extension Horses Members

The article introduces the leadership team and key members of Extension Horses, Inc., a group of equine extension specialists and educators from various U.S. universities. It details their professional roles, such as chair, vice chair, and chief financial officer, along with their personal connections to horses, which include riding, competing, and judging in disciplines like dressage, eventing, and western performance. The organization focuses on developing educational resources like the Hippology Academy, online courses, and the Tack Box Talk podcast.

Leadership Team Danielle Smarsh https://animalscience.psu.edu/directory/dxs1172 Chair, Extension Horses, Inc. Equine Extension Specialist and Associate Professor of Animal Science Pennsylvania State University Personal Connection to Horses: I started riding as a child, and spent as much time in barns and around horses. Today I enjoy riding for fun and going on trail rides with friends. Role with Extension Horses: I am a member of the leadership team and the social media committee. Chelsie Huseman https://animalscience.tamu.edu/people/huseman-chelsie/ Vice Chair, Extension Horses, Inc. Assistant Professor, Extension Horse Specialist Texas A&M University Personal Connection to Horses: Competitor, judge, boy mom, and fan of cutting Role with Extension Horses: I am a newer member of Extension Horses. I have enjoyed working on modules for Hippology Academy and on the group’s social media. Kathy Anderson https://animalscience.unl.edu/faculty-staff/kathleen-p-anderson-phd Chief Financial Officer, Extension Horses, Inc. Extension Horse Specialist University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE Personal Connection to Horses: AQHA, NSBA, APHA judge. Compete in AQHA western events at the local and a bit at the national level. Role with Extension Horses: I have been involved since the very beginning and have served on the Leadership team for over 10 years as Vice Chair, Chair, and now, the Chief Financial Officer. Colleen Brady https://ag.purdue.edu/department/asec/directory.html /bradyc Chief Technical Officer, Extension Horses, Inc. Professor, Extension Specialist Purdue University, Indiana Personal Connection to Horses: Competitor in dressage and eventing. Role with Extension Horses: I have been involved with Extension Horses since it’s inception, and have served multiple roles, including a time as the Chair. I currently serve on the Leadership Team as the Chief Technical Office. My primary focus is the development of courses such as Hippology Academy, and Judging Camps, and providing support in using our LMS Moodle for other members of the team. Kris Hiney https://experts.okstate.edu/khiney Past Chair, Extension Horses, Inc. Equine Extension Specialist Oklahoma State University Personal Connection to Horses: western performance horses Role with Extension Horses: I am the current chair of Extension Horses and the host and producer of Tack Box Talks. I work to develop collaborations with industry partners such as Certified Horsemanship Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, and American Paint Horse Association. I am a co-creator of the equine nutrition course, as well as several online modules. My expertise is in equine nutrition and exercise physiology. Northeast Horse Experts Karin Bump CEO Saddle Up NY , Founder and Advisor to the National Association of Equine Academics New York Clinician/Speaker, Equine Business Development and Planning, Event Management Contributor Laura Kenny https://extension.psu.edu/laura-kenny Equine Extension Educator Penn State University Personal Connection to Horses: I have been a horse enthusiast and rider since I was a child. I have a Standardbred mare named Frankie. Role with Extension Horses: I am on the Social Media Committee and help run the EH Facebook page. I previously served on the Professional Development Committee. I also do interviews for the Tack Box Talk podcast. Jennifer Nadeau Associate Professor/Equine Extension Specialist University of Connecticut Jenifer Nadeau joined the UConn Animal Science Department in August, 2001. She has worked with horses since the age of 8. Her experience includes working at a trail riding facility, managing a hunter/jumper facility, managing a veterinarian’s horse and sheep farm, working as a night watch at a historic Thoroughbred breeding farm, driving and training draft horses, and working with therapeutic riding programs. Trail rider Carey Williams https://animalsciences.rutgers.edu/faculty/williams/ Equine Extension Specialist Professor Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey Personal Connection to Horses: Dressage and Eventing competitor Role with Extension Horses: I have been involved with Extension Horses since its inception when it was eXtension Horses . My primary role has been to assist with content creation for learning lessons, infographics, etc. I also am an ‘Expert’ for the Ask the Expert section and have helped with numerous webinars and podcasts. Southern Horse Experts Bob Coleman https://afs.ca.uky.edu/person/bob-coleman Extension Horse Specialist University of Kentucky Personal Connection to Horses: Currently the president of the Certified Horsemanship Association, serve on the board of the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association, AQHA director, member of the AQHF Research Committee, member of the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, serve on several committees with the Kentucky Horse Council and the executive director of the Equine Science Society. Role with Extension Horses: I currently support the various activities of the group that fit with my areas of expertise. I have participated in the Tack Room Talk podcasts, the HALTER program, and the Facebook live broadcasts. More importantly, is the sharing of information from the local horse industry with the members of the group and taking that pertinent information gained from Extension Horses and sharing that with the horse owners in Kentucky. Robyn Stewart https://extension.uga.edu/about/personnel-directory/person.html/22065/robyn-stewart.html County Extension Coordinator/Agriculture and Natural Resources agent University of Georgia Personal Connection to Horses: My interest in horses began at the age of eight and has been a lifelong passion. I have ridden, trained and competed successfully in a variety of disciplines including hunter/equitation, ranch, and reining. I have also been a riding instructor and volunteer for summer camps and hippotherapy facilities. Role with Extension Horses: I provide adult and youth educational opportunities in equine management including annual webinar series, written articles, and hands-on workshops. I also serve on the 4-H Horse Advisory Committee and assist with local and state 4-H horse shows and contests. I provide one-on-one consultations to horse clients and serve as a resource for fellow agents without equine experience. Saundra Ten Broeck https://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/people/saundra-tenbroeck/ Equine Extension Specialist; Associate Professor University of Florida My involvement in the 4H Horse Program as a youth inspired me to pursue graduate work in Equine so I could work in Equine Extension Education. Connecting youth and adults with horses is a gratifying career. My husband and I have a small Quarter Horse breeding farm. I serve Extension Horses, Inc. in development of on-line resources, “Ask and Expert” responses and serve on regional and national equine extension working groups. Craig Wood https://anr.ca.uky.edu/directory/craig-wood Assistant Extension Director for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Horticulture University of Kentucky As Interim Assistant Director of Extension for Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Horticulture, Craig provides statewide leadership and guidance in Extension programs offered through Kentucky Cooperative Extension in the three subject areas. Craig has a technical and professional background in horses and in developing and delivering Extension, research and instructional material. Craig has been associated with the University of Kentucky and Cooperative Extension since 1985 when he started work as the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Extension horse specialist. In that role, he was in charge of all adult and youth equine programming within the state, taught undergraduate equine courses and managed the teaching/research facility. He developed and offered an online undergraduate courses in the late 1990s. Craig has been instrumental in developing and delivering award winning educational web-based material for K-12 students as well as post-secondary students. Craig continues to be passionate about horses. He raises and rides horses, served as President of the American Paint Horse Association in 2017 and 2018. He is also an APHA judge and Professional Horseman. Midwest Horse Experts Krishona Martinson https://ansci.umn.edu/people/krishona-martinson Past Chair, Extension Horses, Inc. Professor and Equine Extension Specialist University of Minnesota Personal Connection to Horses: Along with her daughters, Dr. Martinson competes in timed events within the Western Saddle Club Association WSCA on her Quarter Horse mares. Her and her family are also involved in their local 4-H and Western Heritage programs and compete in local barrel racing events. Role with Extension Horses: Dr. Krishona Martinson is an active member of Extension Horses and has previously served as Chairperson. At the University of Minnesota, Dr. Martinson leads the Extension Horse Program, which includes an extensive website, online certificate courses, mobile apps, a Facebook page, a YouTube channel, infographics, and a monthly e-newsletter. Her area of expertise and applied research program focuses on improving equine forage utilization, mortality composting, and tackling emerging issues in the horse industry. West Horse Experts Betsy Greene https://profiles.arizona.edu/person/betsygreene Professor/Extension Equine Specialist University of Arizona Dr. Greene is a Professor and Extension Horse Specialist at the University of Arizona. Her previous statewide extension programs at the University of Vermont and Washington State University have focused on preventative care and maintenance for horse health, safety, equine business, and pasture management. She has been active in the leadership of the eXtension “HorseQuest Community of Practice,” and has secured extramural funding for her research/outreach in pasture management, youth safety, and more. She collaborated with several state agencies to develop educational materials for equine owners and producers. At the University of Arizona, her extension program has a heavy emphasis on working with agricultural and 4-H agents, ranchers, tribal extension agents, and industry professionals to develop strong educational programming, as well as addressing statewide industry issues. Dr. Greene and her colleagues have been recognized for state and national achievements and programming including 2022 Don Henneke Educational Impact Award, the 2021 Heart of Extension Award, and the 2022 USDA NIFA Partnership Award for Mission Integration of Research, Education, and Extension University of Arizona Tribal Livestock/Horse Extension Team . Recreational horse owner, Board member of Equine Encore Foundation, National Animal Interest Alliance, and other horse safety organizations. Jessie Hadfield https://extension.usu.edu/directory/hadfield-jessie Utah 4-H Agriculture & Animal Science Specialist Utah State University Extension Personal Connection to Horses: I was one of the horse crazy kids that didn’t have her own horse for a while. I took lessons for years before my family made the move to an acre with animal rights. Horses really are a lifestyle Growing up I paid for my horses by teaching lessons and working as an assistant and trainer at an Arabian horse farm. Although in my personal life horses are a hobby, professionally I am still very involved in youth programming, shows, and research. Role with Extension Horses: I am currently on the social media and marketing committee and the 4-H working group. Wendy Hein https://health.oregonstate.edu/people/wendy-hein Professor of Practice Oregon State University Personal Connection to Horses: A lover of all things horse, I am currently “between horses” myself. I have dabbled in many disciplines and shown at the local and state levels, but my favorite thing is to go to the barn with friends and do the “walk and talk” around the arena. I’m a member of the American Morgan Horse Association and love being an announcer for the Oregon State Fair 4-H Horse Show and other events. Role with Extension Horses: Wendy Hein is a 4-H Youth Development faculty member with a thriving Horse program. She is interested in getting expert horse knowledge out to the community, especially to the young equestrians who are the future of the industry. Wendy has a BS in Biology from Harvey Mudd College and a MS in Biology from the University of Kentucky. A former 4-Her herself, she now works in Clackamas County in her home state of Oregon. She has a county-based position as a Professor of Practice with the College of Public Health and Human Sciences and the Oregon State University Extension Service. She has expertise in evaluation, volunteer management, animal science programs, youth leadership development, and performing arts. With Extension Horses, she develops educational materials for youth and the general public, contributes to social media, participates in research on the 4-H horse program, and helps evaluate team efforts. Across the Country Experts Ashley Griffin Interim Chief Operating Officer Extension Foundation Ashley’s understanding of knowledge strategy and virtual team building enabled her to work with 70+ Communities of Practice and Learning Networks. Previously she provided instructional design support to the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky as an Extension Specialist. From 1996 until February of 2002 she gained practical extension programming experience and delivered content through distance learning technologies as the coordinator of the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program. Ashley has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences and her Master of Science degree in Equine Nutrition from the University of Kentucky. Ashley is the Past-President of the American Youth Horse Council AYHC . She was also a co-author of the AYHC’s Youth Leaders’ Manual 60 lessons containing end user material and leader lesson plans approved by the National 4-H Curriculum Review Committee. Other organizational service includes being Past-President of the National Horse Judging Team Coaches’ Association, Past-Chair of the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup Management Team, Co-Coordinator of the National FFA Equine Career Development Event, and past president of the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association and currently serves as a member of the APHA Board of Directors. Ashley holds Pinto Horse Association of America, Palomino Horse Breeders of America, and American Paint Horse Association judges’ cards. Other Experts Northeast Amy Burk https://ansc.umd.edu/people/amy-o-burk , Extension Horse Specialist, University of Maryland Rebecca Gunderson https://agnr.umd.edu/about/directory/rebecca-gunderson , Equine/Environmental Science Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development, University of Maryland Jenifer Nadeau , Extension Horse Specialist, University of Connecticut Southern Fernanda Camargo , Equine Extension Professor, University of Kentucky Jennie Ivey https://ag.tennessee.edu/AnimalScience/Pages/JennieIvey.aspx , Horse Extension Specialist, University of Tennessee Neely Walker https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/NWalker , Extension Equine Specialist, Louisiana State University Carissa Wickens https://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/people/carissa-wickens/ , Extension Equine Specialist, University of Florida Kristen M. Wilson https://equine.ca.uky.edu/person/kristen-wilson , Academic Coordinator Equine Science and Management, University of Kentucky Midwest Taylor Fabus , Instructor, Animal Science Department, Michigan State University Amy Lawyer http://louisville.edu/directory/index.php?query=amy%20lawyer , Lecture in College of Business – Equine, University of Louisville Brooke Parrish mailto:bparrish2@huskers.unl.edu?subject=Brook Parrish , Graduate Student, University of Nebraska Shea Porr https://www.murraystate.edu/academics/CollegesDepartments/HutsonSchoolOfAgriculture/facultyandstaff/sporr.aspx , Department Head, Animal/Equine Science, Murray State University Christine Skelly https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/christine skelly , Equine Extension Specialist, Michigan State University Leigh Ann Skurupey, 4-H Youth Development Specialist – Animal and Equine Sciences, North Dakota State University Karen Waite , Past-Chair, Extension Horses Inc., Michigan State University Rebecca Wilkins https://extension.purdue.edu/Harrison/profile/wilkin33 , Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Purdue University West Scott Cotton, http://www.uwyo.edu/barnbackyard/contact-us/ UW Extension Area Educator Natrona-Converse-Niobrara Agriculture, University of Wyoming Betsy Greene , Extension Horse Specialist, University of Arizona Amy McLean https://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/people/faculty/amy-mclean , Equine Specialist, University of California-Davis Jason Turner https://aces.nmsu.edu/directory/person.php?person id=572 , Extension Horse Specialist, New Mexico State University