Quarter horse breeding program launched at MSU
The Morehead State University Equine program, Dr. Katelyn Kaufman, visiting assistant professor of equine science, and Randy Gauche, equine technician, are establishing a quarter horse breeding program with the support of the Department of Agricultural Sciences.
The program partnered with Virginia Tech University and leased two quarter horse broodmares to foal out this semester as part of Kaufman's Equine Breeding and Reproduction course. Dr. Sally Johnson and Dr. Caroline Leeth with the Virginia Tech Equine Program collaborated with MSU's equine program to offer MSU students first-hand experience with the management, care and foaling of these two mares.
“It is important for our equine science students who are wanting to enter the breeding and reproduction side of the horse industry to have hands on experience with foaling pregnant mares and handling newborn foals,” Kaufman said.
This new aspect of the equine program will not only directly benefit equine science students, but it will also benefit students majoring in animal sciences, veterinary science and veterinary technology.
The mares have been housed at the Derrickson Agricultural Complex since January. Krymsuns Kiss N Keep, a dark bay, foaled a filly named Kacy, also dark bay, on Tuesday, March 5. Don't Sass Me Bert foaled a palomino colt on Saturday, March 30. The goal of the program is to breed MSU quarter horse mares in hopes of producing several foals each year.
Kaufman said quarter horses were chosen because of the breed’s temperament.
“Quarter horses are a very docile and forgiving breed of horse and are excellent teachers,” she said. “They are also very versatile and can be used in both our western and hunt seat disciplines of our program. They make very patient and calm riding horses, which is essential for teaching beginner riding students and children when we give community riding lessons.”
For more information on the program, contact Kaufman at kkaufman@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2665.
For more information on programs in MSU’s Department of Agricultural Sciences, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/agriculture, email agsi@morheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2662.
Top photo, left to right: Alayna Collett, Alyssa Barrett and Bailey Stamps, all students in MSU's Department of Agricultural Sciences, with a foal born on the University farm and mare leased to MSU for the quarter horse breeding program.
Bottom photo, left to right: Paige Bucher, Taylor Wheaton, Megan Young, Bryahna Pullins and Carly Conley visited the first quarter horse foal born at the Derrickson Agricultural Complex under the new quarter horse breeding program.
