Kentucky Equine Research welcomed three summer 2009 interns on May 26. These students will work directly with KER's research horses for the next several months, participating in every phase of daily management and research protocols. Interns are chosen on the basis of their equine experience, educational background, and career goals. Visiting for the summer are Chrisley Barnett, Sara Brewington, and Maegan DeForest.
Chrisley is going into her senior year at Montana State University where she is pursuing a double major in Equine Science and Agricultural Business Management. She is experienced in handling Quarter Horses, Standardbreds, Saddlebreds, and Thoroughbred horses, and has taught riding and horse management skills to riders of all ability levels. Chrisley's goals for the summer include learning more about the interactions between nutrition and performance in horses.
Sara has completed her sophomore year in the Animal Science program at the University of Missouri and has been approved for enrollment in that school's veterinary college. Her experience handling Quarter Horses, Saddlebreds, and Thoroughbreds was gained during years of taking riding lessons, working at the Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, and volunteering at the university's horse farm. In addition, she has spent over 250 hours assisting at equine, small animal, and farm animal veterinary clinics. Sara anticipates that her summer in Kentucky will help her gain a better understanding of equine nutrition that will be useful in her veterinary career.
Maegan, a New Hampshire resident, has finished her junior year at Cazenovia College in New York where she is working on a Bachelor of Professional Studies with an Equine Business Management specialization. Maegan has years of hunter-seat riding experience and has completed work-study programs that involved caring for large herds of horses at camps and college stables. Besides learning more about the link between nutrition and metabolic diseases in horses, Maegan is looking forward to visiting top veterinary clinics, breeding farms, and other industry resources in the central Kentucky area.
Kentucky Equine Research welcomes these young women and wishes them the best of luck in their careers.
