Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian’s new online Learning Center has proven to be a useful educational tool in one University of Vermont (UVM) animal sciences course. Christina Rohan, a hunter/jumper trainer who also is a UVM lecturer, says Learning Center videos have played a role in her Equine Industry Issues class, where students examined US Equestrian’s role as the national governing body for equestrian sport in the United States.

“I felt that they had to have some understanding of US Equestrian, what it is, and how it works,” Rohan explained. “That got me looking at the website more. I discovered the videos, and thought, ‘There’s some good information here that I can use.’”

So far, Rohan has used the “About US Equestrian” videos to introduce students to US Equestrian and the breeds and disciplines it recognizes. When the class discussed medications and US Equestrian’s role in drug testing, she also showed such videos as “US Equestrian: Protecting Horse Welfare” and “Best Practices: Five Steps to Avoid Horse Drug Violations,” which also include downloadable supplemental material like the 2017 Guidelines for Drugs & Medications.

“It’s super helpful to have those links to additional information,” Rohan said. “I printed out the Drugs and Medications Guidelines just to have as a reference to offer the students.

“A lot of the students I have don’t compete, and I’m trying to get them to feel it’s important to be connected to US Equestrian,” she explained, adding that much of what US Equestrian does has practical applications for students who want to work in the equine industry. “One girl wants to be an equine vet, and I said, ‘It’s really important to know the rules and regulations if you’re a vet, because your clientele is going to look to you for answers.’”

Rohan said she has another student who is considering a job with a company that sells feed supplements and felt it was important to understand the drugs and medications rules in order to advise customers appropriately.

“So they were making the connection,” Rohan said. “I’m hoping that they’ll be better horse owners and better horse advocates by being knowledgeable about some of the resources and issues and what’s out there.

“I like the addition of the Learning Center,” she added. “For my students who have their own horses, some of the basic horse care pages have some good things, too, like tips on body clipping and what you need in a horse’s first-aid kit.”

Rohan believes that kind of content could be useful to teachers of students at all levels. As a vice-president of the Vermont Hunter Jumper Association, she also thinks it’s also a good resource for groups who host or send students to horsemanship competitions.

“As you grow your content, I think it could be a good tool for people to access that information,” she said. “I value that you’re trying to reach a broader group of equestrians and not just people who are competing.”