Equine Science Center of Cook College ◊ Rutgers University

"Better Horse Care Through Research and Education"

Welcome!

Dr. Karyn Malinowski and "Could Be Magic"

Welcome to the website of the Rutgers/New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Equine Science Center, the horse-loving public’s immediate, twenty-four/seven access to the tremendous resources of the Center and its programs. If you are a newcomer to the site, what you will find is a comprehensive, robust, and powerful educational tool for equine enthusiasts of all ages, breeds and disciplines, and horse-related interests. The popularity of the site is documented by the 5 million hits it received in 2006!

The Equine Science Center was founded on the principle of promoting “Better horse care through research and education.” This isn’t a mere slogan. For the scientists, faculty and staff of the Center, it is a mandate and commitment.

The mission of the Center hasn’t changed since its inception in 2001. It focuses on the well-being and quality of life of the equine athlete and the viability and vitality of the equine industry. This means that our science is devoted to finding solutions to problems afflicting equine athletes in order to maximize performance and prevent injury or illness. It also means that we assist in assembling the vast resources of this state university and the state of New Jersey to help the horse industry survive and thrive – using our scientific expertise as well as our role as catalyst in the development of policy that will ensure the horse industry’s sustainability.

There are many examples of the deliverables of the Center which are highlighted in the right-hand panel of our homepage. A highlight of 2006 was the white paper entitled, “A Delicate Balance” which addresses the challenges that racing interests are facing in the Garden state and the impact they have on all equine disciplines, traditional agriculture and open space.

Located on the site is a wonderful piece for young people of all ages (this is one of my personal favorites), “Is that a Horse in your Science Class,” with a downloadable poster which is sure to please. Our quarterly newsletters and other documents of interest are also available on the website; highlighting our latest research effort in such critical areas as:

Exciting highlights for 2025 include our hosting of “Horses 2025,” a weekend-long educational program for new and professional horse owners and users alike. Up to fourteen CE credits are available to veterinarians who participate in the program. I encourage you to follow the development of a model environmental best management practices horse farm at our Ryders Lane facility. Click on BMPs at Ryders Lane and follow the progress along with us!

Anyone can contact us and “speak” to our faculty and staff through this site. If you have a horse-related question, you probably will find the answer in our “FAQs,” located under “Ask Us.” If you would like to submit a comment, suggestion or question, contact us at esc@aesop.rutgers.edu.

Mission/History

Description:

The Equine Science Center is a program of Cook College at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. It is dedicated to the well being of horses and the continued viability of the equine industry. The Center is recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative teaching and technology, its cutting-edge research, its outreach to the equine industry and its assistance in the creation of policy to promote the economic viability and sustainability of the equine industry. The Equine Science Center is an approved research and outreach facility of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES), the third largest such station in the country. The NJAES also serves as Rutgers University’s largest research unit.

Director:

Karyn Malinowski, Ph.D., was for many years the extension specialist in equine sciences and an animal sciences professor. Appointed director in July 2001, Dr. Malinowski has been a faculty member at Cook College since 1978. Her research and extension programs concentrate on improving the well being and quality of life of the equine athlete while ensuring the vitality and viability of the equine industry, both statewide and nationally. She has received numerous awards for her work, including a leadership award from the American Youth Horse Council, as well as the American Horse Council’s Van Ness Award in 2001. She was named Outstanding Equine Educator by the Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society, also in 2001. In 2002, she was appointed Dean of Outreach and Extension Programs, a position she holds in addition to her role as Equine Science Center Director.

History:

In 1978, Cook College established an equine science program as part of its Department of Animal Sciences, with a focus of conducting research in the areas of exercise physiology; aging, growth and development; and nutrition. The program has grown to include three full-time faculty members. Students at Rutgers University can minor in equine science and be fully prepared to enter the equine profession upon graduation. Horse enthusiasts and industry professionals benefit from the program’s research that is delivered to them through the successful outreach component.

Equine Science Center Programs:

Equine Science Center Facilities:

Located on the Cook College campus in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the Equine Science Center is recognized for its excellent exercise physiology facilities and its efficient farm set-up that is capable of handling more than 60 horses at the same time. A proposed new complex will significantly enhance the ability of the Cook College comprehensive equine science program to provide meaningful service to the multifaceted equine world – nationally and internationally. Facilities will include a “distance-learning” resource, complete with classrooms, library, closed-circuit television for live instruction and demonstration, faculty offices and conference capability. Corporations, associations, groups, clubs, business-owners and individuals can avail themselves of this resource to learn more about ensuring the well being, longevity, performance and advancement of horses. They will have instant and ongoing access to the best thinking and best practices of the equine world.

Equine Science Center Key Personnel:

Advisory Board

Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement (RUBEA), adviser to the Equine Science Center, is composed of a notable and dedicated group of horse industry leaders from the private sector, education, and New Jersey agriculture.

RUBEA members represent the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, the Thoroughbred Breeders Association of New Jersey, the New Jersey Farm Bureau, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health, the New Jersey Horse Council, the State Board of Agriculture, Rutgers Equine Science Center, the Equine Advisory Board to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the United States Equestrian Team, and The New Jersey Association of Equine Practioners.

Faculty and Staff

Faculty Collaborators from Other Universities

Products and Services

The Rutgers Equine Science Center offers an invaluable variety of programs, products and services to students, enthusiasts, owners, breeders, trainers, veterinary practitioners and more throughout the Garden State.

The Equine Science Center is a unit of Cook College/New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and fulfills the mission of education, discovery thorough research and community outreach by:

Stable Management Program

Equine Business Development Program

Equine Breeding and Management

Equine Performance & Well-Being

Workforce Development and Training Programs

Regulations and Compliance Support

Youth Programs

Impact on the Equine Industry in New Jersey and Nationally

The Equine Science Center provides over 200 nutritional consults per year, locally and throughout the U.S. Expertise and lectures are provided to industry novices, experienced owners, breeders, veterinarians and others, resulting in resolution of equine-related problems.

Nutritional research on glucose/insulin levels of young horses resulted in the establishment of new lines/feed products for younger horses by major feed manufacturers, and research on nutritional needs of geriatric horses resulted in development of “senior” feed formulas.

Faculty at the ESC are worldwide leaders in the area of aging and care for older horses, which resulted in presentations of management recommendations globally. Pivotal research resulted in the development of hormone therapy for older horses.

Research and support to the racing industry resulted in the NJ Supreme Court decision to uphold the accuracy of the blood gas machine which is used to detect horses treated with performance-enhancing agents. A total of 54 pending cases will be tried based on this decision.

Research into the study of the hormone relaxin resulted in assistance for Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (a $500 million economic loss in Kentucky in 2001).

Learning

Equine Academic Program

Students interested in pursuing careers in the horse industry or just improving their knowledge of horses can study equine science in the Department of Animal Sciences. Under the auspices of the Animal Agriculture-Equine emphasis, students are expected to take all of the equine didactic courses available (see below), courses in marketing, basic sciences and animal science, and to also sign up for “hands-on” credits through the Equine Practicum, Research in Animal Science course and/or Cooperative Education.

Our courses tend to emphasize the science of horses—not only “how,” as in many other equine curricula, but “why.” Thirty to sixty students are involved in equine studies each semester at Cook College. Students interact closely with their advisors and are given guidance in career decisions.

We have a Memorandum of Understanding with Delaware Valley College wherein our students can take a semester of “how to” classes on topics such as Equine Breeding, Management, Horse Training and Conditioning, Horse Show Management, and Stable Management, to name but a few. These all tend to be very hands-on courses due to the active breeding and horse show programs at Delaware Valley College. Their students come to Rutgers for the “science” of the industry and to get research experience.

For further information visit http://animalsciences.rutgers.edu.

Equine Courses Offered At Cook College

Horse Management *

The course covers all aspects of horse management concerns from anatomy and behavior to health, stable and fencing concerns. more

Equine Nutrition *

This is an in-depth look at the subject from gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology to all aspects of feeds, pasture management, feeding behavior and feeding horses at each stage of life.

Equine Exercise Physiology

This in-depth course emphasizes the unique aspect of the equine as an athlete, and is offered for undergraduate and graduate credit.

Topics in Equine Science

Scientific papers on “hot” topics in the equine industry are discussed.

Research in Animal Science

An independent study course in which students help with equine research projects and learn scientific methods and techniques.

Horse Practicum

Students assist with the day-to-day care of the research horses at Rutgers.

Animal Handling, Fitting and Exhibition

Students get “hands-on” experience grooming and training yearlings for in-hand exhibition on Ag Field Day and the annual NAERIC yearling auction.

Other courses that address equine topics:

Animal Science; Animal Reproduction; Animal Nutrition; Livestock Production and Management; and Endocrinology.

* Horse Management and Equine Nutrition are open to the public (high school diploma required) through the Office of Continuing Professional Education. Call OCPE at (732) 932-9271 for information.

Rutgers Equine Program – Questions and Answers

  1. What makes the program unique?
    The Equine Program has a strong background in basic science, undergraduate research experience, and exposure to the tremendous variety of horse events and management systems available in New Jersey. Student advising is a high priority. The Curriculum Coordinator and three other faculty advise first-year students. When first-year students declare the Animal Sciences major, the Curriculum Coordinator then assigns an advisor in the major based on option interest and academic strength. Eleven faculty serve as undergraduate advisors.
  2. Does the equine academic program provide scholarships?
    Scholarships are available to women pursuing Equine Science from the Doris C. Murphy Endowed Scholarship in Equine Science. They are awarded to full-time undergraduates based on academic merit, demonstrated interest in equine science, and financial need. Up to six $1,000 scholarships will be awarded each year, at least one to an incoming student, and they may be renewed annually upon approval of the scholarship selection committee. For information, contact:
    Equine Science Center
    57 U.S. Highway 1
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554
    (732) 932-9419
    Applications are due May 1 of each calendar year.
  3. What types of jobs in the horse industry do graduates hold?
    Many go to veterinary school; some obtain jobs in the equine industry (feed or pharmaceutical companies, horse farms, media, etc.) and others go on to graduate programs in equine science or related fields.
  4. Does the program emphasize a particular area of academics?
    The emphasis is primarily on science, with special focus on nutrition, behavior and exercise physiology.
  5. Does the program emphasize a particular theory or philosophy of riding or does it try to give students experience in a variety of riding and training styles and philosophies?
    In our classes and independent studies, students are exposed to as wide a variety of philosophies and theories as possible, from dressage to western riding, high level performance horses to backyard pleasure horses. We do not have riding facilities and do not teach riding. We do have an intercollegiate equestrian team which trains both for English and western equitation. Its website is www.geocities.com/ruequestrian. Our students also have organized riding and animal science clubs, and they run a Mounted Patrol.
  6. Are there other opportunities for students pursuing equine science?
    Rutgers/Cook College is host to the region’s only Equine Science Center, an interdisciplinary program of cutting-edge science based on practical application of knowledge, and delivered to the people of the state through various outreach programs.

Scolarships


Doris C. Murphy
Endowed Scholarship In Equine Science

Rutgers Equine Science Center and the Department of Animal Sciences of Cook College at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, are pleased to announce the availability of financial assistance to undergraduate women who are New Jersey residents majoring in Animal Sciences with a minor in Equine Science. Scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded annually to as many as six full time undergraduate Rutgers University students (including at least one incoming student). Criteria include academic merit, demonstrated interest in equine science, and financial need. Scholarships may be renewed annually with the approval of the scholarship selection committee.

The Doris C. Murphy Endowed Scholarship in Equine Science was created to honor the memory of a woman who loved animals. Ms. Murphy was born in Jersey City, moved to Dumont, and worked for the Ford Motor Company in Newark. She and her husband had no children, and shortly before her death in 1998, she contacted her financial advisor, Kate Sweeney of Smith Barney’s downtown New Brunswick office, and expressed her desire to support animal studies. Ms. Sweeney, a Cook College alumna, suggested the equine science program as an appropriate beneficiary, and as Ms. Murphy was also very supportive of women’s education, the endowed scholarship is offered to women students majoring in Animal Sciences with an equine science interest. Thus, the scholarship reflects Doris C. Murphy’s love of animals and her deep interest in encouraging young women to complete their academic studies.

Further information and an application form are available. Please send your mailing address to:

Equine Science Center
57 U.S. Highway 1
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554
732-932-9419
E-mail:esc@aesop.rutgers.edu

Deadline for submitting applications for the academic year beginning in the fall: May 1

Research

Jersey Fresh
Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Horses Competing in the Jersey Fresh CCI** and CCI***

Young Horse Teaching and Research Program
2006 - 2025 Program

Highlights of the 2006 Equine Science Update
Equine Science Update Sheds New Light On N.J.'s Horse

Highlights of the 2005 Equine Science Update
Equine Management Update and Equine Science Update

Highlights of the 2004 Equine Science Update
Horse Owners Surprised By Rutgers’ Research Findings

Highlights of the 2003 Equine Science Update
Rutgers Relays Its Research Results at Annual Update

Facilities / Animal Care

The mission of the Cook Animal Care Program is to facilitate the use of animals in research, teaching and demonstration at Cook College and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station while assuring compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations. The Cook Animal Care Program has been fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALACi) since 1993. AAALACi accreditation is widely accepted by the scientific community and connotes a high standard of excellence. The program cares for a wide variety of animals ranging from lizards, laboratory animals and deer to the traditional farm animals - sheep, goats, pigs, cattle and horses. The staff and facilities operate as a ‘hybrid’ of production farm, research facility and teaching operation.

The mission of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Animal Care Program is to facilitate the use of animals in research, teaching and demonstration at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension while assuring compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations. The NJAES Animal Care Program has been fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALACi) since 1993. AAALACi accreditation is widely accepted by the scientific community and connotes a high standard of excellence. The program cares for a wide variety of animals ranging from lizards, laboratory animals and deer to the traditional farm animals - sheep, goats, pigs, cattle and horses. The staff and facilities operate as a ‘hybrid’ of production farm, research facility and teaching operation.

Committees

RUBEA Advisory Board

Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement (RUBEA), adviser to the Equine Science Center, is composed of a notable and dedicated group of horse industry leaders from the private sector, education, and New Jersey agriculture.

RUBEA members represent the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, the Thoroughbred Breeders Association of New Jersey, the New Jersey Farm Bureau, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health, the New Jersey Horse Council, the State Board of Agriculture, Rutgers Equine Science Center, the Equine Advisory Board to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the United States Equestrian Team, and The New Jersey Association of Equine Practioners.

FAQ

Nutrition subjects included in these FAQs:

Forage Substitutes for Horses

I cannot find good hay. Should I be concerned about feeding little or no forage to my horses?
What is a “complete feed”?
What are hay cubes, and when should I use them?
How do I reduce the chance of choke in my horse?
Can my horse eat straw?
When or why should I feed beet pulp?
When or why should I feed wheat bran? Can I feed wheat bran daily?
What is rice bran? Can it be fed as a forage substitute?
Can I feed lawn clippings to my horse?

Care for the Older Horse: Diet and Health

When does my old horse require special care?
My old horse is lying down and can’t get up. How do I help him?
My old horse is losing weight. What do I do?
My horse has bad teeth. What can I feed him?
My horse has been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease (pituitary/thyroid condition). What do I do?
How do I feed my horse with kidney or liver failure?
What are common problems associated with age?
When should I feed a senior diet?

Feeding the Rapidly Growing Foal

What causes developmental orthopedic disease (DOD)?
What is an acceptable range of minerals in my foal/young horse’s ration?
How should I feed my nursing foal?
How should I feed my weanling?
My foal/weanling/yearling has developed epiphysitis (or contracted tendons or angular deformation). What do I do?
How should I feed my yearling?

Analysis of Feeds and Forages for Horses

Should I get my feed analyzed?
How do I take a hay/dry forage sample?
How do I take a grain sample?
How do I take a pasture sample?
Where can I find a lab to analyze my feed?
What type of analysis should I have done on my feed? What nutrients can I have analyzed in my feed?
How can I dry a sample before sending it for analysis?
How do I determine the amount of moisture in a hay sample?
Where can I get a hay/forage core sampler?

Maintenance of the “Easy Keeper” Horse

How do I tell if my horse is too fat?
My horse is overweight. Is that a problem?
What do I do to take weight off my horse safely?

Feeding Horses for Competitions: From Racing to Dressage

How do I feed my horse before the event?
(Racehorses/speed horses) (Dressage/show horses)

How do I feed my horse on the day of the event?
(Racehorses/speed horses) (Dressage/show horses)

When should I feed grain to my horse?
(Racehorses/speed horses) (Dressage/show horses)

Should I feed my horse electrolytes?
(Racehorses/speed horses) (Dressage/show horses)

How do I feed my horse after the event?
(Racehorses/speed horses) (Dressage/show horses)

Should I feed my horse bicarbonates?
(Racehorses/speed horses) (Dressage/show horses)

Should feeding change if the weather is hot and humid?

My horse has been in pasture and I’m taking him to a multi-day show. How should I feed him before and during the competition?

What supplements can I feed my horse?

Performance Horse Nutrition and Notes on Conditioning

What nutrients does my performance horse need more of?
When should I increase the energy content of my horse’s ration?
What are good energy sources?
What are my working horse’s electrolyte needs?
What are my horse’s water needs?
What vitamins should I feed?
How do I tell if my horse is fit?
Where can I find an inexpensive electrolyte mix? Can I make my own?
What diet should I feed my show/endurance/distance horse?
What supplements should I feed?

Diagnosis of Nutritional Problems in Horses

My horse is not doing well and I think it might be his feed. How do I evaluate his diet?
What do I do if I suspect feed toxicity?
My horse is losing weight. What might be the cause?
My horse has been diagnosed with anemia. What causes this?
What causes DOD (developmental orthopedic disease/osteochondrosis/osteochondritis/contracted tendons/leg deformation)?
What causes tying up/rhabdomyolysis?
My horse colics frequently. What could be causing this?
What causes laminitis/founder?
What nutritional problems can be diagnosed from a blood sample?

Odd Things that Horses Eat

What weeds or plants might a horse on pasture eat that are not a health threat?
What plants pose a problem if eaten in large quantities?
What plants or trees are NOT safe to have around my barn or pasture, because they may be lethal to my horse?
What are some good treats for my horse?
What treats are acceptable in very small amounts?
What treats or feeds will cause a positive drug test in my horse?

The Basics of Equine Nutrition

Why are small grain meals recommended for horses?
Why are high fat diets hard for horses to digest?
How much water does a horse drink per day?
What are the signs of dehydration?
What are the signs of protein deficiency?
When would a horse need a vitamin supplement?
From what sources do horses normally get their vitamins?
When would a horse need a mineral supplement?
How do I evaluate hay quality?
What are some good grains in horse feeds?
What are some good protein supplements for horses?
What are some good fat supplements for horses?

Stable Management subjects included in these FAQs:

Horse Pasture Management – Species Selection

What factors should be considered when preparing to seed a pasture?
What if my pasture is exceptionally wet or dry?
Which pasture grasses are good to use for NJ horse pastures?
What are legumes and how can they be used as pasture?
Which pasture grasses tolerate frequent grazing?
What are some common seeding mixes for horse pastures?
Is Tall Fescue bad for my horse?


Equine Barnyard Management

In building a barn, how do I minimize the chance of problems from mud and runoff?
How do I manage storm water runoff?
How do I manage my horse pastures when I have a small amount of acreage?
What can I do to my pastures to help reduce mud and soil erosion?


Equine Pasture Management: A Year-Round Approach

How do I optimize the nutritional benefits of my horse pasture?
How do I minimize the growth of weeds in my horse pasture?
What grasses should I plant for grazing in spring and fall?
What grasses should I plant for grazing in summer?
Why is resting/rotating my pasture important?


Poisonous Weeds in Horse Pastures

Do horses instinctively avoid poisonous plants?
What makes a plant poisonous to my horse?
What would cause a horse to eat a poisonous plant?
What steps can I take to prevent my horse from getting plant poisoning?
How do I control weeds in my pasture?
What are some of the poisonous plants found in NJ?
Where can I find more information on poisonous plants? How can I identify a poisonous plant?


Horses and Manure

How much of a horse’s feed is actually digested and absorbed?
How much manure does a horse produce?
How can manure be beneficial to the land?
What are some problems that can occur with mismanaged manure?
What are some bacteria and parasites found in manure?
What are the guidelines for location and structure of manure storage sites?
How and when should you spread manure?
What does manure composting involve?
Are there regulations governing manure management?

How-To subjects included in these FAQs:

Tips on Buying Your First Horse

How do I know if I’m ready to own a horse?
When buying a horse, what are some factors that determine the cost of the horse?
Approximately how much does it cost to keep a horse?
What should I look for when trying to find a stable to board my horse?
Where can I purchase a horse?
What are some things I should look for when considering a horse for purchase?
How do I know if the horse I hope to purchase is right for me?
Should I have a vet examine the horse before I purchase it?

Saddling and Bridling Horses Safely

What is the proper way to saddle a horse?
How do I get my horse to exhale so I can adjust the girth when saddling?
What is the proper way to bridle a horse?
When bridling, how will I know if my bit is adjusted properly?
How do I untack my horse?

Stress Management for Equine Athletes

What types of stress might my horse encounter?
How does stress affect a horse?
Is exercise stressful to my horse?
How is the impact of stress on the immune system measured?
Is weaning stressful to foals? Does this have an effect on their immune system?
Is showing stressful to my horse?

Horse Trailer Maintenance and Trailering Safety

When purchasing a horse trailer, what are some important considerations?
Can I tow a trailer with an SUV?
What are some regular maintenance checks that need to be performed on a truck and trailer each time it is used?
What are some yearly maintenance checks that need to be performed on a truck and trailer?
What type of halter is safe for trailering?
How do I wrap my horse’s legs for shipping?
Are nylon leads safe to use when loading a horse?
On which side of the trailer should a single horse be hauled?
What are routine safety measures to take when trailering?
What is the proper way to unload a horse from a trailer?
Should I tie a horse to an unhitched trailer?

General subjects included in these FAQs:

Trail Riding Etiquette for Horse Enthusiasts fs

What safety issues should I be aware of when out on the trail?
How can I alert the trail administrator of any problems, or make a suggestion?
How can I keep my horse safe before I hit the trail?
What are a horse’s normal resting vital signs?
What are some good ways to be courteous to others when trail riding?
Is it okay to let my horse drink from streams and other bodies of water?
Is it okay for me to throw manure from my trailer into the bushes?
What are the traffic laws that affect horses and automobiles?
What are the first things I should do when I get home from a trail ride?

The Economic Impact of the Horse Industry in New Jersey and the United States

What is the impact of the horse industry on the national economy?
What is the impact of the horse industry on the NJ economy?
What are some of the major expenditures in the horse industry?
How much does using the horse for recreation impact the national economy?

The Basics of Equine Behavior

How do horses show dominance?
Are horses color blind?
Why does a horse get scared on windy days?
Do horses hear better than humans do?
What do certain movements of a horse’s leg mean?
What are some equine facial expressions, and what do they mean?
What are horses trying to tell us with their ears?
What are some forms of verbal and non-verbal communication between horses?
How is a mare that is much older and weaker able to maintain dominance in a herd?
What happens to a young colt in the wild once it is able to reproduce?
How do horses show submission?
What are vices and why do horses develop them?
What is “cribbing?”
What is “weaving?”

West Nile Virus in Horses

What is West Nile virus?
How does West Nile virus cycle in nature?
How do horses contract West Nile virus?
What is the seasonal progression of West Nile virus?
Why should horse owners be concerned about West Nile virus?
How can I tell if my horse is infected with West Nile virus?
What should I do if I see any West Nile Virus symptoms?
Is euthanasia of West Nile virus infected horses necessary?
Will horses and/or farms affected by the virus be quarantined?
How can I reduce the risk of West Nile virus to my horses?
Do mosquitoes only bite at dusk and dawn?
Is there a vaccine for West Nile virus?
What is the proper method of vaccinating horses for West Nile virus?
Where can I get more information about West Nile virus?

Are You “Stressing Out” Your Horse?

What are some things that stress my horse?
How do horses cope with stress?
Why is heat a problem for horses?
How do I prevent and/or treat heat stress in horses?
Why is cold weather stressful for horses?
What does “critical temperature” mean?
Why is transportation stressful to horses?
What is “shipping fever?”
How can I decrease transportation stress?
Are dietary adjustments necessary before hauling a horse?
What is oxidative stress, and how does it affect my horse?
Why are horses prone to ulcers, and what can I do to prevent them?
What are some signs that a horse is developing ulcers?
How can I tell if my horse is tying-up?
How do I decrease stress associated with tying-up?
How can I minimize stress for my horse overall?

The Horse Industry’s Responsibility to Animal Welfare

What is the difference between animal rights activists and an animal welfare group?
How can equestrians and equine groups address animal rights issues?
Have equine associations taken any stand on animal welfare or animal rights?

Campaign Update

In 2001, Cook College of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, launched a $7 million campaign in support of the Equine Science Center.

The Equine Science Center will be recognized as the best worldwide in innovative teaching and technology, cutting-edge research, outreach to stakeholders in the equine industry and the creation of policy that will promote economic viability and sustainability.

A total of $7 million is needed to erect a new facility, the Long Distance Learning Center, as well as existing equine facility renovations at the Red Barn and Ryder’s Lane Equine Facility. In addition, an endowment fund will be established to enable Cook College to continue to attract and retain the brightest faculty and graduate students in the field of equine sciences.

Equine Science Center…Fundraising Goal $7million
Long Distance Learning Center
$3,000,000
Endowed Center Directorship Fund
$2,000,000
Endowed Senior Faculty Scholar Fund
$1,000,000
Endowed Fellowship Fund
$700,000
Ryder’s Lane Equine Facility
$200,000
Red Barn
$100,000
TOTAL
$7,000,000

Naming Opportunities
Donors frequently express interest in specific
naming opportunities. Below, please find
a list and amounts of naming opportunities available
for the Equine Science Center.
Endowed Center Directorship Fund
$2,000,000
Long Distance Learning Center
$1,500,000
Endowed Senior Faculty Scholar Fund
$1,000,000
Red Barn
$400,000
Endowed Fellowship Fund
$350,000
Ryder’s Lane Equine Facility
$350,000

For more information on giving opportunities at all
levels, please contact:
Diana M. Orban Brown
Equine Science Center
57 U.S. Highway 1
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554
Phone: 732-932-9419
Fax: 732-932-2658
Email: esc@aesop.rutgers.edu

Gifts and Donations

      Gifts to the Rutgers University Equine Science Center housed on the Cook College Campus may be made in a variety of forms, including cash, securities, and real estate, or through planned gifts, such as bequests, and life income agreements. Gifts to the Equine Science Center are tax-deductible to the full extent of the Internal Revenue Code.
    
          Click here for the Equine Science Center Campaign Update.

Cash Gifts
Other types of gifts:

Commemorative Gifts
Gifts of Securities
Gift Planning
Life Insurance
Deferred Payment Gift Annuity
Charitable Remainder Trusts
Charitable Lead Trusts
The Pooled Income Fund
Real Estate
Matching Gift Programs
Tangible Personal Property
Bequest
Charitable Lead Trusts
Charitable Remainder Trusts Combined with a Non-charitable Trust
Replacing an Asset with An Insurance Policy

Cash Gifts:

Send a check
Make your check payable to the Rutgers University Foundation and designate the Equine Science Center on the memo portion of your check.

Mail to:

Equine Science Center
57 U.S. Highway 1
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554

We are now able to ensure that your online gift to the Equine Science Center is completely secure.

Visit the Rutgers University Foundation “Donate Online” web page at
http://support.rutgers.edu/donate.html.

Beneath the phrase “Where would you like your donation to go?” please select
“New Brunswick Campuses.” A new web page containing a secure donation form will open.

On the new web page, please go to the fourth pull-down menu under the phrase
“Or choose an institute, center, art museum, or the libraries” and click the
pull-down button to select “Equine Science Center”.

From there, please continue to fill in the Donor Credit Card Information
form as you would for any other online form.

Commemorative Gifts:

Commemorating a special person with a gift to Rutgers can be tremendously satisfying. It is a lasting tribute to a friend, colleague, or loved one and provides valuable support to New Jersey’s leading research university.

A gift “in honor of” someone is usually made while that person is living, often for milestone occasions such as a graduation, promotion, birth of a child or grandchild, or retirement. A gift “in memory of” someone is the term used when the namesake is deceased. All these gifts are referred to as commemorative

Gifts of Securities:

While many donors prefer to make gifts of cash, many are taking advantage of contributing gifts of long-term appreciated securities to support Rutgers. To make your gift of securities, please call the Cook College Development Office at 732-932-9000, ext. 503.

Gift Planning:

By including the Rutgers University Equine Science Center in your financial and estate plans, you may increase your current income and provide future support for areas of the university important to you. Often you can make a larger gift that you might not have thought possible.

Life Insurance:

If you already own a policy with a significant cash surrender value, you may be able to make a major gift without affecting your current investment or cash flow. For example, you may have bought a policy years ago when family needs were great. Now your children are on their own, and you no longer need that protection for them. The donation of an existing whole life policy will carry a charitable deduction of approximately the cash surrender value.

Deferred Payment Gift Annuity:

This type of gift is a contract between you (the donor) and the Rutgers Foundation whereby the foundation guarantees to pay you, or persons you designate, income for life in exchange for a gift of cash or marketable securities. There are some rules. The gift must be valued at $5,000 or more, and you may not receive the income until after your 55th birthday. The income you will receive varies depending on your age when payments begin. The benefits include possibly increasing your retirement income, reducing current income taxes, and reducing future estate taxes. You may name yourself and your spouse or another person to receive the income.

Charitable Remainder Trusts:

Variations of this program are called a Charitable Remainder Unitrust or a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust. Whatever the title, these programs pay quarterly interest to one or more people for life or a specified number of years. Eventually the amount remaining in the trust passes to Rutgers. An amount of $100,000 or more is recommended with this strategy, because each trust is a separate managed portfolio of investments, designed to meet your individual needs. The donor is entitled to an income gift and estate tax charitable deduction. The donor can avoid the capital gains tax by giving appreciated property or securities

Charitable Lead Trusts:

Lead trusts are the opposite of remainder trusts. Income from these trusts is paid to Rutgers for a term of years or a lifetime, and then the trust investments are returned to you or your family. Besides providing support to Rutgers, you can receive significant gift or estate tax deductions. Properly planned, this can enable you to pass on property that you expect to grow in value with little or no estate tax.

The Pooled Income Fund:

This program is essentially a charitable remainder trust with many participants. It is similar to a mutual fund in that each donor receives a proportional share of the income generated by the investments. You must be 45 or older and willing to make an irrevocable gift of $5,000 or more to participate. You will receive a quarterly payment for the rest of your life. Other benefits include taking a charitable income tax deduction for a portion of your gift, the removal of your gift from your taxable estate, and all income from the fund is taxed as ordinary income. If your gift includes long-term appreciated securities, you will avoid a capital gains tax on that appreciation, so that the income you receive is based on the full value of your investments.

Real Estate:

Highly appreciated real estate can be a tax burden. Donating the property to Rutgers can bring tax advantages similar to that of donating appreciated securities. If you have owned the property for at least one year before giving it to Rutgers, you earn a charitable deduction equal to the full fair market value, less any outstanding mortgage. The property is also removed from your taxable estate. Options exist that allow you to give your home to Rutgers and continue to live in it or to derive a lifetime income from the property

Matching Gift Programs:

If you work at one of the 1,000-plus U.S. companies that have matching-gift programs, you can dramatically increase the impact your gift makes to the Equine Science Center.

These companies recognize the importance of giving, and will match their employees’ gifts, often 1:1 and sometimes more. Please check with your employer’s personnel office to see if your company offers this benefit.

Tangible Personal Property:

A gift item directly related to Rutgers’ broad mission of research, education, and public service is often fully tax deductible at its fair market value. Gifts not related to Rutgers’ mission are deductible based on what you paid for the item. This is called a cost basis deduction. If you are interested in giving Rutgers some personal property, the Cook College Development Office can help you sort out the differences.

Bequest:

No one can predict the future. Affecting the future is another matter and entirely possible. One way to introduce your ideals and goals to future generations is to leave a legacy gift to Rutgers. Perhaps you want to ensure that the Equine Science Center continues to have the most advanced equipment, or that bright - but financially strapped - graduate students have access to fellowships. Or, you may wish to support the Equine Science Center’s mission of excellence in education, research, and outreach. Whatever you select, you can be certain that a bequest to Rutgers will carry your goals forward.

Legacy gifts are among the most popular types of deferred gifts because of their great impact and because they are completely revocable. Should your circumstances or goals change, the bequest amount or ultimate designation can be easily altered. There are several ways to make a bequest to Rutgers. You and your attorney can decide which is best for you. The Cook College Development Office would be happy to provide sample wording for your review and your attorney’s opinion.

If you decide to include Rutgers in your will, please consider alerting the Cook College Development Office in advance. This helps the university plan for the future and acknowledge donors while they are still living. You also become eligible for membership in the Colonel Henry Rutgers Society. Society members receive a seasonal newsletter featuring articles on Rutgers and financial planning tips. In addition, Colonel Henry Rutgers Society members are invited back to campus for an annual luncheon featuring a lecture by one of the university’s esteemed faculty. Members are also invited to special events around the country.

Charitable Lead Trusts:

This very sophisticated strategy is also called a Charitable Annuity Lead Trust. The bare bones of it include setting up a trust that pays income to a nonprofit entity, such as the Rutgers Foundation with a designation to the Equine Science Center, for a specific period of time. At the end of this term, the remaining assets in the trust are turned back to the donor or the donor’s heirs. Depending on the circumstances, this arrangement may reduce or eliminate inheritance taxes and pass future appreciation on to your heirs unaffected by any taxes.

Charitable Remainder Trusts Combined with a Noncharitable Trust:

This is another beneficial package. A Charitable Remainder Trust can provide you or your spouse with lifetime income. Combined with a noncharitable trust, such as a trust for a minor child or an educational fund for your grandchildren, it can help you advantageously distribute your assets.

Replacing an Asset with An Insurance Policy:

This is a creative use of life insurance. Make a donation to Rutgers – securities, real estate, cash, personal property, whatever – and, with the tax savings, buy a life insurance policy for the value of the donation. Life insurance can pass without tax to your heirs. Remember, tax savings will vary depending on the type and circumstances of the gift.

For further information on making a gift in support of the Equine Science
Center:
Contact Diana M. Orban Brown at the Equine Science Center
Phone: 732-932-9419
Email: esc@aesop.rutgers.edu

Resources

Cook College
Cook College Animal Care Program
Cook College Equine Science Club
Horse Pasture Management
New Jersey 4-H
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Rutgers University
Rutgers University Equestrian Team
Young Horse Teaching and Research Program

New Jersey Department of Agriculture
New Jersey Farm Bureau
New Jersey Horse Council
New Jersey State Board of Agriculture
Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey
United States Equestrian Team

Horse Park of New Jersey
New Jersey Equine Facilities

American Horse Council
Global Horse Network
North American Equine Ranching Information Council (NAERIC)

Ryders Lane Best Management Practices Demonstration Horse Farm

In 2005 a team of Rutgers researchers affiliated with the Equine Science Center and several state and federal agencies began a multi-year collaboration. They sought to develop a demonstration working horse farm on the Cook College campus that would use agricultural best management practices to provide solutions to many of the problems facing farm owners and stable managers today.

 Our researchers have identified numerous environmental issues, such as preserving water quality, proper nutrient and waste management, farm and pasture management, weed control, fencing, pasture rotation, and soil enrichment. These are just a few of the many facets of farm management that the project will address.
    
    
     Located at the existing Ryders Lane facility on approximately 40 acres, the facility, when complete, will be not only be a model best management practices horse farm, but also a learning center where research, education and proactive outreach through live demonstrations and twilight seminars will enrich the public’s understanding of how to successfully manage the environmental challenges their farms may pose.

Goals of the project:

To develop and maintain the Ryders Lane facility as a demonstration working horse farm by implementing best management practices (BMPs) which address pasture management, stormwater, and manure issues Ph.D. BMPs are cost-effective and easy to implement.

To conduct educational programs at the farm which demonstrate the implementation of best management practices to enhance and maintain pasture and water quality.

To utilize the farm site to conduct research on new forage varieties.

To provide learning experiences and educational programs in pasture renovation, forage varieties, soil fertility, weed identification and management, rotational grazing, storm water management and manure storage, composting, and utilization.

Equine Science Center partners for this project include:

Horses Educational Conference

Featuring Keynote Speakers
Dr. Patty Hogan, New Jersey Equine Clinic, Millstone, NJ

Dr. Sue McDonnell, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA

Horses 2025 promises to be the most practical, informative event of the year. Hear the experts in equine behavior, horse health, animal science, environmental science and veterinary medicine discuss the latest news and views. Meet and talk with major companies on up to the minute developments in products and services. This unique conference comes to New Jersey only once every four years.

Saturday, March 31, 2025
Programs and events on this day are designed for:

Youth
Parents
First-time horse owners or those who have just purchased their first farm
Riding instructors
People thinking about buying a horse
Folks who want a refresher in basic horse health and care
Sunday, April 1, 2025
Programs and events on this day are designed for:

Veterinarians
Vet technicians
Horse health professionals
Trainers
Farriers
Experienced horse and horse farm owners
Leaders in the horse industry
Teachers and those in higher education
Farm and Land Management Short Course
Saturday, March 31, 2025 – Sunday, April 1, 2025

Farm managers and owners who must comply with new state regulations for keeping livestock will hear about environmental best management practices for managing a horse or livestock farm. (Registration is limited to 80 persons. Please contact the Equine Science Center at 732-932-9419 or visit our registration page for details.)



Keynote Speakers


Photo by Mark Wyville. Used with permission

Dr. Patty Hogan

 When Dr. Patty Hogan first laid eyes on Smarty Jones, his owners and trainer believed he would lose an eye or, worse, have to be euthanized. He had smashed his head on a starting gate in a training accident and severely fractured his skull and eye socket. Her story of how Smarty Jones recovered is just part of her spell-binding talk, “It’s All About the Love of Horses: Saving Smarty Jones and Other Stories That Inspire.” This acclaimed equine surgeon is also an accomplished horsewoman whose hard work and dedication throughout her education and career will enthrall anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming an equine professional.



Dr. Sue McDonnell maintains a semi-feral herd of ponies specifically for the study of their physiology and behavior under semi-natural conditions. This allows long-term observation of equine social and developmental behavior and first-hand comparison of horse behavior under free-running and traditional domestic conditions. She has lectured on stallion, mare and foal behavior, raising an orphan foal, foal bonding, stress-free weaning, causes of and cures for common vices, bad habits and related topics and has written books on equine behavior for both the layperson and equine professionals. On Saturday, her topic will be “Why Does My Horse Do That? Elements of Basic Horse Behavior.” On Sunday she will deliver a keynote address covering “Current Research on Horse Behavior.”


Hosted by

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Cornell University
University of Delaware
University of Vermont
Centenary College
Delaware Valley College

Students / Youth



 2025 Young Breeder’s Symposium just added! 

Equine Academic Program

Students interested in pursuing careers in the horse industry or just improving their knowledge of horses can study equine science in the Department of Animal Sciences. Under the auspices of the Animal Agriculture-Equine emphasis, students are expected to take all of the equine didactic courses available (see below), courses in marketing, basic sciences and animal science, and to also sign up for “hands-on” credits through the Equine Practicum, Research in Animal Science course and/or Cooperative Education.


Doris C. Murphy Endowed Scholarship In Equine Science

Rutgers Equine Science Center and the Department of Animal Sciences of Cook College at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, are pleased to announce the availability of financial assistance to undergraduate women who are New Jersey residents majoring in Animal Sciences with a minor in Equine Science. Scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded annually to as many as six full time undergraduate Rutgers University students (including at least one incoming student). Criteria include academic merit, demonstrated interest in equine science, and financial need. Scholarships may be renewed annually with the approval of the scholarship selection committee.



Cooperative Education Program

The Cooperative Education Program assists Animal Science students with obtaining part time and full-time cooperative education positions in various equine professions. Cooperative Education students earn college credits while getting career-related experience.



Is That a Horse in Your Science Class?
On Monday, December 6, 2004, Rutgerscience featured the Equine Science Center in a cool full-page mini poster which appeared in all seven Gannett New Jersey newspapers. As part of the “Newspapers in Education” program, an additional 40,000 copies were distributed to New Jersey’s classrooms. Rutgerscience is all about helping New Jersey’s youngsters understand the scientific research that goes on at Rutgers University. If you missed the feature in your local paper, don’t worry! You can check out the website, or download and print out the mini-poster. [56k/modem] [high-speed/cable] It’s great for hanging on your wall, classroom, or stable bulletin board!



 Lenape Student Named New Jersey’s Equestrian of the Year

Kelsey Hockenberger, a 15-year-old honor student from Lenape High School in Medford, Burlington County, was recently named the 2006 New Jersey Equestrian of the Year at the New Jersey Farm Bureau’s 2005 Convention.


 2025 New Jersey Junior Breeder and Young Farmer Symposium

The Equine Science Center will participate in the 2025 New Jersey Junior Breeder and Young Farmer Symposium, a New Jersey Department of Agriculture-sponsored event which focuses on careers in the agricultural industry. It features hands-on sessions for dairy, equine, beef, swine, goats, rabbits and poultry.


Information about the 2006 Symposium

New Jersey 4-H Horse Program

During the 2005-2006 program year, more than 1,700 youth participated in the NJ 4-H Horse and Pony Program, which is 4-H’s largest animal project area. Over 325 volunteers were involved in the implementation of club, county, state and national level activities.