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Reducing Risks on the Horse Farm


Summary

Whether or not you own, board, teach, or ride in an equine facility, you can help to decrease the potential risks at that barn. Almost everyone can come up with a horror story of accidents, crashes or “near misses” at a stable from the past or present. Often you will hear “boy…I could see that one coming…” or “that doesn’t surprise me!” when a barn crash occurred. Those crashes were probably at most, preventable, or at least could have been minimized in severity. This presentation will help you identify and address potential physical and behavioral risks in your equine facilities.

Presenter Information

Dr. Betsy Greene is an Associate Professor of Animal Science and Extension Equine Specialist in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Vermont. She was raised in Bedford, Massachusetts and received her A.A.S. and B.S. from Morehead State University, her M.S. from the University of Arizona, and her Ph.D. from Kansas State University. She earned American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists certification in 1997.

Dr. Greene’s responsibilities in the Equine Science Program include teaching a variety of courses including Introduction to Equine Science, Animal Science Career Seminar, Horse Barn Cooperative, Equine Enterprise Management, and Equine Industry Issues. She also serves as a coach of the UVM Drill Team.

Her statewide extension programs have focused on preventative care and maintenance for horse health, safety, equine business, and pasture management. She organizes the educational aspect of “Everything Equine” a 2-day equine educational event and consumer trade show that was awarded the “Non-Fair Agricultural Event” (International Association of Fairs and Expositions) and “Top Ten VT Event” (VT Chamber of Commerce).

She is the co-chair of the “HorseQuest Community of Practice” (www.extension.org/horses). Dr. Greene has served national organizations, including the United States Equestrian Federation (Safety Committee) the Equestrian Medical Safety Association, and the National Association of Agricultural Agents (Northeast Regional Vice Director). She has collaborated with several state agencies to develop programmatic and educational materials for equine owners and producers. She is the president of Vermont Agriculture Agents Association and a board member of Vermont Farm Bureau.

Watch the recorded webcast below!

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