By Chelsie Huseman, chelsie.huseman@tamu.edu, 979-845-5264
Have you ever wondered what horse industries are like in other countries? Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Department of Animal Science are teaming up to bring you perspectives from around the world! The TAMU International Horsemanship Program was developed to provide a means for both undergraduate and graduate students to learn about the scope of other horse industries and cultures.
The inaugural country to participate in the program, was China. Dr. Jessica Leatherwood, assistant professor of equine science, Chelsie Huseman, Extension horse program specialist, and undergraduate student, Zach Haydon, partnered with Unbridled China to bring horsemanship schools to Beijing and Shanghai on March 14-21.
“We were excited to kick off this endeavor with China” says Huseman. “It was nice to get to know more about their unique horse industry and culture and to be share some of our horsemanship education.”
Haydon was selected to help conduct this first international horsemanship school in China based on his involvement with the TAMU Summer Horsemanship School program. He was a student instructor for two years and now serves as a teaching assistant for the program. Zach is a senior Agriculture Systems Management major from Marble Falls, Texas.
“There is great value in Texas A&M students getting to experience new cultures and industries outside of their norm,” states Leatherwood. “These new perspectives are invaluable to their education!”
TAMU International Horsemanship is looking forward to conducting horsemanship schools and providing educational opportunities with a multitude of countries for years to come. If you have interest in supporting such a program and this experience for Texas A&M students, please contact Chelsie Huseman at chelsie.huseman@tamu.edu or 979-845-5264.
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For more information regarding news from the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, please contact Maggie Tucker at maggie.tucker@tamu.edu or (979) 845-1542.