News Releases

(KNOXVILLE, Tenn) — Horse owners in upper East Tennessee and Southeast Virginia are encouraged to attend a course on the basics of horse care. Offered by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, the course will be taught in Blountville, Tenn., beginning in October.

The course is also appropriate for those considering owning a horse, said Dr. Frederick Harper, UT Extension horse specialist. “The horse ownership courses are for all owners,” he said. “They were developed at the request of area horse owners and enthusiasts wanting to learn more about the day-to-day care of horses.”

“Facilities, feeding, management, health care and selection of one’s horse are the five major areas of horse ownership, and the key topics discussed in these courses,” states Harper. The courses are one of the most popular of several programs offered to horse owners, breeders and trainers by UT Extension.

Two similar courses are being offered in the Knox-Metro area.

The Appalachian area course is limited to 35 enrollees for greater audience interaction and participation. The cost of the five-week course is $40 per person, which includes a notebook and course materials. Classes will begin at 6:30 p.m. on October 13.

The course will meet at Northeast State Technical Community College, in Room L226 of the Wayne G. Basler Campus Library, 2425 Hwy 75, in Blountville. To register or for additional information, contact Ty Petty, Unicoi County Extension Service, 423-743-9584, tpetty@utk.edu.

Graduates of the course are encouraged to attend an advanced horse management program called “Just Horse Talk” in Gray, Tenn., scheduled for February and March 2004.

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Contact: Ty Petty, Unicoi County Extension Service, 423-743-9584