Fort Collins – Some down- sized workers at Colorado State University are heading off to greener pastures – or at least to a nice ranchette in the suburbs.
Summer, Sparkle, Tate and Spartacus are among 26 horses being let go from CSU’s nationally recognized equine science program. School officials say they are no longer needed under a new curriculum being pioneered at the school that emphasizes business and science over riding instruction.
“I really think we are out in front in what we are doing,” said Jim Heird, director of equine science and associate dean of CSU’s College of Agriculture.
The easygoing mix of mares and geldings, ages 8 to 18, were used to train CSU students to apply tack and ride. Mostly, they were ridden by students meeting physical-education requirements and by kids in summer camps.
Those courses will be replaced with new ones that will better prepare students in the $2 billion equine industry – including business management, sales and equine behavior.
“Owners out there are expecting students now to manage their businesses, including handling personnel and the financial side,” Heird said. “We are making the school fit the industry.”
The horses were displayed for prospective buyers Wednesday evening. Among the 200 or so who showed up for a look and a ride was 11-year-old Kaitlyn Dwy er, who took Secret for a trot. Kaitlyn liked the mare.
“She was very smooth, and she listened to me,” she said.
Kaitlyn was with Jackie Lynch, who owns a stable in Fort Collins. Lynch disagreed with CSU’s decision to drop the riding classes, saying they are linked to the school’s top-rated veterinary program.
“Most people who become veterinarians are first funneled through the equine program and the riding part,” Lynch said. “All this goes hand in hand.”
CSU is quick to point out that plenty of horses will remain on campus. They are still needed for basic training classes for equine students and advanced courses such as therapeutic riding, Heird said.
Colorado State was the first land-grant university to offer a bachelor’s degree in equine science in 1986, and about 500 students are enrolled today. Graduates are well-versed in riding and caring for horses, said Preston Munsch, national sales manager for International Horse Vets LLC, an equine nutrition company in Johnstown. But they need plenty of tutoring when it comes to managing the business side of horses, said Munsch, who holds an MBA.
“You are not going to have a successful future as a trainer if you don’t know the business,” he said.
Bidding for the displaced horses started at $1,000 and was expected to end at 10 a.m. today. Interest in the animals, which were trained to handle children and other novices in riding, was huge, Heird said. “These are good horses, and they should get good homes,” he said.
CSU equine student Kayce Wagner got to know many of those horses and wishes them well. But Wagner said she’s pleased CSU is updating its courses to fit the modern world of horse management.
“You need somebody who knows how to handle horses,” Wagner said, “and how to handle the business.”
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
