Program planners not 'horsing around'
Endowment sought to get program at A&M-Commerce under way

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

February 14, 2002 -- Could a college degree with an equine emphasis, that you don't have to travel half way across the state to obtain, be in the future for people in Northeast Texas? It just might if individuals from Texas A&M-Commerce have their way.

At a Feb. 7 meeting, the Hopkins County Professional Ag Workers listened as Dr. J.D. Norris, Sulphur Springs veterinarian, and Mindy Morris, who is working on her Ph.D. at A&M-Commerce, explained the plans for a new equine program. The program is in the embryonic stages, but both Norris and Morris are excited that an equine program will be offered at Texas A&M-Commerce.

"We are excited and ready to get the money to get this program operating," Morris said.

Topics that were discussed at the meeting were size and scope of the horse industry; needs; availability; why Texas A&M-Commerce; and the capital gain.

Texas is the leading horse state and a 1990 survey states that one out of every 15 people owned a horse. Over 900,000 Texans participate in the horse industry, said Morris, with over 600,000 horses being in East and Central Texas alone.

With all of these horses, horse education is a very important. This is the reason for the program at Texas A&M-Commerce. Education can include clinics, short courses, continuing education and college courses.

Also, the industry needs qualified employees that are knowledgeable, have horse-handling skills, common sense and good work ethics, according to Morris.

"The University of Wisconsin at River Falls has a great horse program, and this is who we want to copy our program after," said Morris. "They have horse people call them asking about graduates. We want people to be calling us. This is way off, but we need to start."

Texas A&M-Commerce, with over 2,000 acres, feels they can meet the demand of the horse industry. Plus, they are located close to the areas that have horse-related or employment opportunities, where the horse population is great, according to Morris

"We need some place near that people could call and ask equine questions," stated Morris. "Right now, you have to call Texas A&M in College Station or Colorado State."

At A&M-Commerce, the program would consist of students majoring in Animal Science with a minor in equine. The equine minor would include course work in beginning horsemanship, advanced horsemanship, equine behavior and training, stable management, equine vet management, equine nutrition, internship and special topics.

But to be able to offer this program, money is needed. The initial goal to operate the program for the first two years is $500,000, as determined by Dr. David Crenshaw, assistant head of A&M-Commerce ag department. These funds would support instructors, horses, and facilities.

"We don't even have an arena. We have a small group of broodmares but we will need more riding horses," replied Morris about the university in Commerce.

Because Texas A&M University System will not fund the project until the program has proven itself, a secondary goal is to get an endowment account of $1 million to keep the program operating.

Morris also told the Ag Workers group that the program organizers have high goals but they also have high hopes and lots of enthusiasm.

For more information about this program, to help monetarily or to donate horses, contact Mindy Morris at 214-232-5817, email mindymorris@hotmail.com; or Dr. J.D. Norris at 903-885-6551.