University of Kentucky Equine Science and Management undergraduates are able to choose from a variety of internships to complete course credits, including positions in UK equine research. Two of the program’s undergraduates recently highlighted their internship experiences during the major’s Spring 2020 Internship Showcase event.

Jenna Bryant, a junior in the program, and Dagan Montgomery, who just graduated with his degree, chose to do their internships in equine-related research.

Bryant worked under Jill Stowe, PhD, associate professor in UK’s Department of Agricultural Economics, analyzing Thoroughbred yearling sales in United States markets.

Montgomery worked under Ashley Fowler, PhD, and Mieke Holder, PhD, both researchers in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, seeking to measure how different supplements in horse feed affected forage plant growth.

Both sought to improve an industry they are passionate about.

Bryant’s responsibilities were to uncover as much data as she could find in the realm of yearling sales and economic indicators, going as far back as 1936. She then compiled that data into a usable format for analyzing.

Bryant recalled spending a lot of time in the Keeneland Library. Through this research, she was published in an academic journal with Stowe on their findings, a study that analyzed profitability of yearling sales based on seven stud fee categories. Her passion from this project came from her experience in the breeding, buying and selling aspects of the industry.

“I know all too well how hit or miss this market is, which is why I jumped at the chance to understand the economics of it,” Bryant said.

Her advice to other undergraduate students seeking a career in research? “Ask your favorite professors if they have anything going on, or if they’ve heard of any professors in the department looking for help,” she said. “It’s a great way to get some credit hours out of the way, while also giving you a chance to present what you’ve accomplished.”

“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is having the opportunity to advise and mentor undergraduate students who are passionate about pursuing research. Initially, I teach them a few tools they might learn as a grad student and then let them get their hands dirty,” Stowe said. “What I typically find is that this introduction sparks a new level of intellectual curiosity, and they start thinking about new research questions and how these tools might be used to answer them. This is very exciting to me! I also enjoy these opportunities because I think they help students appreciate the scientific process and to continue developing their ability to think more critically about problems and solutions.”

As she begins her senior year this fall, Bryant plans to continue with Stowe and tackle other interesting projects that have been on the back burner.

Montgomery’s research was related to equine nutrition and the results of horse feed supplements on composted manure. His responsibilities involved preparing manure samples from horses fed mineral supplements in specific groups and organizing strategically seeded fescue. He also recorded plant growth and counted germination rates of each study group every two days.

When asked about the project, Montgomery said, “It was intended to gain a better understanding of how common equine mineral supplements impact the growth of forages in the field so that horse operations will know whether or not their compost piles will be beneficial to their pastures based on their horse’s diet.”

According to him, the most rewarding part was watching his predictions come to fruition.

Montgomery graduated May 8 and plans to pursue graduate school after taking some time to work in the industry.

He said this project has solidified his career goals and made him confident about building a career in nutrition research.

“I do not have an undergraduate teaching component to my faculty position, so I really do enjoy having the opportunity to have undergraduates in my lab who really want to take the time to learn. I like to give them a project that they can call their own and take pride in. I wish I had such opportunities back when I was an undergraduate student,” Holder said. “In terms of furthering my research program, these projects may be small, but I find the data very useful. In some cases, it may explore the validity of concepts that I would like to pursue in the future, or provide supportive evidence for something we have been working on from a different perspective.”

Savannah Robin, MS, UK Ag Equine Programs internship coordinator, said the opportunities undergraduates have in research are not only important for their personal career trajectory, but also for the industry.

“One of the coolest things for me to see when our students participate in undergraduate research is the impact they see themselves having on the industry,” she said. “It’s often the first chance they’ve had to identify and try to solve a problem within this industry and that is so empowering.

“Offering undergraduates the chance to take part in research and share the results can open doors in their professional lives they never imagined possible,” she said.

The opportunities undergraduates have to participate in equine research has the potential to make a vital difference on their future career goals and on the industry. Students are able to develop critical thinking and analyzation skills they can utilize in any career they choose. UK is home to many of the leading equine researchers, and the university’s undergraduates are given a unique chance to tap into that expertise.

Lindsay O’Hara, a rising senior double majoring in Equine Science and Management and Communications, is the communications and student relations intern for UK Ag Equine Programs.