Established in 1969, the Equine Sciences Center is a 320-acre research facility dedicated to advancing knowledge in equine nutrition and reproduction. Strategically located seven miles north of Ocala, within the heart of Florida’s prominent horse breeding industry, the center provides essential facilities for critical research impacting the equine sector. The program’s dedication to research is evident in its primary efforts focused on understanding and improving skeletal development in growing horses, particularly concerning trace mineral levels and their interrelationships, as well as investigating the mechanisms of seasonal reproduction in mares, with the goal of developing methods to control reproductive activity transitions.
Comprehensive Facilities for Equine Research
The Equine Sciences Center boasts a robust infrastructure designed to support diverse research needs and practical training. Key facilities include:
- Broodmare Barn: This facility is equipped with 20 stalls, two sets of stocks, a dedicated feed room, ample storage, a weight scale room, a laboratory, an office, and a restroom with a shower. It also features two wash racks, paddocks, and a light pen, providing a comprehensive environment for broodmare management and research.
- Laboratory Complex: This advanced complex houses three laboratories, a classroom for educational purposes, restrooms with showers, and a stocks room with two sets of stocks. It further includes two horse stalls, a feed storage room, four holding paddocks, a teasing chute, a breeding phantom, and a European hot walker, facilitating in-depth reproductive research and analysis.
- Research Barn: This barn offers eight oversized stalls, each with four attached runout paddocks, providing spacious and comfortable accommodations for research horses.
- Stallion Paddocks: Three one-acre paddocks, each with shelters, are specifically designed for stallions, ensuring their well-being and suitability for breeding research.
- Support Facilities: The center also includes a maintenance shed and yard, crucial for the upkeep of the grounds and equipment.
- Student Housing: To support its educational mission, the center provides residences, including a Farm Manager’s residence, a double-wide trailer accommodating three UF students, and a single-wide trailer for two UF students.
The Equine Sciences Program actively manages a breeding herd comprising 25 Quarter Horse mares and four Quarter Horse stallions, distributed across its facilities. A significant aspect of the program involves the training and sale of young horses. Most offspring are sold as two-year-olds, having been started under saddle by students in the Psychology and Training and Intermediate Horse Training classes, during the annual “Sale in the Swamp.” A select few yearlings are also offered for sale.
Research Focus and Impact
The primary research initiatives at the Equine Sciences Center are directed towards two critical areas:
- Nutritional Factors in Equine Skeletal Development: This research emphasizes understanding the role of trace minerals, their complex interrelationships, and their impact on bone mineral content in growing horses. The findings are crucial for developing optimal feeding strategies to support healthy skeletal growth and prevent developmental orthopedic diseases.
- Mechanisms of Seasonal Reproduction in Mares: A key objective of this research is to develop effective tools and understand the physiological mechanisms that control the springtime transition of reproductive activity in mares. This knowledge is vital for improving reproductive efficiency in breeding operations, enabling better management of breeding cycles, and enhancing the success rates of artificial insemination and natural breeding.
The center’s commitment to both cutting-edge research and practical education makes it an invaluable asset to the equine industry. Students gain hands-on experience through training and sales, while the research conducted contributes to a deeper scientific understanding of equine health and performance.
Contact Information
Address: 2655 NW 100th St, Ocala, FL 34475
Business Hours: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday (By appointment only)
Contact: Angela Chandler
Email: angelachandler@ufl.edu
Telephone: 352-376-0562
