Renowned Texas A&M faculty and industry leaders from across the country are on the agenda.
The seventh annual Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Ranch Horse Program will be held Aug. 3 in conjunction with the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, BCSC, set for Aug. 4-6 in College Station.
Horses are an important part of cattle management in Texas and will be the focus of the Ranch Horse Program on Aug. 3 in conjunction with the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course Aug. 4-6 in College Station. (Hannah Harrison/Texas A&M AgriLife)
The Ranch Horse Program will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ’56 Equine Complex, 3240 F and B Road, College Station.
The Beef Cattle Short Course, the world’s largest beef cattle educational event of its kind, will be held on the Texas A&M University campus.
The horse program is free to all BCSC participants or $60 at the door for nonparticipants. To register for the Ranch Horse Program, go to https://tx.ag/RanchHorseReg.
“Horses have always been an important part of cattle management in Texas, serving as trusted partners in managing herds across vast and varied landscapes in our state,” said Jennifer Zoller, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horse specialist in the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station. “This program helps keep that tradition alive by supporting the horse’s role as a practical, hands-on tool in today’s beef industry.”
Equine expertise from across The Texas A&M University System
Zoller said the program is a joint effort between AgriLife Extension, the Department of Animal Science, the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the Texas A&M Institute for Equine Sciences.
The mission of the Texas A&M Institute for Equine Sciences is to unite stakeholders in advancing research, education, advocacy and outreach in equine sciences. By prioritizing equine welfare and promoting sustainable practices, the institute aims to enrich lives through the discovery, communication and application of science-based knowledge in equine care, health, recreation and sport.
“For over 80 years, the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course has stood at the forefront of education and innovation in the beef industry,” said Craig Huffhines, Institute for Equine Sciences director. “We’re proud to partner with the Ranch Horse Program to highlight how horsemanship continues to play a critical role in practical, progressive cattle management.”
Ranch Horse Program topics and speakers
The morning program will include presentations on:
- Horse Protection Act and the Political Landscape of the Equine Industry, Chelsie Huseman, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horse specialist and assistant professor, Department of Animal Science.
- Welcome, Introduction, and Update on Equine Programs in the Department of Animal Science, Zoller.
- Best Practices for Ranch Horse Health, Rebecca Legere, DVM, assistant professor of equine internal medicine, Texas A&M Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. Legere will focus on respiratory function and health management aspects for ranch horses.
- Bagley Performance Horse Operation – Q&A session with Jane and Scott Bagley, owners, Bagley Performance Horses. As members of the American Quarter Horse Association, AQHA, Ranching Heritage Program, the Bagley’s are committed to preserving and promoting the horse’s role as a true working partner on the ranch and continue to advocate for the value and versatility of the working ranch horse.
- In the Arena with Dalton Darnell with Ranch Roping Techniques. Darnell, general manager of 3:10 Ranch Life, owner of 3:10 EDU and host of The Art of Suffering podcast, brings his practical ranching knowledge to the arena. Dalton demonstrates how the horse and rope serve as essential tools for managing cattle across a wide range of real-world scenarios. Darnell’s clinic will include opportunities for the audience to practice loops on roping dummies, along with demonstrations of shots on live cattle in the arena.
