Holy Hoofprints! Is That A Horse In My Science Class?

Equine Science Center launches youth-centered educational component on its website

"Lord Nelson has witnessed the development of the Equine Science Center and experienced over 20 years of Rutgers University history," says Karyn Malinowski, director of the center. Malinowski brought Lord Nelson to Rutgers University in 1978 and has had a long, storied career at the university until his retirement in 2000. Lord Nelson worked with university police as a mounted patrol horse and entertained thousands of university fans as the horse ridden by the Scarlet Knights football mascot. "Lord Nelson is not only the perfect candidate to help teach budding scientists and young horse enthusiasts about equine science, but at 37 years young, he is truly a testament to the scientific research conducted at the Equine Science Center," added Malinowski.

The goal is to create an online classroom with Lord Nelson as the lead educator. Although the updated component features interactive elements and will include games, the primary focus is equine science specifically developed for youth ages 10-14 years. The youth component focuses on three modules: Healthcare and Nutrition–covering scientific subjects such as the odd things horses eat, aging, and keeping horses healthy; Exercise Physiology– discussing similarities in how horse and humans exercise, antioxidants, and oxygen consumption; and Horses & the Environment–detailing how horses and humans fit harmoniously in a clean environment.

Visitors to Equine Science 4 Kids! will have the opportunity to email their horse-related questions directly to "Lord Nelson". All questions will be answered in a timely manner. If Lord Nelson receives the same question repeatedly, the question will be added to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) feature that is available in each of the three modules.

Keeping current with the technology, Lord Nelson also has a blog, "Holy Hoofprints!," to share his thoughts and perspective with Equine Science 4 Kids visitors. Ideally, his blog will consist of "a day in the life of a horse" as it relates to science content. Visitors may also join Lord Nelson’s Fan Club to receive email notification of new content, blog entries, and interactive games as they are added to the youth component.

For more information about the new youth component or the Equine Science Center, email Tiffany Cody, public relations specialist, at cody@njaes.rutgers.edu or call 732-932-9419.

The Equine Science Center is a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Its mission is better horse care through research and education in order to advance the well-being and performance of horses and the equine industry. Its vision is to be recognized throughout New Jersey as well as nationally and internationally for its achievements in identifying issues in the horse industry, finding solutions through science-based inquiry, providing answers to the horse industry and to horse owners, and influencing public policy to ensure the viability of the horse industry.

For more information about the Equine Science Center, please visit www.esc.rutgers.edu.

Media Contact: Tiffany Cody
732-932-9419
E-mail: cody@njaes.rutgers.edu