Idaho Equine Knowledge Assessment
Extension Education
Sawyer Fonnesbeck
Assistant Extension Educator
University of Idaho
Malad City
Abstract
Idaho is a state with a proud heritage tied to horses. Even though they play a valuable role in the lives of many Idahoans, programing and classes through the University of Idaho Extension have been very limited. In 2025, a survey was created and disseminated to determine the knowledge base of equine owners in Idaho. This 25 question online assessment and survey was distributed to equine owners and enthusiasts across the entire state. Both quantitative and qualitative questions were used to gain insight into the confidence of horse owners in their knowledge on a variety of equine subjects. Parents of 4-H members and new horse owners scored the lowest, each averaging around 31% correct, while experienced owners performed moderately better at 51%, and experienced owners who were also 4-H parents scored the highest at 56%. These results indicated knowledge gaps for many horse owners who responded to our assessment. The most frequently missed topics were equine health, horse-specific nutrition, and safe horse handling and behavior?. Some equine educational events were developed and presented in early 2026 in two different locations. Participants to these events reported 100% satisfaction of the class in addition to reporting a potential combined savings of $1,000 from skills learned or practices they will implement with their own animals. Future equine educational programs have been and will continue to be planned and executed as a result of this general knowledge assessment.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Sawyer Fonnesbeck, Selena Davila, Brandon Brackenbury
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Fonnesbeck, S. Assistant Extension Educator, University of Idaho, Idaho, 83252
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Davila, S. Assistant Extension Educator, University of Idaho, Idaho, 83352
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Brackenbury, B. Assistant Extension Educator, University of Idaho, Idaho, 83318