Reining in Resources: Leveraging Digital Platforms to Expand Equine Education
Extension Education
Brenda Schreck
Livestock Specialist
University of Missouri Extension
Monticello
Abstract
According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the United States has 2.4 million horses and ponies on 372,810 farms. Despite this significant sector of agriculture, the availability of MU Extension equine resources was historically limited by fragmented digital distribution, inconsistent visibility, and the absence of a centralized access point. This lack of structural cohesion impeded the effective dissemination of research-based guidance to horse owners, producers, and equine professionals. To address this deficiency, the project implemented a coordinated digital strategy designed to modernize access, strengthen resource organization, and enhance long-term sustainability of Extension equine education.
A comprehensive review of existing materials, including guidesheets, instructional videos, webinar recordings, and program announcements, revealed significant inconsistency across platforms and limited user navigability. Based on this assessment, the project team consolidated all equine-related content into a unified digital hub consisting of the MU Extension Equine website and a curated MU Equine YouTube playlist. Methods included organizing existing content into a streamlined structure; developing and standardizing new instructional video materials; designing a user friendly, mobile optimized website; and establishing ongoing update procedures to maintain accuracy and consistency across platforms.
Engagement metrics collected after the Fall 2024 launch demonstrate substantial improvements in user access and interaction across multiple content categories. Combined webpage views, publication downloads, and YouTube interactions exceeded 4,700 total engagements early in the implementation period. Users accessed the equine website from five countries, demonstrating emerging international reach and expanding the audience for research-based equine information. Specialists also reported increased efficiency and strengthened coordination through shared digital workflows.
This project demonstrates that a unified digital framework significantly enhances the reach, visibility, and effectiveness of Extension equine programming. The model provides a scalable and sustainable approach for delivering research-based information to an expanding international online audience and meeting the evolving educational needs of the equine industry.
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: Brenda Schreck, Elizabeth Picking, Shawn Deering
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Schreck, B. Livestock Specialist , University of Missouri Extension , Missouri, 63457
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Picking, E. Livestock Specialist , University of Missouri Extension , Missouri, 65775
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Deering, S. Livestock Specialist , University of Missouri Extension , Missouri, 64402