The central Kentucky horse farm industry is joining with Fayette County schools to expand hands-on experiences for students. 22 equine businesses, many of them horse farms, are contributing $322,000 over the next three years.
Fayette Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk participated in the Tuesday morning announcement at Locust Trace Agri-Science Center. “For more than 200 years, the equine industry has been the bedrock of our community, but in a world of video games and social media, we have children who have lived their whole lives in Lexington, and never ridden a horse,” said Caulk.
Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Director Chauncey Morris said the financial commitment is viewed as a down payment on the community.
Thoroughbred Association and Owners and Breeders Chair Braxton Lynch noted horsemanship skills can benefit the students who visit farms and that can open the door to a number of equine related professions. “You could go to work for a vet clinic, a race track, a sales company, transportation, insurance, banking. I mean there are so many opportunities. So, it really is up to them. Once they get in and they see where those opportunities are. But, without being in there, you don’t know they’re out there.”
Locust Trace AgriScience Center Principal Anne DeMott said opportunities for seventh and eighth grade students will be added at two middle schools. She said there are plans to eventually offer an adult education program at night.
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