Leadership Team
Kris Hiney
Chair, Extension Horses, Inc.
Equine Extension Specialist
Oklahoma State University
Personal Connection to Horses: western performance horses
Role with Extension Horses: I am the current chair of Extension Horses and the host and producer of Tack Box Talks. I work to develop collaborations with industry partners such as Certified Horsemanship Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, and American Paint Horse Association. I am a co-creator of the equine nutrition course, as well as several online modules. My expertise is in equine nutrition and exercise physiology.
Danielle Smarsh
Vice Chair, Extension Horses, Inc.
Equine Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor of Animal Science
Pennsylvania State University
Personal Connection to Horses: I started riding as a child, and spent as much time in barns and around horses. Today I enjoy riding for fun and going on trail rides with friends.
Role with Extension Horses: I am a member of the leadership team and the social media committee.
Kathy Anderson
Chief Financial Officer, Extension Horses, Inc.
Extension Horse Specialist
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Personal Connection to Horses: AQHA, NSBA, APHA judge. Compete in AQHA western events at the local and a bit at the national level.
Role with Extension Horses: I have been involved since the very beginning and have served on the Leadership team for over 10 years as Vice Chair, Chair, and now, the Chief Financial Officer.
Colleen Brady
Chief Technical Officer, Extension Horses, Inc.
Professor, Extension Specialist
Purdue University, Indiana
Personal Connection to Horses: Competitor in dressage and eventing.
Role with Extension Horses: I have been involved with Extension Horses since it’s inception, and have served multiple roles, including a time as the Chair. I currently serve on the Leadership Team as the Chief Technical Office. My primary focus is the development of courses such as Hippology Academy, and Judging Camps, and providing support in using our LMS Moodle for other members of the team.
Krishona Martinson
Past Chair, Extension Horses, Inc.
Professor and Equine Extension Specialist
University of Minnesota
Personal Connection to Horses: Along with her daughters, Dr. Martinson competes in timed events within the Western Saddle Club Association (WSCA) on her Quarter Horse mares. Her and her family are also involved in their local 4-H and Western Heritage programs and compete in local barrel racing events.
Role with Extension Horses: Dr. Krishona Martinson is an active member of Extension Horses and has previously served as Chairperson. At the University of Minnesota, Dr. Martinson leads the Extension Horse Program, which includes an extensive website, online certificate courses, mobile apps, a Facebook page, a YouTube channel, infographics, and a monthly e-newsletter. Her area of expertise and applied research program focuses on improving equine forage utilization, mortality composting, and tackling emerging issues in the horse industry.
Northeast Horse Experts
Karin Bump
CEO Saddle Up NY!, Founder and Advisor to the National Association of Equine Academics
New York
Clinician/Speaker, Equine Business Development and Planning, Event Management
Contributor
Laura Kenny
Equine Extension Educator
Penn State University
Personal Connection to Horses: I have been a horse enthusiast and rider since I was a child. I have a Standardbred mare named Frankie.
Role with Extension Horses: I am on the Social Media Committee and help run the EH Facebook page. I previously served on the Professional Development Committee. I also do interviews for the Tack Box Talk podcast.
Jennifer Nadeau
Associate Professor/Equine Extension Specialist
University of Connecticut
Jenifer Nadeau joined the UConn Animal Science Department in August, 2001. She has worked with horses since the age of 8. Her experience includes working at a trail riding facility, managing a hunter/jumper facility, managing a veterinarian’s horse and sheep farm, working as a night watch at a historic Thoroughbred breeding farm, driving and training draft horses, and working with therapeutic riding programs.
Trail rider
Carey Williams
Equine Extension Specialist (Professor)
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Personal Connection to Horses: Dressage and Eventing competitor
Role with Extension Horses: I have been involved with Extension Horses since its inception (when it was eXtension Horses). My primary role has been to assist with content creation for learning lessons, infographics, etc. I also am an ‘Expert’ for the Ask the Expert section and have helped with numerous webinars and podcasts.
Southern Horse Experts
Bob Coleman
Extension Horse Specialist
University of Kentucky
Personal Connection to Horses: Currently the president of the Certified Horsemanship Association, serve on the board of the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association, AQHA director, member of the AQHF Research Committee, member of the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, serve on several committees with the Kentucky Horse Council and the executive director of the Equine Science Society.
Role with Extension Horses: I currently support the various activities of the group that fit with my areas of expertise. I have participated in the Tack Room Talk podcasts, the HALTER program, and the Facebook live broadcasts. More importantly, is the sharing of information from the local horse industry with the members of the group and taking that pertinent information gained from Extension Horses and sharing that with the horse owners in Kentucky.
Chelsie Huseman
Assistant Professor, Extension Horse Specialist
Texas A&M University
Personal Connection to Horses: Competitor, judge, boy mom, and fan of cutting
Role with Extension Horses: I am a newer member of Extension Horses. I have enjoyed working on modules for Hippology Academy and on the group’s social media.
Robyn Stewart
County Extension Coordinator/Agriculture and Natural Resources agent
University of Georgia
Personal Connection to Horses: My interest in horses began at the age of eight and has been a lifelong passion. I have ridden, trained and competed successfully in a variety of disciplines including hunter/equitation, ranch, and reining. I have also been a riding instructor and volunteer for summer camps and hippotherapy facilities.
Role with Extension Horses: I provide adult and youth educational opportunities in equine management including annual webinar series, written articles, and hands-on workshops. I also serve on the 4-H Horse Advisory Committee and assist with local and state 4-H horse shows and contests. I provide one-on-one consultations to horse clients and serve as a resource for fellow agents without equine experience.
Saundra Ten Broeck
Equine Extension Specialist; Associate Professor
University of Florida
My involvement in the 4H Horse Program as a youth inspired me to pursue graduate work in Equine so I could work in Equine Extension Education. Connecting youth and adults with horses is a gratifying career. My husband and I have a small Quarter Horse breeding farm.
I serve Extension Horses, Inc. in development of on-line resources, “Ask and Expert” responses and serve on regional and national equine extension working groups.
Craig Wood
Assistant Extension Director for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Horticulture
University of Kentucky
As Interim Assistant Director of Extension for Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Horticulture, Craig provides statewide leadership and guidance in Extension programs offered through Kentucky Cooperative Extension in the three subject areas. Craig has a technical and professional background in horses and in developing and delivering Extension, research and instructional material.
Craig has been associated with the University of Kentucky and Cooperative Extension since 1985 when he started work as the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Extension horse specialist. In that role, he was in charge of all adult and youth equine programming within the state, taught undergraduate equine courses and managed the teaching/research facility. He developed and offered an online undergraduate courses in the late 1990s. Craig has been instrumental in developing and delivering award winning educational web-based material for K-12 students as well as post-secondary students.
Craig continues to be passionate about horses. He raises and rides horses, served as President of the American Paint Horse Association in 2017 and 2018. He is also an APHA judge and Professional Horseman.
Midwest Horse Experts
West Horse Experts
Betsy Greene
Professor/Extension Equine Specialist
University of Arizona
Dr. Greene is a Professor and Extension Horse Specialist at the University of Arizona. Her previous statewide extension programs at the University of Vermont and Washington State University have focused on preventative care and maintenance for horse health, safety, equine business, and pasture management. She has been active in the leadership of the eXtension “HorseQuest Community of Practice,” and has secured extramural funding for her research/outreach in pasture management, youth safety, and more. She collaborated with several state agencies to develop educational materials for equine owners and producers.
At the University of Arizona, her extension program has a heavy emphasis on working with agricultural and 4-H agents, ranchers, tribal extension agents, and industry professionals to develop strong educational programming, as well as addressing statewide industry issues. Dr. Greene (and her colleagues) have been recognized for state and national achievements and programming including 2022 Don Henneke Educational Impact Award, the 2021 Heart of Extension Award, and the 2022 USDA NIFA Partnership Award for Mission Integration of Research, Education, and Extension (University of Arizona Tribal Livestock/Horse Extension Team).
Recreational horse owner, Board member of Equine Encore Foundation, National Animal Interest Alliance, and other horse safety organizations.
Jessie Hadfield
Utah 4-H Agriculture & Animal Science Specialist
Utah State University Extension
Personal Connection to Horses: I was one of the horse crazy kids that didn’t have her own horse for a while. I took lessons for years before my family made the move to an acre with animal rights. Horses really are a lifestyle! Growing up I paid for my horses by teaching lessons and working as an assistant and trainer at an Arabian horse farm. Although in my personal life horses are a hobby, professionally I am still very involved in youth programming, shows, and research.
Role with Extension Horses: I am currently on the social media and marketing committee and the 4-H working group.
Wendy Hein
Professor of Practice
Oregon State University
Personal Connection to Horses: A lover of all things horse, I am currently “between horses” myself. I have dabbled in many disciplines and shown at the local and state levels, but my favorite thing is to go to the barn with friends and do the “walk and talk” around the arena. I’m a member of the American Morgan Horse Association and love being an announcer for the Oregon State Fair 4-H Horse Show and other events.
Role with Extension Horses: Wendy Hein is a 4-H Youth Development faculty member with a thriving Horse program. She is interested in getting expert horse knowledge out to the community, especially to the young equestrians who are the future of the industry. Wendy has a BS in Biology from Harvey Mudd College and a MS in Biology from the University of Kentucky. A former 4-Her herself, she now works in Clackamas County in her home state of Oregon. She has a county-based position as a Professor of Practice with the College of Public Health and Human Sciences and the Oregon State University Extension Service. She has expertise in evaluation, volunteer management, animal science programs, youth leadership development, and performing arts. With Extension Horses, she develops educational materials for youth and the general public, contributes to social media, participates in research on the 4-H horse program, and helps evaluate team efforts.
Across the Country Experts
Ashley Griffin
Interim Chief Operating Officer
Extension Foundation
Ashley’s understanding of knowledge strategy and virtual team building enabled her to work with 70+ Communities of Practice and Learning Networks. Previously she provided instructional design support to the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky as an Extension Specialist. From 1996 until February of 2002 she gained practical extension programming experience and delivered content through distance learning technologies as the coordinator of the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program. Ashley has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences and her Master of Science degree in Equine Nutrition from the University of Kentucky.
Ashley is the Past-President of the American Youth Horse Council (AYHC). She was also a co-author of the AYHC’s Youth Leaders’ Manual (60 lessons containing end user material and leader lesson plans) approved by the National 4-H Curriculum Review Committee. Other organizational service includes being Past-President of the National Horse Judging Team Coaches’ Association, Past-Chair of the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup Management Team, Co-Coordinator of the National FFA Equine Career Development Event, and past president of the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association and currently serves as a member of the APHA Board of Directors.
Ashley holds Pinto Horse Association of America, Palomino Horse Breeders of America, and American Paint Horse Association judges’ cards.
Other Experts
Northeast
Amy Burk, Extension Horse Specialist, University of Maryland
Rebecca Gunderson, Equine/Environmental Science Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development, University of Maryland
Jenifer Nadeau, Extension Horse Specialist, University of Connecticut
Southern
Fernanda Camargo, Equine Extension Professor, University of Kentucky
Jennie Ivey, Horse Extension Specialist, University of Tennessee
Neely Walker, Extension Equine Specialist, Louisiana State University
Carissa Wickens, Extension Equine Specialist, University of Florida
Kristen M. Wilson, Academic Coordinator Equine Science and Management, University of Kentucky
Midwest
Taylor Fabus, Instructor, Animal Science Department, Michigan State University
Amy Lawyer, Lecture in College of Business – Equine, University of Louisville
Brooke Parrish, Graduate Student, University of Nebraska
Shea Porr, Department Head, Animal/Equine Science, Murray State University
Christine Skelly, Equine Extension Specialist, Michigan State University
Leigh Ann Skurupey, 4-H Youth Development Specialist – Animal and Equine Sciences, North Dakota State University
Karen Waite, Past-Chair, Extension Horses Inc., Michigan State University
Rebecca Wilkins, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Purdue University
West
Scott Cotton, UW Extension Area Educator (Natrona-Converse-Niobrara) Agriculture, University of Wyoming
Betsy Greene, Extension Horse Specialist, University of Arizona
Amy McLean, Equine Specialist, University of California-Davis
Jason Turner, Extension Horse Specialist, New Mexico State University
