CSU Equine Sciences

Join us for Tour Tuesdays this summer to gain a unique, behind-the-scenes look at CSU’s facilities, programs, and research. We hope to see you at the Equine Teaching and Research Center!

Visit https://visit.colostate.edu/TourTuesdays to register, explore tour descriptions, view dates and times, and learn more about ‘Summertime at CSU'.

For the next few months, we will be featuring the talented and amazing graduate students within our program!

Up first: Nicki

Originally from Oswego, New York, Nicki earned her B.S. in Agricultural Sciences from Cornell University before joining Dr. Caiti Peters’ lab at the Temple Grandin Equine Center. She came to CSU because of its internationally recognized leadership in equine-assisted services and human-animal interaction research.

For her master's research, Nicki studied how horse interactions affect self-regulation in autistic youth. By comparing riding lessons, unmounted horsemanship activities, and a simulated horse experience, she evaluated both behavioral and physiological measures of emotional regulation.

Her research found that both mounted and unmounted interactions with horses can improve self-regulation, with benefits observed after just a single session. These findings highlight the potential for unmounted programs to expand access to the positive impacts of equine-assisted services.

Nicki recently completed her M.S. at CSU and will begin her Ph.D. this fall under the mentorship of Temple Grandin! Congrats Nicki, and can't wait to see what you do!

Not bad for a group of horse professors! 🐴🏅

Congratulations to CSU faculty members Dr. Chris Kawcek, Dr. Erin Contino, Tiare Santistevan, and Dr. Carleigh Fedorka on earning 3rd place in the Area IX Adult Rider Team Challenge at the Event at Archer in Cheyenne, Wyoming this weekend!

Their team name? Feral Faculty.

These faculty members represent Colorado State University both in the classroom and in the saddle. Led by Dr. Contino with a win In the Open Beginner Novice, the team was well represented all of the way to Modified!

It was a fantastic weekend of competition, horsemanship, and teamwork, proving that our passion for horses extends far beyond campus.

Go Rams! 💚🐏

(Pictured here Dr. Erin Contino and Master Instructor Tiare Santistevan)

Attention all horse owners‼️ 🐴

Researchers from Texas A&M, UC Davis, Rutgers, CSU (Dr. Fedorka), and Cavalor are conducting a nationwide survey on the prevalence and management of equine metabolic disease, and they need your input!

If you own horses, your experience matters. This survey will help advance research, improve management strategies, and support horse health across the industry.

📋 Take the survey here:
https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/04/28/texas-am-agrilife-launches-national-equine-metabolic-health-survey/

Thank you for making difference in equine health! 🐎💚

The Colorado State University English Riding Club had an incredible trip to Lexington, Kentucky for the Kentucky Three-Day Event! 🏇

It was an unforgettable experience with the highest level of equestrian sport; more elite than the Olympics! Our riders had the opportunity to watch world-class athletes tackle cross-country, stadium jumping, and dressage at the 5*, gaining a firsthand look at the precision, athleticism, and horsemanship it takes to compete on the global stage!

Beyond the event, we immersed ourselves in the heart of Thoroughbred country. We visited Mt. Brilliant Farm and Valley View Farm, where we learned more about breeding, management, and the legacy behind elite sport horses. We also spent time at Keeneland, experiencing one of the most iconic venues in the industry.

This trip was an incredible opportunity to connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications, inspire our riders, and bring back new perspectives to our program at CSU! 🌟

Congratulations to this amazing group of rams on their successful trip to Lexington!
English Riding Club at Colorado State University

My Right Horse My Right Horse is your one-stop destination for hundreds of adoptable horses. Whether you’re looking for your next buckle-winning champion or your first-ever horse, your search starts here.

Hey students, get ahead this summer with Equine Science at Colorado State University! ☀️🐴

Check out our Summer 2026 online course offerings:

🧬ANEQ 334 – Principles of Equine Genetics
Explore Mendelian, molecular, and quantitative genetics while learning how traits are passed and expressed in horses.

🌱ANEQ 324 – Principles of Applied Equine Nutrition
Dive into feeding strategies and nutritional management to support horse health across all life stages.

Both courses are offered online, making it easy to stay on track wherever your summer takes you. Don’t miss your chance to advance your equine knowledge, enroll today!

Congratulations to our defending champions! Go RAMS!

Colorado State University Claims Back-to-Back Titles at the Idaho Horse Expo C**t Starting Challenge - Road To The Horse Road to the Horse continues its dedication to developing the next generation of horsemen and horsewomen, hosting the 2026 Collegiate C**t Starting Challenge at the Idaho Horse Expo, held April 3–5 at the Idaho Horse Park in Nampa. The event provided an engaging educational platform for students to...

DON’T MISS OUT!
⭐️$1500 added to the Futurity/Maturity ⭐️AQHA and Ranching Heritage Jackpots open to ALL
⭐️Prizes for champion/reserve in EVERY class ⭐️OPEN Ranching Buckle Jackpot Challenge

Visit https://slidindaze.net/events/lor2026 for patterns, entry forms, and more information. 🗓️

EARLY entry deadline is TODAY Friday, 4/10.

We’ll see you there 💪

The CSU Equine Science Program is proud to share that Isabella Hamner, an undergraduate research fellow in Dr. Fedorka’s laboratory, has been awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. This is the nation’s highest honor for undergraduate students in research!🔬🐎

This incredible achievement highlights the dedication, innovation, and excellence within our Equine Sciences program. We are thrilled to see our students recognized on a national level for their hard work and commitment to advancing research.

Read more about this accomplishment here:
https://source.colostate.edu/two-csu-students-awarded-prestigious-goldwater-scholarships/

Congratulations to this outstanding student and the Fedorka Lab for their continued success! 🎉

Two CSU students awarded prestigious Goldwater Scholarships Two Colorado State University undergraduates have earned one of the country’s top scholarship awards dedicated to fostering the next generation of research leaders in natural sciences, engineering and mathematics.