AVS 393 Training the Standardbred Horse

Course coordinators:
Tom Kole, Executive Director, Maine Harness Racing Promotions Board
Don Marean, Lindon Farm, United States Trotting Association
Robert C. Causey, University of Maine, Orono.

Course Objective:
-To prepare students for a potential career in the harness racing industry, and to prepare them for the Maine State Harness Racing Commission Trainer’s Licensing Examination.

-To educate students on the ethical, humane, and safe methods of training and care of standardbred race horses.

-To educate students about the economics of training standardbred race horses and to teach them good business practice and professionalism.

Grading:
Students will be administered take home study questions after each lecture, reading assignments, a midterm and a final examination.
Grading will be calculated as follows:
Take home study questions: 15%
Reading Assignments: 15%
Pedigree Project: 10%
Class participation and attendance: 10%
Midterm examination: 25%
Final examination: 25%

On a 100 point scale, A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69.

Pedigree Project
Students will be given a list of eligible stallions and the pedigrees of registered Standardbred mares, owned by the University, that are suitable prospects for breeding in the 2000 breeding season. Students will then select the best stallion for each mare and give reasons for their choice. This will serve as the basis for our breedings next year at the Witter center.

Reading Assignments
Reading assignments will be from the USTA's Care and Training of the Trotter and Pacer and are to be completed by the date listed. For each assignment students are required to hand what they believe are the 10 most important points contained in each assigned reading.

Hands - on experience
This is primarily a lecture class. The major hands-on component will take place in the spring / summer during an internship with a harness horse trainer, such as Valerie Grondin. However, because most of you want to have horse contact, we will begin to ground drive Frisby and Quick Motion under Sandy Welsh's supervision. In the training lectures we will also try to give you an opportunity for hand's on experience.

Reference Material:
Care and Training of the Trotter and Pacer, 1996, The United States Trotting Association.
How to Pass the USTA Driver and Trainer Test, 1999, The Russell Meerdink Company.
Class notes provided by the instructor.