REINS
An Important Educational Resource to Horse Owners
Meredith
Mills
North
Carolina’s horse industry is reaching great heights as we
enter the new millennium. Equine
have definitely become big business in the state with over
225,000 head of horses and 65,000+ horse owners!
With such a large industry, the need for continued
education and communication go hand-in-hand.
A strong North Carolina horse industry can be built by
providing horse owners with accurate, up-to-date information and
by making this education accessible to horse owner’s on a
statewide basis.
In
1995, REINS (Regional Equine Information Network System) was
formed as one answer to strengthening North Carolina’s horse
industry. Established
as a program of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, the goals
of REINS are to assist in the education and development of the
North Carolina horse industry. The educational goal is achieved through the over 100
certified REINS volunteers who assist county extension agents in
the delivery of research-based education to horse owners.
The development goal is carried out by 14 regional REINS
organizations. A
regional coordinating agent coordinates the educational efforts
of the certified REINS volunteers and also serves as an advisor
to the regional organization.
REINS
volunteers receive valuable training in horse management and
science, program planning and teaching techniques. Upon
completion of their training they are regarded as knowledgeable
equine para-professionals. The REINS volunteer certification process includes submission
and approval of an application, completion of a 32-hour REINS
Certification Training Course, passing a REINS Certification
Exam, and completing six hours of electives.
Certified
REINS volunteers participate in local, county and regional
educational activities, including REINS-sponsored lectures,
clinics, video conferences, on farm demonstrations and field
days. Volunteers
may also be invited to speak to horse groups or 4-H horse clubs.
Other educational activities include personal contact via
telephone, e-mail,
conversation, or even a farm visit.
Written information in the form of a newsletter article
or fact sheet, as well as assisting county extension agents in
the development of educational horse materials may be another
educational venue taken by a certified REINS volunteer.
REINS
volunteers are also available to administer a variety of
services to horse owners. These services include forage/hay
analysis, endophyte testing, soil analysis and compost analysis.
Other services such as balancing feed rations, providing
general health care assistance, conducting EIA/Vaccination
clinics, and providing emergency care or disaster relief may
also be provided.
The
REINS program has already had a tremendous positive affect on
North Carolina’s horse industry in its short time of
existence. Over the
past two years, certified REINS volunteers have provided nearly
10,000 hours of service valued at $140,000.
In addition, over 20,000 horse owners across the state
were directly contacted by certified REINS volunteers through
educational programs, personal contact and other services.
If you have an interest
in becoming a certified REINS volunteer, would like to utilize
the educational services provided by certified REINS volunteers,
or would like to find out more about the regional REINS
organization in your area, contact the NC State REINS program
office at 919/515-2762 or e-mail Teri_Bailey@ncsu.edu
and additional information will be sent to you.
You may also visit the REINS web site
(Click
here).
