Eastern Kentucky University
Appalachian Equine Project
Institution
Eastern Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Stephanie Mcspirit
Abstract
Eastern Kentucky University has implemented a two-tiered research project that focuses on the horses of the Appalachian region of Kentucky. The first component is an oral history project that will interview and collect the histories of key individuals who were involved with the Kentucky Mountain Horse breed that originated in the foothills of Appalachia Kentucky. Students involved with the Appalachian Equine Project are also reading and compiling their notes on the Rea Swan Papers, one of the founders of one of the official breed associations. One set of research questions focused on the relationship of the Rocky Mountain Horse to its owner and how that relationship has shaped the owners perspective towards their horse and the Rocky Mountain Horse breed in general. The relationship and bond between horse and owner as depicted in the oral histories is reported, in addition to a review of the Rea Swan papers the letters and writings that speak directly to the bond and relationship between people and their mountain horses. The other direction of the Appalachian Equine Project concentrates on the “wild” horse herds in the Appalachian region that cause serious havoc on the environment, industries, and communities of Eastern Kentucky. Unfortunately, these horse herds are not natural to this region and are a product of released domesticated pets that have reproduced and amplified in numbers. Our objective for this project is to begin research on these herds by conducting interviews with key stakeholders and local residents about this problem. Initial findings from interviews are reported. In the future, a larger assessment or census of these feral herds of Eastern Kentucky will be conducted and students will work with other stakeholders on devising a herd management plan.
Appalachian Equine Project
Eastern Kentucky University has implemented a two-tiered research project that focuses on the horses of the Appalachian region of Kentucky. The first component is an oral history project that will interview and collect the histories of key individuals who were involved with the Kentucky Mountain Horse breed that originated in the foothills of Appalachia Kentucky. Students involved with the Appalachian Equine Project are also reading and compiling their notes on the Rea Swan Papers, one of the founders of one of the official breed associations. One set of research questions focused on the relationship of the Rocky Mountain Horse to its owner and how that relationship has shaped the owners perspective towards their horse and the Rocky Mountain Horse breed in general. The relationship and bond between horse and owner as depicted in the oral histories is reported, in addition to a review of the Rea Swan papers the letters and writings that speak directly to the bond and relationship between people and their mountain horses. The other direction of the Appalachian Equine Project concentrates on the “wild” horse herds in the Appalachian region that cause serious havoc on the environment, industries, and communities of Eastern Kentucky. Unfortunately, these horse herds are not natural to this region and are a product of released domesticated pets that have reproduced and amplified in numbers. Our objective for this project is to begin research on these herds by conducting interviews with key stakeholders and local residents about this problem. Initial findings from interviews are reported. In the future, a larger assessment or census of these feral herds of Eastern Kentucky will be conducted and students will work with other stakeholders on devising a herd management plan.