University of Minnesota Crookston Equine Program

05/26/2026

Our very own faculty and students recently published a study evaluating wild rice straw as an alternative bedding material for horses. 🌾🐴

The project compared wild rice straw to traditional wood sawdust bedding and found that wild rice straw may provide a practical, locally available option for horse owners while reducing ammonia concentrations in stalls.

This study highlights the hands-on research opportunities available to students in the UMN Crookston Equine Program. Check out the link below to learn more about the project and findings!

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080626001772

05/23/2026

Faculty Members Lily Germano and Dr. Morgan Pyles headed down to Texas A&M University this past week for the annual National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics - NAEAA conference!

Some highlights:

✨️Dr. Morgan Pyles was awarded the Junior Faculty Award from NAEAA!

✨️Both Faculty Members presented research from UMC

✨️Sam Houston Race Track Quarter Horse Races

✨️Local Cutting Facility Tours

✨️George Bush Presidential Museum

✨️State Capital

✨️Collaborate with other equine programs and get some new ideas of how better serve our students!

05/09/2026

Congratulations to all of these ladies who have passed their American Riding Instructors Association certification exams and are now the newest certified riding instructors!

We are so proud of them all and are so happy to be able to provide these kind of opportunities to our students!

https://www.riding-instructor.com/

04/28/2026

Thank you Molly's Custom Silver for these amazing belt buckles they created for our Equine Program Award Recipients!

This is such an awesome keepsake for our students who worked so hard to get to where they are!

04/27/2026

🎓Isabella Abbas🎓

🐴Major: Equine Science minoring in Agricultural Business

🐴While at UMC Bella was a part of the Equestrian Team for all 4 years!

🐴After Graduation, Bella will go home for a few years work at her barn that she rides at along with another job and learn more about equine massage as that is the end goal with a riding lesson program

🐴Favorite Horse in the UMC Barn: Denver

🐴Favorite UMC Memory: "My favorite memory is being able to watch a mare foal out and be able to play with the foal and just watch and learn how to take care of them!"

A Note from Bella: "I will forever be grateful for my time at the UMC! Some of it was a bit rough due to medical reasons but I wouldn’t trade my time here ever!"

We are so proud of you Bella and wish you the best of luck after graduation!

04/23/2026

Congratulations Katie!!

04/23/2026

🎓Alexis Triebenbach🎓

🐴Major: Equine Business Management

🐴While at UMC Alexis was a part of Horsemen's Association, Snoop Dogg Fan Club, and held the position of Secretary in the Rodeo Association

🐴After Graduation, Alexis will be pursuing a career in Equine Education and Extension!

🐴Favorite Horse in the UMC Barn: Eli

04/20/2026

We love how versatile our students are!

Last week University of Minnesota Crookston hosted their student awards banquet and the equine program was well represented!

Outstanding Equine Business Management Student: Alexis Triebenbach
Outstanding Equine Science Student: Grace Swaja
Outstanding Animal Science Student Hailey Schlotfeldt
Outstanding Student Employee of the Year: Brooke Hoven
Animal Attendant of the Year: Belle Syrett
Library Student Worker of the Year: Mikaela Woodruff

We are so proud of our students being involved all across campus and of their accomplishments!

04/18/2026

04/18/2026

🐴It’s foal Friday! 🐴

We had another new addition this week, a filly out of Fuzzy Tradition and sired by Volturi. Congratulations to owner, Mandee Jewett and all connections!

Isn’t she just the perfect copy of her mom? 🐎🐎

04/15/2026

🐴 New Foal Alert 🐴

Another exciting arrival from our Equine Reproductive Techniques class at UMC!

This week, a beautiful buckskin c**t was born out of Ghostem and sired by PS Mega Shine Chic. Congratulations to owner Mandee Jewett and all connections on this great addition! Thank you for supporting our students’ eduction!

Welcome to the world, little guy! 💛