Not Your Average Science Fair! KER Nutritionist Serves as Judge for Pony Club Research Project Fair

The 2023 United States Pony Clubs Research Project Fair wasn’t any run-of-the-mill school-day science fair. With topics ranging from hay analysis to hoof oil and cloning to cancer, Pony Club members blew away the judges with their experimental projects and literature reviews. As part of Kentucky Equine Research’s continued support for this event, Katie Young, Ph.D., a nutritionist with the company, served on the judging panel and provided guidance for future projects during two educational workshops.

“It’s very encouraging to see so many young people take an interest in science and show so much initiative, creativity, and organization in conducting and presenting their research projects,” said Young.

Participants in the USPC Research Project Fair can compete as individuals or in a group and choose between an experimental project or an in-depth literature review. They present their results to a panel of experts composed of veterinarians, vet techs, scientific researchers, teachers, and Pony Club graduates virtually or in-person at the USPC Convention.

This year participants were able to take advantage of additional educational opportunities led by Young. During the USPC Convention, she presented two workshops that guided attendees through the scientific process, answered questions on methodology and analysis, and provided real-world examples from her career.

When asked what advice she had for research project fair participants and budding equine scientists everywhere, Young said, “Remember that the judges are as interested in hearing about what didn’t work as you expected as what did! That’s all part of science–you ask a question, form a hypothesis, and then test the hypothesis to see if it’s correct. If it wasn’t, then that just leads to more study. Knowledge from science is always expanding, which is the point! If we already knew everything, where would the fun be in that?”

According to Young, many people are skeptical of science, even though science is simply the process of using logical, proven methods to ask questions and test potential answers to learn about our world.

“Sometimes the scientific method provides a process to make great discoveries, and sometimes it simply helps define which answers to questions are correct or incorrect. Even if people are not interested in being involved in science, understanding research and the scientific method helps discriminate between factual information based on evidence and opinions or misleading information.”

Are you interested in a career in equine research? The Kentucky Equine Research internship program offers college students the practical experience necessary to understand and implement research protocols. Kentucky Equine Research interns participate in the performance of standardized exercise tests on a high-speed treadmill, recording of data during experiments, and collection of samples during digestion trials and exercise trials. Learn more.

 

2023 USPC Research Project Fair Winners

 

Individual Experimental Project (9-10 years of age)

First place: “A Heart for Music” presented by Aubree Rose S., Lakeshore Region

 

Individual Experimental Project (11-13 years of age)

First place: “Analysis of Hay to Meet the Nutritional Requirements of a Welsh Pony” presented by Charlotte H., Midwest Region

Second place: “Feed Bag Speed Analysis” presented by Ella O., Midwest Region

Third place: “To Drink or Not to Drink” presented by Elle C., Delmarva Region

 

Individual Experimental Project (14-17 years of age)

First place: “The True Value of Senior Horse Complete Feeds” presented by Juliana D., Sierra Pacific Region

Second place: “Worming for Success” presented by Jenavieve F., Delmarva Region

 

Group Experimental Project

First place: “Does My Horse Have a Favorite Color?” presented by Allison M., Kora G., Reese E., Nora E., North Central Prarie Region

Second place: “Analysis of an Equine Retirement Farm” presented by Mae L., Sophia L., Kiera S., Midwest Region

Third place: “Stretches to Success” presented by Aubrey M., Audrey B, Molly S., North Central Prarie Region

Fourth place: “To Oil or Not to Oil?” presented by Sydney B., Madeline Mae O., North Central Prarie Region

Fifth place: “Jamming Out: Does BPM Affect Horses?” presented by Hunter M., Lillian W., Virginia Region

 

Individual Literature Review (9-10 years of age)

First place: “Equine Tetanus: What You Need to Know” presented by Addison W., Midwest Region

Second place: “Sergeant Reckless” presented by Aubree Rose S., Lakeshore Region

Third place: “Don’t Turn a Blind Eye to Blue Eyed Horses” presented by Elaine F., Great Lakes Region

 

Individual Literature Review (11-13 years of age)

First place: “Understanding How to Help Your Pony Thrive After EPM” presented by Ryleigh A., Maryland Region

Second place: “Enteroliths” presented by Cadence O., Lakeshore Region

Third place: “To Boot or Not to Boot?” presented by Lily A., Northern Lakes Region

Fourth place: “Equine Ringworm” presented by Stormy B., Midwest Region

 

Individual Literature Review (14-17 years of age)

First place: “Question of Quality” presented by Michaela F., Midwest Region

Second place: “Equine Cancer” presented by Alaina M., Midwest Region

Third place: “Cross Training with Both English and Western Riding is Beneficial to a Horse’s Overall Performance” presented by Lauren M., Midwest Region

Fourth place: ” Thoroughbred Breeding & Pedigree Theories & the Science of Genetics” presented by Jeanvieve F., Delmarva Region

 

Group Literature Review

First place: “Equine Cloning” presented by Lillian K., Rayna W., Midwest Region

 

2023 USPC Research Project Fair Winners (Virtual)

 

Individual Experimental Project (9-10 years of age)

First place: “Grooming to Cool Down” presented by Ellanore W., Southern California Region

 

Individual Literature Review Project (11-13 years of age)

First place: “New Horse Colic Technology: Prevention and Treatment” presented by Victoria Z., Northwest Region

 

Individual Literature Review (14-17 years of age)

First place: “The Horse + Human Connection: Horses as Healers” presented by Adeline T., Metropolitan Region

Second place: “A Review of the Genetic Predisposition to Equine Superficial Digital Flexor Tendinopathy” presented by Abigail G., Northeast Region

Third place: “EPM Overview” presented by Hailey B., Lakeshore Region

 

Individual Literature Review (25 years of age and above)

First place: “Earth, Wind, and Fire” presented by Kathleen C., Southwest Region

 

Read the Project Abstracts Here