Books, bridles and spurs
by Hannah Riddle, posted Feb. 18, 2009
Most MU students have enough on their plate with all that college may include. Many fill their time with Greek life, working out at the rec, or working a job to pay off college tuition. However, some students choose to tack on the responsibility of taking care of not only themselves but also of their horse or horses.
Not far from campus, just off Highway 63, MU’s South Farm provides a boarding barn and arena. MU’s Horse Teaching and Research Farm a section of South Farm, was built in the 1970s and through the years has been used for not only boarding students’ horses but also sponsoring equine events such as rodeos and horse shows.
Kaley Cobb, a sophomore in animal science and agricultural business, knows just what it takes to be responsible for not only her work on campus, but also her daily chores with her horse. The 19-year-old has been a competitive barrel racer for almost six years. Cobb has competed in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Mississippi and Nebraska.
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Cobb rides Rascal at the 2007 Barrel Bash held at the Boone County Fairgrounds just outside Columbia.
—photo courtesy
Kaley Cobb |
When making her decision to attend college, she was not going to let anything, not even her time at MU, pull her away from what she loved.
“I think having my horse here really helped me adjust because I was able to have a piece of home here with me instead of just flying solo,” said Cobb. “I feel we have bonded much more because I spend lots of time with both of them. We have had a lot of alone time, and it allowed all of us to become a better team.”
Cobb also said spending time with her horses, Rascal and Liar, not only helps her relax, but also help her gather her thoughts. The task of taking care of her horses has not only made her a better horsewoman but they have also brought organization and routine to her life.
“I feel it has helped me because it has taught me responsibility,” Cobb said. “I had to get up every morning before class and go feed, and then do the same after class, along with fitting in time to ride. I had to use time management to be sure I would have plenty of time to get back, park my truck and attend class. This was difficult because traffic was never the same two days in a row.”
Although Cobb plans on keeping her horses a part of her lifestyle for her remaining time at MU, her competition schedule is not going to be as heavy as her career schedule. She plans to study abroad this summer, and plans on pursuing some internship as well.
“Barrel racing can’t be my number one anymore,” Cobb said. “It’s more like finishing school and finding a career will be first and barrel racing will have to come in second. However, even though my competing isn’t going to be as heavy these next few summers, horses and barrel racing will always be a part of my life.”
Love for horses at MU’s horse farm is not just for students. Faculty, including professor Marci Jennings, who is in charge of running the farm, share in the same excitement about horses as Cobb. Jennings took over the reins at the farm in July 2007.
“I raise and own Appaloosa horses, which at this time are being kept in northwest Arkansas,” said Jennings. “ I currently own 10 Appaloosas, a 32-year-old Quarter Horse, an Appendix Quarter Horse and a donkey.”
Jennings spends her days instructing classes. But her main interest is in researching expecting mares and their foals.
“My specific area of interest is in mare reproductive physiology and endocrinology, which is an area I have worked in during graduate school; I live for foal season! It’s a rush of excitement. However, I would say that my greatest enjoyment is in teaching others about horse care and handling and watching them become confident in their actions and decisions,” Jennings said.
Being able to board horses is a part of MU that a horse person like Cobb or Jennings needs. If you are a horse person and want to have your horse at MU, you can find students and their horses just like Cobb at MU’s Horse Teaching and Research Farm.
For more information on being a student boarder, contact Marci Jennings at jenningsmar@missouri.edu.
