Animal & Equine Sciences

 The horse industry is both infused with the culture and the economy of Lexington, Kentucky. Lexington is located in Fayette County which is home to 211 thoroughbred farms, and is known as the heart of the horse industry in the United States. To support this robust industry the University of Kentucky has become a leader in animal science research. The University of Kentucky developed an Equine Initiative that brings together all equine-related resources throughout the College of Agriculture to make equine research a priority. UK is also home to the Gluck Equine Research Center, which focuses on the health and well-being of horses through advanced veterinary services. Because the horse industry is such an integral piece of Lexington horse breeding and racing is not just an industry, but truly part of the local culture.

 University of Kentucky’s Equine Research

 The Lexington horse industry is supported in a large part by The University of Kentucky, and their continued efforts to advance equine research. In the spring of 2005, UK's College of Agriculture set out to better serve Kentucky's multi-breed horse industry by building on the University's strong tradition of excellence in equine research. There is now a thriving equine undergraduate degree program, increased research in many areas of equine science and greater equine outreach. The Equine Initiative is a multi-disciplinary and cross-department collaboration among equine faculty, staff and students including agricultural economics, animal and food sciences, agricultural engineering, veterinary sciences, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and more.

An integral part of the Equine Initiative is the University of Kentucky’s Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center. The Gluck Center is the only scientific institute in the United States with nearly all faculty conducting full-time research in equine health and diseases. The mission of the Gluck Center is scientific discovery, education and dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of the health and well-being of horses.

 Infrastructure Built for the Horse Industry

 The dominance of the Bluegrass Region in thoroughbred breeding and sales is well known worldwide, and is considered by some as is the strongest cluster of horse related businesses in the world (Garkovich 2009). The network of infrastructure including mare management, barn builders, horse tack and supplies, hay and feed supplies, veterinarians, bloodstock agents, transportation services, and more has been built over the decades to support the thoroughbred and standard bred industries. A key component of this cluster is the 211 thoroughbred farms in the region. Some of these farms have been producing championship horses since the 1940’s, and have become so well known that there are several tours visitors can take through the various farms.

Read Commerce Lexington's Animal Sciences white paper here.

Select Animal & Equine Science Companies in Lexington