VIRGINIA TECH SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR SUMMER EQUINE INTERNSHIPS
Submitted by: Rebecca Splan
Phone: 540-231-4740
Email Address: rsplan(at)vt.edu
Date Added: 1/13/2008
The Virginia Tech Equine Science Program is delighted to offer both a Sporthorse Breeding and Equine Research Internship at the university and seeks potential applications for the Summer 2008 session.
While many young equestrians enter college with significant riding experience, few have had the opportunity to experience life on a breeding farm, work with many young horses or participate in cutting-edge equine research. Virginia Tech provides an outstanding environment where students can add skills to their resumes while learning scientific principles behind many horse management practices.
Two internships will be offered. The first focuses on Sporthorse Breeding and is conducted on the university’s main campus in Blacksburg, VA. During their summer at Virginia Tech, interns will gain valuable hands-on experience with many aspects of an active breeding farm, including reproductive work and assisting veterinarians, foaling out mares, handling foals and training youngstock. Students will have regular classroom sessions on breeding theory, conformation and gait evaluation, marketing, and selection of breeding stock. Tours are planned to highly-regarded breeding farms in and around Virginia, and interns will have the opportunity to attend such regional events as the Virginia International CCI*, mare and foal inspections and the $50,000 Grand Prix of Roanoke. As part of the internship, they will also prepare and present some of Virginia Tech’s young sporthorses in the breeding classes at Dressage at Lexington, held each July at the Virginia Horse Center. Finally, students will assist with the farm’s growth and biomechanics research.
The Equine Research Internship is based at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Middleburg VA, a facility which breeds Thoroughbred horses and conducts research in equine nutrition and exercise physiology. Here students will also have the opportunity to participate in daily management and breeding activities on the farm, handling young horses and assisting faculty and graduate students with ongoing projects. They will also have the chance to learn important laboratory techniques and potentially plan and conduct their own research projects.
The internship is paid, and is open to Virginia Tech students and any student currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at a college or university in the United States or Canada. Students graduating in May 2008 are also encouraged to apply. Interns will be chosen on the basis of their written application and academic record, and an interview of finalists.
If you are interested in either or both of these opportunities, please visit the internship website at http://www.equine.vt.edu/internship.html. Applications are available on the website, and are due February 28, 2008.
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