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BLUE STAR EQUICULTURE AT THE 76TH ANNUAL LIVESTOCK CLASSIC
HADLEY, MA – Big things are coming to the Equine Studies program at the University of Massachusetts: 2,000 lb. draft horses.
Blue Star Equiculture has partnered with the Stockbridge School and Animal Science department at UMass to restore a bit of New England farm horse heritage to the University, and will be kicking off that developing partnership in grand style, bringing four teams of horses to the Livestock Classic event on Saturday, April 16th, at UMass’s Hadley Farm. Blue Star Equiculture’s teams will give wagon and carriage rides and perform demonstrations of some of the work that can be done with horses.
The Livestock Classic and Family Fun Day is an annual event where UMass students show off their livestock – everything from sheep, cows and pigs, to goats, alpacas and a camel.
Blue Star Equiculture is going to introduce their rescued draft horses to the public. They will be joined under their tent by representatives from the Draft Animal Power Network. Blue Star’s draft horses will form the core of a new certification program introduced by Blue Star Equiculture in “Sustainable Horsemanship.” Level I courses, which will prepare students to care for, harness and drive working horses, will begin in the fall.
“This really is a great opportunity for us to work together towards the same goal,” says Blue Star Equiculture Executive Director, Pamela Rickenbach. “With the downturn in the economy and rising fuel costs, the time is right for the University and Blue Star to put our heads together and think creatively about solving both the homeless-horse crisis and environmental crisis we’re experiencing right now.”
The public is invited to come learn more about Blue Star Equiculture and its programs at the 76th Annual Livestock Classic at UMass’s Hadley Farm, 111 Maple St., Hadley, MA. The Livestock Classic will run from approximately 8 AM to 5 PM. Free admission.