When Shippie arrived at the University of Minnesota Crookston, he was hurting. The warmblood gelding was suffering from myofibrillar myopathy (MFM), a muscle disorder that causes periodic muscle pain and stiffness in horses as well as humans and dogs.

While this condition can have a negative impact on a horse’s ability to perform in competitions, MFM can be managed with careful conditioning and dietary modifications.

For Shippie, this involves three to four days of exercise per week (daily exercise resulted in pain and stiffness). His regimen is tailored to his specific needs and allows sufficient recovery time between exercise bouts. His diet — rich in amino acids and vitamin E — is designed to support healthy muscle function.

Overseen by assistant professor Morgan Pyles, PhD, and her colleagues, Shippie’s ongoing MFM management has been successful — making him a great asset to both the UMN Crookston equestrian team (he’s trained in dressage, a precise equestrian discipline) and the equine program as a whole.

“I’ve been able to [talk about] his history and his diagnosis in my equine exercise physiology class,” says Pyles. “Students get to learn about MFM through the real history of a horse that actually has this muscle disorder.”

At the University of Minnesota Crookston, equine science and business management students benefit from a unique advantage — on-campus access to a remarkable herd of horses. These animals are an invaluable resource for students studying to be veterinarians, trainers and other equine industry professionals.

And none of this would be possible without the generous owners who entrust their beloved horses to the UMN Crookston equine program.

“Donated horses really are the backbone of our hands-on program,” Pyles says. “Without these gifts, we wouldn’t be able to have the real-world learning that we’re able to provide, which I really think sets our program apart.”

Joining the herd

Whether a student wants to be a pedigree evaluator, a race track manager or a member of the competitive NCAA equestrian team, Crookston’s herd of approximately 45 horses ensures they will get the training they need. Since donated horses are essential to the success of the program, Pyles and her colleagues have developed a rigorous process to identify and onboard new members of the herd.

After initial conversations with an owner to learn more about their horse’s unique qualities and needs, Pyles invites them to send their horse to Crookston for a 30-day trial. During this period, the team evaluates the horse to ensure its temperament, abilities, background and physical condition make it a good fit for the program.

“We want to make sure we’re being responsible to the horse and their welfare,” says Pyles. “And we want to create an environment where they’re going to thrive while also contributing meaningfully to student learning.”

Making the match

Kristin Tenorio, Shippie’s original owner, struggled with the decision to find a new home for her horse. But after speaking with Pyles, who answered all her questions and described a personalized care plan for Shippie, she knew she’d found the perfect environment.

“Considering his condition, I felt like the heated indoor arena [on campus] was ideal for him,” she says. “And knowing he’s helping students learn is just huge for me. I couldn’t feel more fortunate that this is where we’re at and he’s integrated at Crookston.”

Pyles emphasizes that donor support is critical to maintaining the high quality of the well-respected equine program at UMN Crookston.

“Without the donated horses, the quality of experience — both in the classroom and on the competitive teams — would decline,” says Pyles. “The cost of purchasing the quality of those horses would not be possible for us.”

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