Master Horse | Williamson County

The Tennessee Master Horse Program is an educational program designed to provide a foundation of science-based equine nutrition, management and environmental information applicable to all horse owners and those interested in equine well-being. Classes involve hands-on as well as virtual sessions to meet a variety of learning styles and schedules. Virtual sessions are only offered January-March. The cost of the program is $125 for the year.

Registration

Payment

Class Schedule

Virtual Sessions 2025 (Thursdays-6:00 pm)

January 16: Program Overview & Responsible Horse Ownership
January 23: Nutrition
January 30: Pasture Management
February 6: Hoof Care
February 13: Preventative Health
February 20: Waste and Economics
February 27: Hot Topics (as requested by participants)
March 4: Graduation

Included Hands-On Sessions

Horse

Trailering Clinic (5-20-25)
Equine Ground Manners (6-3-25)
Equine Wrapping and Bandaging Techniques (2-3-26)
Maintaining a Healthy Hoof (2-11-26)

Pasture and Forages Management

Spring Pastures (3-26-25)
Multi-Species Grazing (6-11-25)
Summer Weeds (7-8-25)
Fall Planting (9-15-25)
Hay Selection (9-24-25)
Equipment Calibration (1-13-26)

All Hands-On Classes

Pasture and Forages Management

Spring Pastures (3-26-25)
Multi-Species Grazing (6-11-25)
Summer Weeds (7-8-25)
Fall Planting (9-15-25)
Hay Selection (9-24-25)
Equipment Calibration (1-13-26)

Horse

Trailering Clinic (5-20-25)
Equine Ground Manners (6-3-25)
Equine Wrapping and Bandaging Techniques (2-3-26)
Maintaining a Healthy Hoof (2-11-26)

Beef

AI & Pregnancy Checking (4-14-25)
Hay Selection (9-24-25)
Raising Freezer Beef (9-29-25)
Handling Facilities (10-6-25)
Working Cattle (10-27-25)
Bull Selection (11-6-25)

Poultry

Breed Selection (1-9-25)
Brooding Basics (2-6-25)
Transition Housing (4-28-25)

Small Ruminant

Horticulture

Raised Bed Gardening (4-8-25)
Permaculture & Edible Landscaping (4-17-25)
Dig, Divide, & Design with Perennials (4-22-25)
Landscape Irrigation (5-20-25)
Seed Saving (7-17-25)
Seeding Cool-Season Turf Grasses (9-9-25)

Other Topics

Homestead Farm Layout (9-10-25)

Craft Products

Home Brew Packaging (2-20-25-Postponed Due to Weather)
Spring Craft Brew (4-5-25)
Fall Craft Brew (10-25-25)
Intro to Home Brewing (1-22-26)

Culinary

Jams & Preserves (5-13-25)
Canning (6-17-25)
Art of Knife Sharpening (11-17-25)

Mechanics

Small Engine Troubleshooting (11-11-25)
Tractor Maintenance (1-27-26)

Outdoors

Deer Processing Clinic (11-22-25)

Poultry

Poultry Processing (11-1-25)

Horticulture

Ornamental Spring Pruning Rescheduled (New Date Coming Soon!)
Seed Starting (2-25-25)
Strawberry Workshop (5-6-25)
Blueberry & Elderberry Workshop (6-24-25)

Masters Programs

Q: What is the Master Horse Program?
A: The Tennessee Master Horse Program is an educational program designed to provide a foundation of science-based equine nutrition, management and environmental information.

Q: What are the topics covered?
A: Topics change for each year’s program, but typically cover: Pasture Management, First-Time Ownership, Nutrition, Health, Manure Management, Liability, Economics, Training, Hot Topics.

Q: Do I have to own a horse or be an experienced horse owner to take the program?
A: No, the program is designed for those interested in future horse ownership, new horse owners, and longtime horse owners. The variety of topics provides new learning experiences for all.

Q: How long is the Master Horse Program?
A: The program is anywhere from 8-22 classes in which the participant is asked to attend a minimum of 7 classes. Selection and attendance is entirely up to the participant.

Q: What is the format of the program?
A: The program is designed to meet the needs and schedule demands of all participants. The program is a combination of hands-on, on-farm, classroom, and virtual Zoom presentations.

Q: When does the program take place?
A: Participants can sign up at any time as hands-on classes are offered year-round. Participants receive classes for one from the date they signup. Virtual classes are only offered in January-March.Hands-on classes vary in time, but most start at 5:30. Virtual classes will begin at 6:00 pm.

Q: What is the cost of the program?
A: The cost for the entire program is $125.

Contact us

Megan Johnson
Equine Program Leader

Matt Horsman
Extension Agent