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. New this year: Equine are now eligible for Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program.

Registration

Payment

Class Schedule

Virtual Sessions 2026 (Thursdays-6:00 pm)

January 8: Program Overview & Responsible Horse Ownership
January 15: Preventative Health
January 22: Hoof Care
January 29: Waste Management (carcass & manure) & Fundamental Economics
February 5: Pasture & Soil Management
February 12: Nutrition
February 19: Normal & Stereotypic Behavior
February 26: Hot Topics & Personal/Recreational Track Graduation

Included Hands-On Sessions

Horse

Equine Wrapping and Bandaging Techniques (2-3-26)
Horse Management Field Day (2-11-26)
Maintaining a Healthy Hoof (2-11-26)
Trailering Clinic (5-19-26)
Equine Ground Manners (6-2-26)

Pasture and Forages Management

Equipment Calibration (1-13-26)
Spring Pastures (3-24-26)
Multi-Species Grazing (6-10-26)
Summer Weeds (7-7-26)
Fall Planting (9-14-26)
Hay Selection (9-23-26)

All Hands-On Classes

Pasture and Forages Management

Equipment Calibration (1-13-26)
Spring Pastures (3-24-26)
Multi-Species Grazing (6-10-26)
Summer Weeds (7-7-26)
Fall Planting (9-14-26)
Hay Selection (9-23-26)

Horse

Equine Wrapping and Bandaging Techniques (2-3-26)
Horse Management Field Day (2-11-26)
Maintaining a Healthy Hoof (2-11-26)
Trailering Clinic (5-19-26)
Equine Ground Manners (6-2-26)

Small Ruminant

Beef

Williamson County Beef Field Day (10-3-25)
Bull Selection (11-6-25) and (11-18-25)
AI & Pregnancy Checking (4-13-26)
Precision Livestock Beef Field Day ($10 Fee for those not registered for 2026 Master Beef Program)
Hay Selection (9-23-26)
Raising Freezer Beef (9-28-26)

Poultry

Brooding Basics and Transition Housing (10-14-25)
Breed Selection (9-29-26)

Horticulture

Edible Landscaping (4-16-26)
Dig, Divide, & Design with Perennials (5-7-26)
Landscape Irrigation (5-19-26)
Seed Saving (7-16-26)
Seeding Cool-Season Turf Grasses (9-8-26)

Other Topics

Homestead Farm Layout (9-9-26)

Craft Products

Fall Craft Brew (10-25-25)
Intro to Home Brewing (1-22-26)

Culinary

Eggcellent Eggs (11-4-25)
Poultry Pro (11-11-25)
Tater Techniques (11-18-25)
Art of Knife Sharpening (11-17-25)
Jams & Preserves (5-12-26)
Canning (6-16-26)

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

Strawberry Workshop (5-5-26)
Blueberry & Elderberry Workshop (7-2-26)

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 can I receive with a Master’s certification?
A: Most importantly, education and hands-on experience in a variety of topic areas. Additionally, completing the Master Horse Program meets the educational requirement for Tennessee Ag Enhancement which is a state of Tennessee cost share program. The other requirement is 20 head of horses for the operation.

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. To qualify for the Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program, there is a minimum of 20 horses for the operation.

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 8 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.

Q: How often do I need to take the program to maintain TN Ag Enhancement certification?
A: Upon taking the course, certification is good for three years.

Contact us

Megan Johnson
Equine Program Leader

Matt Horsman
Extension Agent