BCTC Partners with New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program

Published on Aug 12, 2024

Lexington, KY – Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) Equine partners with New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program (NV).

The BCTC Equine program provides instruction on essential skills required for a variety of careers in the horse industry. All students receive hands-on instruction in basic horse care management learning industry-accepted standards and techniques in the program’s foundational lab course, EQS 104. A newly signed agreement with New Vocations (NV) allows BCTC to teach EQS 104 at NV’s Lexington, KY facility using recently retired racehorses in transition to be adopted for second careers as part of New Vocations’ mission: Rehab, Retrain, Rehome. This partnership will allow the BCTC Equine program to grow without incurring any extra costs for the college, enabling it to accommodate more students each semester who are interested in pursuing careers in the equine industry. 

New Vocations Thoroughbred Program Director, Anna Ford said, "The BCTC Equine Program provides exceptional training to students wanting to pursue careers in the horse industry. The concept of having BCTC students learn basic horse care while working with our horses has been a great experience and lines up well with our mission. Having the extra help will be extremely helpful as finding and keeping good help in the barn continues to be a challenge." 

Upon completion of EQS 104, BCTC Equine students are eligible for internship placement in equine breeding operations and veterinary clinics and/or can continue their hands-on training with additional Thoroughbred-specific lab courses during the summer semester at the Thoroughbred Training Center, which includes internship placement at Thoroughbred yearling and training operations. The BCTC Equine program has numerous employment and industry partners around the world for student internship opportunities! 

“I am thrilled about the exceptional partnerships we are forging within the horse industry,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, President/CEO. “Our Equine program stands out because it offers boundless opportunities for students to advance their training. With various pathways to success in the equine field, these industry collaborations enhance student achievements and personalize their educational experiences to align with their individual needs and interests.”

“There are so many great things happening with our program,” said Dixie Kendall, BCTC Equine Program Coordinator. “Workforce shortages continue to be an issue for the equine industry so I am very pleased we will be able to expand our program through this partnership with New Vocations to help attract and train a larger number of students each semester as the next generation of horsemen and horsewomen.”

Learn more about the Equine Studies program or contact Dixie Kendall at dixie.kendall@kctcs.edu