Tennessee Master Horse Program for 2026
There are now two tracks available. Please choose the track that best fits your needs.

Any questions can be addressed to Sawyer Main at smain@utk.edu or 865.974.7294.

TRACK 1-Tennessee Master Horse Program – Personal/Recreational Use Track  

DESCRIPTION: The Tennessee Master Horse Program – Personal/Recreational Use Track offers practical, research-based education tailored to personal and recreational equine owners and enthusiasts, focusing on hands-on management skills and best practices for equine care. This program empowers participants to confidently make decisions for equine health, management, and nutrition, along with pasture, waste, and economic management aspects that accompany equine ownership. 

The Personal/Recreational Use Track does NOT meet Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program cost share eligibility requirements. Please register for the Business/Professional Track if seeking TAEP reimbursement. 

COURSE LENGTH & CONTACT HOURS: 8 weeks, 16 hours of instruction; Eight 1.5 hour sessions totaling 12 hours, plus additional 4 optional hours through Horse Management Field Day

PROGRAM CONTENTS:

Webinars (7:00-8:30pm Eastern, recorded and posted in Classroom)
•    January 7: Program Overview & Responsible Horse Ownership (welfare, social license to operate)
•    January 14: Preventative Health (vaccination, dental, internal parasite control)
•    January 21: Hoof Care 
•    January 28: Waste Management (carcass & manure) & Fundamental Economics
•    February 4: Pasture & Soil Management
•    February 11: Nutrition
•    February 18: Normal & Stereotypic Behavior
•    February 25: Hot Topics & Personal/Recreational Track Graduation

Horse Management Field Days (5-9pm local time)
•    Eastern Region: February 10, Brehm Animal Science, Knoxville
•    Central Region: February 3, Rutherford County Extension Office, Murfreesboro
•    Western Region: February 1, First Farmers Co-Op, Lexington

Google Classroom: Access to all webinars, resources, and other materials for 1 year 

COST: 
•    Early registration (open now until December 31, 2026): $185
•    Late registration (January 1-January 14, 2027): $210
•    Registration cost includes: 
o    1 Forage or Soil Test
o    Access to Online Classroom with recordings, resources, and interaction with course instructors for 1 year
o    Participation in 8 online webinars, totaling 12 hours of education
o    Admission into Horse Management Field Day, for 4 hours of education
o    TMHP Sign
o    TMHP Boot Towel
o    Certificate of Completion (does not meet TAEP certification standard)

TRACK 2-Tennessee Master Horse Program – Business/Professional Track 

 DESCRIPTION: The Tennessee Master Horse Program Business/Professional Track provides advanced, research-based training designed for equine professionals and business operators, emphasizing facility management, business planning, and industry standards. Participants gain the tools to strengthen operational success, improve horse care, and enhance the professionalism of their equine enterprises. 

The Professional/Business Track meets Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) educational requirements for cost share eligibility. For more information on TAEP, visit the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s TAEP Page. 

COURSE LENGTH & CONTACT HOURS: 12 weeks, 22 hours of instruction: Twelve 1.5 hour sessions totaling 18 hours, plus additional 4 optional hours through Horse Management Field Day

PROGRAM LAYOUT:
Webinars (7:00-8:30pm Eastern, recorded and posted in Classroom)
•    January 7: Program Overview & Responsible Horse Ownership (welfare, social license to operate)
•    January 14: Preventative Health (vaccination, dental, internal parasite control)
•    January 21: Hoof Care 
•    January 28: Waste Management (carcass & manure) & Fundamental Economics
•    February 4: Pasture & Soil Management
•    February 11: Nutrition
•    February 18: Normal & Stereotypic Behavior
•    February 25: Facilities & Fencing
•    March 4: Law, Liability & Contracts
•    March 11: Business & Economic Planning
•    March 18: Responsible Breeding 
•    March 25: Marketing, Client & Employee Management; Professional/Business Track Graduation

Optional: Attend Horse Management Field Days (5-9pm local time) in your area
•    Eastern Region: February 10, Brehm Animal Science, Knoxville
•    Central Region: February 3, Rutherford County Extension Office, Murfreesboro
•    Western Region: February 1, First Farmers Co-Op, Lexington

Google Classroom: Access to all webinars, resources, and other materials for 3 years 

COST: 
•    Early registration (open now until December 31, 2026): $210
•    Late registration (January 1-January 14, 2027) : $235
•    Registration cost includes: 
o    1 Forage or Soil Test
o    Access to Online Classroom with recordings, resources, and interaction with course instructors for 3 years
o    Participation in 8 online webinars, totaling 12 hours of education
o    Admission into Horse Management Field Day, for 4 hours of education
o    TMHP Sign
o    TMHP Boot Towel
o    Certificate of Completion (Meets TAEP certification standards)


Any questions can be addressed to Sawyer Main at smain@utk.edu or 865.974.7294.