Problems in the horse industry?

[BroncoMo]

This might be a weird place to put this but I’m betting I can get some good ideas here. I need to write a recommendation report for a college class on technical writing and am struggling to come up with topics within the horse industry. The process is to present the topic, choose a professional to interview (30-60 minutes, so I would need someone that is very willing and has the time to talk), send the official letter to request the interview, write a report, and present a power point on the topic.

Initially I thought it would be interesting to do drug use, welfare, and general performance enhancement. But I’m betting it would be nearly impossible to get someone from USEF or a breed association to talk about the hot topics I would need to cover; I don’t need to pick a topic and then fail to actually get the interview done because I can’t get a returned call.

I have access to multiple trainers, instructors, veterinarians, and even equine-geared college professors that would be more than willing to chat for a while on topics and issues. I just need to come up with a topic and I’m not feeling super creative today. Oh, and I sort of missed that I need to email my topic “soon”, as per the instructors email this morning; seriously, this guy puts out SO MUCH information in so many places, simply to say “do x,y, and z by this date”.

Anyways, I also thought perhaps the dwindling skill/horsemanship level of today’s non-pro riders (youth and amateur), or declining number of youth that get in to horses for an extended length of time, or the rising cost of competition edging out the 99%. But these appear difficult to research as I do need multiple other sources in conjunction with the professional interviewee.

Any ideas on some topics to entertain? Obviously this is not an overly serious project that will yield results for the problem at hand. Though the solutions that I present may create an interesting conversation.

[Scribbler]

Speaking as a college writing instructor.

Pick something technical, limited, obvious. Don’t pick something global, subjective, wide ranging like global participation in horse sports. Pick something that you can make a recommendation on.

If you want to look at a drug, pick one drug. Racetracks are useful because they are state regulated and have slightly different regulations every where. Recently horses were banned in some places racing post Lasik because it masks injuries and might lead to breakdown. You could talk to someone about why all tracks should ban this or something else.

For ammie horses there’s the problem of obesity or of enough turnout.

Your audience, class and teacher, presumably aren’t horse folks so you can keep it simple and explain the obvious. You know, obesity can lead to EMS and laminitis and founder, etc.

Keep it small. Use what you already know to do the assignment. Dont try to be too original.

[BroncoMo]

Excellent advice. Thank you. Of course I have the urge to pick a controversial topic. But I envision association professionals being hesitant to talk on such hot topics. For example, if a leading trainer in a particular association has a rumored reputation for injecting necks to affect headset, but the punishment of said trainer would mean a large economic impact to the association, I’m betting the drugs and competition department wouldn’t be very willing to talk on the subject.

You are correct that this class is a general technical writing class. I opted for the summer online class, as opposed to waiting for the animal science class in the fall. I may have made a mistake

[Scribbler]

The point of the assignment is to show you can marshall and organize a limited amount of information on a defined topic and then make clear recommendations.

It’s not an investigative journalism piece or a discussion of ethics or expose. It’s technical writing so you want a clear obvious topic that is still a problem but that has clear ideas how to solve.

It’s really easy to get overly ambitious on topics that interest us. Just keep it simple and do a good job on the presentation and power point.

[skydy]

@Scribbler

If you want to look at a drug, pick one drug. Racetracks are useful because they are state regulated and have slightly different regulations every where. Recently horses were banned in some places racing post Lasik because it masks injuries and might lead to breakdown. You could talk to someone about why all tracks should ban this or something else.

Do you mean Lasix?

Thankfully it is on its way out but Lasix is/was used to prevent EIPH (exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage.) It doesn’t mask injuries or contribute to breakdowns.

[Scribbler]

Ok I’m mixing it up with something else

It could however be useful to look at track regulations in your state and see if they are proactive or behind the curve on any specific horse welfare issue. Then make the argument why something is a problem and why regulations should be changed.

[skydy]

Lasix could be a good topic.
There is plenty of information available about Lasix and the debate about its use.

[rustystirrup1]

How about affordability of the sport for average people? You might get some interesting answers from pros, and it might be a better angle for a non-horsey audience.

[Scribbler]

Yes, as long as you can come up with recommendations. I think the point of the exercise is define a problem, talk to one expert, and make a power point report on the problem and solution.

It’s a technical writing course so most students will be aiming at fairly well defined topics.

The bigger more interesting large picture questions don’t really work in this format.

I’m a big picture person. I gravitate to open ended interpretive questions or speculations. So I’ve had to learn to trim my own topics down to focus.

In any writing class think about the task you are meant to do and then chop off a piece of your topic that fits the task.

[skydy]

Upon reflection, there are most likely better subjects than Lasix or anything race related. It will be difficult to find a racehorse trainer or vet willing to give and hour+ of their time to be interviewed.

[Scribbler]

If this school has an equine studies /animal science program I’d suggest chatting with one of the profs on faculty.

This is a first year assignment to teach you a format for technical writing. You don’t need the top vet in the world, just someone with a title.

[lenapesadie]

Ulcers seems like it would be a good topic.

[BroncoMo]

This particular class is actually an upper level (4000 level) course. I absolutely agree with and understand about taking a broad topic and chopping off one key aspect of it. But convincing my brain to do so is the challenge

[BroncoMo]

Perhaps I should step away from such a familiar world (horse industry, more specifically breeding/nutrition/competition) and go with something that won’t take me down a worm hole. It just dawned on me that I could do the challenges that face non-traditional students (like myself).

[TheDBYC]

I have an MA in Technical Communication. For a Rec Report, you:

1. Define the issue
2. Introduce & explain a few possible solutions
3. Select the 1 solution you think is the best & explain why you recommend it

It’s not something I personally would assign undergrad students; it isn’t technical writing imo. Don’t try to interview anyone about the use of drugs in the racing industry. @Scribbler is right. This isn’t a journalism class, & no one in their right mind who values their paycheck will go on record to talk about such things. There wouldn’t be more than one strong solution, anyway, and presenting several solutions is a big part of the rubric. Just pick something like cost driving down participation in shows, diet for horses with a metabolic disorder, etc.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

How about the lack of diversity and ways to build out the sport for those not labeled as affluent?

You could interview POC that are involved in the sport either as ammys, pros, or juniors, and how their experience has been. You could interview larger lesson barns and talk about ways to build scholarship programs for kids that cannot afford camps or weekly lessons. Doesn’t need to be overnight solutions, but you could really identify discussions that aren’t typically addressed.

You might have people perk up about ways to grow the sport and extend interest to those not tied to a trust fund.

[BroncoMo]

A few people brought up similar topics in FB but what catches my eye here is the scholarship initiative. Sounds like something interesting to entertain even outside of this project.

[Halternatively]

How about the need for better concussion recognition, management and return to play protocol in riding?
The issue: Riding is one of the highest-risk sports for TBI and concussion, but trainers are not taught how to recognize the symptoms, often put riders back on and worsen the results. Then, there are no return to play (RTP) guidelines for trainers to follow, as there are in other sports.

Possible solutions: USEF can make on-line training mandatory for professionals, barn managers, show stewards and /or trainers. This training must be completed for a facility to host a show, a trainer to attend shows, a facility to host camps, etc. Etc.

You could interview a pro or a steward or a medical professional; a rider who has suffered a TBI, an expert in the field…

[lenapesadie]

MIPS tech could be part of the discussion

[BroncoMo]

I was concerned about this. These topics, albeit highly interesting, could spiral and I highly doubt I could get interviewees for these types of things. I quickly moved off of the idea but struggled to come up with a solution. I think I will get too wrapped up and detailed with horse industry topics, and I’m complicating things. So I think stepping away from horse topics altogether is in the best interest of my grade.

The challenges that face non-traditional students like myself seems like a topic that can be detailed enough without having a worm hole that I can take myself down. It is a legit problem that has some solutions I could present.

Thanks to all who have responded, even if I haven’t responded to each.