Campus Farm Student Spotlight: Maddy Aycock

Since the first day she arrived on campus, now-senior Maddy Aycock has played a number of key roles at the Fresno State quarter horse unit as she prepares for a full-time career working in the equine field.

The equine science senior has helped in all facets caring for and training for the 30 quarter horses that live on campus and are used for the colt training classes. Other classes use the facility for reproductive/artificial insemination labs, and the unit is also active in community outreach and educational events and sells and accepts donated horses, too. 

The Fresno native gave us background in this interview how her four years of experience have provided vital hands-on skills as she looks ahead to her final semester.

 

Q: Talk about your road to becoming a Fresno State student and working at the equine unit.

Aycock: "I chose this major because I find a great joy in horses and wanted to expand my knowledge of them, and the industry that surrounds them. I’m from Fresno, so deciding to come here was an easy decision for me since it was close to home and I had heard good things about the ag program here.

 

Q: What roles have you served at the horse unit?

Aycock: "I started volunteering as a freshman when I arrived and had become an employee by the end of that year. I was the head exercise rider for 2 years, making me responsible for making sure the riding horses were exercised and helping with the training of the colts. Since then, I have become the herd health manager, meaning I am responsible for making sure the horses are healthy, as well as being responsible for keeping health records and scheduling. I’ve really gotten a lot of managing experience with this job and learned a lot about what it takes to run a barn."

 

Q: What has been your favorite faculty and class(es)?

Aycock: "Colt training probably. I’ve found the class to be very valuable and am grateful for all that I’ve learned from it. Dr. Fabio Iared has been my favorite professor, I’ve learned a lot from him about the industry and horse health. You can tell he really cares about his students and wants them to succeed."

 

Q: What's your potential career path once you graduate?

Aycock: "I want to get involved in the medical field, either becoming a nurse at an equine hospital, or furthering my education and becoming a specialized technician."

 

Q: What's been your most memorable experience on campus?

Aycock: "Being able to work on the campus farm at the quarter horse unit has given me a lot of valuable hands on experience in everything from training to breeding to foaling. I especially love foaling season and getting to be a part of that."