University Centre Sparsholt is pleased to announce the continued support for 2017-2018 undergraduate research from horse feed specialists, Dodson & Horrell. The recent launch marks the fourth consecutive year of the Dodson & Horrell Sparsholt Research Bursary, a scheme which proves to be invaluable to selected degree students, as they are given the opportunity to produce exciting projects around industry relevant research to add to their graduate skills set.

Sam Horrell, CEO at Dodson & Horrell said: “We are delighted to be supporting this bursary for the fourth year running and working with University Centre Sparsholt. It gives us a great platform to work with students on their research and development, to see how these projects can help shape the way we design diets and how we think about the market. It is wonderful to see so many talented students coming through into the equestrian research field.”

As second year students at Sparsholt write their proposals for this year’s submission deadline in August, Teaching Fellow and BSc Equine Science course leader, Lorna Cameron explains: “This is an amazing opportunity for our undergraduate Equine students. Not only does the research bursary support their dissertation projects; it also enhances their CV and their industry networks as well as their future employability. Past winners have presented their findings at various academic conferences including the British Society for Animal Science Conference, as well as contributing to the development of Dodson & Horrell products which are now commercially available.”

Recent graduates of the BSc (Hons) Equine Studies and BSc (Hons) Equine Science courses, Karly Burleigh, Kira Moisan and Ashleigh Bevis were awarded the Dodson & Horrell Sparsholt Research Bursary in 2017 to complete their final dissertations on starch intake in horses, the efficacy of nutritionally improved straw as a forage and the use of prebiotics in equine diets respectively. The students received a generous prize of £500 each on completion of their studies, as well as academic support and research costs met by Dodson & Horrell, all of which proved invaluable to successful completion of their studies.

Join University Centre Sparsholt in September! Learn more about our range of Equine undergraduate and postgraduate degrees here!