Ann M. Swinker

Focus and Interests

Dr. Swinker’s research activities have addressed several management and environmental issues related to the horse industry, including stable air quality, small acreage management, composting and manure management, water quality, economic impact studies, and behavior and reproductive issues. She has served on numerous extension, University, and professional society committees. Dr. Swinker has authored or co-authored twelve refereed papers, 44 abstracts/proceedings, more than 200 popular press articles, 18 extension publications, eight educational video tapes, 55 general and newsletter articles and 3 book chapters. In addition, she has conducted many workshops, presentations and addresses.

Current Activities

Educational offerings and leadership development for Pennsylvania’s adult equine industry have been initiated.

The Penn State Equine Extension Team is evaluating the industry and is preparing programs to respond to the needs identified.

Over the past four years, Dr. Swinker, as part of the Penn State Equine Team, has delivered a list of educational programs. To date, the educational programming has been in the areas of nutrient management, equine nutrition, facility management, reproduction, and judging. In addition adult leadership and youth development programs have been offered. In addition, the Penn State Equine Science Team has finished the American Youth Horse Council's Equine Youth Study and the Pennsylvania Economic Impact Study and has several publications and a CD-rom with the reported results and information.

Teaching Experience:

Dr Swinker's position of Extension Horse Specialist at Pennsylvanian State University is a 80 percent Extension/20 percent teaching position. Swinker's undergraduate teaching responsibilities have included the following:

• Equine Careers Identification and Preparation
  
• Livestock and Equine Events Coordination
  
• Guest lecturing in several equine and extension related courses
• Equine Contemporary Issues/Careers (ANSC 497)
• Equine Events Management (ANSC 297)

Dr. Swinker has served on 24 graduate committees and advises 15 students each year.

Membership in Professional Societies:

Awards and Honors

Selected Publications

• Swinker, A.M., J.R. McCurley, E.R. Jordan, D.M. Kniffen and R.A. Dailey. 1991. Effects of reproductive parameters on equine serum thyroid hormone levels. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 59 (Suppl. 1).
• Swinker, A.M., J.R. McCurley, E.R. Jordan, D.M. Kniffen and R.A. Dailey. 1991. Effects of dietary excesses on equine serum thyroid hormone levels. Proc. Eq. Nutr. Phys. Soc. 255.
• Yemm, R.S., D.L. Kohrt, D.M. Kniffen, A.M. Swinker, B.R. Gillmore and K.L. Hossner. 1992. DNA fingerprinting of sheep and horses for paternity testing using the microsatellite probe (GTG)5. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 43:99-102.
• Allen, N.T., K.D. Butler and A.M. Swinker. 1993. The effects of mediolateral balance on equine hoofs. J. Anim. Sci. (70 (Suppl. 0) :254 (Abstr.).
• Swinker, A.M., E.L. Squires, E.L. Munford, J.E. Knowles and D.M. Kniffen. 1993. Effect of body weight and body condition score on follicular development and ovulation in mares treated with GnRH analogue. J. Eq. Vet. Sci. 13(9):519.
• Swinker, A.M. and J. Heird. 1994. Trends, opportunities and issues in the horse industry. Encyclopedia of Agricultural Science. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.
• Swinker, A.M. and D.E. Johnson. 1995. Equine industry manure disposal practices, variation and magnitude. ARPAS. September 11(3):434.
• Swinker, A.M., E.L. Squires and E.L. Munford. 1995. Correlation of thyroid hormone levels to ovulation in anestrous mares treated with varying doses of GnRH analogue. ENPS Proceedings.
• Grandin, T., M.J. Deesing, J.J. Struthers and A.M. Swinker. 1995. Cattle with hair whorl patterns above the eyes are more behaviorally agitated during restraint. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. (Abstr.), p. 127.
• Tanner, M.K., A.M. Swinker, J. Traub-Dargatz, L. Stiffler, P. McCue, D.K. Vanderwall, D.E. Johnson and L.M. Vap. 1998. Respiratory and Environmental effects of recycled phone book paper versus sawdust as bedding for horses. J. Eq. Vet. Sci., 18(7):471.
• Ford, K.N., A.M. Swinker, J.L. Traub-Dargatz and J.M. Cheney. 1998. The prevalence of cryptosporidium and giardia in the trail horse population utilizing public lands. J. Eq. Vet. Sci., 18(1):38.
• Tanner, M.K., A.M. Swinker, M.L. Beard, G.N. Cosma, J.L. Traub-Dargatz and A.B. Martinez. 1998. Effect of phone book versus sawdust and straw bedding on the presence of airborne gram-negative bacteria, fungi and endotoxin in horse stalls. J. Eq. Vet Sci. 18(7):457.
• Swinker, A.M., M.K. Tanner, D.E. Johnson and L. Benner. 1998. Composting characteristics of three bedding materials. J. Eq. Vet. Sci. 18(7):462.
• Swinker, A.M., K.N. Forde, J.L. Traub-Dargatz and J. Hyatt. 1999 Prevalence of Commercial and Private Trail Horse Recreational Use on Public Lands in Colorado. Proc. Eq. Nutr. Physiol. Soc.
• Swinker A. M., M. L. Swinker, and J. L. Kollar, 2001, Equestrian riding arena surfaces and the use of dust suppressants, Proc. Eq. Nutr. Physiol. Soc.
• Crawford K., A. Swinker, A. Seidl, and W.D. Lamm, 2001, Colorado's Equine Industry Hay Utilization Practices, Proc. Eq. Nutr. Physiol. Soc.
• Swinker A. M., S. McDonald, W.D. Lamm, M. L. Swinker and A. Valle, 2001, Equine industry survey of arthropod management Practices, Proc. Eq. Nutr. Physiol. Soc.
• A. Swinker, P. Tozer and M. Shields. June,30,2003. Pennsylvania Horse Power, Equine Economic Impact Study. Penn State, College of Agricultural Sciences. Vol. 1, No 1.: 1-20.
• A. Swinker, P. Tozer, E. Landis, M. Shields. June 2003. Pennsylvania Equine Industry Inventory, Economic and Demographic Characteristics. PSU Extension.
• A. Swinker, P. Tozer, M. Shields, E. Landis. June 2003. Pennsylvania's Racehorse Industry Inventory, Basic Economic and Demographic Characteristics. PSU Extension
• Kollar J. L, A.M. Swinker, M.L. Swinker, April 2005, A survey of respiratory disorders in equestrian instructors, ARPAS, vol 21, No.2.