Program Overview

The graduate program in Equine Nutrition is administered through the Department of Animal Sciences. The program offers both a Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The program consists of general course work in nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, laboratory methods and statistics; in addition to a thesis/dissertation project. The primary area of research in equine nutrition involves two core areas:
1) The role of nutrients in the development and prevention of joint disease in horses and 2) Identification of nutrients associated with equine spermatozoa antioxidant capacity, and subsequent viability and fertility of stallion spermatozoa following cryopreservation.

The program length is typically two and four years for Masters and Ph.D. students, respectively. Graduate stipends are available on a limited basis. Masters and Ph.D. stipends are approximately $1,100 and $1,250 (US) per month, respectively. In addition to their formal program, graduate students also participate as teaching assistants for a variety of undergraduate level Equine and Animal Science courses.

Key Faculty 
Refer to Department of Animal Sciences 

Selected Articles
Dimock, AN, P.D. Siciliano, and C.W. McIlwraith. 2000. Evidence supporting an increased presence of reactive oxygen species in the diseased equine joint. Equine Vet. J. 32(5)439-443.

Powell, D.M., L.M. Lawrence, B.P. Fitzgerald, K. Danielsen, A. Parker, P.D. Siciliano and A. Crum. 2000. Effect of short-term feed restriction and calorie source on hormonal and metabolic responses in geldings receiving a small meal. J. Anim. Sci. 78(12):3107-3113.

Siciliano, P.D., C.E. Kawcak, C.W. McIlwraith. 2000. The effect of initiation of exercise training in young horses on vitamin K status. J. Anim. Sci. 78(9):2353-2358.

Siciliano, P.D., L.K. Warren, L.M. Lawrence. 2000. Changes in vitamin K status of growing horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 20(11):726-729.

Siciliano, P.D., A.L. Parker and L.M. Lawrence. 1997. Effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on the integrity of skeletal muscle in exercising horses. J. Anim. Sci. 75(6):1553-1560.

Danielsen, K., L.M. Lawrence, K.N. Thompson, and P.D. Siciliano. 1995. Effect of diet on weight and plasma variables in endurance exercised horses. Equine Vet. J. (Supp.18):372-377.

Healy, H.P., P.D. Siciliano and L.M. Lawrence. 1995. Effect of concentrate form on blood and gastric fluid variables in ponies. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 15(10):423-428.

Siciliano, P.D., L.M. Lawrence, K. Danielsen, D.M. Powell, and KN. Thompson. 1995. Effect of conditioning and exercise type on serum creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase activity. Equine Vet J (Supp.18):243-247.

Siciliano, P.D. and C.H. Wood. 1993. The effect of added dietary soybean oil on vitamin E status of the horse. J. Anim. Sci. 71(12):3399-3402.



Related links
The Graduate School - Colorado State University

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Department of Animal Sciences
Professional Veterinary Medical Program
College of Agricultural Sciences
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