Faculty and Staff Directory

Dr. Swinker’s research activities have addressed several management and environmental issues related to the horse industry such as: stable air quality, small acreage management, composting and manure management, water quality, economic impact studies, in addition to behavior and reproductive issues.

She has served on numerous extension and university and professional society committees. Dr. Swinker has authored or co-authored twelve refereed papers, 44 abstracts/proceedings, over 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.

Ph.D.: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV; 1987-1990 Major: Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science Dissertation: “Relationship of Equine Thyroid Hormone Levels and Clinical Signs of Hypothyroidism.”

M.Ag.: Penn State University, University Park, PA 1975-1980 Major: Animal Science Paper: “Performance Horse Judging”

B.S.: Penn State University, University Park, PA 1971-1974

Educational offerings and leadership development for Pennsylvania’s adult equine industry have been initiated. 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 PSU 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. Also, Penn State University, Equine Science Team has finished the American Youth Horse Council's -Equine Youth Study and the Pennsnyvania Economic Impact Study and has several publications and a CD-rom with the reported reaults and information. To find it on the web PENNSYLVANIA EQUINE SURVEY http://www.PaEquine.psu.edu

Dr Swinker's position of Extension Horse Specialist at Pennsylvanian State University is a 80% Extension/ 20% teaching position. Swinker's undergraduate teaching responsibilities have included: Equine Careers Identification and Preparation Course, Livestock and Equine Events Coordination Course; and guest lecturing in several equine and extension related courses. Spring samester Dr Swinker conducts the Equine Contemporary Issues/Careers, Course An 497 and Equine Events Management Course ANSC 297.. Through out her career Dr. Swinker has served on 24 graduate committees and advises 15 students per year.

American Youth Horse Council, Past President, American Horse Council, National Horse Judging Teacher/Coach Association, Arabian Horse Association, American Hereford Association, United States Dressage Fed., Arabian Horse Registry of America, National Association of County Agricultural Agents, American Horse Shows Association, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Colorado President 2001, Sigma Xi -- Scientific Research Society, Equine Science Society-- Research Society, American Society of Animal Science, National Association Agricultural Agents, Pennsylvania Equine Council, Director Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Assoc., Director Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission (AHDC)Equine Committee,

1997 National ACAA Video/TV Communication Award, National Finialist

1998 National ACAA Direct Mail Communication Award, Western Section

1999 Extension Specialist Award - American Soc. of Aninal Science, Western Section

1999 Distinguished Service Award- National Association of County. Agricultural Agents

2000 Honors Award - American Youth Horse Council

2002 Colorado Horseman of the Year - Colorado Horse Council

2005 National Association of County Ag Agents Search for Excellence in Livestock Production - State Winner

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.

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