MSU Extension Horses

Spartan Horse Project

As a student you may have experienced stress and anxiety over the past few years.  Studies have shown that participating in horse activities can benefit a person’s emotional and physical health. Researchers at Michigan State University Extension are conducting a study to learn more about how horse activities influence the emotional health of students enrolled at Michigan State University. 

This project will take place at the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center on Collins Rd. in Lansing. Transportation from a central location on campus will be available to and from the MSU Horse Farm. Participants will receive an ice cream coupon redeemable at the MSU Dairy for participating in the Spartan Horse Project.

As a participant, you will complete an activity at the Michigan State University Horse Teaching and Research Center. The activity will take approximately 1 hour to complete and may include one of the following 1) walking with a group along the farm road, 2) participating in a self-guided tour of the farm, or 3) grooming a horse with supervision.  During the registration process, you will be asked to select the date/time to participate in this activity that best fits your schedule from the available sessions:

Registration has closed.

Spartan Horse Project Information 

Our study involves completing three online surveys that can be taken on your own device and participating in a one-hour activity session at the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center.  

Registration 

Upon registering for this study, you will be asked to complete a survey about how you generally feel and answer some questions regarding your horse experience.  You will also be asked to sign up for one activity session at the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center.  The sessions will be offered through the course of several days and times during the week of October 3, 2022.

Location 

The activity sessions for this study will take place at the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center, located on 3327 Collins Road, Lansing, Michigan 48910. 

Transportation & Parking

There is free parking available at the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center. A central pick-up location on campus will be available for students who need transportation to the MSU Horse Center.

Activity Session 

Upon arriving at the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center for your activity session, you will be prompted to take a pre-activity online survey. Following the survey, you will be randomly assigned one of three activity groups.  You have an equal likelihood of being assigned to any of the following groups:  

• Group 1: walk around a parking area  
• Group 2: participate in a self-guided tour of the farm 
• Group 3: participate in grooming a horse 

Each group activity will take about 30 minutes to complete.  After completing your activity, all groups will meet in the classroom to complete a post-activity online survey that will take between 5 – 10 minutes.  Both the pre- and post- activity surveys will contain questions about your current mood as well as your opinion about horses. In addition, your post-activity survey will include questions about your experience in participating in this study.

Ice Cream Coupon

At the end of your activity session, you will receive an ice cream coupon for the MSU Dairy Store.  

No matter what activity group you participate in, you along with your friends and family are always welcomed to visit the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center during regular operating hours from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm to connect with MSU’s horses!