Awards and Honors

• Paul Poffenberger Excellence in Teaching and Advising from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2008
• Equine Science Society Educator of the Year, 2007
• John Lee Pratt Fellowship in Animal Nutrition, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1998 - 2001

Other Accomplishments

• Rejuvenated equine studies program making it one of the fastest growing programs in College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Authored or co-authored 9 journal articles, 20 abstracts, 9 extension publications, and 36 articles in popular press
• Given 6 regional and 66 statewide invited talks and had 12 articles in popular press written about equine studies program
• As PI or Co-PI, obtained over $218,800 in extramural funding for extension and teaching programs

Coordinator - Equine Studies Program

Dr. Burk serves as the Coordinator of the Equine Studies program within the Animal and Avian Science Department. In this position, she meets with and recruits prospective students, develops and disseminates program marketing and advertising materials, coordinates horse care and management with campus farm manager, oversees management and renovations of the Equine Research Unit, and oversees donations of teaching and research horses. She also serves as an advisor to the Equestrian Club.

Extension

Dr. Burk serves as an Extension Horse Specialist for the State of Maryland. Her main area of expertise is in equine nutrition with a particular emphasis on forages. She develops regional and statewide extension education programs and publications that aim to teach horse owners how to feed horses and manage their pastures for the betterment of both their horses and the environment. One of the most exciting projects she’s developed recently is the Equine Rotational Grazing Demonstration Farm in Clarksville, MD, which houses 4 horses rotationally grazed through 5.5 acres. She also has a love of the equestrian sport, eventing, and has teamed up with faculty at Rutgers University to conduct research on the elite three-day event horse.

Dr. Burk stays highly involved in the horse industry as the Vice President of the Maryland Horse Council, member of the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Horse Outreach Workgroup, member of the Maryland Horse Industry Board’s Equine Health Advisory Committee, and Board Member of the National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics.

To learn more about the Equine Studies program, visit: www.equinestudies.umd.edu

Publications

Representative Publications

• Suagee, J.K., A. O. Burk, R.W. Quinn, E. D. Petersen, T. G. Hartsock, and L. W. Douglas. 2008. Effects of diet and weight gain on body condition scoring in Thoroughbred geldings. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 28:156-166.
• Swyers, K.L., A. O. Burk, T.G. Hartsock, E. M. Ungerfeld, and J.L. Shelton. 2008. Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on digestibility and fermentation end-products in horses fed low- and high-starch concentrates. J. Anim. Sci. 86:2596-2608.
• Quinn, R.W., A. O. Burk, T.G. Hartsock, E.D. Petersen, N.C. Whitley, K.H. Treiber, and R.C. Boston. 2008. Effect of weight gain, diet and exercise on insulin sensitivity in Thoroughbred geldings. J. Equine Vet. Sci.. 28(12): 728-738.
• Burk, A. O. and C. A. Williams. 2008. Feeding management practices and supplement use in top-level event horses. Comp. Ex. Phys. 5(2):85-93.
• Burk, A. O., and R. W. Quinn. 2008. Trimming the Fat: Weight Loss Strategies for the Overweight Horse, Fact Sheet #843. 7 pp. A practical guide that helps horse owners combat the growing problem of obesity in horses. Available at: http://extension.umd.edu/publications/pdfs/fs843.pdf
• Burk, A. O. 2008. Feeding Horses When Temperatures Drop. Article #13169. TheHorse.com. November 30. Available at: http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=13169

Representative Abstracts

• Ordakowski-Burk, R. Quinn, T. Shellem, and L. Vough. 2005. Voluntary intake and digestibility of reed canarygrass and timothy hay fed to horses. Proc. 19th Equine Sci. Soc. Sym., Tucson, AZ, May 31-June 3, p. 150.
• Ordakowski-Burk and J. Antelman. 2005. Feeding management practices of thoroughbred racehorse trainers in Maryland. Proc. 19th Equine Sci. Soc. Sym., Tucson, AZ, May 31-June 3, p. 269.
• Wilson, K. M., E. D. Petersen, A. O. Burk, and B. D. Paleg. 2007. Using internet-based conferencing technologies to address the emerging needs of extension clientele. Proc. 20th Equine Sci. Soc. Sym., Hunt Valley, MD. June 5-9th . p 207-208.
• Williams, C. A., B. A. Parise, and A. O. Burk. 2008. Elite Three-Day Event Horses are Over-Supplemented during Competition. J. Anim. Phys. Anim. Nutr. 92(2):146.
• Burk, A. O., M. Dwyer, E. Dengler, L. Vough. 2009. Development of the University of Maryland Equine Rotational Grazing and Demonstration Site: A Novel Education Tool. 21st Equine Sci. Soc. Sym., Keystone, CO, May 29-31st. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 29:452-453.

Grants

Project	Funding Source	Amount
Development of Model Rotational Grazing Systems for Horses. (2006)	Thoroughbred Charities of America	$7,000
Enhancement of data collection by use of total collection harness bags for horses. (2006)	Maryland Horse Industry Board	$2,500
Training Horse Farm Owners to Adopt Environmentally Sound Best Management Practices for Pasture. Maryland Conservation Innovation Grant. (2007-2009)	USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service	$75,000
Ensuring the Success of the Rotational Grazing System at the University of Maryland. (2007)	Thoroughbred Charities of America	$6,000
Reducing the Environmental Impact of Horse Farms through Research and Education. (2008-2009)	Maryland Cooperative Extension and Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station Integrated Research-Extension Grant Program	$33,940