End of an Era: Beloved Equine Studies Instructor at U of G to Retire This Spring

Jeff Thomason, instructor for Equine Functional Anatomy (EFA) is retiring after more than 20 years of teaching in the Equine Studies Online program. His legacy will live on in the EFA course he has developed and delivered online to hundreds of equine studies students from around the world over the past couple of decades. Looking back, Jeff reflects on his educational research and how it brought him to Equine Guelph, formerly the Equine Research Centre (ERC), as a cherished instructor. 

“My M.Sc. and PhD dissertations examined the loading of the lower limb in modern horses, which is an area of frequent injury and of concern to horse owners,” recalls Thomason. “In 1992, a position came up at the Ontario Veterinary College, and I was fortunate enough to be offered the job. I taught veterinary anatomy for 29+ years. Taking the job let me move my research focus back to horses, which is where it has been ever since. 

“In 2000, or thereabouts, Gayle Ecker, former ERC staff member and current director of Equine Guelph, started talking to me about a series of online courses she was developing in conjunction with the Office of Open Learning [now OpenEd]. Would I be interested in developing a course on horse anatomy? You know how that played out.” 

Since 2000, Thomason has witnessed the evolution of the equine industry and the unique online courses that cover everything from equine anatomy to behaviour to journalism and business. Although the industry has experienced a slow evolution, the learners are what bring these courses to life and make them so worthwhile. 

Teaching the same course year after year, Thomason has some recurring favourite moments as the instructor of Equine Functional Anatomy, some of which include the practicality of the information as it applies to horse care and the enthusiasm of learners as they meet their classmates. 

“The students come in excited to meet each other, so the Introductions section of the Discussions is a vital part of the course,” says Thomason.  “They are excited to meet a group that is diverse in experience and interests, and from different parts of the world, but all brought together with a shared desire to learn more about the animals they love.”   

When asked what he would say to any horse rider and/or owner who is just beginning to think about entering one of the equine programs, Thomason emphasizes, “What are you waiting for?” He goes on to add, “The common thread in the many student evaluations of the anatomy course is excitement about gaining such practical and detailed knowledge throughout the program.” 

Currently teaching one last offering of Equine Functional Anatomy, Thomason will retire from teaching in the Equine Studies Online program next month.  

“I take great pleasure in having made a contribution to the success of the online equine program,” concludes Thomason.  “Assuming that contribution has been of some value, then Gayle Ecker must be acknowledged as the person who attracted me into the program in the first place.  A round of applause is also due to all the students who have passed through the Equine Functional Anatomy course, and others in the program. Their combined energy and desire to learn has given me much pleasure over the years.  My thanks to all, and let’s add the unspoken thanks from all the horses that have benefitted from the application of the students’ new knowledge to their care. Happy trails.”