Dr. Dave Whitaker
Director of Horse Science
B.S. University of Tennessee, 1968
M.Ed. Montana State University, 1977
Ph.D. Texas Tech University, 1982
Dr. Dave Whitaker serves as director of the Horse Science Program at Middle Tennessee State University. His continuing priority is to give leadership to building one of the nation's best horse science programs. With new state of the art facilities and new faculty, the program offers the student and industry opportunities for growth in knowledge and achievement.
Dr. Whitaker teaches as well as coaches the MTSU Horse Judging Team. His coaching resume includes multiple championships at the AQHA World Show Contest, the Quarter Horse Congress Contest, and wins at other contests such as the Arabian Nationals, Morgan Nationals, Paint Horse Intercollegiate Contest, and National Appaloosa Intercollegiate Contest.
His industry connections include serving on the Board of Directors for the American Quarter Horse Association, and he is currently a member of their Research Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Youth Committee and for three years was a member of the International Committee.
Dr. Whitaker served on the Breeders' Committee for the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association and is one of the four founders of the Pleasure Walking Horse Association of Tennessee.
Judging on a National and International level, Dr. Whitaker has judged several breeds of horses and has been a carded AQHA judge for 21 years. He has judged the AQHA World Show three times, the AQHA Youth World Show twice, and the AQHA Select World once. International assignments include judging in France , Canada , Mexico, Paraguay, Argentina, Japan , Switzerland and New Zealand.
Active in the Tennessee Horse Council, he managed the Volunteer Horse Fair for seven years.
Other assignments include being advisor for the Alpha Gamma Rho Agriculture Fraternity.
Dr. Whitaker was the 2002 recipient of the Merle Wood Humanitarian Award. Named after the late Merle Wood, a Kansas horseman who was loved by thousands for a life full of concern and help for others, the award recognizes individuals whose devotion to youth and horses has made a significant difference in the American Quarter Horse industry.
CONTACT
MTSU Horse Science
314 West Thompson Lane
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
OFFICE
101B
Horse Science Center
Phone: (615) 898-2908
Fax: (615) 494-8768
COURSES
ABAS 4480 Selecting and Judging Horses. Three credits. Individual parts, conformation, and gaits of the horse as they relate to selecting and judging horses for production, recreation, and sport.
ABAS 4580 Advanced Judging of Horses. Three credits. Prerequisite: ABAS 4480. Systems of judging for current horse show disciplines and exercises for students who aspire to become professional judges. Ethics, contracts with management, and procedures for becoming a judge are part of the focus.
ABAS 4260 Behavior of Domestic Animals. Three credits. Behavior aspects of raising and managing domestic animals to include equine, swine, goats, cattle, sheep, dogs, and cats. Communication, ingestive, sexual, social, aggressive, and abnormal behaviors emphasized.