Danielle Smarsh

Dr.  Smarsh grew up riding horses in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  She received her B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Delaware and her Ph.D. in Equine Exercise Physiology from Rutgers University.  She moved back to the Northeast after spending 4.5 years teaching in the Animal Science Department at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Her research is focused on two main areas: the first area is how exercise and nutrition can influence gastrointestinal health and inflammation; the second area is understanding and improving the management of recreational horses in Pennsylvania. She teaches several different physiology courses at Penn State and leads a study abroad program to Ireland focused on horses and agriculture. Dr. Smarsh runs statewide extension programs for adult horse owners on a variety of topics, including parasite control, basic health care, and nutrition.