Jerry Black, a nationally recognized expert in equine clinical practice and industry relations, has been named Executive Director of Texas Tech University’s Equestrian Center within the university’s award-winning Department of Animal & Food Sciences, officials announced. 

Black stepped into his new administrative post on Aug. 1. He previously served as a visiting professor with the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine and is an Emeritus Professor and Colorado State’s Wagonhound Land & Livestock Chair in Equine Sciences.

“Dr. Black brings a level of experience and steady leadership to the program that is necessary to our success,” said Chance Brooks, chair of Tech’s Department of Animal & Food Sciences. “His vast equine expertise and industry knowledge will sustain and grow the equestrian program’s reputation as a highly competitive and well-regarded unit in academia and industry.”

Among Black’s duties will be managing unit assets including facilities and horses, optimizing financial operations, providing leadership to all staff, establishing goals, and ensuring compliance with university operating policy and procedure. 

Raised in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico on a family cattle and wheat farming operation, Black said he attended Texas Tech focusing on animal science/pre-veterinary medicine for three years before transferring to Colorado State to complete his veterinary degree. 

Following graduation Black said he began his clinical practice career in northern California. In 1973, he co-founded Pioneer Equine Hospital in Oakdale, California. His research has broadly centered on equine musculoskeletal disease, equine welfare, equine industry issues and animal/human interaction. 

Brooks said the mission of the Texas Tech’s Equestrian Center, which is located 10 miles southwest of the main campus, is to transform lives by providing innovative, ethical, student-focused equine programs and hands-on experiences, while engaging with others to improve the industry and communities. He said it features a 125-feet wide by 255-feet long indoor arena with offices, a covered warm-up arena, three outdoor arenas, and an outdoor warm-up arena, as well as a 180-stall barn and a five-stall barn for horses.

CONTACT: Clint Krehbiel, Dean, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or Clint.Krehbiel@ttu.edu

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