Kristine Vernon

Associate Dean of Clemson Honors College and Professor
Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department

Office: 135 Poole Agricultural Building
Phone: 864-656-4028
Fax: 864-656-3131

Email: kvernon@clemson.edu

Educational Background

PhD Animal Physiology
Clemson University 2008

MS Animal Science
Michigan State University 2000

BS Animal Science
North Carolina State University 1998

Courses Taught

AVS 4120 - Advanced Equine Management
AVS 4160 - Equine Exercise Physiology
AVS 1000 - Orientation to Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Selected topics courses as needed

Profile

My primary roles within the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department at Clemson University are to teach mostly equine-related physiology and management courses. My research interests are in equine management, nutrition and exercise science, exploring ways to utilize our horses more effectively and safely.

Outside of the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department, I serve as Associate Dean of Curriculum and Faculty Affairs for the Clemson University Honors College, liaising with faculty to develop honors courses and programming for students across campus.

Research Interests

My primary research interests are related to equine management, nutrition and exercise physiology. I have explored the effects of housing and exercise protocols on bone and cartilage metabolism in an effort to manage horses more appropriately for increased wellbeing and peak performance. I have also investigated the effects of dietary supplements that may mitigate inflammation in horses, which may improve skeletal health or decrease the risk of skeletal injuries or developmental orthopedic diseases. Recent research projects have examined grazing behaviors in horses and how concentrate feeding affects grazing patterns. These studies are aimed at best practices for land stewardship and equine management and health-related issues. I am also a part of collaborations with faculty in bioengineering and recreation therapy investigating ways that horses serve as therapeutic tools for individuals with balance deficits, such as post stroke. Other research projects have focused on the management of hay supplementation in stalled and pastured horses and mitigating equine gastric ulcers through a variety of dietary supplements and management techniques.

Publications

Perron, B. S., Bridges, W. C., Ali, A. B., Aguerre, M. J., Burns, M., & Vernon, K. L. 2023. Configuration of Feed, Shelter, and Water Affects Equine Grazing Distribution and Behaviors: Equine Grazing Distribution and Behaviors. International Journal of Equine Science, 2(1), 1–8. https://rasayely-journals.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/36

B. S. Perron, A. B. A. Ali, P. Svagerko, K. L. Vernon. 2023. The influence of severity of gastric ulceration on horse behavior and heart rate variability. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2022.11.008

Severyn, Anne M.H., Luzum, Nathan R., Vernon, Kristine L., Van Puymbroeck, Marieke, & DesJardins. John D. 2022. Influence of 8-Week Horseback Riding Activity on Balance and Pelvic Movements in an Older Adult Population. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. doi.org/10.1123/japa.2021-0237.

M. Donaldson, A.M. Holter, S. Neuhoff, J. Arnosky, B. Simpson, K. Vernon, R. Blob, J. DesJardins. 2019. The translation of movement from the equine to rider with relevance to hippotherapy. J. Equine Vet. Science. 2019. 77:125-131. doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.02.017

R. Strunk, K. Vernon, W. Bridges, R. Blob, and P. Skewes. 2018. The effects of rider level of equine biomechanics and behavior. J. Equine Veterinary Science. 2018. 68:68-72. doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2018.05.209.

A. Bradbery, J. Coverdale, K. Vernon, J. Leatherwood, C. Arnold, R. Dabareiner, M. Kahn, A. Millican, and T. Welsh. 2018. Evaluation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on markers of joint inflammation and cartilage metabolism in young horses challenged with lipopolysaccharide. J. Anim. Sci. 2018, Jan. 29. doi:10.1093/jas/skx076.

K. Vernon, S. Cloy, L. Boone, J. Coverdale, T. Jenkins, and J. Sharp. 2017. Dietary supplementation of CLA in horses: establishment of baseline values on bone turnover, synovial prostaglandin E2, and gait kinematics. Journal of Comparative Exercise Physiology. 13(2), 71-78.

J. Anton, K. Vernon, D. Kelley, J. Gibbons, G. Birrenkott, and C. Mortensen. 2013. Exercising the pregnant mare from day 16 to day 80 of gestation. J Equine Vet Sci. 34(3), 415-420.

S. Headley, J. A. Coverdale, T. C. Jenkins, C. M. Klein, J. L. Sharp, and K. L. Vernon. 2012. Dietary supplementation of CLA in horses increases plasma CLA and decreases plasma arachidonic acid, but does not alter body fat. J. Anim. Sci. 90:4876-4882

R. L. Smith, K. L. Vernon, D. E. Kelley, J. R. Gibbons, C. J. Mortensen. 2012. Impact of moderate exercise on ovarian blood flow and early embryonic outcomes in mares. J. Anim. Sci. 90:3770-3777.

DE Kelley, JR Gibbons, R Smith, KL Vernon, SE Pratt-Phillip, CJ Mortensen. 2011. Exercise affects both ovarian follicular dynamics and hormone concentrations in mares. Theriogenology. 76:615-622. 


Vernon, KL, L. Riggs, J Coverdale, AB Bodine, J Gibbons. 2010. The Effects of Forced Exercise on Collagen Type II Fragments (C2C), Lysyl Oxidase Concentrations and Total Protein Concentrations in Sera and Synovial Fluid of Lambs. J Equine Vet Sci. 30(5):266-274.