The role of andragogy and self-directed learning in the draft horse industry

摘要

The purpose of this study was to determine and understand the variablesaffecting the revival of the draft horse industry in the United States. A qualitative studywas conducted using 31 purposively (Lincoln and Guba, 1985) selected draft horseindustry participants who were drawn from three case studies, conducted in East Texas,Russia (Siberia), and Northern Indiana. Structured and semi-structured interviews wereutilized. Major findings emerged with this research showed that the culture ofpracticality, inventiveness, and risk taking has allowed communities of individuals toachieve financial success where others have been forced to abandon their businesses andseek other sources of livelihood.Some of the findings stood alone with no seeming connection to the otherfindings. Other findings appeared to be intertwined with one another. All of theemerging findings contributed to the renewal and engagement of individuals in the drafthorse industry revival. The findings are deliberately not listed in any particular order.The scope of the study did not include a method to determine whichfinding or series of findings preceded the others. The major findings to emerge from thisstudy are as follows.Most of the participants in the revival were or are middle aged men and women.This finding melds well with another finding that determined the draft horse businesswas the second, third, or fourth career of the participants in this study. Many of theparticipants operate their businesses in rural non-farm locations. Owners and publishersof trade magazines played a pivotal role in this industry revival.Geography and international connections played a role. The Amish communitiesacross the U.S. played a pivotal role in keeping relic technologies alive and maintainingseed stock for the revival of the draft breeds. Specific markets for horses and equipmenthave been carved out by many of the participants. Self-directed learning and andragogywere exhibited by almost all of the participants. The role of university and extensionpersonnel in this revival was essentially non-existent.