Dr Don Henneke, the scientist who developed the well-known Henneke horse body-condition scoring system, has died after a battle with cancer. Henneke, who was professor of animal sciences and director of equine science at Tarleton State University, in Texas, was 60 years old.
Henneke Body Scoring system
Dr. Henneke was the principle developer of the body conditioning scoring system for horses while at Texas A&M.
© 2012 by April Raine
He was the principal investigator in developing the body conditioning scoring system for horses while at Texas A&M in 1979.
Henneke joined the faculty at Tarleton – part of the Texas A&M University system – in 1985 as an assistant professor in the Department of Agriculture, leaving in 1993 to pursue a consulting career in the equine industry.
In 2000, Henneke returned to Tarleton and was named assistant professor of animal sciences. A year later, Henneke assumed directorship of Tarleton’s Equine Center.
In 2007, he was awarded tenure and named associate professor, and in September 2012, the Texas A&M University System’s board of regents granted Henneke full professorship.
“Dr Henneke took our equine program to new heights during his tenure at Tarleton,” said Dr Don Cawthon, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
“He had a vision and was passionate in pursuing that vision. Unfortunately, he will not see his dreams through in person, but he has laid solid groundwork that will be invaluable to his successor and future generations of students.”
A native of Enid, Oklahoma, Henneke was born February 15, 1952, and went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University before obtaining a master’s of animal science, focusing on equine reproductive physiology, from Louisiana State University.
He later received his doctorate in animal science in 1981 from Texas A&M University.
Henneke’s knowledge and expertise in the field of equine nutrition, reproduction and management was sought-after by industry representatives and academicians throughout his career.
“Dr Henneke was the driving force in the development of one of the premier equine management programs in the nation,” said fellow professor Dr David Snyder. “He will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on through the quality equine program that he built.”
Dr Ben Bruce, head of the animal science and wildlife management department, said Henneke was highly regarded in the horse industry and treasured by his students. He was a faculty member who could always be counted on to get things done for the university, the college, and the department, he said.
Henneke also served as a consultant in the fields of equine management, reproduction and nutrition, enjoyed competing as a non-pro cutting horse rider and served as adviser to the Tarleton Horseman’s Association, supervisor of the Tarleton Stock Horse Team, and president of the Faculty Senate in 2009.