
courtesy of the Rutgers Equine Science Center
Rutgers ESC Website redesign
Rutgers University ESC Website
New Brunswick, N.J. - After 14 years of providing the public with information on "all things horses," the Rutgers Equine Science Center (ESC) has had a major facelift. Today, the ESC launched its redesigned website to offer greater interactivity, new search functionality, plus a streamlined "Ask The Expert" section.
"With this facelift and integration, the center will provide the public with a website that is not only friendly to use, but one which will remain unparalleled in providing science-based information to equine enthusiasts around the world," says Karyn Malinowski, director of the ESC.
The popular "Lord Nelson's Blog," whose four-legged author recently received the "Horse Personality of the Year Award," will migrate from its current site to anchor a special "Kid's Corner" on the center's new website. "Kid's Corner" will also feature the "Equine Science 4 Kids" education portal as well as link to the 4-H Horse Program in
New Jersey.
"'Kid's Corner' will give kids and teens a place where they can learn about horses, the science behind the center and how they can get involved in the statewide 4-H Horse Program," says Malinowski.
The new search functionality will allow users to search, not only the site, but the PDF publications and brochures. Specific sections, such as the blog and "Ask The Expert," will have siloed search options "so that users will be able to search those sections, only getting search results that are pertinent to their topic of interest, adds
Malinowski.
The "Ask The Expert" section will now allow users to ask horse-related questions directly on the page, says Malinowski. Questions will now require users to enter their location, which will in turn populate a real-time map displaying the locations from where the question
originated. Currently populated with the locations from previous questions, the map shows that over 2,000 questions have been posted from all 50 states in the U.S. 28 different countries and all 6 continents.
A live social media feed, comment section and constantly updated
library are just some of the dynamic sections on the redesigned site. Malinowski "is confident that the center's new website exemplifies its commitment to "Better Horse Care through Research and Education" by providing the horse community with access to "our science-based
research and education programs."
The site's redesign and overhaul was performed by Nicklefish of Mendham, NJ.
About Rutgers Equine Science Center The Equine Science Center is a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Its mission is "Better Horse Care through Research and Education" in order to advance the well-being and performance of horses and the equine industry. Its vision is to be recognized throughout New Jersey as well as nationally and internationally for its achievements in identifying issues in the horse industry, finding solutions through science-based inquiry, providing answers to the horse industry and to horse owners, and influencing public policy to ensure the viability of the horse industry.
For more information about the Equine Science Center, call 848-932-9419 or visit esc.rutgers.edu <http://www.esc.rutgers.edu/> .
Laura Kenny, Program Associate, Dept of Animal Sciences
Rutgers University
Bartlett Hall, 84 Lipman Drive
New Brunswick, NJ 08901 P 848-932-3229 F 732-932-6996