Rate My Professor Lance Baker

Dr. Lance Baker is Professor of Animal Science in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at West Texas A&M University in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, joining the Equine Industry Program in 1995. He earned a B.S. in Animal Science with a Business Option from Texas Tech University in 1988, an M.S. in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University in 1993, and a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from Oklahoma State University in 1995. His M.S. thesis addressed the effects of dietary cation-anion balance on acid-base status and mineral balance in sedentary horses. His Ph.D. dissertation examined the effect of two forms of sodium and potassium, and chloride versus sulfur on the dietary cation-anion balance equation, with effects on acid-base status and mineral balance in sedentary horses. Prior to his current role, he served as Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant at Oklahoma State University, instructing courses in equine conformation and performance evaluation, horse management and production, principles of nutrition, horse science, and training and psychology of the young horse; assistant coach for the OSU Horse Judging Team from 1989-1994; State Extension Horse Specialist Graduate Assistant organizing nutrition and reproduction seminars, judging and horsemanship clinics, horse shows, and judging contests; and Breeding Manager for OSU in spring 1994.

Dr. Baker teaches Equine Care & Management (ANSC 2374), Principles of Animal Nutrition (ANSC 3374), Equine Science & Production (ANSC 4370/5370), Equine Business Management (ANSC 4473/5473), and various graduate-level courses. He advises undergraduate and graduate students as a member of the Graduate Faculty and has chaired or co-chaired 2 Ph.D. and 43 M.S. students. Since 2020, as head coach of the Ranch Horse Team and Equine Program Coordinator, his teams have achieved first wins in the 2025-2026 season, victories in Fort Worth, high rankings at World Championships, and the first NIRSHA national championship in 2025, along with multiple champion and reserve champion titles in Division I of SHTX and NIRSHA. His research focuses on equine nutrition and exercise physiology; mineral nutrition and its interaction with bone; acid-base status effects on mineral balance and performance; and economics of the equine industry. Data from his equine research program is cited 25 times in the 2007 National Research Council Nutrient Requirements of Horses. He is a licensed judge for the American Quarter Horse Association (All-Around and Versatility Ranch Horse) since 1995 and the National Reined Cow Horse Association. Dr. Baker serves on the Division of Agriculture Scholarship Committee, WTAMU Student Honors Committee, WTAMU Graduate Council, AQHA International Committee (2002-2004), AQHA Public Policy Committee (2004-present), and Equine Committee of the Amarillo Tri-State Fair Association (1995-present). He is faculty co-advisor for the WTAMU Horsemen’s Association and Ag Executive Council, and belongs to the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, Equine Science Society, American Quarter Horse Association, Texas Quarter Horse Association, and National Horse Judging Team Coaches Association.