Equine Studies, Bachelor of Science

The equine studies program at Wilson College provides a distinctive opportunity for students to pursue a professional career in the growing equine industry. Whether your professional goal is to manage an equine facility, be a riding instructor, train horses, or teach riders with disabilities, the equine studies program has a major or concentration to help you achieve your goals. The program provides students with opportunities to expand their practical knowledge and experience through traditional classroom learning, hands-on application of skills in the stables, mentored teaching opportunities, equitation (riding) classes in either English or western disciplines, and direct contact with horses at the on-campus equestrian center.

The equine management concentration prepares the student for the day-to-day management of a large equine facility. Coursework in this concentration addresses facility maintenance, herd health management, feeds and feeding, conditioning horses, and best-business practices for the equine facility.

The riding instruction concentration prepares the student for employment as a riding instructor in either English or western disciplines. Coursework focuses on teaching techniques, mentored teaching of beginner through advanced riders, teaching children and adults, and preparing and training horses for riding lessons. Students entering this concentration must place at the intermediate riding level, or higher.

The equine facilitated therapeutics (therapeutic riding and activities) major prepares the student for teaching riders with physical, emotional, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities in therapeutic riding and horsemanship. Coursework includes therapeutic facility design, defining therapeutic horse movement, ground training horses, and mentored teaching of riders with disabilities.

Concentration in Equine Management

Required Courses

BUS 124Introduction to Management

3

One of the following six courses:

ACC 105Financial Accounting

3

BUS 220Entrepreneurship/Small Business Managemt

3

BUS 223Marketing Management

3

BUS 225Business Law

3

ECO 101Intro to Macroeconomics

3

ECO 102Intro to Microeconomics

3

 

BIO 101General Biology I

4

OR

BIO 110Contemporary Biology

4

 

EQS 110Intro to Equine Management

3

EQS 116Equine Anatomy/Physiology

4

EQS 125Equine Breeding Management

3

EQS 220Management of Equine Events

3

EQS 225Equine Health Management

4

EQS 230Intro to Training the Horse

3

EQS 240Intro to Teaching Horsemanship

3

EQS 310Equine Facility Management

3

EQS 315Equine Performance Management

3

EFT 213Ground Training the Horse

3

PSY 110Introduction to Psychology

3

ESS 145First Aid & CPR/AED

1

EQT XXX
Four Equitation courses (8 semester hours), the levels of which are based on the rider’s skill

A student must graduate with active first aid and CPR/AED certifications. Students who take ESS 145 as a first-year or sophomore student must repeat it during their junior or senior year in order to fulfill graduation requirements. Noncredit and online CPR/AED certifications will not be accepted as completion of the major requirement.

Concentration in Equestrian Management

Required Courses

BIO 101General Biology I

4

OR

BIO 110Contemporary Biology

4

 

EQS 110Intro to Equine Management

3

EQS 116Equine Anatomy/Physiology

4

EQS 220Management of Equine Events

3

EQS 230Intro to Training the Horse

3

EQS 235Applied Horse Training Techniques I

2

EQS 240Intro to Teaching Horsemanship

3

 

EQS 326Methods Teaching/Training I

3

AND

EQS 327Methods Teaching/Training II

3

 

EQS 328Equestrian Management I

3

AND

EQS 329Equestrian Management II

3

 

EQT XXX
Six Equitation courses, the levels of which are based on the rider’s skill

EFT 213Ground Training the Horse

3

ESS 145First Aid & CPR/AED

1

PSY 110Introduction to Psychology

3

Students must graduate with active first aid and CPR/AED certifications. Students who take ESS 145 as a first-year or sophomore student must repeat it during their junior or senior year in order to fulfill graduation requirements. Noncredit or online CPR/AED certifications will not be accepted as completion of the major requirement.