The University of Massachusetts-Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts, offers Associate’s Degrees in Equine Industries. Scholars can also go for the Bachelor’s Animal Science degree, with major in Equine Studies at the Veterinary and Animal Science Department. These programs are purpose-built to prepare scholars for careers in management, breeding, horse care, training, pro riding, management of stud farms, farriership, horse transport, farm management, riding instruction at private stables and schools, equine publications, feed/tack stores and several other fields. Equines studies scholars can select between specialisation in Horsemanship Abilities (Equitation) or Equine Management. The courses offered include:

– Equitation

– Coaching Horses: Special Issues

– Equitation Instruction: Theory & Strategies

– Breeds/Types or Horses and Horse Selection

– Therapeutic Riding: Teaching/Theory

– Practice Equitation Teaching

– Management of Horses

– Management of Studs

– Health and Disease Management

– Breeding.

Students choosing Equine Management get to take part in the processes involved in breeding, choosing and caring for and managing horses. This equips the students for careers in equine farm management as well as other professions in the equine industry. Students learn correct evaluation of equine conformation. They will have to take classes targeting horse breeding, selection, injury, illness and business. An experienced equine veterinarian teaches the courses in breeding; these courses are intended to make scholars completely acquainted with all sides of pony breeding. The programme in breeding raises Bay State foals that are subsequently absorbed by the institute’s equine program as replacements for aging horses. The illness and injury courses teach students about managing equine injury and illness by having them care for horses in the institution’s research herds.

Scholars desiring to develop talents in horsemanship are enabled to take up careers as instructors by giving them lots of opportunity to boost their horse riding and coaching. Inside horsemanship skills, the most important focus is on riding and instruction. Students are given access to a few equitation class levels. These classes are held twice a week, and involve a fee of $500 per semester. Classes target dressage and hunt seat equitation; there are also classes on cross country functional positions for scholars keen on cross country event coaching. Students in the Methods and Theory of Instruction in Equitation class are given a chance to get licensed by Massachusetts State. They can then teach the school’s programs to other scholars. Students are also put through coaching courses that involve practical field work with the institution’s young horses. Students whose riding abilities pass the test are then allowed to continue in-saddle training on these horses.

Scholars can join up in any of several pony clubs. Students keen on showing can enrol in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, a nationwide body that counts more than 300 colleges and varsities in its fold. This association gives students without their own horses the opportunity to compete at horse shows. Scholars can also join UMass’s Dressage Team. This team competes in Intercollegiate Dressage Association events. Students can improve riding skills and build on their understanding of and capabilities in dressage thru team collaboration.

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