General Discussion

Re: Any college suggestions?

childplay — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:57:14 GMT

I graduated from William Woods when it was but a college and a school for women only. At that time it and Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri were the two premier colleges for equine majors. My daughter is a senior this year and has decided to attend William Woods as well. She plans to major in Equine Administration and Business Administration. The campus hasn't changed much in the years that I have been gone and I know that the education I received there was exceptional and has taken me a long way in life. It continues to be a wonderful school, even though it is now co-ed; and you will not be disappointed if you choose to attend.

Re: Any college suggestions?

BMBlackbird — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:14:52 GMT

AQHAAPHA:

Is UVM the same as VermontTech?

Nope. UVM is out of Burlington, the big city of VT, but they still have a really good equine science program, and a nice opportunity for an apprenticeship out of their barns. Vermont Tech is basically in the middle of nowhere and their equine program is really good too. The uvm website is www.uvm.edu. If you look around on the website you could probably find out more about their equine program and more about the school.

Re: Any college suggestions?

BMBlackbird — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:11:00 GMT

AQHAAPHA:

Is UVM the same as VermontTech?

Nope. The two schools are completly different. UVM is out of Burlington, the big city of VT, but they still have a really good equine studies program, they have a great apprenticeship out of their barns. Vermont Tech is basically in the middle of nowhere and they also have a great equine studies program.

Re: Any college suggestions?

AQHAAPHA — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:25:46 GMT

My riding teacher went to WWU. I would love to go there, but it is rather expensive and it is kinda far away. (I'm from Maine too!) UNH does have a great program, but it's not exactly what I'm looking for. I would love to be that close to home, though! Thanks for the help!

Re: Any college suggestions?

AQHAAPHA — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:06:14 GMT

Is UVM the same as VermontTech? VermontTech has a fantastic mixture of equine and agricultural classes. This is part of what really attracted me to this college. Here is the website with the list of classes for the four years: http://www.vtc.edu/catalog/academic-programs/curriculums/equine-studies.html. The woman I talked to seemed really excited that I was interested in the program and I am hoping to check out the place some time this spring. I can't wait! I am getting really excited about this being the place I go.

Re: Any college suggestions?

sauerhorse08 — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 02:27:28 GMT

My college suggestion would be Lake Erie College. I'm a freshman there right now and I really like it. While they don't have a western program, they do have western IHSA, but I know that isn't the same. But one of the good things about Lake Erie is that they offer the major of Equine Entrepreneurship, which is what I'm majoring it. It combines the best of the business classes with the best of the horse classes, and teaches you how to apply those business courses to the equine industry.

Re: Any college suggestions?

Live2Ride2009 — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:01:32 GMT

I just graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Equine Business Management!!! GO CLASS OF 2008!!! If you're looking to ride Western UNH isn't the school to do so it's very much an Eventing/Dressage/Hunt Seat school. We have riding classes that you can take part in where you learn everything from balanced seat riding to cross country. You can participate on the IDA or IHSA team (I was an IHSA team member) both are great teams and we have a ton of fun!!! As for the studies since that is the most important part there's Pre Vet, Equine Management, Equine Science, Breeding... a bunch of stuff. You even have the opportunity to take Dairy classes. Let me know if you're interested in anything else about UNH I can totally hook you up with some of the professors emails and more info on the classes and campus life :P

Re: Any college suggestions?

Jamsession — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:23:42 GMT

Wow, small world! I'm a student at Vermont Technical College and I'm in the Equine Studies program.

I agree, to a certain point, that a degree isn't totally necessary to go into the horse industry. What I love about the program at VTC, though, is that it is almost all HANDS ON. You don't sit in a lab or lecture hall with 100 kids learning about the skeleton, how to wrap, how to give intravenous injections, how to pull a shoe; you're out there seeing it done, doing it yourself, and practicing the skills. There is a million and one skills you need, and the Equine Studies program here also has a strong business background, especially as you move into you junior and senior years.

I looked at UNH and UVM and all of those as well, but the problem I saw with them is that they focused on Animal Sciences, NOT Equine, necessarily. It was geared towards a Vet program. If that's where you want to go, it's a great place to be. But not if you want to train, breed, etc.

The one thing students are told here is that you should NOT limit yourself to the "typical" equine professions: training, breeding, and boarding. There is SO much more out there than just the "Big 3" areas.

AQHAAPHA, if you want to know more about the VTC program, I'd be happy to share.

Re: Any college suggestions?

kelsey9191 — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:41:07 GMT

I am a senior in high school, and I have to say good for you for looking at colleges early!

I applied and have been accepted to William Woods University. I haven't visited it yet, but I do plan on attending there the fall of '09. I would definantley look into this school if you are interested in doing anything equestrian, but they also have a good business program as well as others. They have 4 disciplines that you can take riding classes in (western, dressage, saddle seat, and hunter/jumper), and you can concentrate in 1. I plan on minoring in equestrian science and majoring in social work. I love this school because you can incorporate riding classes in with your regular classes. It is also less expensive than some private colleges. I have heard that you can do a work-study program in the barn or the barn office, which I hope I am able to do!

I was thinking about UNH because it was close to home (Maine), but I would NOT suggest it if you don't like big schools, it's huge! I took a tour, and they have a very nice campus though.

Good luck, take your time picking a good school. Once you hit senior year, everything seems to go by so fast!!

Re: Any college suggestions?

BMBlackbird — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:08:46 GMT

Oops. My last post was about Vermont Tech....I meant to quote a previous post about it.

Re: Any college suggestions?

BMBlackbird — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:42:02 GMT

I am actually going to be attending this school next year! I went to an open house and looked at there equine science program and it seems really good, a lot of it is business based and it also helps you to set up a plan that will start your business. The facilities seem fine, but the only thing that I did not agree with was that they put the horses out to pasture alone to prevent injuries, which means that they only spend a partial bit of the day outside. If the horse is friendly and plays well with others they are allowed to go out with a small group of horses. I will be going to this school for business, but I'm going to try to take some horse-related classes because I would also like to eventually have my own farm. Also, there is almost nothing else to do outside of the campus, which shouldn't be a problem if your going to be a the barns most of the time, but I thought I would let you know. I know some people who go there if you have any other question.

Also, Centenary College, Casanovia College, and the University of Vermont(UVM) have good equine programs if you would like to check those out also. I don't know much about the first two, but UVM is another school that I looked into if you have any questions about that I could try to help you.

Re: Any college suggestions?

Heather — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 05:50:32 GMT

Yeah I'm really leaning towards UF, I can get a Bachlors of science concentrated in english riding/training, also you can combine majors there so I was thinking that I would also take the classes for equine bussiness management. It's nice to hear from people who are on the other side but don't know you really closely, peoples minds get kinda warped when they know you too well . Thanks again.

Re: Any college suggestions?

Solaris — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:30:15 GMT

Get a real college degree -- a community college, associate's degree, or four year, whatever is right for you. But get a college degree. Those of us on the other side of it can tell you -- life takes you where you least expect it, the horse world is very fickle and very few people can make a living off of it. Those that do generally do so because they have a good head for business. If you want to learn how to ride, trainers abound everywhere, you don't need a special school to teach you that. I will repeat -- get a degree, even if it's in something general like business or education. You never know when you will need to use it and it's awfully hard to get someone to give you a job so you can pay your mortgage or buy groceries when all you have is a horse certificate or some equine science classes.

Re: Any college suggestions?

Heather — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:56:16 GMT

While I do really love the atmosphere of Meredith manor I was also looking at UF and really like their program. I'm just not quite sure what I'm going to do I've still got a couple of years to figure it out though. I just started in a online highschool type of homeschooling. Originally I had planned to go to the local community college for two years get an associates degree in Equine science and then get an aprentenship with Clinton Anderson, so that I could do clinics that focused on his methods. But researching more into the aprentenship I wouldn't be able to bring my own horse and he said that if you want to be a horse trainer then don't bother with his program. It is four years and I wouldn't be able to be away from my horse that long, plus the more I learn about it, the more it just doesn't seem like what I want. Also the other problem with Meredith Manor is that I'm not sure that I want to spend that money just to get a certificate it's kinda frustrating. But I will just have to keep thinking things over and at least I still have plenty of time to figure things out.

Re: Any college suggestions?

flakemusic — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:53:44 GMT

Heather - I know a trainer who graduated from Meredith Manor, it may be only a certificate but they teach you to RIDE. It is intense. I don't know how much has changed since she went there, but it was complete immersion, very different from Findlay, Lake Erie, etc, where they have a huge variety of programs. But the trainer I know is definitely amazing, just not sure how practical this is if you don't have a degree in something a bit more lucrative. If you're willing to live frugally for what you love, though, Meredith Manor will really improve your riding.

I agree with what Solaris and Nicole have said. One thing that is a very good option for people looking to be trainers that almost guarantees a job is an equine veterinary technician program. Many community colleges offer this option, it is a two year associate's degree rather than a four-year degree, but you learn a lot about horse health and taking care of injuries, and though the salary isn't too high, it does provide a good plan and foundation, especially if you hope to own a barn one day.

University of Wisconsin River-Falls also has an animal science major and a very good equestrian team, with plenty of horsey classes and options.