Equine Studies - Northwest Community College

By Heather Toms


Based in Powell in Wyoming, Northwest Community College is a public community establishment offering several two year associate degree courses. One of those courses is in Equine Studies. This programme enables students to reach a robust base in equine science, with an ideal mix of theoretical instruction and practical participation in riding horses and in coaching and handling them. Scholars are enabled to take up constructive employment right away on conclusion of these courses; they can alternatively opt for further education at other establishments.

Depending on their set of interests, students can select either of 2 Associate program options. Riding and coaching constitutes the first option. Students are given thorough exposure to riding, training and handling of horses regarding the science of management of the horse industry. Students who pass out of this course are enabled to gain immediate employment in:

- Riding schools

- Training faculties

- Summer camps

- Grooming

- Rider exercising

- Boarding stables

- Wrangling.

Scholars who are not interested in an AAS degree can also enroll in an Equine Care/Basic Riding Certificate course of one year duration at Northwest Community College. This programme makes students proficient riders and well versed in quality horse care, so giving them the type of abilities that they will need to attain success in the world of equines. While on this course, scholars learn equine safety, pony health management, equine nutrition, pony behavior, correct tack fitting as well as riding with safety for both rider and horse. Graduates are empowered for employment as

- Operators of boarding stables

- Riding school aids

- Wranglers

- Guides for trail riding

- Grooms

- Sales personnel

- Sitters at breeding farms.

For those students who want to be concerned in the sale and merchandising facets of the equine industry, Northwest Community College also offers students an Equine Business Management course for students wanting to be involved in promoting and merchandizing in the equine world. For this course, scholars are not required to have a pony.

Scholars are also able to choose the degree in Management of Farrier Business. This degree imbues students with the talents necessary for running small businesses; it also qualifies them for professional certification by the American Farrier's Association.

The College's equine studies courses emphasise events, both English and Western, strongly. The program is very competitive, and usually accepts not more than 40 scholars annually. The successful applicants are put through a course that gets them an Applied Science Associate degree in Equine Studies.

Students are prompted to have more than simple basis experience with riding, though it isn't imperative. This program will benefit students from a 4-H or breed organisation background the most. Scholars are also advised to bring along their own horses. If this isn't possible , arrangements are going to be made so that a horse is prepared for the scholar before their first class. There are no exceptions to the stable charges scholars are required to pay, whether they have brought their own horse or have been given one on arrival at the college. All horses except gaited ones are fine for use by students in the college's equine studies programme. It isn't compulsory that they be registered, but the horses should be sound of health and possess good manners, they're expected to get along well with other horses.

Riding classes are staged at the College's Equine Center Complex, where the stables are situated. The complex has facilities like a heated indoor arena with a viewing gallery, storage of feed, an outdoor arena, paddocks for turnout, a tack room and wash racks, both out of doors and indoor.




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