Equine Science, Certificate (641)
About Our Program
This certificate is designed for a student who wants a shorter education path into the equine industry or is just looking to take specific courses to gain critical knowledge for their individual work with horses. All courses within this certificate feed directly into the following certificates or Associate of Applied Science degree: Equine Massage Certificate, Riding Instructor Certificate, Stable Manager Certificate, or an Associate of Applied Science in Equine Science. Within about one year of study this certificate will prepare students for a basic career in the Equine field.
Current employees or facility owners in the horse industry may find it beneficial to gain further knowledge and experience by completing separate courses leading to this certificate and thereby have their equine skills documented.
Nature of Work and Employment
Careers in the equine industry vary in nature and requirements. There are positions requiring considerable versatility, such as within a small privately owned facility with only a few employees. Other positions are more specialized and are generally found in large, complex operations. This General Equine Certificate may lead to a career as a groom, a stable worker, or an equine feed or nutrition specialist.
Special Considerations
The certificate includes instruction both in theory and practice. There are courses that include classroom instruction and field trips. Courses such as Horse Handling I, Equine Health Care I, and Horse Shoeing are held solely at a stable to provide the student with as much direct contact with the equine environment as possible. The certificate also includes 150 hours of workplace experience to further ensure the practical aspect of working with horses. The academic courses include basic computer and business communication skills for day-to-day work in an equine environment.