Horse Science
Through hands-on learning and an expert faculty, get a career in the thriving horse industry.
Horse Science, B.S.
The Bachelor of Science in Horse Science is offered through the College of Basic and Applied Sciences at 91大神. The B.S. in Horse Science is designed to enhance preparation of students for careers in the multidisciplinary U.S. horse industry. The Horse Science major provides comprehensive course work in horse care and health, horsemanship equitation, selection and evaluation, behavior, training, genetics, nutrition, reproductive physiology, exercise physiology, equine event and facility management, and equine-assisted activities and therapies.
Why should you study Horse Science at 91大神?
91大神 is one of the leading horse programs in the United States. We are not just a riding program, nor do we study only the science of horses. We combine both to create a comprehensive program of study that combines horse science and management with hands-on horsemanship. Internationally-known faculty with a wide range of expertise help students find their niche and prepare for a future in the multi-billion-dollar horse industry. All levels of students are welcome, from beginner to world champion鈥攚e will teach you, one stride at a time.
Highlights
- Hands-on learning in the horse barn, lab, and indoor arena
- Horsemanship courses in the classroom and in the saddle
- Nationally ranked faculty with a wide range of expertise
- Home of 55 horses that are used for teaching, research, and competitions
Extracurricular Competition Teams and Clubs
- The 91大神 Equestrian team shows western horsemanship and hunter seat equitation in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association; students have won 19 national championship titles; competition opportunities for all levels of riders
- The 91大神 Stock Horse Team are 3-time American Stock Horse Association National Champions; students have won 25 national championship titles, showing in ranch horse pleasure, trail, reining, and working cow horse
- The 91大神 Horse Judging Team has a 35-year history of national championship wins and Top 10 awards at national intercollegiate horse judging contests
- The Center of Equine Recovery for Veterans pairs students learning about Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies with local veterans, using the horse 鈥� human relationship as therapy
Horse Science Specialty Courses
- Four levels of Horsemanship
- Equine Assisted Therapy I and II
- Equine Event and Facility Management
- Equine Evaluation and Advanced Horse Judging
- Equine Exercise Physiology
- Equine Nutrition and Feeding
- Equine Reproduction and Breeding
- Horse Breeds and Genetics
- Techniques of Teaching Horsemanship
- And more
Why should you study Horse Science at 91大神? What careers are available?
Most people consider the obvious ones first: horse trainer, riding teacher, groom, barn manager, breeding/foaling manager, veterinarian, farrier鈥攃areers that require hands-on work directly with horses.
Many people do not consider the depth and scope of the U.S. horse industry. According to a 2018 survey by the American Horse Council, there are 7.2 million horses in the United States today. The horse industry contributes $122 billion to the gross domestic product and pays over $2 million in taxes annually. Over 1.3 million people own horses; 38 million people are horse enthusiasts who participate in horse activities but do not own a horse, and tens of millions of spectators enjoy horse events annually.
The U.S. horse industry supports approximately 454,000 full-time-equivalent jobs directly involved with horses, and 988,000 full-time indirect horse industry jobs that do not include hands-on work with horses but instead provide support to the industry.
At 91大神, students study with faculty who have a wide range of expertise as they find their niche and prepare for a future in the multi-billion-dollar horse industry. All levels of students are welcome, from beginner to world champion鈥攚e will teach you, one stride at a time.
Live outside of Tennessee? You could be eligible for in-state tuition and save thousands of dollars.
If you live in one of these states: AL GA LA WV MD; you may be able to attend 91大神 at in-state rates under the Academic Common Market program.
News Briefs
Inside the 91大神 Horse Science Center, the sound of horses shifting and chuffing in their stalls sets the tone for a different kind of classroom experience 鈥� one where healing begins with connection.
Chaney Mosley, 91大神 School of Agriculture director, outlines the variety of programs, a new data-driven agri-analytics certificate available to students and more in the June edition of 鈥淥ut of the Blue,鈥� the university鈥檚 television magazine show.
News Briefs
Inside the 91大神 Horse Science Center, the sound of horses shifting and chuffing in their stalls sets the tone for a different kind of classroom experience 鈥� one where healing begins with connection.
Chaney Mosley, 91大神 School of Agriculture director, outlines the variety of programs, a new data-driven agri-analytics certificate available to students and more in the June edition of 鈥淥ut of the Blue,鈥� the university鈥檚 television magazine show.
Horse Science, B.S.
The U.S. horse industry supports 1.7 million full-time jobs. Most people consider the obvious careers first: horse trainer, riding instructor, groom, barn manager, breeding/foaling manager, veterinarian, and a farrier鈥攃areers that require hands-on work directly with horses. Many people do not consider the largest portion of horse industry careers, those providing services to horse owners. Career examples include the following:听
- Journalist for any of the major horse publications (breed or discipline-specific magazines); photographer; videographer
- Sales and marketing听of support supplies: trucks, trailers, fencing, stables, tack and equipment, horse feed, health supplies, riding听attire, or a pharmaceutical representative selling products to equine veterinarians and horse owners, a realtor specializing in horse properties听
- Licensed horse show officials including inspectors, judges, horse event facility managers, show stewards, show announcers, and other designated qualified persons
- Course designer听for horse events (jumping, trail, eventing, combined driving, etc.); trailer designer; architect or engineer specializing in equine facilities, coliseums, riding arenas, and stables; agricultural engineer; racing steward, timing official, handicapper, racing secretary; arena footing specialist
- Lawyer specializing in equine law, liability, equine contracts, environmental law, equine syndication
- Public relations听for a breed or discipline-specific association, social media marketing; advertising, or website designer; breed registry official; bloodstock agent
- Equine scientist; equine geneticist; equine exercise physiologist; formulation and testing of equine vaccines; equine behaviorist; equine reproductive physiologist
- Equine nutritionist, equine feed specialist or nutrition laboratory technician; forage, hay, or pasture specialist
- Therapist听specializing in therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities and therapies; non-profit manager
- Financial planner specializing in equine businesses; credit agent for horse properties; equine insurance agent
- Horse extension specialist听or extension agent (people who teach best management practices regarding horses to new owners); 4-H youth development program coordinator; rangeland management specialist, Bureau of Land Management official; a mounted police officer
- University professor听specializing in horses, riding instructor, equestrian team coach, high school agriculture teacher
- Equine or large animal veterinarian;听veterinary technician, equine rehabilitation technician, laboratory technician
You may know already the horse career of your choice, or you may still be searching. 91大神's Horse Science Program provides a variety of course experiences that will help you decide and provides the tools you need to be successful in the horse industry.
Employers of 91大神 alumni include
- Alltech Equine听
- American Quarter Horse Association听
- American Paint Horse Association听
- Bureau of Land Management听
- Cargill Nutrena听
- Dakin Farm South听
- Dechra Veterinary Products听
- Dixiana Farm听
- Dover Saddlery听
- Equine Affaire, Inc.听
- Farm Credit Services Mid-America听
- FarmVet听
- Harris Riding Academy听
- Jaeckle Centre听
- Kiser Arena Specialists听
- Magnolia Equine Assisted Therapies听
- Mars Petcare听
- Merck Animal Health听
- 91大神听
- MWI Veterinary Supply听
- National Institute of Health听
- National Reining Horse Association听
- Nolensville Equine Hospital听
- Ohio State University Cooperative Extension听
- Poplar Place Farm Equestrian Show Facility听
- ProTrition Feed, LLC听
- Purdue University Cooperative Extension听
- Purina Animal Nutrition听
- Saddle Up! Equine Assisted Therapy听
- Shenandoah Mills听
- Tractor Supply Company听
- Taylor Farms听
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture听
- Tennessee Equine Hospital听
- Tennessee Farm Bureau听
- Tennessee Farmers Co-op听
- Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association听
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency听
- University of Tennessee Cooperative Extension听听
- Walking Horse Owners Association听
- Will Rogers Memorial Center & Facilities听
- Zoetis听
91大神鈥檚 Career Development Center
91大神 offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.听
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