Equine Studies Major: Equine Science Option (B.S.)

Beginning in the 2022/23 academic year (Spring 2023), the Equine Studies Major: Equine Science option will no longer be accepting new students. Current students will continue to have access to the same high-quality education and resources until they graduate.

This option is designed for:

• Students interested in a career in the scientific or technical fields within the equine industry, including nutrition, rehabilitation, reproduction, and research.
• Students interested in pursuing graduate studies, including veterinary school.

This option combines equine classes with a more intensive science curriculum, which includes animal behavioir, reproduction, and nutrition.

In addition to the standard core courses for all Equine Studies majors, students in Equine Management take courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, nutrition, reproduction, and statistics.  Students then select 20 approved credits to allow them to focus in the areas most relevant to their desired career.  Those courses may include classes in forages, equine training, animal behavior, animal rights, animal cognition, and infectious diseases.  Students in this option may also use these 20 credits to take courses required to apply to veterinary school, including organic chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, physics, and calculus.

A minimum grade of C-minus or better must be earned in all Equine Studies courses required by the major.

¹

Waived for TSAS equine management graduates

Sample Student Schedule by Semester - Equine Science - Pre-Vet Intent

Dairy Program Courses

Some students pursuing veterinary school admission are interested in enrolling in courses with the UNH Dairy Program.  In particular, the Cooperative Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM) program is a popular enrichment course. CREAM is highly competitive to get into, and equine students must take it before their senior year due to conflicts with required equine courses.

It is suggested that interested students apply to the CREAM program in their freshman year, and that they plan to take AAS 425 Introduction to Dairy Herd Management, in the fall of their sophomore year.  While it is unlikely that a freshman applicant to CREAM will be selected, priority in future semesters is given to students who have both previously applied and who have taken dairy courses.  Students should then apply again to CREAM in their sophomore year to hopefully gain admission in their junior year.  Advisors will work with effected students to modify the timeline for other courses in order to accommodate CREAM in the schedule.

Sample Student Schedule by Semester - Equine Science - (Non Pre-Vet Intent)

All students who graduate from the B.S. in Equine Studies program will be able to:

• Identify, explain, and demonstrate safe, effective, and humane equine handling and stable management skills.
• Identify, explain, and demonstrate equine health management practices and basic equine first aid.
• Explain guidelines for equine nutrition, feeding, and parasite management.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency with English tack, boots, bandages, and blankets.
• Demonstrate safe, competent longeing technique using a trained horse.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of riding practices in equestrian sport.
• Communicate effectively, in written and verbal form, about professional topics in the equine industry.

Equine Science option:

• Demonstrate practical application of equine anatomy and an understanding of the equine limb beyond the requirements for all equine majors.
• Demonstrate knowledge of veterinary care beyond the basic level required of all equine studies majors, and demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge to real-world emergency and management situations.
• Demonstrate proficiency with basic equine health procedures and equipment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of equine nutrition, feeding, and parasite management beyond the basic level required of all equine studies majors, and demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge to real-world management situations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of equine dental care.
• Demonstrate knowledge of equine genetics and reproduction.