Students who attend William Woods University can choose to major in one of two available equestrian programs. The first is the Equestrian Science Degree. This is a four year program that will earn the students who successfully complete it a baccalaureate degree.



This program was designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career that involves training horses, teaching equitation, or managing horses. Students who participate in this program will receive both theoretical class work and hands on experiences.

Some of the theoretical courses that students will be required to complete include equine anatomy, equine nutrition, teaching methods, horse evaluation and selection, and stable management. Students will also select a concentration in one of the four different riding disciplines that are offered at William Woods University.

Students can choose to focus on Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Saddle Seat, or Western. Besides their main area of concentration, students will be required to spend one semester riding in two of the other concentrations. Students will also participate in horse show competitions.

Though it is not required, students who intend to train or show horses as a profession should compete at the shows so that they will be able to gain the vital experience that they will need to be successful in the future. Students may also choose to minor in Equestrian studies.

The other degree program that is offered at William Woods University is the Equine Administration Degree. The Equine Administration Degree Program is intended for students who want to pursue a career on the business side of the equine industry rather than the training and teaching side.

Students will be focusing on areas like business organization, breed associations, facility managers, event managers, and entrepreneurs. Students who enroll in the Equine Administration Degree Program will receive training in both the theoretical and application processes of the equine industry. The applied course work will consist of work that includes learning the techniques that are used by both equine and facility management, show and event management, and a minimum of three semesters of applied riding.

All of the applied riding credits that a student earns will come from a combination of the different riding styles that are taught at the university: Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Saddle Seat, and Western. Some of the theoretical courses that a student must successful complete are economics, entrepreneurship, promotion and public relations, law, and taxation. Students will also have to choose five additional business and computer classes to complete the curriculum.

Students of the Equine Administration Degree Program will have the opportunity to compete in horse shows if they want to do so. Students will be responsible for their own entry fees, stabling, and hauling fees and any other expenses that are accumulated when showing.

William Woods University has a very extensive on-campus equine facility that provides an optimal learning environment for all of the students who use it. Some of the amazing features include:

? Four heated barns with a total of 150 box stalls

? Two heated indoor arenas; 90'x220' and 90'x200'

? A lighted outdoor ring 150'x250'

? Two classrooms.

? Forty acre cross country course on the north end of campus.

? 150 show quality school horses

? A 7-horse trailer and two 2-horse trailers for transportation to shows

? 8 tack rooms

? Student lockers

? Laundry facilities

? Faculty offices

? 6 wash stalls with hot and cold water

? USEF regulation jumps

? USDF regulation dressage arena

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