College Counseling: Great Schools for Equine Business Management Programs

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Emily Standish, GoLocalPDX College Admission Coach

High school students often don’t know what a big world awaits them in college; they don’t often know how to combine their extracurricular activities with another discipline that could lead to a career path.

My own daughters were both horse riders from age eight to eighteen, a hobby that taught them patience, determination, leadership, and required a discipline unlike many other hobbies. When our children are searching for a career that honors both their natural abilities and their acquired interests, I encourage them to search for a college where creative majors could offer them the best of both worlds. In the US, the equine industry is a $112 billion industry.

Equine Business Management is a major designed for students interested in the business of horses, the organizational and commercial aspects of the equine industry such as Veterniary Practice Operations, Facilities Operation, Equine Appraisal, Racetrack Operation, Breed Marketing, Breeding Management, Equine Law, and Horse Show Event Planning.

Here are five colleges that offer Equine Business Management majors:

Cazenovia College, Cazenovia, NY

The Bachelor of Science in Equine Business Management provides a four-year curriculum and internships to prepare students for equine industry careers.
A herd of seventy Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, and Quarter Horses are housed five miles from campus on a 240-acre Equine Education Center, a facility for the sole purpose of supporting the Equine Business Management students, the competition Horse Show and Dressage team, and the New York State Center for Equine Business Development.
By the numbers: 70% acceptance rate; SAT Mid-ranges: CR 430-540, M 420-540; ACT Mid-range: 18-24.

Otterbein University, Westerville, OH

The typical Equine Business major at Otterbein takes a course of study that includes Equine Anatomy & Physiology, Micro- and Macroeconomics, Equine Medical Management, Non-Profit Management, and Legal Aspects of the Equine Industry.
Internships are required for all Equine Business majors; students at Otterbein often combine their interests to design internships that include writing, equine massage, veterinary science, and event planning.
By the numbers: Acceptance rate: 74%; SAT Mid-ranges: CR 490-590, M 480-580; ACT Mid-range: 21-26.

University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Equine Science and Management students enjoy mentoring and research collaboration within the equine industry in the “Horse Capitol of the World,” enjoying state-of-the-art facilities on and near campus.
Students participate in a variety of university-supported research at the Gluck Equine Research Center, including the opportunity to publish in the Bluegrass Equine Digest
By the numbers: 69% acceptance rate; SAT mid-ranges: CR 490-610, M 500-630; ACT mid-range 22-28.

University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT

In addition to the Equine Management track in the Department of Business and Technology, Montana Western offers the country’s only undergraduate degree in Natural Horsemanship, utilizing an experiential approach to working with horses.
The Montana Center for Horsemanship
By the numbers: 75% acceptance rate; SAT Mid-ranges: CR 400-530, M 430-540; ACT Mid-range: 17-22.

University of California, Davis, Davis, CA

The Department of Animal Science offers specializations in animal industry, animal biology, aquaculture, avian sciences, companion animal biology, equine science, laboratory animals, and livestock production.
The department has its own advising center for students to connect with internships and jobs.
By the numbers: 41% acceptance rate; SAT Mid-ranges: CR 510-640, M 570-700; ACT Mid-range: 24-30.

Other colleges and universities that offer a degree in Equine Management and Business are Asbury University (KY), Auburn University (AL), Delaware State University, Johnson and Wales University (Multiple Locations), Penn State University, Post University (CT), St. Mary of the Woods College (IN), Tiffin University (OH), University of Findlay (OH, and University of New Hampshire, . A great source for equine-related colleges and majors is HorseChannel.com.

Emily Standish is a partner in Portland, Oregon-based College Admission Coach LLC which helps students identify and gain admission to right-fit schools where they will thrive academically and personally. Contact me at [email protected].