Equestrian Studies
Supporting your desired career path
The Alfred University Equestrian Studies program is designed to offer students an opportunity to define their own needs and goals and create a career plan that facilitates their achievement. Alfred University offers the opportunity for you to combine an Equestrian minor with one of our existing majors to prepare you for a wide variety of careers.
Major
Minor
For the 15 credits required for the equestrian studies minor, you must take a minimum of 7 credits in theory and 2 credits in activity courses. The remaining 6 credits are elective; they may be selected from either the activity and/or theory categories.
EQUS 101 - English Riding I
2 credit hours
Open to students with little or no riding experience for basic hunter seat equitation taught at the walk, trot and canter. Topics include horse grooming, hoof care, safety procedures (mounted and unmounted), care of riding equipment, and horse health. (PE requirement)
EQUS 102 - English Riding II
2 credit hours
More advanced hunt seat riders are introduced to more complex flatwork and jumping x rails and small verticals. The course emphasizes safety and training riders to recognize their own abilities in the ring, on the trail, or in the barn. Topics include horse care and management of horses. Prerequisite: EQUS 101 or permission of instructor. (PE requirement)
EQUS 103 - English Riding III
2 credit hours
Riders entering this course should have a secure hunt seat position at the walk, trot and canter and should exhibit good control over single fences (two feet). This course will strengthen the rider's position on the flat and over fences as the riders will progress into more complex flatwork and jumping small courses. Prerequisite: EQUS 102 or permission of instructor.
EQUS 104 - English Riding IV
2 credit hours
Riders at this level should be competent to walk, trot, canter, and jump with good equitation. This course furthers the rider's ability on the flat and over fences as more complex work is introduced through higher fences and more complex courses. Riders will be introduced to basic course design and will be required to participate in a schooling show held at the Equestrian Center. Prerequisite: EQUS 103 or permission of instructor.
EQUS 105 - Introduction to Dressage
2 credit hours
Open to students with intermediate experience in riding English. Basic flatwork for any discipline of riding will be covered both in theory and practice. Riders will be introduced to basic dressage training and entry level dressage tests. Prerequisite: EQUS 102 or permission of instructor.
EQUS 110 - Western Riding I
2 credit hours
Open to students with little or no riding experience in the western disciplines. Skills taught include: western bridling, saddling, and horsemanship for the walk, jog and lope. Topics include grooming, hoof care, lunging, safety procedures, care of horse and equipment.
EQUS 111 - Western Riding II
2 credit hours
Open to students with beginning experience in the western disciplines. Skills taught include: western pleasure, horsemanship and showmanship patterns. Topics include safety procedures, proper tack, attire, equipment, and care of horse. Prerequisite: EQUS 110 or permission of instructor.
EQUS 112 - Western Riding III
2 credit hours
Open to students with intermediate experience in the western disciplines. Skills taught include: western pleasure, horsemanship, showmanship and introductory trail obstacles found on trail course patterns. Topics include showing the all-around horse at breed shows, safety procedures, care of horse and equipment. Prerequisite: EQUS 111 or permission of instructor.
EQUS 115 - Dressage II
2 credit hours
More advanced flatwork is introduced and riders learn movements required in training level and first level tests. Riding a dressage test is introduced and riders are encouraged to participate in a dressage schooling show if possible. Prerequisite: EQUS 103 or 105 or permission of instructor.
EQUS 200 - Special Topics: Fundamentals of Equine Husbandry
2 credit hours
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the equine in practical use, while exploring the evolution and history of human interaction with horses. Students will be exposed to the techniques of equine science and understand the application of these techniques to horses in diverse backgrounds, including barns, fields, and other interactive environments.
EQUS 200: Special Topics: Methods of Coaching and Teaching the Equestrian
3 credit hours
Description not available. Contact [email protected]
EQUS 218 - Judging Horse Shows
4 credit hours
Open to students with advanced riding skills in either English or Western riding. Students will learn how to evaluate and place conformation, halter and performance classes according to the standards set by various organizations and breeds of horses. Students will participate in the Intercollegiate Judging Contest held at Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio.
EQUS 220 - History of the Horse
4 credit hours
Theoretical and practical experience in understanding the history and the evolution of the horse.
EQUS 300 - Special Topics: Advanced Equine Husbandry
3 credit hours
Description not available. Contact [email protected]
Examples of courses of study including the Equestrian Studies minor:
- A combination of Equestrian Studies with a major in Education might enable a student to provide lessons, work for an institution with a riding program, or coach an equestrian team.
- Students who choose to combine English and Equestrian Studies might work towards a career in journalism and communications in the equine industry.
- Students focused on a career in veterinary medicine find that combining Equestrian Studies with a major in Biology helps to prepare them the process of applying for veterinary school.
- Some students who are interested in careers in engineering or art and design take equestrian classes simply because it's a wonderful way to take advantage of all Alfred University has to offer, and because they want to stay involved with horses no matter what their career.
Thanks to the generosity of Alfred University Trustee Rob Daggett '81, Catherine Bromeley Daggett '58, and Peter '67 and Maris Cuneo, AU has a state-of-the-art equestrian facility that opened in August 2005.
Equine classes, student boarding, Varsity Dressage, Hunt Seat and Western Teams, clinics and horse shows are all offered.
The heated facility located on 400 acres is within a five-minute drive of campus. Although transportation is not provided by the University, students have no problem arranging for rides. The Equestrian Center has:
- Offices
- Technologically Supported Classrooms
- Viewing Areas
- 200 x 80-foot indoor sand arena
- 240 X 120-foot lighted outdoor arena
- 52 stalls accommodate:
- Over 40 university-owned horses
- 12 horses belonging to university boarding students
- 28 electric camper hookups available for trailer parking
- 40 acres of turnout fields
Student Stories
Mix & Match! (College Student Development, PoliSci, Equestrian Studies, Business AND Psychology)
"This community is like a family, and we all want to see each other succeed. I have spent more time in Alfred than any other place in my life, and this will always be a home to me."