Department of Equine Studies & Animal Health

In our core degree program, you’ll study fundamental theories in riding, facilities management, wellness, nutrition, and judging. Equine Studies provides you with a comprehensive foundation in the care and management of horses and equine facilities.

In addition to your foundational work in Equine Studies, this concentration in Equestrian Media & Public Relations provides you with courses such as Business Management, Social Media Marketing, and Writing for the Digital World. Media experience prepares you with career options in the equine industry.

You’ll learn to provide safe and effective equine-assisted services (EAS) to children and adults with disabilities, veterans, older adults, and youth with increased risk factors. This concentration also prepares you for a career in non-profit program administration, including equine, volunteer, and program management for the EAS-industry. As a component of this degree, you will fulfill all hands-on requirements for the PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and prepare for the CTRI examination.

The addition of core business management courses as a concentration in Equine Studies positions you for a leadership position managing an equine business, or further your education with an MBA.

Your love of riding and teaching can foster excellence in the riding community with this concentration in Equine Training & Instruction. You’ll become prepared and equipped to educate the next generation of riders and horsemen.

Equine Science provides you with a strong foundation in the care and management of horses plus science components such as biology and chemistry. You’ll go further with animal physiology and behavior, equine veterinary experience, musculoskeletal systems & therapies, and breeding management.

This program immerses you in hands-on veterinary medicine, using the horse as a model to teach veterinary concepts, techniques, and technical skills. You’ll work directly with the staff veterinarian to accrue veterinary hours. The major prepares you for a future in veterinary sciences and satisfies all prerequisites for admission to veterinary programs in the continental United States.

You’ll take the same introductory level courses during your freshman year and choose a degree during your sophomore year. The Equine Studies curriculum covers topics including:

• Riding theory and training concepts
• Facility design and management
• Equine systems and disorders
• Equine business management.

Our equine faculty consists of veterinarians, USEF judges and stewards, equine nutritionists, course designers, show managers, attorneys, trainers, and a PATH Advanced Instructor. Many hold advanced degrees in science, business, or education.

Centenary’s nationally recognized Equestrian Center offers both academic classes and riding instruction. Located on 65 acres of picturesque, preserved farmland, the Equine Center is about seven miles from our main campus.

The Equine Studies Department regularly hosts Zoom discussions for prospective students of both the Equine Studies and Animal Health programs, two of these discussions have recently been recorded for your viewing convenience. Just click on the following links to watch!