Equine Studies Program
Welcome to the University of Montana-Western’s Equine Studies Program website! Here at UMW, we provide students an opportunity to combine their passion for horses with a great education and hands-on experience doing what they love. You can choose a number of academic pathways toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Bachelor’s degree in Natural Horsemanship or Equine Studies while maintaining your interest in horses and all things equine. The Natural Horsemanship Program is a select program and requires a special application available from the office of admissions. The basic degree programs are listed below:
AAS in Equine Studies: This broad-based two-year degree allows you to choose one of two directions of study. In addition to general education classes, all students take the core equine classes that provide general knowledge of horses, natural approaches to horse health care, conformation and training of the English and Western horse, equine nutrition, equine anatomy and physiology, introduction to equine diseases, and equine facility management (2006-2007 UMW Catalogue pages 142-143). In addition to those classes, you can choose to take more business classes through our Management Option. This Option aids in preparing a student to run their own training barn, boarding barn or equine business; or to manage the equine aspects of a larger business or other enterprise. Alternatively, you may choose our Science Option if you have more interest in the biology of the horse or are contemplating continuing your education in some aspect of equine science or veterinary medicine. The AAS is Equine Studies does not require you to have a horse during your tenure at Western. Psychology Option. The Psychology Option is geared toward individuals that have an interest in equine assisted learning and/or equine-assisted therapy. Graduates may choose to go on to graduate school in clinical therapy or become Horse Specialists through organizations such as the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EGALA).
AAS or BS in Natural Horsemanship. This newly expanded academic program at Western teaches a student to work with horses and improve their horsemanship skills via cooperative, not coercive, methods based on the principles of equine behavior. (For more information, visit the “What is Natural Horsemanship?” page at the left.) The Natural Horsemanship program should provide the interested individual a strong basis for a career in natural horsemanship or merely the ability to communicate better with one’s own horses. Enrollment in this program is currently limited. If you are interested in the Natural Horsemanship program, a separate application form is required that must be completed after you have been admitted to Western. (If you are not initially accepted into the Natural Horsemanship program, you are welcome to pursue one of the other described courses of study.) The Natural Horsemanship Program is academically demanding and will require careful planning due to the number and sequence of courses needed to complete either degree. The Natural Horsemanship classes are taught at La Cense Montana. The classes are taught in a series and must be taken in order. Thus, even if a student transfers college credits to UMW, the AAS degree will take 2 years of coursework, and the BS degree will take an estimated 4 years of coursework. The academic classes and option areas associated with the Natural Horsemanship degree are very similar to those described above for the Equine Studies degree. You must have have access to a suitable horse at Western for use in the classes (transportation to the class facility is the responsibility of the student). No outside horses are boarded at La Cense, but there are several private boarding facilities in the Dillon area (see Horse Boarding Facilities page at left). Note: if you plan to come to visit UMW and want to see La Cense Montana as well, please allow us to schedule your visit to La Cense to make your experience most worthwhile!
BA in Biomedical and Biological Sciences - Veterinary Science Related Area. If you are more interested in the sciences and biology of the horse, or are contemplating continuing with an advanced degree in some aspect of equine science (such as equine nutrition, equine exercise physiology, equine reproduction or other science) or veterinary medicine, you may want to choose this degree path. The program emphasizes the sciences (including general biology, cell biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, biochemistry and others) and provides the academic requirements for admission into two regional veterinary colleges (2006-2007 UMW Catalogue pages 79-80). In addition to these science courses, you would take most of our Equine Studies core courses as part of the Veterinary Science related area. (Environmental Sciences website.)
BS in Business with Equine Option. This four-year degree is a good option for students interested in some aspect of equine business or management. Western has a strong business department that provides a well-rounded Bachelor’s degree that allows an equine emphasis. This path allows students to mold business studies toward a range of topics from finance to tourism and resort management. Again, the core equine courses would be similar to those in our AAS in Equine Studies described above (2006-2007 UMW Catalogue pages 102-104). A BS in Business can provide many advantages to those seeking a career in the equine industry and can open doors to various graduate programs. (Business Department website.)
If none of these degree options accurately reflects your future career goals, keep in mind that an equine emphasis area can be tied to many other degree programs on campus. If you are interested in other topics, such as equine art, journalism (such as writing for equine magazines), or education, please talk to one of us about how we can help you achieve your goals. Remember that you can complete an AAS degree then finish one of our many Bachelor’s degree options with approximately two more years of study.
Additional equine classes offered through our Outreach department (these classes are generally held on weekends) allow you to “get a taste” of other aspects of the equine industry. These courses vary from year-to-year, but past Outreach course topics have included horse shoeing, equine massage, equine law, jumping, reining, equine-assisted psychotherapy, natural horsemanship (for those interested, but who are not ready to pursue the one of the above degrees), and driving or harness horses (we plan to offer driving horses as a mainstream class in the fall of 2005). We hope to offer a dressage clinic beginning in 2005-2006.
A word of advice: all of the above degrees require a level of proficiency in mathematics. To be best prepared for the initial math course required by these degree options, you need to have taken two years of high school algebra (or college equivalent). If you do not have this math background, we strongly suggest you take a summer math course to allow you to move directly into the required core mathematics classes without taking a preparatory course after you arrive at Western. Please talk to us if you have any questions regarding this requirement.
In addition to the various degrees listed above, you may opt to join one of our extracurricular equine teams. Western's Rodeo Team is a part of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and has had a long history of greatness. Former Western team members include Jess Martin, Ryan Mapston, Rooster Reynolds, Shawn Davis, Flint Rasmussen and many more! Being a part of the Western Rodeo Team also means that you become a part of Coach Iola "Olie" Else's extended family...a benefit that few coaches can offer. Give Coach Else a call at 406-683-7539, email her at i_else@umwestern.edu. Check out the Rodeo Team at www.umwestern.edu/athletics/rodeo.
The Equestrian Team was started in 2000 and has had great success in its first years. Competing under the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) rules and an active member of the USA Equestrian Federation, the team offers show experience for both beginning and advanced riders of either the English or Western disciplines. For more information contact Dr. John Xanthopoulos (coach and advisor) at 406-683-7018, email Dr. X at j_xant@umwestern.edu. Take a look at the Equestrian Team at www.umwestern.edu/athletics/Equestrian.
If you have more questions, please contact one of us (Equine Program Faculty). Finally, you may also wish to visit the UMW web site at www.umwestern.edu to learn more about Western. Please contact one of use if you need assistance with the options or suggestions listed above. We will try to help you in any way we can!
