For more information, please contact Dr. Charlotte Quist | 406/683-7030 | c_quist@umwestern.edu.
The primary objective of the AAS: Natural Horsemanship program is to provide students with an education in equine theory and science combined with the practical skills of natural horsemanship. Horsemanship skills taught in the practical classes are heavily based on the principles of equine behavior along with the horse training methods of experts renowned in natural horsemanship and similar disciplines. Academic aspects of the program are designed to increase students’ knowledge of the science, care and management of horses, and to expand their awareness of the equine industry well above that of the average horseperson. The University of Montana Western’s experiential approach and broad-based curriculum allows the successful graduate to pursue a wide range of equine-related professions.
Discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Be proficient in methods of horsemanship based on the theories of natural horsemanship and similar disciplines.
Understand the principles of equine behavior and how they relate to horsemanship.
Be well-versed in general knowledge about the equine industry including the common breeds, equine activities and events, and equine-related career options.
Understand the principles of equine nutrition and basic horse care to maximize horse health, and performance.
Understand the basic anatomy and physiology of the horse, and be conversant with the common disease and lameness problems seen in horses.
Understand and implement basic preventative herd health programs for horses.
Communication skills:
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on equine-related subjects with a wide variety of equine professionals and others in the industry.
Work collegially with others.
Problem-solving skills:
Be able to assess and work with a horse in most situations encountered during normal handling and riding activities.
Possess the knowledge and skills required to assess a horse’s basic health status.
Be able to assess a horse’s conformation and gait and relate it to that horse’s suitability, function, and health.
Be able to recognize and evaluate a variety of horse feeds and pasture situations.
Be conversant about and be able to recognize common disease problems in horses.
Understand and evaluate the effectiveness of equine preventive health programs.
Discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Natural horsemanship students’ are assessed for discipline-specific knowledge, skills and abilities in each of the courses listed below in one or more of the following ways: practical exams, written exams, reports, papers, internship portfolios, and evaluations.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
EQST 101 Introduction to Equine Studies: quizzes, term paper or oral presentation, exams
EQST 155 Intro to Natural Horsemanship: Gaining Confidence and Respect: practical exams, written exams
EQST 201 Basic Horse Care & Nutrition: quizzes, term paper, exams
EQST 202/203 Equine Science I & II: journal of article reviews, exams
EQST 204 Equine Facilities Management: papers, group reports, exams, business plan, course summary
EQST 252 Natural Horsemanship: Building a Relationship: practical exams, written exams
EQST 254/255 Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with Your Horse I & II: practical exams, written exams
Communication skills (especially oral and written):
Natural Horsemanship students’ communication skills are assessed via observation, and oral and written presentations required during the courses listed below. Internship supervisors also provide feedback on the students’ communication skills in their evaluations.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
EQST 101 Introduction to Equine Studies: term paper or oral presentation
EQST 200 Internship: portfolio EQST 201 Basic Horse Care & Nutrition: term paper
EQST 202/203 Equine Science I & II: journal of article reviews
EQST 204 Equine Facilities Management: papers, group reports, business plan
Problem-solving skills:
Natural Horsemanship students’ problem-solving skills, including critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and decision making are assessed during the courses listed below in one or more of the following ways: direct observation during skills-based and academic classes and laboratory periods, as well as by evaluations of written materials including examinations and reports, papers or journals.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
EQST 155 Introduction to Natural Horsemanship: practical exams, written exams
EQST 200 Internship: portfolio, on-the-job activities, report from internship supervisor EQST 202/203 Equine Science I & II: article reviews, exams
EQST 204 Equine Facilities Management: papers, business plan, exam
EQST 252 Natural Horsemanship: Building a Relationship: practical exams, written exams
EQST 254/255 Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with Your Horse I & II: practical exams, written exams
Feedback from current students:
UMW graduate/exit survey
Capstone assessment: internship portfolio in EQST 200
Feedback from outside constituencies:
Survey feedback from graduates one year after graduation (due to the newness of the program, the first AAS: Natural Horsemanship graduates are expected in spring semester 2007).
Survey feedback from employers of graduates afer one year of employment (due to the newness of the program, the first AAS: Natural Horsemanship graduates are expected in spring semester 2007).
Feedback from internship supervisors following completion of students' internships.
Evaluation of teaching:
During fall semester, the VCAA chooses the faculty member's course to be evaluated. Each Equine faculty member chooses a course during spring semester that s/he wants evaluated by students. Feedback is compiled and shared with the faculty member and VCAA. In addition, each faculty member also has at least one peer evaluation per year.
Curriculum review:
The curriculum for the AAS: Natural Horsemanship program was initially created for the 2004-2005 school year. Because this is a relatively new program, involved faculty continue to review and adjust the curriculum both formally and informally on an annual basis.
Criteria and procedures for admission and retention of students:
The Natural Horsemanship program has a limited capacity; therefore, this program requires a separate admission procedure after a prospective student has been admitted to Montana Western. Each prospective student must submit a Natural Horsemanship program application to the Natural Horsemanship admissions committee. This five-member committee consists of two members of the equine program academic faculty, one non-equine program faculty member, the instructor from the natural horsemanship program, and an upper-class student from the natural horsemanship program. Prospective students are evaluated based on that student’s previous academic performance (G.P.A. in high school or from another accredited college or university), previous equine and natural horsemanship experience, a 1-3 page essay on that student’s motivation for requesting entry into the program, and three letters of reference.
Appraisal of annual program goals and assessment of their success:
The AAS in Natural Horsemanship program is assessed based on graduate outcomes using the following methods: feedback from current students following their internship; feedback from internship supervisors; compiled results from the graduate/exit survey, alumni survey, and employer survey (no program graduates at this time); collected/compared exhibits/artifacts; and retention of students in the program. Once the Equine faculty begin receiving the results of graduate/exit, employer and alumni surveys from the Career Services Offices, they will review the information and make adjustments to the AAS: Natural Horsemanship program as necessary.
Self-study or reports for program reviews:
The Natural Horsemanship program is relatively new and has not undergone program review. The program will be reviewed on-site by NWCCU in 2010. However, all Natural Horsemanship students take the program of academic courses offered through the AAS: Equine Studies, which has undergone program review by an external evaluator from NWCCU. A focused interim report on the AAS: Equine Studies program was submitted to NWCCU in March 2004. The program was reviewed on-site by Dr. Lucille T. Stoddard in April 2004. The reviewer noted that “the program is being implemented in a manner consistent with Commission standards.” In a letter dated July 1, 2004, NWCCU reaffirmed accreditation for The University of Montana Western on the basis of the spring 2004 focused interim report and visit regarding the previously approved Substantive Change proposal to offer the AAS in Equine Studies degree program.
Program-specific curriculum development bodies and advisory groups:
The Natural Horsemanship program is re-evaluated annually by an informal group consisting of the current head of the Equine Program, the current head Natural Horsemanship instructor, and the Director of Student Success.