For more information, please contact Dr. Charlotte Quist | (406) 683-7030 | c_quist@umwestern.edu.
The primary objective of the BS: 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 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 knowledgeable and efficient in approaching young horse starting and initial development. 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 (especially oral and written):
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.
Have sufficient knowledge to assess, identify, and overcome behavioral obstacles that hinder a horse’s development.
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 the courses listed below through one or more of the following ways: both practical and written examinations, reports or papers, internship portfolios and evaluations.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
EQST 101 Introduction to Equine Studies: quizzes, examinations, papers, presentations
EQST 155 Intro to Natural Horsemanship: Gaining Confidence and Respect: written and practical examinations
EQST 201 Basic Horse Care & Nutrition: quizzes, examinations, papers, lab practicals
EQST 202/203 Equine Science I & II: quizzes, examinations, journal article reviews, lab practicals
EQST 204 Equine Facilities Management: quizzes, examinations, lab practicals, oral presentations, final paper
EQST 252 Natural Horsemanship: Building a Relationship: written and practical examinations
EQST 254/255 Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with Your Horse I & II: written and practical examinations
EQST 351/352 Natural Horsemanship: refining the Foundation I & II: written and practical examinations
EQST 453 Young Horse Starting and Development: assessment of practical skills
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 via evaluations.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
EQST 101 Introduction to Equine Studies: papers and presentations
EQST 204 Equine Facilities Management: lab practicals, oral presentations, final paper
EQST 400 Natural Horsemanship Internship: written reports, portfolio, presentation OR EQST 498 Senior Project: thesis
Problem-solving skills:
Natural Horsemanship students’ problem-solving skills, including critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and decision making, are assessed during the courses required for equine majors listed below. Assessments are made both by 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 201 Basic Horse Care & Nutrition: quizzes, examinations, papers, lab practicals
EQST 202/203 Equine Science I & II: quizzes, examinations, lab practicals
EQST 204 Equine Facilities Management: quizzes, examinations, lab practicals, final paper
EQST 453 Young Horse Starting and Development: assessment of practical skills
Feedback from current students
UMW graduate/exit survey
Internship portfolio
Midpoint assessment: EQST 255 Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with Your Horse II: final practical examination AND EQST 204 Equine Facilities Management: written and oral presentation
Capstone assessment: EQST 453 Young Horse Starting and Development: assessment of practical skills while starting young horse AND EQST 498 Senior Thesis: final oral presentation and thesis paper
Feedback from outside constituencies
Survey feedback from graduates one year after graduation (due to the newness of the program, this program will graduate its first students during AY 2007-08)
Survey feedback from employers of one-year-out graduates (due to the newness of the program, this program will survey the employers of AY 2008 graduates in October of 2009)
The BS: Natural Horsemanship Degree program was approved in April 2005 by the Montana Board of Regents. Therefore, key items of this program will be addressed in the next regular report prepared for NWCCU in 2010.
Feedback from internship coordinators
Responses to the Employer and Graduate surveys will be compiled by personnel in the Career Services Office then disseminated back to the Natural Horsemanship faculty for review.
Evaluation of Teaching
During the 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 BS: Natural Horsemanship was initially created for the 2005-2006 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. Once the equine faculty begin receiving the results of employer and alumni surveys from the Career Services Office, they will review the information and make adjustments to the BS: Natural Horsemanship program as necessary.
Criteria & Procedures for Admission & 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 UMW. 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. Each prospective student is evaluated based on his/her 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
Potential modification of curriculum will be based upon feedback from graduates, graduates following one year of employment or graduate school, employers, and collected exhibits/artifacts. Due to the newness of the BS: Natural Horsemanship program, the first graduates of the program are expected in AY 2008.
Self-study or reports from program reviews
The BS in Natural Horsemanship program is relatively new and has not undergone external review. The program will be reviewed on site by NWCCU in 2010. As part of UMW's systematic academic program review cycle, a self-study of the BS: Natural Horsemanship program will be prepared and completed prior to or during the 2009-10 academic year. An initial review of this academic program by an external reviewer(s) will occur during the 2010 academic year as well. The AAS in Natural Horsemanship was reviewed during spring semester 2005 as part of the NWCCU Regular Interim Review and received favorable comments.
All BS: Natural Horsemanship students complete the program of academic courses offered through the AAS: Equine Studies, which has undergone external review. 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, external reviewer representing NWCCU 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. No other curriculum development bodies exist at this time.