Annual Program Assessment Report - BS: Natural Horsemanship
Prepared by Dr. Charlotte Quist | (406) 683-7030 | c_quist@umwestern.edu

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Annual Program Assessment Summary Report, AY 2006-07
BS: Natural Horsemanship Degree
Submitted by: Sid Gustafson, DVM, Equine Studies Program Coordinator

The Natural Horsemanship program continues to be a strong influence at the University of Montana Western. Thirty-six select new students will comprise next year's class, and the class will be entering the Natural Horsemanship Program with an average cumulative GPA of over 3.4. These students will bring the total number of NH students enrolled in the NH program to over 70, with approximately 200 students in Equine Studies overall. Western's unique offering of Natural Horsemanship and the University's diverse Equine Studies Program with its science, psychology, and business options are key curricula. Based on knowledge and understanding of the horse's behavior, biology, and evolution we teach our graduates the fundamentals and theory of how to keep horses healthy and to teach horses and horsemanship in an appropriate, horse-friendly and people-friendly manner. The horse is never wrong, and is never handled roughly or abusively, but with patience, finesse, and understanding. Giving the horse a choice, approach and retreat, and positive reinforcement, underscored by rewards for actions well-done, comprise part of the essence of the philosophy of horsemanship education we employ in our Natural Horsemanship Program. Understanding horses and the fundamentals of natural horsemanship are taught by immersing the students and their horses into 6 successive semesters of horsemanship classes, in addition to successful completion of a 4 year academic curriculum.

In addition to this natural horsemanship instruction, a broad based education in equine studies is emphasized, will the goal of providing students the essential skills to succeed in today's growing and diversifying horse world. Effective communication, open-mindedness, willingness to commit oneself to lifelong learning and improvement of horsemanship abilities are emphasized. Students are taught to respect and appreciate the horse, as well as their fellow students and instructors. The equine studies and natural horsemanship curriculums are part of the Business and Technology Department at UM-Western, and this supports the program' emphasis on business success after graduation. The Bachelor of Science in Natural Horsemanship is the emphasized goal, but there are also the Associates of Applied Science Degree offerings in Natural Horsemanship and Equine Studies for students who are inclined to set shorter term goals. Students in Equine Studies that are not part of the Natural Horsemanship Program are assessed and evaluated in traditional, contemporary testing and grading formats, with regular written tests, oral presentations, and research papers.

Assessment of students in the Natural Horsemanship program is undergoing development. Below is the grading system that is in place for the horsemanship classes EQST 151, 252, 255, 351, 352, 453:

Horsemanship class grading and evaluations
Twice a semester horsemanship evaluations:
Ten exercises-Each exercise is 16 pts-total 160 points.
Each exercise:
  • Lightness/softness 0-4 points
  • Horse response to cues 0-4 points
  • Cues/body position 0-4 points
  • Efficiency or ability to correct 0-4 points
    The test is given for both riding evaluation and groundwork evaluation.

    The students are also graded on class participation and attendance. One unexcused absence is allowed each semester, and one excused absence. Absence of three or more classes will result in failure of the entire course, dismissal from class and assignment of an F. Being over one half hour late for class is considered an absence.

    Because of the concern for the safety and welfare of others in horsemanship class the students will also be required to behave appropriately. Inappropriate behavior can result in failure, and is defined as behavior which endangers the safety of others, as well as behavior which diminishes the learning experience of others as determined by the horsemanship instructor and professor. Inappropriate behavior, which among many other things includes displays of anger, failure to follow simple instructions in the presence of horses, and that behavior which causes disturbance to other students or their horses as determined by the horsemanship instructor or professor, is not tolerated. The first instance of inappropriate behavior will result in a documented warning. The second instance of misbehavior results in a report to the Dean of Students. The third instance results in dismissal from class for the remainder of the course and an F grade.

    Students will also be regularly evaluated by their peers each quarter of the semester, who will numerically assess each other student's: attitude and open-mindedness, 0-4 points, respect of other students, horses, and teachers, 0-4 points, positive contribution to class, 0-4 points, and improvement in horsemanship, 0-4 points.

    The student's attention to the health and behavior of their horse is also evaluated subjectively by the professor, along with the student's development of effective communication skills with other horsemen, students, and teachers. Also included in the professor's student evaluation is their contribution to the overall horsemanship class experience. In each class attended the student will be 0-4 points based on these parameters. The student will receive a 0 if not attending class or for any tardiness past the beginning of class time, or for partaking in behavior which disturbs the class, diminishes the educational experience of other students, or creates a safety hazard in the presence of horses. The professor will record his or her assigned scores for each class scheduled.

    Written tests on horsemanship theory are also utilized as part of student assessment and are given twice a semester. Students must pass all categories to pass the class. Failure of any aspect will result in failure of the class. 90%-100%=A, 80-89%=B, 75-79% =C, 70-74%=D. Less than 69% in any category will result in failure of the entire class.

    It must be noted that development of horsemanship skills and the required respect of others and appropriate associated horsemanship behavior is somewhat subjective. Behavior that endangers the health and welfare of others will not be tolerated, and the horsemanship instructor or professor's decision on what behavior this entails will be final. This is necessary to assure the safety of others.

    Program changes in response to assessment include the development of a Liaison Committee which includes a student from each horsemanship class, the professor and horsemanship instructor, the University Liaison, an additional equine faculty, the Bustech Department Chair, the provost, and the official representative of LaCense Montana. The purpose of the committee is to address student and instructor concerns and to continue positive development and assessment of the program.

    Also new this year is the establishment of an NH admissions committee, which includes a student representative, the director of admissions who also manages the logistics of the process, the Equine Studies Program Coordinator, who directs the process, the LaCense horsemanship instructor as a consultant, and two other faculty chosen by the Program Coordinator, one of which is from outside Equine Studies.