Degree Details - Miles Community College

Events Cafe News

A.A.S. Equine Studies

Why Equine Studies?

This two-year (60(61) credit) program is designed to give students a foundation in natural horsemanship and how to apply that knowledge in a practical manner to train working horses. Graduates will be prepared for a career in equine business and management, colt training, assistant trainer and facilities management, or allied industries such as feed, tack and equipment sales. The program is designed to give a broad base for any equine field. Internships are encouraged and will be available from all the different disciplines. Students should consult the catalog of the institution to which they expect to transfer and select appropriate courses in consultation with their advisor.

Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate how to communicate effectively with their horse and train them to work with livestock;
Start a colt from the ground up;
Evaluate correct and incorrect information pertaining to the equine industry;
Understand basic marketing concepts for a variety of horses;
Demonstrate basic horse care and nutrition;
Demonstrate how to control all the parts of a horse to give the horse a solid foundation to go into any discipline, such as reining, reined cow horse, cutting, versatile ranch horse, roping, and trail horses.

Only students admitted into the Equine A.A.S. program will have stable space (two stalls maximum) at the MCC facilities and eligible to take the Equine A.A.S. EQUH courses.

Printable PDF

You May Also be Interested In:

A.S. Equine Mgmt Pathway A.S. Livestock Management A.S. Pre-Veterinary

Apply Now

Request Information

Total Credits for Program Completion: 60(61)

First Year - Fall Semester 16 Credits		Credits
EQUH 110EQUH 110 - Western Equitation This course is designed to develop knowledge and positive communication skills as they relate to horses. Attention will be given to a broad array of equine issues including nutrition and health management, horse anatomy and psychology, the judging of conformation and performance, and the skills of horse packing. Additional aspects of this course will focus on training for Western pleasure, trail, equitation and reining, and, to a lesser degree, on packing. The ultimate goal of this course is to enrich the horse/human relationship.	Western Equitation	3
	Oral Communications Core Requirement	3
AGSC 101AGSC 101 - Intro to Ag & Env Resources his course is an overview of the agriculture industry and includes discussion of careers and training or degree programs required for employment in agriculture.	Intro to Ag & Env Resources	1
EQUH 155EQUH 155 - Introduction to Natural Horsemanship The student will gain an understanding of the basic concepts of horsemanship first in ground work, and then riding. The student will learn and implement a number of basic maneuvers to achieve the horse’s confidence and respect from the ground. Students will learn to read the horse’s body language and basic safety. Then, the student will learn safe and efficient saddle techniques, and how and when to safely mount the horse. In the saddle, the student will learn the fundamentals of rein position and will be able to control the horse in all three gaits (Walk, trot, and canter.)	Introduction to Natural Horsemanship	3
EQUS 101EQUS 101 - Introduction to Equine Studies The horse has served humanity for centuries in many different ways. Today, the horse serves primarily as a source of pleasure in technologically advanced nations, but it still serves as a beast of burden and for draft power in underdeveloped countries. This course will give the student an overview of equine health that will provide a basis for subsequent more practical and scientifically based courses. In this class, we will look at the evolution and behavior of the horse, the history of horsemanship, contemporary breeds and their uses, selection of an appropriate horse (including conformation and pre-purchase examinations), and insights into career avenues within the equine industry.	Introduction to Equine Studies	3
ANSC 100ANSC 100 - Introduction to Animal Science This course is an introduction to fundamental physical and biological phenomena forming the basis of animal science in agriculture.	Introduction to Animal Science	3
First Year - Spring Semester 16(17) Credits		Credits
EQUS 206EQUS 206 - Equine Ethology	Equine Ethology	3
EQUH 133EQUH 133 - Horses at the Ground Level Designed to teach safe horsemanship; ground level. Students will learn handling skills to establish leadership and mutual respect. Skills taught will help students prepare horses for the vet, farrier, and outings. Students will gain awareness of body language to gauge possible outcomes of situations. Activities will increase the student’s ability to read the horse’s body language. Then, the student will learn safe and efficient saddle techniques, and how and when to safely mount the horse. A number of videos will be viewed in the classroom.	Horses at the Ground Level	2
EQUH 252EQUH 252 - Natural Horsemanship: Building a Relationship This course will take the student to a new level of communication with the horse by obtaining responses to the slightest pressure without resistance. The student will develop more feel, better timing, and harmony with their horse. The student will learn the concept of impulsion and how to use the reins less and the seat more. The student will continue to learn more about the horse's emotional behavior. Pre-requisite: EQUH 155.	Natural Horsemanship: Building a Relationship	3
NRSM 236NRSM 236 - Small Pasture Management	Small Pasture Management	1
EQUS 160EQUS 160 - Equine Evaluation	Equine Evaluation	1
M 108M 108 - Business Mathematics This course is a study of math and terminology used by business and industry. The course will begin with a review of the fundamental principles of arithmetic and percentages. Payroll, bank records, interest, notes, discounts, markup, inventory, depreciation, and stocks and bonds will be covered. This course does not fulfill General Education requirements for the AA/AS degree. Pre-requisite: appropriate placement score or concurrent enrollment in NC 021 Supplemental Instruction/Academic Support for Mathematics. For those in NC 021, attendance and participation in NC 021 will be reported to your M 108 instructor for consideration in your M 108 grade.	Business Mathematics	3
	OR
	Mathematics Core Elective	(3(4))
	Written Communication Elective	3
Second Year - Fall Semester 16 Credits		Credits
EQUH 254EQUH 254 - Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with your Horse I The student will learn impulsion programs and the different patterns of different gaits. Students will also learn about the importance of seat connection while riding their horse and how to control the speed and direction of the horse while at liberty and online at every gait, and with and without obstacles. Certain exercise patterns will be learned to deal with a particular horse’s impulsion levels. Pre-requisite: EQUH 252.	Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with your Horse I	3
ANSC 265/266ANSC 265/266 - Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals & Lab This course is designed to be an overview of the form (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the normal body of common domestic animals. It will cover: digestion, circulation, production, reproduction and environment of common farm animals. This class is a core class in the Animal Science program and will provide an overview of the terminology of anatomy and insight in to how the healthy body functions. Lab will focus on hands-on application of ANSC 265 primarily through dissections. Pre-requisites: ANSC 100 and BIOB 101/102 or BIOB 160/161 or BIOB 170/171. Co-requisite: ANSC 266.	Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals & Lab	4
EQUH 253EQUH 253 - Starting Colts Students will work with at least two different colts starting with ground work and continuing to the use of the saddle. This gives students experience with different horses and attitudes and prepares them to start horses in a realistic situation. Pre-requisite: EQUH 155.	Starting Colts	3
EQUH 165EQUH 165 - Livestock Handling and Ranch Roping Students will learn how to read and handle livestock in a low stress approach. They will accomplish proper positioning of their horse in a correct manner. They will teach their horses how to read and rate cattle and be able to throw basic loops that would be needed on a ranch. Pre-requisite: EQUH 155.	Livestock Handling and Ranch Roping	3
	Directed Elective (BMKT 225, MART 231, or Approved Elective)	3
Second Year - Spring Semester 12 Credits		Credits
EQUH 255EQUH 255 - Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with your Horse II Entering into this course, a student should have a thorough understanding of horsemanship and competence both on the ground and in the saddle. The student will advance the skills, confidence, and respect gained on the ground by creating a stronger connection with the horse through a liberty (bareback) component. In the saddle, the horse and rider will develop more emotional collection, improving impulsion and self-carriage in all three gaits. The combination of the increased ground connection developed through liberty and increased harmony between the horse and rider will prepare them for the next level of refinement. Pre-requisite: EQUH 254.	Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with your Horse II	3
EQUH 256EQUH 256 - Developing the Young Horse This course is designed to develop the skills of handling, gentling, saddling, driving, and riding a young horse. Students will design, implement, review, and discuss their training horse program. Positive communication techniques will be used throughout the process. Pre-requisite: EQUH 254.	Developing the Young Horse	3
ANSC 202ANSC 202 - Livestock Feeding & Nutrition This course is designed to teach the principles of feeding livestock including: digestive systems, nutrient requirements, nutrient characteristics, and sources utilized in the formulation of balanced rations.	Livestock Feeding & Nutrition	3
ACTG 101ACTG 101 - Accounting Procedures This course provides fundamental instruction on financial record keeping and basic bookkeeping methods. Topics include implementing the basic accounting equation; using T accounts; preparing and posting journal entries, reversing entries, and closing entries; payroll reporting; compiling income statements, balance sheets, and statements of owner's equity. This course satisfies a core requirement for the AAS degree in Auto Mechanics or Building Technology. In addition, it is an excellent class to prepare students for the Principles of Accounting courses.	Accounting Procedures	3

Please refer to the the Current Catalog for specific program details.

Program Guide

Total Credits for Program Completion: 60(61)