Equine (EQN) Courses

EQN1001 Introduction to Equine Studies

This course covers a wide range of topics important to the fundamental understanding of the horse industry. Topics include the evolution, history and development of the horse; modern breeds and their current uses in sport; and equine identification. The roles of the psychology of the horse, learning theory, and equine behavior as they relate to the ethical training of the horse are explored. Students identify their personal and professional goals as they relate to careers in the equine industry.
Prerequisite(s): Corequisite: EQN1006.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN1006 Introduction to Equine Studies Laboratory

This laboratory companion course, coordinated with EQN1001, develops skills in barn management, including barn safety, basic horse handling and care, feeding practices, grooming, stall maintenance, waste management, and taking vital signs. Managerial skills in organizing and developing horse care schedules and records are explored. Students observe learning theories, how horses learn, and ethical training methods to shape horse behavior and performance in relation to stabled horses. Students work at a variety of off-campus sites during this course.
Prerequisite(s): Corequisite: EQN1001.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit

EQN1030 Equine Anatomy and Physiology

This course examines the structure and functions of the horse’s body. Anatomy and physiology of cell, tissue, organ and systemic body structures are explored. Emphasis is placed on the musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, immune, digestive and urinary systems. Exercise physiology and the scientific conditioning of the horse for sports activities are studied with particular attention to sports medicine and the prevention of stress and injury of equine athletes.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN1410 Collegiate Horseback Riding

This course allows students to learn the fundamental skills and improve upon existing skills in the student’s chosen horseback riding discipline, according to individual interest or background. The course consists of a minimum of 15 weekly horseback riding lessons at an approved/partner facility within the semester with concurrent registration in this course. Students choose from partner facilities offered through the Experiential Education and Career Services online platform and are responsible for fees paid to the partner for services. Weekly journals and reading are available on the ulearn course page. Through reflective assignments, students gain insight regarding their own riding.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit

EQN2000 Equine Diseases and Conditions

This course develops knowledge of the common diseases and disorders of the horse. Identification of disease-producing organisms, signs of illness along with knowledge of vaccination and common disease prevention schedules prepare the student to recognize and prevent health problems. Common pharmaceuticals, emergency health care, parasitology and anthelmintic programs are studied.
Prerequisite(s): EQN1030 or (EQN2020 and EQN2025).
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN2001 Foundations of Horsemanship and Riding Theory

This course studies the history and development of horsemanship and classical modern riding theories. The early domestication and utilization of the horse is studied along with the development of horsemanship and riding theory from Xenophon through Caprilli. Modern classical horsemanship is studied including the biomechanics of the rider in a variety of disciplines. Competition regulations from the U.S. Equestrian Federation are discussed.
Prerequisite(s): EQN1001.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN2030 Equine Lameness and Sports Therapy Laboratory

This laboratory course introduces students to techniques and equipment used in assessing equine soundness and to methods and modalities of first aid, lameness management, and injury prevention. Skills essential to prevention, recognition and treatment of common unsoundness and blemishes are introduced and applied. Students practice lameness recognition and assessment as well as equine first aid techniques. Current therapeutic modalities are explored through demonstrations and discussions.
Prerequisite(s): EQN1030.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit

EQN3001 Methods of Horseback Riding Instruction

This course prepares students to teach beginner and intermediate riders. Topics of discussion include the selection of school horses, qualities of an instructor, control of the ride, rider and horse safety, and constructing lesson plans. Topics cover flat and jumping lessons. Students develop lesson plans for various levels of riders and implement these plans with practice teaching sessions. The role of therapeutic riding in the equine industry is discussed. Students further develop observational and critical thinking skills by attending relevant clinics.
Prerequisite(s): EQN2001.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN3010 Equine Reproduction and Genetics

This course is an advanced-level course in equine reproductive physiology and breeding management. Topics include the anatomy and physiology of the stallion's and mare's reproductive systems, conception, gestation, the birth process and care of the healthy and compromised neonatal foal. Techniques in artificial insemination, semen shipment and embryo transfer are studied. Field trips enable students to observe breeding and management techniques at selected farms and specialty reproduction veterinary clinics. Genetic inheritance of coat color and abnormalities pertinent to the horse breeding industry are studied.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN3025 Equine Nutrition

This course studies the science and art of feeding horses. Digestive anatomy and physiology are discussed and dietary requirements of both healthy and compromised horses analyzed. Hay evaluation, types of concentrates and by-product feeds are discussed. Students produce a ration formulation project for horses with various nutrient requirements.
Prerequisite(s): (EQN1001, EQN2020, EQN2025) or EQN1030.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN3030 Equine Competition Management and Course Design

This course covers the management of horse shows from selection of sites and types of shows to implementation of the general rules as outlined in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Rule Book. Students develop a management plan for a competition from a division in the USEF Rule Book and actively participate in running a show, including facility preparation, development of a prize list, scheduling, scoring, and running a dressage and jumping competition. Weekend laboratories are scheduled to assist at competitions.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN3040 Sport Horse Evaluation and Judging

This course covers the relationship of form to function in the horse. Judging sport horses in hand with respect to conformation and movement is a major area of concentration. A competitive judging format is utilized to place classes of horses and provide written justifications. Performance horse judging emphasizes the basic gaits of the dressage horse and analysis of jumping technique. Ethical business practices of horse sales are discussed.
Prerequisite(s): (EQN1020, EQN1025, EQN2000) or EQN1030.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN3280 Introduction to Equine-Assisted Services

This course introduces students to the concepts and practices of Equine-Assisted Services (EAS). The history of the use of equines for therapeutic purposes is explored and current studies performed within the industry are examined. Ethics and confidentiality as well as standards for a variety of equine therapeutic programs and instructors are discussed. Volunteering and observing classes at a therapeutic riding, hippotherapy and/or equine facilitated learning center throughout the course provide students with firsthand experience and insight into the field of therapeutic horsemanship.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN3290 Application of Equine-Assisted Services

This course focuses on concepts and skills essential to teaching individuals with disabilities in professional Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) programming. Students explore teaching techniques and strategies based on the content learned in Introduction to EAS. Students create detailed lesson plans and assessment forms. The selection of therapy horses and equipment is examined and facility, volunteer and risk management are discussed. Students gain experience by observing therapeutic sessions and volunteering at therapeutic riding, hippotherapy and/or equine facilitated learning centers throughout the course.
Prerequisite(s): EQN3280.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN3350 Equine Facility Design and Operation Management

This course covers a wide range of topics important to developing and managing an equine facility and maintaining a horse herd. Equestrian facility designs are analyzed and developed for efficient layout. Students create an operations plan based on the facility designed. The relationship between facility design, management practices, and their impact on environmental issues is explored.
Prerequisite(s): EQN2000.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN4050 Horse Farm Management and Business Planning

This course emphasizes the business aspects of managing a horse farm and includes such topics as personnel, contracts, taxes, insurance, marketing and record-keeping. Horse equipment and services are discussed as they relate to management efficiency and environmental sustainability. Students participate in an extensive individual project on the development of an equine business plan.
Prerequisite(s): EQN3350, FIT1040.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN4087 Equine International Experience

This course is designed to allow students to pursue advanced work in the equestrian discipline in an international setting. Students study at a selected host equestrian center in Germany to develop their riding skills using the world-renowned German Training System. Students develop skills in dressage, stadium jumping, cross-country jumping and training techniques depending on the specialty of the host site. Currently, students have studied at the German Riding School in Warendorf, Germany and the Westphalian Riding School in Münster, Germany. Students studying in Münster are eligible to take the small and large bronze medal examinations upon completion of their studies. Students also visit training farms and observe Olympic-level riders and trainers. Site visits to other equestrian venues may include CDI and CSI shows, stallion parades, auction and breeding farms. Students should be riding at first-level dressage prior to application to this program.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN4115 Special Topics in Equine Studies I

This course is designed to allow students to pursue advanced work in specialized equine studies topics, such as advanced teaching techniques, and advanced stable management strategies. The course may be a practical application of knowledge and advanced research. All potential topics must be presented for faculty approval. Final presentation is required.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chair.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit

EQN4145 Special Topics in Equine Studies II

This course is designed to allow students to pursue advanced work in specialized equine studies topics; examples of potential topics: Advanced Teaching Techniques, Veterinary Techniques, and Advanced Stable Management Strategies. The course may be a combination of practical applications of knowledge and advanced research. All potential topics must be presented for faculty approval. Final presentation is required.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chair.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

EQN4215 Special Topics in Equine Studies III

This course is designed to allow students to pursue advanced work in specialized equine studies topics; examples of potential topics: Advanced Teaching Techniques, Veterinary Techniques, and Advanced Stable Management Strategies. The course may be a combination of practical applications of knowledge and advanced research. All potential topics must be presented for faculty approval. Final presentation is required.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chair.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit

EQN4310 Equine Industry Experience

This course exposes students to the diversified disciplines within the equine industry and equine-related professional specialties by visiting a region with a strong horse industry and experiencing it firsthand. Through direct contact with different aspects of the equine industry in a global setting, students develop goals that guide their future career paths in the equine industry. The course maximizes student potential by enriching them academically with experiential and work-integrated learning. This trip promotes global citizenship, community engagement and networking through exposure to many international aspects of the equine industry.
Prerequisite(s): Acceptance into Study Abroad program.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit

EQN4410 Equine Behavior and Training

This course develops an understanding on equine ethology and ethical trainings techniques. Students study the effects of anthropomorphism, non-associative learning, and associative learning and how these topics influence horse behavior and training. The scientific principles of equitation science and their influence on horse well-being and biomechanics during training are explored. Observation of training principles takes place on field trips.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits