Equine Business Management/Riding - B.S.
Equine Business Management/Riding students participate in riding classes focusing on hunt-seat, dressage and combined training. Each course is individually tailored to the student’s competencies for maximum advancement. A unique feature of the riding program is our students’ ability to pick their preferred discipline or sample from all three options. A study abroad program to Muenster, Germany is open to students with dressage and jumping skills and offers instruction and testing for the German riding medals.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
- Design a comprehensive health plan that addresses the interaction between nutrition and disease and predicts the needs of different classes of horses.
- Differentiate the relative merits of sport horses and use that evaluation to determine the most appropriate use for each type of horse.
- Develop a comprehensive business plan for the management of all aspects of an equine-related business.
- Evaluate the impact of available resources including environmental resources and regulatory compliance on equine businesses.
- Apply appropriate ethics as they relate to managing an equine business, its employees and its horses.
- Evaluate the impact of various international influences on the historical development of the modern equine industry.
- Develop and implement a training program for a particular horse and evaluate the effectiveness of the training principles on horse and rider.
Specialized science-based equine classes develop the understanding of the functioning of the horse with study in anatomy, lameness, physiology, sports therapy, genetics, nutrition, diseases and reproduction. Further classes develop the ability to evaluate horses for sport, develop a farm management plan and manage horse shows. Through these equine academic courses, graduates are expected to demonstrate competencies in formulating rations, designing a herd health program, selecting sport horses and developing an equine business plan.
Equine students participate in professionally focused educational activities at the Center for Equine Studies in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Students gain experience in all aspects of horse management including health and dental maintenance, nutrition, facilities management, equipment usage, trailering, lunging, ground driving, vaccination and anthelmintic programs.
All students participate in the internship program which allows them to work in the equine industry at approved establishments. A sampling of the positions that students have filled upon graduation include instructor/trainer, farm manager, equine advertising account manager, sales representative, insurance agent, horse show personnel, horse/breed association publicist and veterinary assistant. Business courses emphasize the connection between the equine industry and the business world. Students may tailor their degree through the selection of numerous courses in other colleges and schools at JWU.
The Equine Business Management/Riding program offers an elective 16-credit specialization that enhances and strengthens the qualifications of graduates interested in equine-assisted activities and therapies. This specialization gives students the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and skills in the expanding field of therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning. Students completing this specialization can pursue careers in therapeutic riding instruction, therapeutic horse management, therapeutic riding program management, and equine-assisted learning and therapy.
Upon completion of the Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies specialization students are expected to:
- Demonstrate the skills and knowledge compulsory for the educational component of certification as a therapeutic riding instructor with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Intl (PATH Intl).
To participate in the Equine Business Management/Riding program, each student, with or without reasonable accommodations must be able to safely (including the safety of the horse, where applicable) meet minimum technical standards as described for this program. The university maintains a number of different horses of different sizes and with different temperaments. However, the university does not represent that there will be a horse available for students whose weight and/or skill level limits the options of available horses. In the event a student is unable to progress in the program for this reason, the university will work with the student to transition the student into another academic program with as minimal disruption to the student’s academic progress as possible.
Admission to the Equine Business Management/Riding degree program requires some prior riding experience and demonstration of riding competencies described in the minimum technical standards.
Extracurricular Activities
Johnson & Wales’ equine programs offer a variety of extracurricular activities for students, including seminars and clinics with nationally and internationally recognized speakers from equine industry, an equine-specific job fair, annual attendance to the Equine Affaire, and field-trips to regional training and competition farms.
Johnson & Wales University participates in equine sports through two distinct competitive teams: Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) and Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA).
The IHSA team competes in hunter seat equitation throughout New England, is consistently regionally and nationally competitive, and hosts shows annually at the Center for Equine Studies. In 2018 Johnson & Wales University had a National Champion in Individual Intermediate Over Fences.
The IDA team at Johnson & Wales University is a charter member, hosts two competitions yearly and travels regionally to compete. The IDA team has won numerous regional and national awards. In 2012 Johnson & Wales University won the National Championship and in 2013 was the reserve national champion team for IDA.
The Facility
The home of Johnson & Wales' Equine Studies programs, the Center for Equine Studies, is located in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, a short drive from Providence. The farm includes a 32-stall barn with attached 170' x 70' mirrored indoor riding hall with waxed footing, radiant heat and a 75” flat panel display system with integrated smart-classroom technology. The facility is equipped with a pine- paneled observation room housing communication technology that allow clinicians to address students and spectators during mounted lessons, a traditional digitally equipped classroom for on-property lectures and a student lounge area for study and relaxation between classes.
The arena, attached 32-stall barn and classroom areas all tout state-of-the-art high speed wifi coverage allowing for streaming and integration of remote technology with all aspects of Equine Studies programs. The property also features several pastures, turnout paddocks and two round-pens used for schooling horses.
Rounding out the facility are two show-quality outdoor arenas: a 225' x 100' multipurpose jumping ring and a 220' x 80' dressage ring with judge’s box. A new addition to the facility is a derby-style jumping field with banks, ditches, and step jumps which allows students to gain knowledge and expertise of riding in various settings.
The horses for school use are all selected for their training and temperament. Many different breeds are represented, including Dutch Warmblood, Hanoverian, Swedish Warmblood, Holsteiner, Thoroughbred, Oldenburg, Quarter Horse and Arabian. Many of the horses have successful show records which include competition experience at the FEI level of dressage, on the hunter/jumper circuit and in eventing.
Equine Business Management/Riding
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| EQN1001 | Introduction to Equine Studies | 3 |
| EQN1020 | Equine Anatomy and Lameness | 3 |
| EQN1025 | Equine Anatomy and Lameness Laboratory | 1 |
| EQN1080 | Equine Management Lab | 1 |
| EQN2000 | Equine Diseases | 3 |
| EQN2001 | Foundations of Riding Theory | 3 |
| EQN2020 | Equine Physiology and Sports Therapy | 3 |
| EQN2025 | Equine Physiology and Sports Therapy Laboratory | 1 |
| EQN3025 | Equine Nutrition | 3 |
| EQN3040 | Sport Horse Evaluation and Judging | 3 |
| EQN3350 | Equine Facility Design and Operation Management | 3 |
| EQN4050 | Horse Farm Management | 3 |
| EQN4900 | Management and Demonstration of Skills Capstone | 1 |
| Required Riding Courses | ||
| Choose 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Fundamentals Of Collegiate Riding I | ||
| Fundamentals of Collegiate Riding II | ||
| Introduction to Dressage | ||
| Introduction to Combined Training | ||
| Equitation on the Flat | ||
| Fundamentals of Hunter Seat Equitation | ||
| Training Level Dressage | ||
| First Level Dressage | ||
| Intermediate Combined Training | ||
| Hunter Seat Equitation Novice | ||
| Second Level Dressage | ||
| Third Level Dressage | ||
| Advanced Combined Training | ||
| Hunter Seat Equitation Intermediate | ||
| German Medal Training | ||
| Fourth Level and FEI Dressage | ||
| Hunter Seat Equitation Open | ||
| Major Elective | ||
| Choose 3 credits from the following: * | 3 | |
| Managerial Accounting | ||
| Accounting Software | ||
| Intermediate Accounting Theory and Practice I | ||
| Intermediate Accounting Theory and Practice II | ||
| Not-For-Profit and Governmental Accounting | ||
| Marketing Communications | ||
| Media Strategy | ||
| Creative Concepts and Strategy | ||
| Introduction to Technical Communication | ||
| Introduction to Newswriting | ||
| Report and Proposal Writing | ||
| Advanced Business Communication | ||
| Introduction to Entrepreneurship | ||
| Pitching & Planning New Ventures | ||
| Small Business Management | ||
| Methods of Riding Instruction I | ||
| Equine Reproduction and Genetics | ||
| Equine Competition Management and Course Design | ||
| Introduction to Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies | ||
| Application of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies | ||
| Methods of Riding Instruction II | ||
| Access Database Design for Business Solutions | ||
| Spreadsheets for Data Analysis | ||
| International Business | ||
| The Legal Environment of Business II | ||
| Foundations of Leadership Studies | ||
| Operations and Supply Chain Management I | ||
| Workforce Planning and Deployment | ||
| Training and Development | ||
| Marketing Foundations | ||
| Consumer Behavior | ||
| Key Account Management | ||
| Introduction to the Sports, Entertainment and Event Management Industry | ||
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 12 credits from the following: ** | 12 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Internship | ||
| Directed Experiential Education D | ||
| Undergraduate Research Experience | ||
| Honors Directed Academic Experience | ||
Study Abroad | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| ACCT1210 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT1220 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| or FISV2000 | Finance | |
| BUS1001 | Introduction to Business and Management | 3 |
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| FIT1040 | Spreadsheet Design for Business Solutions | 3 |
| LAW2001 | The Legal Environment of Business I | 3 |
| MGMT2001 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 6 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ART, HIST, HUM, LIT, PHIL or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| A Survey of College Mathematics (or higher, based on student's placement) | ||
| Statistics I | ||
| Science | 3 | |
Choose one of the following: | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Introduction to Life Science | ||
| Introduction to Exercise Physiology | ||
| Introduction to Ecology | ||
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Macroeconomics | ||
One course from ANTH, LEAD, PSCI, PSYC or SOC | ||
| A&S Electives | 6 | |
| Microeconomics | ||
One course with EASC Attribute | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 8–9 credits selected from 1000–4999 numbered offerings within the university | 8-9 | |
| Total Credits | 121.0-122.0 | |
| * | Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites. |
| ** | In lieu of an internship, directed experiential education, research course, or study abroad, students may use the Applied/Experiential Learning credits towards a minor or a specialization in Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies. Students are strongly encouraged to contact their faculty advisor before declaring a specialization. |
Credits Specialization in Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies ** | 16 | |
| Functional Human Anatomy | ||
| Functional Human Anatomy Laboratory | ||
| Methods of Riding Instruction I | ||
| Introduction to Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies | ||
| Application of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies | ||
| Methods of Riding Instruction II | ||
D Directed Experiential Education (DEE) opportunities are based on project availability with community partners and student eligibility. For more information, visit Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS).
# In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty adviser before scheduling free elective credits.
NOTE: Students must pass MATH0010 Basic Mathematics or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math course(s).
Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree must leave Johnson & Wales University with effective writing skills to fulfill the graduation writing requirement. These writing skills are assessed in ENG1021 Rhetoric & Composition II. Students who have met the requirement of ENG1021 Rhetoric & Composition II or ENG1027 Honors Advanced Composition and Communications: Civic Discourse outside of Johnson & Wales University must fulfill the graduation writing requirement through successful completion of ENG0001 Writing Workshop.
In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Global Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, arts and sciences, and elective credit at many affordable price points for students during the academic year, break periods, and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?