Dietrich said that although the major goal of the program is to meet the horse industry's needs, the program is also in place to prepare people to have their own horses and run their own operation, to teach people how to care for and handle horses, and to show what opportunities exist within the industry and to help the students to decide what areas hold their interest and what areas do not. Internships and part-time jobs during the course of the program allow students to explore other avenues related to the horse industry. The internships also allow the program to tailor itself to the students' needs. Spending one or two weeks in different areas allows the student to see if that area is the place where he or she wants to spend the rest of a working career. For example, students in equine science can find out through an internship at one of the veterinary clinics if that is the career for them.
Internships also provide a taste of the economic realities of the industry.
Working at a Quarter Horse farm can teach a student that there is more to the job than handling horses. Dietrich feels these kinds of real-life situations are as valuable as classroom experience. The fact that the course is held in the heart of the Bluegrass is a plus, according to Dietrich. In that area, there are many different breeds and shows. A person who goes to Kentucky for that program can, through the internships, take core samples from many different areas, then by analyzing the results, can make a more knowledgeable decision about a career.