Other areas covered include developing a general background in practical farm and stable management and developing effective oral and written communication skills pertaining to the horse industry. In addition, customer relation skills are stressed as well as the production of a horse which is marketable and easily ridden by prospective buyers. A complete equine science curriculum is also taken in conjunction with the training sequence. The focus of the riding course sequence initially emphasizes the fundamental theories of English riding and training and progresses through hunters, jumpers and dressage. Jumping technique is developed through the use of gymnastics and small courses.
Students proceed to train an unbroke or green colt to a predetermined level.
In the upper-level classes, students learn more advanced riding and training procedures on the flat and over fences. Emphasis is also placed on assessment and selection of the proper discipline for a particular horse based on physical type, abilities and mental attitude. Special areas covered include sales and marketing, promotion and business skills. A full curriculum of equine science courses are taken in conjunction with the riding sequence. For more information, visit our Center for Equine and Pre-Veterinary Studies Web site.