English 
Rein in equestrian management.
Keeping and caring for a horse, a staff, a team and all of the pieces and parts that running a horse business entails is no easy feat. So it comes as no surprise that equestrians — regardless of profession — must hold basic business skills for successful careers. That’s equine veterinarians, photographers, stable owners, trainers, equine assisted service providers and more.
Facilities
On-campus equestrian facilities: an optimal learning environment
- Show-quality horses
- Four heated barns with a total of 130 box stalls
- Eight tack rooms
- Two heated indoor arenas
- Lighted outdoor ring
- Outdoor round pen
- Four turnout paddocks
- Two fully equipped, technology-enhanced classrooms
- 40-acre cross-country course
- Six wash stalls
- USEF regulation jumps
- USEF regulation Dressage area
- Student lockers
- Industrial laundry
Few educational institutions can match William Woods University for its on-campus equine facilities that accommodate riding, care and study at all levels and seats. Our classrooms include an extensive video library and viewing equipment, and our dedicated library includes more than 1,000 books on all aspects of the field, from history and physiology to behavior, training, law, and competition. Our horses represent the most popular breeds and are cared for by William Woods students and our full-time, on-site veterinarian.
No matter what you want to do, the William Woods University minor in equine administration prepares you with knowledge to take on a part of the equestrian industry you may have never seen before.
It serves as a great addition if you’re pursuing a degree in equestrian science or equine general studies, or even if you’re interested in another field and may benefit from an understanding of the equestrian industry. The equine management minor is a great way to learn techniques of facility management, event management, equine business practices and a to get in the saddle.
Minor Requirements
Core Credits: 17.00
| This course will look at the daily operation, methodology and practice of equine facility management. It will introduce the student to how equine facilities are organized, how they operate and give the student hands-on experience in these areas. Topics related to the equine facility operations will be covered. This course will introduce the student to developing the techniques, working skills and habits of a professional equestrian. Managerial positions require the individual to be a self starter, to have the self discipline to establish and maintain their own work schedule and the perseverance to see the job to its completion. Those skills will be practiced in this class. credits: | Facility Management Practicum I | 2 |
| This course is an introduction to equestrians and horse organizations and their objectives including the extent of horse sport on the national and international level. The role of the horse in today’s society will be explored. The four WWU disciplines of Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Saddle Seat and Western along with their respective practices will be surveyed. Points concerning horse behavior, care of the domesticated horse, developing a professional lexicon and the importance of proper fitting and uses of basic tack will be covered. The course will also explore employment opportunities and practices in the industry. credits: | Introduction to the Horse Industry | 3 |
| Students will explore management and treatment protocols for performance horses. Identification and administration methods and dosage for equine drugs and medications associated with the competition or working horse will also be addressed. Equine infectious diseases, injuries, illnesses and complications are a primary focus of the course. credits: | Theory of Performance Hrs Hlth Mgmt | 3 |
| Students will further explore more elements of practical management skills, the normal horse, health issues, lameness, drugs and medications and competitive drug rules. Prerequisite: EQU117 credits: | Theory Prfrmnc Horse Hlth Mngmt II | 3 |
| An introduction to applied horse management emphasizing the day to day care of horses. All aspects of the daily care and health management of a string of horses will be practiced. (Required grade of C or higher to satisfy major requirements). Prerequisites: EQU111 & EQU 118 credits: | Horse Management Practicum I | 3 |
| This lecture course is designed to provide an overview of equine business practices. Three main course elements include: horse transactions (buying, selling, leasing, donating, contracts, etc.), and business management (business plans, personnel management, customer relations, advertising, marketing, legal issues, taxation, insurance, record keeping, book keeping, leadership principles, etc.). Prerequisites: Senior Standing credits: | Equine Business Practices | 3 |
Required Riding Elective - 3 Credits
| This course is designed for the incoming student who aspires to major in EQS or EQA but who has very limited riding experience. Concepts to be covered include correctly catching and haltering the horse, proper grooming and cooling out, tacking up for Western and English seats, mounting and dismounting, proper aids for halt, walk, and trot, identifying correct posting diagonals, developing correct riding position, general horse safety and ring etiquette, and canter if applicable. Required Riding fee credits: | Fundamentals of Horsemanship I | 1 |
| This course is designed for the rider who is new to riding forward seat hunt. It covers basics of riding class protocol in the barn as well as the ring, extensive attention will be paid to fundamentals of position, control on the flat at walk, trot and canter, and important safety procedures leading to position and control over poles. This course may be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Introduction to Forward Seat | 1 |
| This course is designed for the rider who is new to riding Saddle Seat. It covers basics of riding class protocol in the barn as well as the ring. Extensive attention will be paid to fundamentals of position control at the walk, trot, and canter leading up to 5-Gaited riding. This class may be repeated for credit. credits: | Introduction to Saddle Seat | 1 |
| The fundamental principles of dressage are addressed in the applied course and are geared toward developing good sport, enjoyment, and safety. Topics include preparing both the rider and horse in basic training, the training center, use and care of dressage equipment, work on the lunge and rider position. This course may be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Fundamentals of Dressage | 1 |
| This course covers the basics of riding the hunter type horse. Topics include type and fit of equipment, proper grooming and riding class protocol in the barn as well as the ring, the fundamentals of position, control on the flat and over small fences, and important safety procedures. This course may be repeated for credit. Required Riding fee credits: | Fundamentals of Hunt Seat | 1 |
| This course covers the basics of riding saddle seat. Topics include the type and fit of equipment, proper grooming and cooling out procedures, riding class protocol in the barn as well as in the ring, and the fundamentals of position and control. Students will be introduced to gaited work. This course can be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Fundamentals of Saddle Seat | 1 |
| This course covers basic western equitation ad well as fundamental warm-up techniques, training methods and show ring strategies for western riders and western horses. In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore riding and training a variety of breeds used in western disciplines. This course may be repeated for credit. Required Riding fee credits: | Fundamentals of Western Seat | 1 |
credits: | Introductory Project | 1 |
| An introductory applied course in the methods of long lining and jogging a horse for basic exercise and driving of the light horse in the show ring. Prerequisite: Any applied riding class. (Riding fee) credits: | Longlining & Driving | 1 |
| This applied course is a continuation of work on rider position with an emphasis on coordination of the aids. Basic schooling exercises and dressage movements are introduced emphasizing horse and rider fitness and the development of the impulsion gained through rhythm, relaxation, and tempo. This course may be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Intermediate Dressage | 1 |
| Training of the show hunter, additional school figures, suppling exercises, longitudinal work, lateral work, solving special jumping problems, and riding and showing the hunter over indoor and outdoor courses. This course may be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Intermediate Hunt Seat | 1 |
| This course provides for further development of all fundamental skills and introduces the student to the principles of showing saddle seat and the breeds of horses that emphasize this style of riding. Requirements for both performance and equitation classes will be covered. Ring figures, ring generalship, and the use of both artifical and natural aids will be addressed. This course may be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Intermediate Saddle Seat | 1 |
| This course covers horsemanship, specific event warm-up techniques, training methods and show ring strategies for western riders and western horses. In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore riding and training a variety of breeds used in western disciplines. Students will be provided with opportunities to practice and refine training techniques on young, green, and finished western horses. This course may be repeated for credit. Required Riding fee credits: | Intermediate Western | 1 |
| This applied riding course will cover instruction in ”breed Show” hunter. This is different than forward seat hunt seat. Students will learn to effectively ride stock and saddle type hunters in rail and equitation classes. Emphasis will be placed on learning to show the horse to the best advantage in these classes. Skills such as head set and adjusting gait will be enhanced. Rules for the various governing breed associations will be covered pertaining to this event. credits: | Hunter Under Saddle | 1 |
| The objective of this course is to develop the rider’s kinesthetic awareness and ability to supple the horse with a goal of acceptance and contact with the bit. Riders in this class will be required to participate in at least one show on campus during the semester. This course can be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Intermediate/Advanced Dressage | 1 |
| This course provides for further development of all fundamental through introductory knowledge and skills and introduces the philosophy of the hunter ride, hunter/equitation rules and protocol, analyzing course design, gymnastics, bending lines to jumps, rollbacks to jumps, and showing in both hunter and equitation classes over indoor and outdoor courses. This course may be repeated for credit. (Riding Fee) credits: | Intermediate/Advanced Hunt Seat | 1 |
| This course provides for further development of all fundamental through introductory knowledge and skills. Refinement of the rider’s use of aids, more complex ring figures, and techniques of obtaining the horse’s headset and collection will be accomplished. This course may be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Intermediate/Advanced Saddle Seat | 1 |
| This course covers intermediate advanced horsemanship, specific event warm-up techniques, advanced training methods and show ring strategies for western riders and western horses. In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore riding and training a variety of breeds used in western disciplines. Students will be provided with opportunities to practice and refine training techniques on young, green, and finished western horses and address retraining the older or ring sour horses. This course may be repeated for credit. Required Riding fee credits: | Intermediate/Advanced Western Seat | 1 |
| This course provides for further development of all fundamental through introductory knowledge and skills and introduces the philosophy of the jumper ride, jumper rules, jumper gymnastics, rollbacks to jumps, jumping angles, jumping at speed, and showing jumpers over small indoor and outdoor courses. This course may be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Intermediate Jumper | 1 |
| This course emphasizes the applied progression of a detailed and systematic approach to the training of both rider and horse in dressage. Topics include an emphasis on riding and training issues related to individual rider/horse goals. Cavaletti work, gymnastic exercises, and school figures are stressed as students develop an advanced independent seat and hand witnessed by the applied abilities to create soft, supple, straight, forward, and engaged movement. Riders in this class will be required to participate in at least one show on campus during the semester. This course may be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Advanced Dressage | 1 |
| This course provides for further development of all fundamental through intermediate knowledge and skill, and introduces the use of specialized equipment, additional school figures, additional suppling exercises, additional longitudinal exercises, additional lateral work, riding green or problem horses, the gymnastic of the hunter ride, and showing over bigger indoor and outdoor courses. This course may be repeated for credit. (Riding fee) credits: | Advanced Hunt Seat | 1 |
| This course provides for further development of all fundamental through intermediate skills and introduces the rider to advanced show ring techniques. Riders will have the opportunity to master more difficult horses. This course may be repeated for credit. Required Riding fee credits: | Advanced Saddle Seat | 1 |
| This course covers advanced horsemanship, specific event warm-up techniques, advanced training methods and show ring strategies for western riders and western horses. In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore riding and training a variety of breeds used in western disciplines. Students will be engaged in training young, green horses and retraining problem horses within the western string as well as addressing specific challenges with young, green and finished horses. Required Riding fee credits: | Advanced Western | 1 |
| This course provides for further development of all fundamental through intermediate knowledge and skills and introduces the use of specialized equipment, additional school figures, additional suppling exercises, additional longitudinal exercises, additional lateral work, riding green or problem horses, the gymnastics of the jumper ride, walking and analyzing jumper courses, riding the parallel approach, and showing over bigger indoor and outdoor courses. This course may be repeated for credit. Required Riding fee credits: | Advanced Jumper | 1 |