Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find EQS faculty members if they're not in their office?
With over 150 horses and over 200 Equestrian students on campus, faculty members are kept pretty busy outside of their offices. Office hours are posted outside each faculty member's office. Other times you will find faculty members either in one of the three rings or on the cross country course teaching riding, in one of the EQS class rooms on the Equestrian Complex teaching lecture classes, or in one of the four barns supervising horse management, practicing facility management, or advising students on horse care or facility care.
What subjects are covered in the Equestrian Studies lecture courses?
The lecture classes are a very important part of the Equestrian Program. These classes cover a variety of material including: show grooming, handling and health care; business aspects of the horse industry; conformation and unsoundnesses; equine reproduction and equine diseases; equine nutrition and feeding; and farrier science and limb anatomy. Lecture classes are structured to produce knowledgeable horsemen and horsewomen.
What classes are required of an Equestrian Studies major other than those of the major itself?
All Equestrian Studies students are required to complete fifty-three hours of general education requirements as part of their liberal arts education at WWU. The purpose of the General Education Program is to assist students to acquire the skills, sensitivities and disposition toward continuous learning necessary for success, responsible citizenship, and personal fulfillment in the 21st century. Collateral course work is required of the major in EQS in such areas such as biology and computer information science. An Equestrian Science or Equine Administration major will receive a Bachelor of Science degree.
Do you take field trips?
Yes, field trips are taken in many classes, and in the club activities, and include trips to area professional horse training facilities, the Veterinary School at the University of Missouri, to horse shows such as the All American Quarter Horse Congress, The Quarter Horse World Show, The Arabian Nationals, The American Royal and the Morgan Grand National and to museums. Special courses are offered where students have toured show horse barns in Kentucky and Missouri, ridden with professional horse trainers in Oregon and Hawaii, and toured and ridden in many famous horse facilities in England and France.
Will I learn to start colts at WWU?
Many of our donation horses are training projects, whether they are unbroken youngsters or mature horses that need re-schooling to correct resistances and build good habits. All of the seat instructors at WWU integrate a complex training program for green, sour, finished, lesson and show horses within the applied curriculum. The principles of training that we teach at WWU can be applied to horses of any age or stage in their education. Our applied courses represent an integrated approach to applied riding and training, they are not simply "riding lessons". Groundwork techniques such as leading, longeing, long-lining, and round-penning are included all applied classes. Advanced riders are often paired with a training assignment for the duration of a "project" experience. The serious and committed equestrian student will find many opportunities to work with an instructor who will select an appropriate horse and appropriate times to engage in vigorous training with a project horse. Our approach to training allows us to tailor the EQS education to each student's ability level and interest.
How many times a week will I ride?
Riding classes are scheduled for twice per week - either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Riding outside of class is available on the weekends.
What are my duties at the barn, and how much time will I spend there?
As a student, your main responsibility is the care of the horse you are to ride in class that day. The horse must be properly groomed and tacked before you mount, and thoroughly cooled out and groomed after the ride. Tack is cleaned after each class. Keepers (students enrolled in the Horse Management Practicum class) are responsible for the basic daily care of their string, which includes basic medication, clipping, care of tack, and special exercise. The amount of time you spend at the barn is your decision. The old saying "you get out of it what you put into it" really holds true with the Equestrian Studies Program. There are always opportunities and experiences available at the barn and you have to be out there to benefit from them.
Do you hold clinics?
You bet! In the past years we've offered clinics and seminars by such famous equestrian personalities as Frank Madden, Linda Allen, Patty Stovel, Mike Henaghan, Jimmy Lee, Smith Lilly, Jane Bennett, Dick Obenauf, Rob and Sarah Beyers,`Richard Shrake, Craig Johnson, John Lyons, Bernie Traurig, George Morris, Christalot Boylen, Jody Galyean, Linda Zang, Raymond and Lillian Shively, Jon Barry, Don Harris, Kim Crumpler, John and Renee Biggins, Fern Bittner, Kathy Kusner, Edward Bennett, Edward Bonnie, Nina Bonnie, Otis Brown Sr., Otis Brown Jr., Rita Mae Brown, Jack Brainard, Don Burt, Sally Swift, John Lengel, William Shatner and Helen Crabtree. Clinics are open to all interested students.
Do you use videotaping?
Yes, many of the clinics are videotaped, as are a number of the classes. Many horse shows are videotaped as well, and many types of videotapes are used as teaching tools in lecture and applied riding classes.
May I bring my own horse?
That's up to you. Bringing your own horse is not discouraged, but you may find that caring for your horse takes time away from your studies and campus activities. Private horses may be used in applied riding classes with the instructor's permission. All 157 stalls on campus are used for University horses. Many local boarding stables (PDF) offer a variety of boarding services.
May I bring my own saddle?
Yes. Although each school horse has its own tack and grooming equipment, many students wish to ride in their own saddle. Student saddles may be used if they fit the horse being ridden. Students are responsible for storing their own tack.
Where do the school horses come from? What breeds are represented at William Woods?
All of the over 150 WWU school horses are gifts or donations to the school. Breeds represented include the American Quarter Horse, the American Saddlebred, Appaloosa, Arabian, Morgan, Thoroughbred, Paint and several different American and European Warmblood breeds.
Where can I get the proper clothes especially when I'm riding another seat?
Most students riding a seat other than that of their concentration can get by just fine by borrowing. There are tack stores within an hour's drive from Fulton that carry clothing suitable for all seats. There is also catalog mail order information in the Equestrian Student manual that is given to each new student when they arrive on campus. Or you can check out the "What to Wear" (PDF) documentation.
Where do you show?
All over. William Woods participates in a number of horse shows each year, from local schooling shows to "A" rated national shows. The Saddle Horses go to The American Royal in Kansas City, The St, Louis National Charity Horse Show and The Missouri State Fair. Morgan horses have shown at the Morgan Grand Nationals in Oklahoma City. Western horses go to many Missouri Horse Shows Association shows and have shown at the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the Quarter Horse World Show. Hunters and jumpers go to many well-known shows in the Midwest such as The American Royal and the St. Louis National Charity Show, and have shown in Germantown, Tennessee, Tulsa Charity, and Gulfport, Mississippi "A" shows. Dressage horses show at recognized and unrecognized shows in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas, including the USDF Region IV Championships and the Central State Regional Dressage Finals. William Woods hosts a variety of shows throughout the year including schooling shows, Missouri Horse Shows Association recognized shows, Parent's Weekend Horse Show and a USEF-USDF recognized dressage show. All WWU students are invited to participate in these events. Estimated costs of showing with WWU are listed on the Show Costs page.
Will I have an opportunity to show as a freshman or transfer student?
Yes, if you show the interest and the ability and if horses are available. Anyone who desires to show will be given the opportunity.
Do I have to show?
No, showing is not a requirement. However, showing is recommended for students who plan to take horse jobs after graduation, because horse showing teaches poise, sportsmanship and responsibility and allows students to come in contact with prospective employers. Students who want to come along to shows to groom and help out are always welcome.
What Equestrian-related extracurricular activities are available?
The Equestrian Division has several specialized clubs for interested students. Each seat has a show team or club. Club projects include fundraisers such as fun shows, silent auctions, sport shirt and jacket sales and bake sales. Club activities include horse showing, field trips, movies, hay rides. The Dressage Club puts on a recognized Dressage show and sponsors several clinics each year. The Western Club puts on a horse show or two each year. The Hunter/Jumper Show Team puts on the Jumping Derby in the fall and a MHSA recognized Winter Fun Show for Saddle Seat, Western and Hunter/Jumper riders each year during the spring semester.
Tell me more about the Fulton Community.
The City of Fulton is centrally located between Kansas City and St. Louis, 4 miles off Interstate 70 on U.S. Highway 54. Fulton is part of the Mid Missouri Triangle with Jefferson City 20 miles to our south and Columbia 20 miles to our west. The Fulton population is about 11,000. Fulton serves as the county seat for the Kingdom of Callaway County. Fulton is a Central Missouri community rich in history and culture. There are many historic sites including the Winston Churchill Memorial and site of his famous Iron Curtain Speech. There are also many beautifully restored Victorian homes along the tree-lined main streets. Downtown Fulton is within walking distance of the WWU campus.
Where can my family stay when they come to visit me at William Woods University?
There are a number of local accomodations available to visiting students and their friends and family. The closest hotel is the Amerihost Inn. The local Bed and Breakfast Inns such as the Loganberry Inn and the Romancing the Past Bed and Breakfast are a fun (and delicious) way to get to know a little more about Fulton, MO. Contact the Callaway County Chamber of Commerce for more information about local accomodations.
What job opportunities are available with an Equestrian Science or Equine Administration Major?
There is a very wide range of job opportunities available to the EQS or EQA major. A current study by the American Horse Council found that the economic impact of the equestrian industry in the United States to be $112.1 billion. The equestrian industry involves 7.1 million Americans and supports 1.4 million full-time jobs. (AHC, 1996) William Woods Graduates have taken positions teaching at the college level, training horses, managing stables, and show coaching and teaching private lessons. Working for horse publications in journalism or advertising, equestrian photography and portraiture, horse show management, horse judging and management of equestrian clothing and tack stores represent other career possibilities. Starting salaries range from entry level to the thirty thousands, depending on experience and skill.
Is there a special fee for riding classes?
In order to participate in riding classes, students pay a fee for each riding class they are enrolled in for each semester. For more information on course fees, please view the course fees page. For more information on fees for tuition, room and board, etc., go to Student Financial Services.
Is financial aid available to Equestrian Studies students?
There is an Equestrian Science Scholarship based on riding skill awarded to qualified incoming students that is renewable for four years. There are many types of financial aid available to qualified students ranging from scholarships to work-study programs.