Kentucky is horse country, home of the popular Kentucky Derby and the World Equestrian Games in 2010. Students who attend colleges like the University of Louisville for equine business are exposed to a variety of guest lecturers, internship opportunities and field trips. Whether you are interested in hospitality and stable management, horse show management, business management, clinic management, horse therapy or equestrian organizations, there is a college in Kentucky that is right for you.
Hospitality
Various colleges in Kentucky, such as The University of Kentucky, Midway College and Asbury College, offer equine management programs in their hospitality departments. These programs prepare students who may one day manage horse shows, give lessons or run a horse stable that offers horseback riding tours to the public. People who enter careers in horse hospitality may enter the ministry or manage various equine organizations.
Equine Science
If you are interested in becoming a veterinarian, equine chiropractor, farrier, vet tech or any other of the various fields focusing on equine health, than choose an equine management program that allows you to concentrate in equine science. These schools include Midway College, Morehead State University or the University of Kentucky. Students in these programs are required to study biology, biochemistry and chemistry in addition to courses in economics and math. Usually an internship in equine health is required.
Business
If someday you plan to own your own horse business, than a degree in equine business from a college like the University of Louisville will help you succeed. The world of horse breeding, boarding, selling and training is a competitive field, and knowledge of business and the industry will help you take charge of that field.
Riding Therapy
Using horses to offer therapy to people suffering from mental and physical disorders is a growing field. Some colleges in Kentucky, such as Asbury University, allow students to pair their equine management majors with a psychology major for a focus in Equine Facilitated Wellness. These programs focus on the importance of relationships, the human-animal bond, body and self-awareness and personal ethics. By learning to understand the psychology of horses, patients of riding therapy learn compassion and a deeper understanding of themselves.
Horse Therapy
If you study equine management and equine science, then you could also be preparing for a career in healing troubled horses. Many horses grew up in homes where they were mistreated and neglected. Horses have a hard time recovering from situations like that, and in many cases, they never recover. Schools like Midway College allow their students to concentrate in programs like health and rehabilitation where they study and try to understand the horse psyche.
