Launch Equestrian

Equestrian Studies
Degree Programs

Turn Your Passion for Horses into a Career.

At Averett University, horses aren’t just part of the experience — they’re at the heart of it. Whether you dream of managing a premier equestrian facility, training and competing horses, coaching riders or building a career in the equine industry, Averett’s Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Studies provides the hands-on education, industry experience and professional connections to help you succeed.

From your first week on campus, you’ll be immersed in a program that blends classroom learning with daily riding, horse care and stable management. With nationally recognized faculty, outstanding facilities and career-focused concentrations, you’ll graduate ready to make your mark in the equine industry.

Your future begins in the saddle at Averett.

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Why Study Equestrian Studies at Averett?

Averett has built one of the nation’s premier equestrian programs by combining academic excellence with real-world experience. Students learn on a dedicated equestrian campus where classroom concepts are reinforced through daily interaction with horses and industry professionals.

Students in Averett’s Equestrian Studies program benefit from:

  • Hands-on riding and horsemanship beginning their first week on campus
  • Personalized instruction from experienced equestrian faculty
  • Daily opportunities to develop riding and horse management skills
  • A dedicated equestrian campus with exceptional facilities
  • Required internships that provide valuable industry experience
  • Strong connections throughout the equine industry
  • Small class sizes that encourage individualized instruction and mentorship

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Choose the Path That’s Right for You

Averett’s Equestrian Studies program offers multiple career-focused pathways, allowing you to customize your education around your interests and professional goals.

Equine Management

  • If you aspire to own, manage or operate an equestrian business, this concentration combines equine knowledge with business principles to prepare you for leadership roles throughout the industry.

Students develop skills in:

  • Stable and facility management
  • Equine business operations
  • Marketing and communications
  • Event management
  • Financial management
  • Customer relations
  • Entrepreneurship

Career opportunities include:

  • Stable Manager
  • Barn Manager
  • Equine Facility Director
  • Horse Show Manager
  • Equine Business Owner
  • Sales and Marketing Representative
  • Equine Event Coordinator

Teaching and Training

Designed for students who want to develop horses and riders, this concentration emphasizes horsemanship, riding instruction and training techniques while preparing graduates to become successful trainers, instructors and riding professionals.

Students develop skills in:

  • Rider instruction
  • Horse training
  • Equine behavior
  • Riding theory
  • Stable operations
  • Coaching techniques

Career opportunities include:

  • Professional Horse Trainer
  • Riding Instructor
  • Lesson Program Director
  • Assistant Trainer
  • Barn Manager
  • Equestrian Coach

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

For students interested in improving lives through the horse-human connection, this pathway explores the growing field of equine-assisted activities and therapeutic programs.

Students develop skills in:

  • Equine behavior
  • Human-animal interaction
  • Program administration
  • Safety and risk management
  • Teaching and communication

Career opportunities include:

  • Therapeutic Riding Instructor*
  • Equine-Assisted Activities Professional
  • Program Coordinator
  • Nonprofit Program Manager

*Additional certifications may be required.

Equine Science

Explore the science behind equine health, nutrition, reproduction and performance. The Equine Science concentration combines coursework in biology and animal science with hands-on experiences that help students better understand the care, management and physiology of horses. It’s an excellent choice for students interested in breeding operations, equine health, research or pursuing graduate or professional study in animal or veterinary sciences.

Students develop skills in:

  • Equine anatomy and physiology
  • Nutrition and feeding management
  • Reproduction and breeding principles
  • Equine health and disease prevention
  • Genetics and animal science
  • Stable and herd management

Career opportunities include:

  • Equine Nutrition Specialist
  • Breeding Farm Manager
  • Equine Reproduction Technician
  • Equine Health or Research Assistant
  • Equine Sales and Bloodstock Representative
  • Feed and Animal Health Industry Representative
  • Veterinary Assistant*
  • Equine Facility Manager

*Additional education or certification may be required for some positions, including veterinary medicine.

From feeding and daily care to riding and facility management, students gain the confidence and experience employers value.

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Learn by Doing

At Averett, experiential learning isn’t optional—it’s part of everyday life. Students develop practical skills through coursework and hands-on experiences in areas such as:

As an Equestrian Studies student, you’ll study subjects including:

  • Horsemanship
  • Stable Management
  • Equine Nutrition
  • Equine Behavior
  • Equine Health
  • Riding Instruction
  • Business Management
  • Equine Industry Practices

From feeding and daily care to riding and facility management, students gain the confidence and experience employers value.

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Ride. Learn. Compete.

Averett University’s nationally recognized equestrian program competes in both the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) and the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA), giving students the opportunity to compete in dressage and hunt seat competition against colleges and universities throughout the region and across the country. Riders compete on host-provided horses, emphasizing adaptability, horsemanship and skill while earning individual and team points throughout the season.

Averett’s teams have established a tradition of excellence, capturing regional championships, qualifying consistently for national competition and producing numerous individual national champions. Whether competing in the dressage arena through IDA or over fences and on the flat through IHSA, student-athletes benefit from high-level coaching, outstanding facilities and a competitive environment that complements their academic experience.

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Career Opportunities

The equine industry offers rewarding careers in business, training, education and facility management.

Graduates pursue careers such as:

  • Stable or Barn Manager
  • Professional Horse Trainer
  • Riding Instructor
  • Equine Facility Manager
  • Horse Show Manager
  • Equine Business Owner
  • Equine Sales Representative
  • Equine Event Coordinator
  • Farm Manager
  • Equine Program Director
  • Equine science and veterinary care

Many graduates also pursue advanced certifications or specialized training within the equine industry.

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Industry Connections and Experience Learning Beyond the Classroom

Students complete internships that provide valuable professional experience while building relationships throughout the equine industry.

Internship opportunities may include:

  • Training facilities
  • Boarding and breeding farms
  • Show barns
  • Riding schools
  • Equine businesses
  • Therapeutic riding centers
  • Competition venues
  • Equine organizations

These experiences help students build professional networks while preparing for successful careers after graduation.

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Why Employers Choose Averett Graduates

The equine industry values professionals who combine technical expertise with leadership, communication and a strong work ethic.

Averett graduates leave prepared with:

  • Advanced horsemanship skills
  • Stable and facility management experience
  • Leadership and communication abilities
  • Business and organizational knowledge
  • Hands-on industry experience
  • A commitment to horse welfare and professional excellence

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Why Averett?

✔ Ride and work with horses from your first week on campus

✔ Learn at a dedicated equestrian campus designed for hands-on education

✔ Choose a pathway aligned with your career goals

✔ Gain valuable internship experience before graduation

✔ Build relationships with faculty who are invested in your success

✔ Graduate prepared for leadership opportunities throughout the equine industry

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Ready to Pursue Your Passion?

Whether you envision yourself managing a world-class equestrian facility, training horses and riders or leading the next generation of equine professionals, Averett University’s Equestrian Studies program provides the knowledge, experience and connections to help you achieve your goals.

Apply today, schedule a campus visit or request more information to discover how Averett can help you turn your passion for horses into a lifelong career.