Launch Equestrian

Equestrian Studies
Degree Programs

Meet Our Equestrian Studies Faculty

The relationship between humans and horses is thousands of years old. If you are a horse lover who wants to nurture and build on this relationship, Averett University offers bachelor’s degree programs in Equestrian Studies. Working on both the main campus and at our dedicated Equestrian Center, you can develop advanced horsemanship skills and professional competencies necessary for a variety of roles in the equine industry.

Possible career choices include equine insurance; pharmaceutical, equipment or feed sales; tourism; training; teaching; equine journalism; equine facilitated mental health; ownership/management of tack or feed stores; and racing, showing, boarding, or breeding stables.

We offer the following concentration options for the Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Studies:

  • Dressage Instruction
  • Equine Management
  • Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
  • Eventing Instruction
  • Equine Science

Riding instructor courses in the Dressage, Eventing and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy concentrations are approved by national organizations, including the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), United States Eventing Association (USEA), and Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).

Courses in the Equestrian Studies Major and Concentrations

All students in the Equestrian Studies major, regardless of concentration, take the following key courses:

  • Equine Anatomy and Physiology
  • Equine Lameness and Disease
  • Equine Nutrition
  • Horsemastership III
  • Lunge Theory and Application
  • Practical Concepts of Equine Care
  • Stable Management
  • Teaching Elementary Riding
  • Careers: Integrating Personal Goals
  • Internships

These courses provide the basis for skilled riding, effective care of horses, and career development in any area of the equine industry. All students also undertake an internship in the field in order to develop hands-on experience and begin building a professional network.

Click Here for Equestrian Studies Lab Fees

Click Here for Equestrian Studies Equipment List

Concentration Areas – Equestrian Degree Programs

In the Dressage concentration, students develop skills and a base of classical theory for eventing, training, competing, teaching, and writing about Dressage.

Students in the Equine Management concentration prepare students with equine industry-specific business administration skills. Graduates are prepared for careers managing shows, facilities, and more.

In the Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy concentration, students gain an understanding of psychology and the human-horse relationship, and learn the skills necessary to plan, guide, and evaluate equine therapy experiences for a variety of human patient populations.

The Eventing concentration teaches classical theory and practice for competing, training, and teaching eventing.

Equestrian Studies Minor

We also offer Equestrian Studies as a field of study for an undergraduate minor. Students can choose from general Equestrian Studies, Equestrian-Assisted Psychotherapy, or Equine Science, taking 18-25 credits in each area, respectively.

For a full list of courses related to the majors and minors in Equestrian Studies, please see our course catalog. To read admissions requirements for the Equestrian Studies programs, please click here.

For more information about Averett University and our programs in Virginia, contact us or apply now and get started on your career today!