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Equine Management & Equine Science
Why Ellsworth?
Ellsworth Community College's equine programs are currently ranked #2 in the nation by HorseSchools.com, an independent organization that takes into account everything from curriculum and facilities (take a "virtual tour" by clicking through the tour at the bottom of this page) to staffing and special experiences. Here's what you can look forward to in ECC's Equine Management and Equine Science programs:
- • Train at least seven different, privately owned horses of all ages (you get paired with your first horse on the first day of class!).
- • Take English and Western riding lessons, including riding patterns, jumping and other advanced maneuvers.
- • Ride every day, depending on your class schedule. Between training and riding classes, you'll ride at least 2-3 times a day.
- • Apply sound equine management practices as you help oversee the operation of the all new, state-of-the-art, climate controlled Ellsworth Equestrian Center.
- • Instruct riding lessons for others.
- • Become skilled at the art of horse riding, feeding, training, restraint, clipping, vaccinations, basic health maintenance, and management of horses.
- • Participate in a variety of expos, clinics and events where you'll work with speakers and clinicians, register participants, participate by riding in clinics, and attend workshops.
- • Participate in spring and fall shows, competing on horses you've trained while the owners watch and family members cheer you on!
- • Attend the American Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio, AQHA World Show in Oklahoma, Midwest Horse Fair in Wisconsin, and Minnesota Horse Expo.
- • Join the ECC Horse Judging Team to improve your judging skills and then be tested in collegiate competitions such as AQHA Congress, AQHA World Show and APHA Spring Sweepstakes.
Three great options
Working with horses is a lifelong passion for people who get into the fields of equine management and equine science. If you’ve always dreamed of having the knowledge to someday train or show horses, Equine Management (one-year or two-year programs available) is the program for you. If you'd like to someday manage your own equine business or work as a trainer, riding instructor, breeder, professional groomer, veterinary assistant or horse handler, then check our our Equine Science program! ( NOTE: Our Equine Science degree includes a stronger science background, making it the best choice for students who may want to transfer their credits to a college or university where they can complete a bachelor's degree. )
Careers
Trainers, operators, riding instructors, breeders, handlers, feed representatives, tack stores, vet clinics, animal health laboratories, stable managers, farm/ranch manager, breeding managers, foaling attendant, exercise riders, farm supplies, private lessons, animal control officer, boarding, therapeutic riding, horse show judging, dude ranches, resort industry, service industry, retail industry, equine journalism/advertising, saddle-making and professional grooms.
Job outlook
As the number of horses continues to increase across the country, many job openings exist. It's predicted by Iowa Workforce Development that the number of equine jobs in Iowa and Central Iowa through 2018 may decline a bit, but that the number of jobs across the country will grow by 14,600.
Degrees awarded & curriculum requirements
Equine Management Practitioner Diploma (1 year, career focus); click here for curriculum
Equine Management Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree (2 year, career focus); click here for curriculum
Equine Science Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree (2 year, science & transfer focus); click here for curriculum
Equine news/features
Gainful employment reporting
Beginning July 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education began requiring colleges to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid eligible certificate program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” The information provided here represents one year’s data and will be updated annually.
For ECC’s Equine Management Practitioner program, the one program completer in FY11 was employed in a related or unrelated field at the time of the survey, for a respondent placement rate of 100%. It took the completer two terms to finish the program, for an on-time program completion rate of 100%. The individual's median loan debt was not listed because there were fewer than five completers.
Current college cost information is always available on our website.
Program contact
Megan Gogerty, Megan.Gogerty@iavalley.edu
Rachel Mottet, Rachel.Mottet@iavalley.edu
Julie Burchett, Julie.Burchett@iavalley.edu
Admissions contact
Annie.Kalous, Annie.Kalous@iavalley.edu