Bachelor of Science
Equine Studies
Turn your passion for horses into a rewarding career
With over 40 years of experience in equine education, JWU offers one of the only equine programs in the Northeast. Equine Studies was developed to be truly comprehensive and allow you to explore a wide variety of equine-related topics. Plus, you can complete the general course of study or choose from two specializations within the program to customize your degree:
Equine Business Management Specialization
Take a suite of courses from the College of Business to develop financial literacy, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, operations management and total quality management skills.
Equine-Assisted Services Specialization
Explore the expanding fields of equine-assisted services, including therapeutic riding, equine-assisted learning and hippotherapy. Upon completing your degree, you will have the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in therapeutic riding instruction, horse management, riding program management, and equine-assisted learning and therapy.
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JWU Equine Experience: Kentucky Derby Grounds
Each year, students can take part in the JWU Equine Experience, a domestic study away trip that rotates annually between Kentucky and Florida. In spring 2024, students travelled to Kentucky to visit Churchill Downs, the famed complex that hosts the Kentucky Derby.
Experiential Education
Thanks to the partnerships we have developed with local farms, stables and research facilities, you’ll be able to ride, handle and care for horses in real settings as part of your coursework.
In this program, you will:
- Work closely with horses at our partner research facilities and farms.
- Learn more about organic farming and sustainable practices.
- Learn how facility design and management practices can influence horse health and behavior.
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Industry-Focused Facilities
With 10+ experiential education and riding partner facilities around Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts, students have a variety of real-world settings to learn in.
Partner Riding Facilities
Students can take riding courses at our local partner riding facilities, which include:
Apple Knoll Farm
Avastar Dressage & Lepore Farm
Downeast Performance Horses
Equi Evolution
Faith Hill Farm
Glen Farm Stables
Hunter Ridge Farm
Ocean Crest Farm LLC
Palmer River Equestrian Center
Prospect Hill Farm LLC
Tibri Horses
Sample Courses
- Foundations of Horsemanship & Riding Theory (Equine Lameness & Sports Therapy) & Lab
- Equine Reproduction and Genetics
- Sport Horse Evaluation and Judging
- Equine Facility Design and Operation Management
- Horse Farm Management and Business Planning
- Equine Competition Management and Course Design
- Foundations of Horsemanship & Riding Theory
- Perspectives in Animal-Assisted Interventions
In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), internship, minor or study abroad. You are encouraged to contact an advisor before scheduling free elective credits. View the full catalog course listing:
Career Possibilities
- Farm Manager/Owner
- Equine Advertising Account Manager
- Horse Show Manager
- Horse/Breed Association Publicist
- Therapeutic Riding Instructor/ Program Manager
- Equine-Assisted Learning & Therapy
- Equine Business Entrepreneur
- Equine Sports Therapist
Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.
Featured Faculty
Our professors and instructors are dedicated to the success of our students. Learn more about our expert faculty members.
Assistant Professor
Chris completed his undergraduate degree in pre-vet animal science with dual minors in marine biology and psychology at the University of Rhode...
Associate Professor
Crystal Taylor, M.A. has been actively involved in the equine industry for more than 30 years and coaches JWU's Intercollegiate Dressage Team.
Associate Professor
Dirk Fogg, MBA teaches theoretical and practical classes on a wide range of equine-related topics, including horse farm business planning, course design, equine physiology and more.
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