If we took the time to list all the career opportunities available these days for working directly or indirectly with horses it would likely overflow into several pages. Before you even tackle the career minefield, however, you need to ask yourself whether your desire is all-consuming, because it’s a long way from being a starry-eyed, horse-crazy youngster to carving a gratifying life-long career within the equestrian industry. Is your love of horses sufficient to sustain you through the highs and lows, the many days, hours, and years of hard work, sometimes in less than ideal conditions. You must have a deep sense of responsibility and realize that you will never know everything there is to know, so devoting yourself to a career with horses also means devoting yourself to a lifetime of learning.
Careers within the equestrian industry like any other require varying levels of education, from a simple high school diploma up to a DVM, PhD, or professional degree from a recognized institution. Be prepared to undertake considerable research to determine the types of training necessary and the best available within your chosen career.
Randolph Macon Womens’ College (R-MWC)
The Randolph-Macon Woman's College Riding Program is offered for physical education credit to our students while they pursue their academic program. The Program specializes in Hunter Seat Equitation classes for riders of all levels as well as a wide range of competitive opportunities including IHSA, ODAC and USEF recognized shows. Their 46- stall barn and 300' x 125' indoor arena are situated on 100 acres of beautifully rolling terrain making it one of the premiere facilities in Virginia.
Whether you're interested in competing in shows or just want to enjoy the serenity of a horseback ride in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll find what you're looking for in R-MWC’s riding program.
Ranked third in the nation in 1999, R-MWC's riding program boasts a long history of excellence. Led by Riding Director J.T. Tallon, the riding program offers progressive, individualized instruction for riders of all abilities. Our facilities include:
• 100 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
• Two outdoor rings
• Jumping amphitheatre (360' x 250')
• Schooling ring (250' x 150')
• The Claire Noyes Cox indoor arena (120' x 300')
• Hunter trial course and outside schooling jumps
• Modern 40-stall barn
• Over 30 quality school horses
As a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Competition and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), we compete with 12 area colleges and enter regional and national competitions, in addition to USA Equestrian (USAE) and Southwest Virginia Hunter/Jumper Association (SWVHJA) shows.
The Riding Program offers:
• Two lessons per week in classes of no more than six students for one credit per semester.
• The option to participate in extra rides or unlimited riding at additional cost.
• Classes arranged to fit your academic schedule.
• Special coaching for schooling and showing.
• Opportunities to participate in clinics.
J.T. Tallon, director of the Riding Center and coach of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team, is a past national champion himself. He led four teams to the National IHSA championship in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. He was ODAC Coach of the Year in 2002, 2003, and 2005.
As your instructor, however, his focus is on you and your abilities. "Riding at R-MWC offers enjoyment for riders of all levels," says Tallon, "from the experienced competitor to the beginner who always wished for the opportunity to ride. Our staff and facilities can give each rider exactly what she is looking for."
For more information please visit: www.rmwc.edu
LaCense Montana & University of Montana – Degree in Natural Horsemanship
In a unique partnership unlike any other in the nation, La Cense Montana and the University of Montana-Western in Dillon have collaborated to offer a four-year degree in natural horsemanship beginning this fall. Students receive instruction in topics such as horse health care, equine nutrition, anatomy and physiology, conformation and judging of the English and Western horse, and equine management. In addition to their academic studies, students spend extensive time at the ranch learning natural horsemanship techniques based on communication and trust rather than force and dominance. With professional goals ranging from equine breeding and training to veterinary science and equine business management, students come away from the program fully prepared for careers in the equine industry.
Prospective students from the US and around the world have responded with a show of interest that has been gratifying to the university faculty as well as to the La Cense Montana staff. UM-Western is now accepting applications for the 2006/2007 school year. For more information, contact Dr. Charlotte Quist at UM-Western at c_quist@umwestern.edu or call 1-406-683-7030. The Equine Studies Program at UM-Western may be found at http://www.umwestern.edu/academics/departments/equine; La Cense Montana may be found at http://www.lacensemontana.com.
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University was founded in 1899 beginning with a single $60 shed. From these modest beginnings, the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine has developed into a multi-million-dollar state-of-the-art complex serving the entire Pacific Northwest and Western Canada.
At the heart of this college lies the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) at WSU: three acres of state-of-the-art veterinary care under one roof attracting some 15,000 animal patients per year. You’ll find such advanced medical technology as a computerized tomography (CT) scan, nuclear medicine, laser surgery, video endoscopy, ultrasound, a linear accelerator for treating cancer with radiation, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The VTH is open 24 hours a day, every day, to serve animals and their owners. The equine intensive care unit provides continuous observation of critically ill patients. Two stalls in the equine ICU are specially designed for treatment of premature and critically ill foals while still maintaining constant, safe contact with the mare.
Only the best and brightest students are admitted to the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine professional degree program: one in eight who applied in 2005. The average GPA for incoming veterinary students is 3.6 out of 4.0, and more than 75 percent of the new class are women. Most students have a full background in science, and experience with animals before they arrive.
The key to a WSU Veterinary student’s success has been the close interaction they enjoy with some of the top world’s specialists. WSU’s senior medical faculty members, Drs. Melissa Hines and Debra Sellon, are board-certified large animal internal medicine specialists by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).
The equine surgery team is world-renowned for their expertise in lameness evaluation and endoscopic surgery. Drs. Claude Ragle, Kelly Farnsworth, and Bob Schneider are board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgery. They provide comprehensive surgical procedures for many conditions including fracture repair, arthroscopic surgery, colic, urinary bladder disorders, upper respiratory abnormalities, and joint injuries. Last, but not least, Dr. Ahmed Tibary is WSU’s large animal reproduction specialist, known as a theriogenologist. His expertise, provides a diverse range of services for horse owners including breeding soundness evaluation, pregnancy determination and monitoring, and artificial insemination.
WSU veterinary students work with the finest diagnostic tools available today. The medical imaging service has equipment capable of obtaining the highest quality images of most body regions on almost any horse from pony foals to adult draft horses. From ultrasound imaging of horses, to nuclear scintigraphy, WSU students learn first hand how each of these premier diagnostic tools can evaluate everything from the metabolic activity of bones, to soft and bony tissue injury. In fact, WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine pioneered the use of MR imaging of horses and hosts the world’s only international MRI conference each year sharing its expertise.
WSU students have the option of taking Advanced Equine Medicine as
early as their third year. By their fourth year of professional study they can move on to specialties such as Large Animal Surgery that includes rotations in equine surgery as well as equine medical clinical rotation. Students can also complete a preceptorship with practicing veterinarians, and have the option of a variety of electives ranging from farriery, to equine neonatal medicine, equine lameness, and even equine orthopedic sports medicine. Finally, there are a number of student clubs on campus such as the WSU Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practioners, and the Draft Horse Club that foster even greater knowledge and experience outside of the classroom.
Many equine patients are referred to WSU by their private veterinarian, but anyone may seek treatment directly without referral. For more information contact Equine Services at the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital at (509) 335-0718, or visit our website at www.vetmed.wsu.edu/dept-equine
If you know a student who is interested in becoming a veterinarian, please contact Abbie Demeerleer, our CVM recruitment officer for more information. abbiedem@vetmed.wsu.edu or Tel: (509) 335 5107.
Canyonview Equestrian College blends Horsemanship and Ministry
Nearly 100 acres in the Willamette Valley, tucked away in Drift Creek canyon along the foothills of the Cascade Mountains is home to a herd of 65 to 70 horses that are used as training tools for students studying horsemanship ministry at Canyonview Equestrian College in Silverton, Oregon.
Although the college has a focus on horses and horsemanship, the school is Christian-based in its approach. “It’s not about horses, it’s about the ministry,” says Ren Bannerman, Director of the College. “Most of our students want to be in the ministry, and horses are the tools we use to reach people for Christ.”
Canyonview is a small school with a two-year certificate program, licensed by the Oregon Department of Education. Students enroll from all over the US. Sixteen is the maximum number we take,” Bannerman says. “We want to invest in our students as individuals.” Students completing the full course of study receive certification as a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Instructor. “Graduates have the experience and training necessary to secure horsemanship ministry or other equestrian-related employment in all aspects of the horse industry.”
The CEC program is designed to equip its students with the necessary tools to manage, train, and teach in a variety of horse-related ministry settings. The program develops students’ abilities in riding, training, stable management, herd management, and instruction. The skills are combined with Bible training and teaching opportunities.
The college requires students to have 240 hours of internships to be carried out in the second year of study, including horsemanship, ministry, and special interest, and are done in the community that provides training outside of the school. These include working in training barns, cutting, reining, jumping, dressage, as well as with vets, farriers, in churches and other ministries.
First-year students don’t just ride, but spend a large amount of time studying theory in a diversity of riding disciplines including hunt seat, dressage, and western riding. They also learn the basics of equine anatomy, herd management, Bible classes, and ministry courses.
Second-year students delve into the practical application of horsemanship and ministry, including breaking and training colts, discipleship, and ministry and outreach.
“We recently had a student graduate from our program who enrolled at Oregon State University who applied 16 credits from her certificate she earned toward her degree.” Bannerman says.
“Besides schoolwork, internships, and basic chores around the facilities, students are responsible for the care and feeding of all the horses,” says Sherilyn Sander, Dean of Students.
“Basically, our students go to school full-time and work full-time caring for the horses,” she says. “This on-the-job training is for two years. This is one of the most important aspects of the school because the students are also our staff in the other programs of the ministry. They get to put their training in practice, immediately. And as they move on after graduation, they not only have a certificate but two years experience in horsemanship ministry.”
All of the horses at Canyonview have been donated, although the school doesn’t take just any old horses.
“We don’t take blind, sick, or lame horses. We don’t take horses with habits of kicking or biting, or are 20 and older,” Bannerman said. “We get horses from people going through life changes as well as from ranches and people who care about having a home for their horse where it will be well-cared for.”
“Riding lessons and Bible study go together. We don’t do anything separate – it all goes back to horsemanship ministry,” says Bannerman. For more information about the college or the camps or about donating a horse or equipment call (503) 873-3249 or by e-mail at collegeinfo@canyonviewequestriancollege.org
CEC’s website: www.canyonvewequestriancollege.org
Learning to Savvy Horses the Parelli Way
Pat and Linda Parelli have developed a system of ‘teaching people to teach horses’ unique in the horse world. Horsemen, regardless of skill level, can learn natural horsemanship via the Parelli at-home study program, by studying with an Endorsed Parelli Instructor, or by attending courses at the Pat Parelli Centers in Colorado or Florida. The Parelli Savvy Club, with monthly DVDs and Savvy Times Magazines, keeps people motivated in and feeling connected to the Parellis and fellow students.
The Parelli home-study program is divided into three levels, each with official assessment available. The programs are packaged with DVDs, comprehensive pocketguides, theory book, audio CD, and a mode of measuring progress (such as a ‘success map’ and checklists).
Level 1 (Partnership) is where all true ‘horse savvy’ begins. This level creates a positive balance of trust and respect, eliminating many problems and safety issues people commonly encounter with horses. The step-by-step program is focused on helping you develop trust and respect with your horse.
Level 2 (Harmony) develops confidence in horse and human, and teaches your horse to respond to whatever you ask without hesitation. This is what Pat calls a “positive reflex.” While Levels 1 and 2 of the Parelli program develop trust, respect, safety, confidence, and positive reflexes, in Level 3 (Finesse) you are now ready to advance and refine the foundation you have built. You will develop accuracy, more feel, and precision. Your communications will become subtle. Level 3 helps you find a new level of grace and finesse, including vertical flexion and how to achieve the early stages of collection.
Parelli Instructors have spent innumerable hours studying with Pat and Linda to achieve star ratings (one to five star) and ratings in specialty areas (colt starting, difficult horses, etc.). These certified individuals teach courses throughout the world.
Two-week courses are available year-round at the Centers either in Ocala, Florida or Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Course 1 is Liberty and Horse Behavior. Being able to read horses is one of the greatest skills a horseman can have. It tells you what approach you need to take and helps you resolve problems quickly, giving you the keys for bonding and higher levels of communication.
Course 2 is Fluidity I – Freestyle. Fluidity is the absolute key to riding with confidence and harmony. It identifies the skills needed to ride and feel like you are part of the horse. By studying Pat Parelli and great riders around the world, Linda Parelli has identified the things they do naturally that make all the difference to how they feel to the horse, which in turn strongly influences how responsive, capable and happy their horses are.
Course 3 is Fluidity II – Finesse. Simple lead changes, flying lead changes, speeds within the gait, half passes, vertical flexion, collection, engagement – these are the pursuits of those who are focused on becoming skilled, advanced riders with interested and willing horses. The level of preparation is superb with inspired simulations and an in-depth understanding of what both the rider’s body and the horse’s body have to be able to do.
University Program
(Note: This program at the Colorado Parelli Center is accredited by the State of Colorado)
A 10-week module is available for students who are official Parelli Level 3 graduates. On-the-job training includes teaching (assisting, leading groups, etc.), horsemanship, equine management, marketing, and business skills. For more information on Parelli Natural Horsemanship, visit www.parelli.com or call 800/642-3335.
