Animal Technology: Horse Management

www.linnbenton.edu/animal-science

The Animal Technology Department offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Horse Management. This degree provides students with the knowledge and skills useful in entering occupations in the horse industry. Some of the coursework may transfer to a four-year institution. The program uses the local horse community as a natural instructional laboratory, and the courses provide extensive, practical, hands-on experience. The program maintains and operates a small training and breeding facility at which a limited number of student horses may be boarded. The college’s seven-acre horse facility is located 1.5 miles from campus.

Job opportunities are varied, depending on the specific interest of the student. Typical jobs open to students completing the Horse Management degree program include stable helper, exercise rider, apprentice trainer, show groom, foaling attendant, breeding assistant and general farm hand. Many students are already working on family horse ranches or at agricultural jobs when they enter the program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Animal Technology: Horse Management will:

• Successfully start a young horse and understand basic training concepts necessary to continue training through an advanced level.
• Manage a breeding herd and apply scientific concepts to a breeding program.
• Apply business, health and management concepts necessary to maintain a successful equine facility.
• Research a management or health problem.
• Communicate effectively using appropriate equine industry vocabulary in order to be successful in the job market.

Program Requirements

Students entering the Animal Technology: Horse Management program should have a firm background in life and physical sciences and should be prepared to take courses in mathematics and biology.

A mandatory riding evaluation is given at the start of the program to enable proper placement in courses.

The program is designed to be completed in two years. This assumes, however, that the entering student has placed at or above the following levels on the Computerized Placement Test: WR 115 Introduction to College Writing and MTH 060 Introduction to Algebra. It is advisable to take the test as early as possible. Students entering the program with math and writing skills below the minimum requirement may require longer than two years to complete the degree. Program completion requires a minimum of 4 credits of math and 8 credits of biology, plus Related Instruction courses such as English composition, speech and social sciences.

Facilities

Classes are conducted in modern well-equipped classrooms and laboratories. Emphasis is placed on hands-on experience, and many classes utilize the local producers for laboratory exercises. In addition, there are computers, microscopes, and other modern lab equipment available for student use.

The training classes are conducted in a modern barn with indoor arena, 28 box stalls and washing and grooming facilities. Students bringing horses to school may board them at the LBCC barn.