Animal Technology: Horse Management
www.linnbenton.edu/animal-science
The Agricultural Sciences Department offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Horse Management. The AAS degree provides students with 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 groomer, 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.
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 Animal Technology: Horse Management program is designed to be completed in two years. This assumes, however, that entering students place at or above the following levels on the college placement exam: WR 115 Introduction to College Writing and MTH 075 Variables and Linear Equations. It is advisable to take the test as early as possible. If developmental coursework is required, it may take longer than two years to complete the program. 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.